Diego’s Friends Farm Sanctuary

22/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/qxgAHghBYYLGPiBD/?mibextid=WC7FNe

So true! Our horses should be loved and cherished regardless of their ability to be ridden.

In modern culture this phrase "ride or die" means to be completely loyal to someone, no matter what the danger. Its funny because, in the equine world it means the exact opposite.

A chronic problem facing the equestrian community as a whole is the disposable culture we have for our equine partners. No matter what they've done for us or given us throughout their lives, the day they can no longer be ridden or work, they are treated disposably. This pushes people to use their horses well beyond ethical use. Riding sick, old, or lame horses just because they must keep working. Often the day they stop, this path ends at a slaughter house. Even if you give your horse "to a good home" that good home may run out of money, time, or care for a horse they can't ride, and pass them on, and on, and on.

The painful reality is that humans often show very little loyalty to their horses, though they expect complete loyalty back. With horses "ride or die" is quite literal, if we can't "use" you, your path leads to death.

Horses like Zephyr, 10 years old, beautiful, bright, happy and smart, but too neurological to carry a rider or do any work. At any normal farm he would have been euthanized on diagnosis, because he'll never have a future career. But he can live a full life of love and fun. His quality of life is only mildly irritated by his discoordination.

Horses are chronically forced to ride/work until the end of their life, so long as they're able they keep working them. They are frequently disposed of, either by passing them to the next owner or euthanizing them, or worst, dumping them at auction for slaughter buyers to pick up.

We need to change equestrian culture. The change is beginning, but we need to keep pushing. Horses are no longer "ride or die". There are too many ways to love your horse without riding or labor, there are too many ways to keep a horse enriched and their life full even when their career is done. There is no more excuse for treating horses disposably. Horses are a choice, a leisure, treat them with the same loyalty you expect from them.

21/11/2024

Spot the difference between Falkor the Luck Dragon and Trooper Dooper

20/11/2024

I didn’t think I was going to cry today but here we are 😭😭😭

Our vets love the horses as much as we do. They see all the good and bad, the ups and downs. When I tell you that Georgia and Strider had an impact on everyone they met, I truly mean it.

They were loved HARD and the dedication from the vets, farriers, and us was seen by everyone who got to know them. We didn’t have them long, only a few short months, but we brought them here to have a safe place to land, a safe home to rest, and a place to be loved for as long as we had them.

They’re running free in Heaven, with no pain and no more suffering. Free from the abuse and neglect they suffered at the hands of cruel humans. While our hearts are still heavy, knowing that their last months on Earth were good ones helps take the weight off.

Again, we thank all of you who’ve been with us and helped us with vet costs, transportation, and just sending all the prayers and love that you did. Thank you for sticking by us when misinformed or slanderous rumors were started. Thank you for believing in us and the mission. Thank you for being one of Diego’s Friends.

Let’s keep educating and making reform possible so together we can continue savings more and more animals.

❤️

20/11/2024

Jim would like to express his concern that it is not even 3pm and the sun is already setting. 😑😫

16/11/2024

The face of a horse who got into the tack room (door wasn’t fully latched and wind blew it open) and tried to help herself to a bag of cookies.

Thank GOD she just knocked them on the ground out of reach.

But she said she’d do it again 😑

15/11/2024

I finished work at 10pm. Between errands earlier, appointments, chores, and animal stuff, I didn’t sit down to eat until 10:30pm. Miette was in the kitchen yelling at me the whole time I made some ramen. I quickly realized what she wanted was this. To be up in bed, warm, and snuggled up close.

She’s 14 now. We’ve had her since she was 6 weeks old. She’s the first animal we ever adopted. Diego’s passing has been hard on her. They were always together, for almost 14 years. They slept together with her curled up into him almost every single night, especially the last few weeks of his life.

She’s a little slower now, doesn’t jump as high and takes longer to get up the stairs, but these moments of cuddling mean more now than ever before.

This year has been a major theme:
Don’t take a moment for granted.

