Equine Harmony Rescue & Rehab

08/27/2024

Lunchtime 😊

08/16/2024

From Cynthia Attar's book the Mule Companion:

1976 Endurance Ride
The mule has great endurance and independence, and desires a working partnership with man. One of the most famous endurance rides, The Great American Horse Race, was held in 1976. The object was to take your favorite horse or mule, along with a back up mount, and the three of you trek clear across America, from the starting line in New York to the finish line in California. The first one to cross the finish line won the pot of money put up for the courageous event. Below is how Emerson Johnson recalls the race:

On memorial day 1976, 175 horses and five mules gathered for the start of The Great American Horse Race at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort New York. The finish line was in Sacramento California Exposition Grounds 3200 miles away. The 100 or so riders of both sexes and mixed ages, had all paid an entry fee of $500. The purse was $50,000 to be appropriated among the first 10 place winners. Each rider was permitted to lead a spare mount if he or she chose, and most of them did.

A 60 year old steeplejack and horse rancher from San Jose California named Virl Norton had posted his $500. He was as tough as the two mules he would be riding. His lead mule was Lord Fauntleroy, son of a thorough bred mare and a Mammoth Jack. His spare mount, Lady Eloise, was of the same mixture. Both were dark brown and 16 hands.

98 days later, Norton pulled up before the battery of television cameras and reporters in Sacramento, winner by 9 hours and 17 minutes over the second-place horse, an Arabian trotter! This was the equivalent of 75 miles by Nortons estimate. (Averaging 30 miles per day at pace of 8.5 mph) A few of Nortons competitors complained about the way the race was run. Two maintained that if it had been a bit longer their horses would have won. Norton replied, OK, give me 72 hours and we'll turn around and race back. We'll each put up $10,000, winner takes all. No one stepped forward.

The mules each lost 150 pounds during the race. Norton lost 26. All arrived lean, hard, and well. Norton was richer by 25,000 and two western mules had made racing history. When those mules left New York, they were headed for their barn in San Jose. There are few places a mule would rather go than to the barn!

08/12/2024

Little Lasso is feeling it.

08/09/2024

Happy 8th birthday to Happy. He’s still a baby in mule years. ❤️🎈

08/06/2024

Slumber party for McCloud (right) and Atlas tonight. 😊❤️

08/03/2024

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=896097189206181&id=100064177233250&mibextid=adzO7l

08/02/2024

Robynn Smith

07/26/2024

paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/3378549

Help me spread the word about Equine Harmony Rescue & Rehab. Together we can make a difference.

07/05/2024

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=788117970182696&set=a.591041416557020&type=3&mibextid=adzO7l

He Saves Horse off Kill Truck for $200. But Has No Idea He`s Just Bought Three-Time Champion...

The story of Raven, a horse destined for death on a kill truck several years ago, is a tale of triumph. Drew Boies, an amateur roper and farrier, rescued Raven and saw her potential as a champion. Despite her difficult past, Raven emerged as a 3-time Congress Champion, proving that she had the heart of a true champion. The Boies family plans to continue Raven's success in future competitions and eventually retire her at home. This story highlights the need to end needless horse slaughter in the United States and emphasizes the importance of rehoming and adoption for at-risk and homeless horses.

06/27/2024

Maverick wants to give some kisses. 😘

06/27/2024

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=505826075118261&set=a.230610425973162&type=3&mibextid=adzO7l

Exactly!!
🐾💚🐾

Credit: Rainbow Bridge Animal Rescue (RBAR)

06/21/2024

Roar

06/21/2024

Determined Roar.

06/21/2024

Some of the herd. ❤️

06/21/2024

Little Lasso the mini mule.

05/29/2024

Got space? Looking for a ride? Nico just might be the one.

This sweet, handsome horse came to the Shelter after his previous guardian was unable to continue caring for him. He is in a foster home getting amazing TLC until he find his adoptive home. He has been exposed to children, adults, dogs and other horses (both mares) and has done well. His foster parent thinks a home with light riding or light ground work would be a good fit for Nico and he may be suited for occasional trail riding and arena work. Nico is described as saddle broken and easily ground mounted. His current diet is free fed alfalfa and grass, with a Senior Blend Grain by ACE High as well as Platinum and Gleam and Glow supplements. He is barefoot but has had his feet done recently. Interested in adopting? Come chat with staff today!

California Adopt-a-Pet Day is just around the corner on June 1st, and we couldn’t be more excited to participate! We’ll be hosting a special local adoption event, where you can meet and fall in love with our amazing pets who are eagerly awaiting loving homes.

Thanks to the generous support of ASPCA in partnership with CalAnimals, all adoption fees are covered! A big shoutout to and the for their incredible support in making this event possible! Visit scanimalshelter.org (link in Bio) to view our adoptable pets ❤️🐾

05/19/2024

Love this picture.

05/09/2024

Day 2 for the dental work. 🦷

05/09/2024

LAST DAY - Big Dogs Rule Adoption Special

½ price Adoptions for Large Dogs EXTENDED through Sunday, May 5, 2024. We are open from 11 am to 6 pm and located at 1001 Rodriguez Street at the corner of 7th Avenue in Santa Cruz. Come find your new best friend!


The adoptable dog kennels at Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter (SCCAS) are FULL, and larger homeless dogs generally have to wait longer to find their “second-chance” homes.

May is National Pet Month and SCCAS wants to make it easier for folks to celebrate with an adoption by extending our adoption special for dogs who weigh more than 40 pounds through Sunday! The adoption fee for these dogs is reduced to just $75 and includes spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, a microchip and a dog license if you live in the County.

“Sometimes people will say “I’m not really a big dog person,” said Amber Rowland, the Shelter’s General Manager. “But every dog has their own personality, and we encourage folks to consider the individual when they adopt – which dog has a personality that clicks with mine? Which dog will fit in with my lifestyle? Our staff and volunteers can help you find a good match.”

Right now the shelter has a huge range of personalities in large packages – from snugglers like Sam I Am, Akira, or Jackie, to goofy guardians like Swayze or Seamus, to adventuring co-pilots like Bohdi, Choco, or Scout. Find a current listing at www.scanimalshelter.org !

05/09/2024

In-hand work isn’t just good for our horse’s proprioception and muscle memory, but ours, too!

It’s a great way to practice riding back to front… stepping the hind leg into our hand.

It’s a great way to get a feel for the ‘fixed hand’ and getting shifts of balance and feet from our core, NOT our hands.

It’s a great way to get a feel for a horse who is falling or rushing. You can FEEL what Baucher describes as the ‘resistance of weight.’

It’s a great way to get a feel for the AO joint at the poll, how ‘receiving’ it is, and whether it’s braced open or closed, the ‘resistance of force,’ and you can see the domino effects of the AO on the TMJ and hyoid.

It’s a great way to be able to observe integrity in the poll and the base of the neck. We know ‘broken at 3rd’ is a problem… so is ‘broken at 7th.’

05/08/2024

Thank you Ian and Jen for your help today and Ian for doing Dansey’s feet. 😊

05/08/2024

05/08/2024

Funny

05/08/2024

Exactly

05/08/2024

That time of year again. 🦷

05/06/2024

Thunder

05/03/2024

So true.