Rescue Animals Second Chance

23/04/2025

Rescued Animals Second Chance Horse Sanctuary

Founded in 2013 by Dr. Beth Nickels, Rescued Animals Second Chance Inc. is a non-profit charity formed to promote animal welfare through rescue, permanent shelter, veterinary care, and rehabilitation of unwanted, neglected and abused horses. Dr. Nickels, a Lubbock trauma and general surgeon, will describe her non-profit work with rescued horses and education about horse slaughter. There will be a follow-up to this class with a tour of the Double Nickel Ranch, which now has 55 rescued horses who will have a pasture and home for the rest of their lives.

Nickels is a Lubbock native, graduate of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and part of SWAT Surgical Associates, LLP.

Class: Tuesday, April 29 | 2-3:30 p.m.
Tour: Tuesday, May 6 | 1:30-3 p.m.
In-person | $30
Texas Tech Plaza, 218 | 1901 University Avenue | Lubbock, Texas

TO REGISTER, CLICK THE LINK BELOW:
https://registration.olli.ttu.edu/wconnect/ace/CourseStatus.awp?&course=25SPOLLU23

21/03/2025

Rescued Animals Second Chance is heartbroken over the loss of our senior horse, Toby, on Wednesday. Apparently, the high winds of Tuesday night spooked Toby, and he sustained a life-threatening injury. At the Double Nickel Ranch, we provide the safest atmosphere and living arrangements for our animals, so we are greatly saddened by this loss.

Toby was a paint horse rescued from the Bowie, Texas, kill pen in 2018. He was gelded, 34 years old, and had been a 4-H horse. Upon arrival at Rescued Animals Second Chance, we discovered that Toby's teeth were worn down so he was fed a special mash feed. Toby also had Cushing's Disease and required daily medications.

Toby and other senior horses at the Double Nickel Ranch have benefitted from grants generously given by the Community Foundation of West Texas and the Doris Day Animal Foundation (DDAF), for which we are grateful.

Rest in Peace, Toby.

22/02/2025

01/02/2025

23/01/2025

It’s not uncommon to find horses and ponies living well into their 20s and 30s, thanks to continuous advances in nutrition and health care.

Horse owners have a big impact as well and can help their horses thrive in their golden years through proper management practices like those illustrated in the graphic. But remember, although there is much you can do on your own to keep your older horse happy and spry, some conditions associated with aging require medical intervention.

Scheduling regular visits and keeping a good line of communication with your veterinarian will allow you to respond quickly to any ailments or injuries that could cause your horse a serious or prolonged set back. That means less worry for you, and a better quality of life for your old friend!

31/12/2024

Although protein is normally listed as a nutrient, horses actually have a requirement for amino acids, the building blocks of protein, rather than for protein itself.

Protein is the least efficient energy source for your horse, so high protein does not automatically equal high energy. Carbohydrates, fats, and fiber are more readily digestible energy sources, so chances are a horse with too much energy is being fed more calories than the animal truly needs.

As always, remember that all horses have different nutritional needs based on age, stage of development, metabolism and workload. Be sure to work with your veterinarian to determine the correct protein and energy requirements for your equine friend based on your horse’s individual situation!
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

17/12/2024

As the cold winter weather trudges on, Dr. Sarah Reuss, AAEP Vice President and a horse owner herself, shares the following advice to keep your horse safe during extreme weather.

1. While lots of hay is ideal for horses to eat to keep warm, now is NOT the time to introduce a round bale if they’ve never had access to one before. It may be more work, but keep throwing them their normal hay source, just more frequently.

2. Similarly, if your horse is not used to being in a stall, now is NOT the time. The stress of a major change and the decreased activity can be risk factors for colic. Be sure they have access to shelter, hay, and drinkable water but let them move around if they choose to do so.

3. Horses that are thin, older, or fully body clipped are those most at risk in extreme weather.

4. Well-fitting blankets are great but be sure that horses do not get sweaty under them, or that the blankets don’t soak through if snow or rain covered. Wet, cold and covered is worse that dry, cold and naked.

5. Some of the highest risk times are when the temperatures hover right around freezing, as that can result in sleet/freezing rain/ice that can make horses wet and therefore colder. Slippery footing is a concern, too.

6. If using electric water heaters, be sure they are functioning and not shocking horses. Take your gloves off and stick your hand in the water (briefly!!!) to double check.

7. Entice your horses to consume extra water by flavoring a bucket, adding electrolytes to their meals, or soaking their meals in warm water. If you’ve never fed beet pulp before, be sure to add LOTS of warm water. Dry beet pulp is a common source of choke.

8. The tips of your horses' ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting on a waterproof, jumper-style ear bonnet or other waterproof ear cover can protect them from wind chills.

If you have any questions or concerns about keeping your horses safe this winter, contact your veterinarian for advice.

17/12/2024

23/11/2024