This has been a hard year for us. We’ve said goodbye to four animals this year alone. Diego, Happy, Georgia, and Strider. The blessing is that we knew it was coming, and we cherished every single day with them. We let them go on good days. Those last few weeks with them all we spent extra time just sitting. No agenda, no rushing. Just sitting and being together. Watching the clouds, listening to the birds, falling asleep in the grass. No worries or anxieties about the next thing on the to do list. Just sitting together.

Those are memories that mean the world. Those are the ones we really remember for the long haul.

It’s quickly getting cold outside. Cuddle up with your loved ones, especially your animals. Tell them you love them. Memorize their faces and their voices. Be present. Cherish them and their desire to be with you.

You are their entire world, and it is the greatest honor to be chosen to be their person for as long as they’re here.

14/11/2024

I know we have a few supporters out in Iowa and Nebraska. This rescue is really needing a great foster home to step up and help these dogs!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/otQYQ7C8yEmqs8BH/?mibextid=WC7FNe

13/11/2024

One of our hens who hatched in the spring has started laying green eggs! This is so exiting! I thought they would all be brown or white layers!

12/11/2024

We are thankful for all the people AND all the animals who have served our country. Happy belated Veterans Day.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/GKLszLYzDYNyu6b5/?mibextid=WC7FNe

**Silent Hooves: A Remembrance for the War Horses**
Silent hooves on the battlefield, lost in time’s gray mist,
Ghostly shapes of courage, in every gallop, every twist.
Eyes wide with loyalty, hearts fierce and true,
They carried soldiers’ burdens, like heroes born anew.

Beneath the roar of cannon fire, in mud and cold and dread,
These valiant steeds, with noble hearts, pressed onward, bravely led.
Through endless fields of suffering, they thundered without pause,
Their only bond a silent vow, their loyalty the cause.

Forgotten in the pages, just shadows in the dust,
Yet still they ride in memory, their duty wrought in trust.
The reins they wore, the saddles borne, no longer weigh them down—
Now free to roam in endless fields, untouched by war’s dark crown.

Today we stand in silence, for warriors lost and gone,
Yet remember too the gallant steeds who helped to carry on.
In solemn thanks we bow our heads, for lives lost in the fight—
Both man and beast, remembered here, in morning’s softest light.

Silent hooves on distant hills, beyond our earthly pain,
We hear their echo softly now, like distant drops of rain.
So let us keep their memory, those souls so brave and strong—
For in the fields of memory, they ride forever on.

12/11/2024

A life well spent indeed

11/11/2024

For size reference that gate is just under 6’ tall.

Poor Chief can barely see over it 😅😅😅

These three are pretty much always together now. Inola is a bit more independent, she was hanging down by the lower field enjoying her private hay bale.

We had a delivery of round bales today that are a bit larger than what we normally use, so we should be stocked up on hay for the horses for about two months or so. That’s a good feeling coming into winter when we don’t know how the storms will affect delivery trucks. Someday, we’ll have our own truck and trailer for this kind of stuff, but until then, it’s awesome to know we have people who can help us.

09/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/mXJ8jFtP9dZ2Rn3S/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Please don’t buy rawhide for your dogs. I’ve had to do way too many emergency procedures on my own and friends dogs when they started choking on these exact bones.

Always ALWAYS supervise your dogs when they’re chewing any treats/bones.

Please just don't
Every year the rawhides come out and people who don't understand, buy them for their beloved dogs.
Just don't.

We strive to provide the best for our furry friends, but sometimes what seems like a harmless treat can hide potential dangers. There have been documented cases of dogs with pieces of rawhide lodged in their windpipe, stomach, or intestines, creating choking hazards and an intestinal blockage, gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting or diarrhea, can occur if rawhide irritates the digestive tract . Since rawhide is a byproduct of leather, some items pose a significant challenge to a dog’s digestive system when it comes to breaking down.

During the manufacturing process, rawhide is often soaked in a cocktail of chemicals to preserve it and enhance its flavor. These chemicals can include formaldehyde or chromium salts, hydrogen peroxide and bleach, which may pose risks to adult dogs and young puppies alike.

Safer alternatives like completely digestible Himalayan yak chews, dehydrated sweet potato chews, or any of the all meat jerky treats would be much better than rawhide.

08/11/2024

What do you think they’re thinking 🤔

😅😅😅

06/11/2024

It’s been almost a week since Strider and Georgia were peacefully laid to rest. The first few days were challenging for us and the horses, but Ronan has really synced up with Misty. They’ve bonded a great deal the last few nights especially.

We had a discussion with our vet about Ronan’s legs. Now that he doesn’t associate the halter with abuse he’s much easier to evaluate and work with. Here’s a recent photo of his back legs. You can see the back left one has a much better alignment than the back right. (I know he’s a bit off balance here but it stays the same angle wise regardless of his stance). The back right has deteriorated almost as much as the back left has improved. As he’s only 2-3, our hope was that as he grew his legs would improve temporarily. We are seeing that on one side for sure. It’s never a fix, but if he has three good legs instead of just two, well that’s a world of difference for him.

As of now he’s not symptomatic 90% of the time. He is on pain meds as needed. The weather has been pretty warm and we haven’t had a solid rain in weeks, so he’s moving really well.

Our goal for Roman is six more good months. Like with Chief, we’re watching every days for signs of difficulty. If you have animals that have a degenerative issue you know what I mean, you have to keep a log of everything to really judge how they’re doing.

DSLD is NOT a rare condition, in fact, it’s extremely common, especially in Morgans, Standardbreds, Drafts, and Thoroughbreds. Even though it’s so common, a ton of horse people don’t know what it is, or recognize it for the severe problem it becomes. If you have horses, please check their back legs for a drop when they walk. They should have a spring motion, their fetlock (labeled below) should never hit the ground. If you have an older horse with Cushings, you have a very high chance of them developing DSLD as well.

04/11/2024

No worries, only dreams of cookies and warm beds ❤️

03/11/2024

The world can be cruel and cold, don’t let it make you the same.

In a world where you can be anything, be kind. Especially to animals and kids.

02/11/2024

Hey friends, couple quick updates.

1) Horses are doing well. They’re still in mourning and a bit sad, but they’re eating well and being active. The cooler weather is helping too. We were even able to halter Ronan the day the horses were euthanized to start his fall vaccination schedule. It’s the first time he’s allowed us to halter him. It was a major breakthrough with his mental and emotional recovery. Our goal is to get him to spring and see how he’s doing. His DSLD is severe but he’s not very symptomatic. We know he won’t live past 5, but if we can get him one good, full, love filled year, that would be incredible.

2) As we have ceased operations in town (no events in town, not open to the public, not a drop off for owner surrenders, not selling anything, etc.), we aren’t accepting new volunteers. However, we have amazing friends who operate another farm sanctuary about 15 minutes from us. They are always looking for great volunteers who aren’t afraid to get dirty, love on some animals, and help with farm chores and barn work. Please message us and we can connect you!

3) We’re coming into a busy busy season of barn prep and feed prep for the cold months. In general, winter is a harder time for rescues and sanctuaries across the nation. If you can, please donate gently used blankets and towels to your local shelter. These can be life changing for the animals to help keep them warm in the cold.

4) We’re looking forward to continuing our online education and helping people avoid problems before they occur, as well as showcasing other rescues and sanctuaries who need help. We are looking into options for moving to a larger farm in the near future. Everything is a bit up in the air (as moving is always a major logistical challenge), but once that happens, we’ll be able to fully get back to business and expand. Until then, we are completely limited to our online presence and “paused” on full operations. (Again, if you donate/donated in the past, your donation is still tax deductible).

I’m still working on articles for the website on basic animal welfare care. Obviously, it’s been a bit of a week so I’m not as done with them as I’d like, but I’m hoping to at least have one uploaded this coming week.

We hope you all have a great weekend and don’t forget to turn your clocks back tomorrow!

Much Love,

Diego’s Friends ❤️