Sunshine

Sunshine came in with a pack of "auction" babies...all who became very ill and went through hell.. nothing any baby deserves.. This country not only deals with unwanted horses but also unwanted babies. Many times it is hard to get babies adopted because it is a long road before they can be ridden. 

Someone like Nik Meechee wanted to travel that long hard road with her baby...look at them now!! Great job Nik!! Thank you for giving her everything she needed and MORE!!

It is amazing how life takes you through many 'twists & turns' and then you find yourself where you are meant to be...

Six years ago, I was online searching for answers on a reality I learned about in America. I had no idea it happened to horses anywhere, they are our companions...hundreds of thousands of horses were being slaughtered and transported overseas to foreign restaurants. I was devastated and confused and so angry. In my search for answers, I found a wonderful horse rescue with a woman who wrote with her heart, Jennifer M Swanson. She had my full attention after I read a few of her powerful articles about horse slaughter and their rescue.

I reached out and we connected...I joined forces with her and several special ladies in 2006, helping to raise funds to save horses from the horrible, unimaginable fate of slaughter. We had planned a Memorial Day Rescue for weeks and raised funds to save as many horses as possible from one of the worst auctions in the country, Sugarcreek in Ohio. We raised enough money to save several horses that day – and also the morning after, before the trucks & livestock trailers came to take them away forever.

There was a beautiful mare at this auction, a palomino paint with a badly injured hind leg. This mare found herself going ‘straight to kill’ as demanded by the auction owner, after he saw her leg and said she could not be bid upon. She was hurt, scared, hungry, full of worms, and became sick due to the poor conditions she was in at this livestock auction. My husband and I went to visit the horses that were saved, and we came with our neighbors who had just adopted 2 nursemare foals from Pure Thoughts at their lay-over facility. I went right over to this mare after seeing her leg. She had an infection in the wounds and it was painful, but she was so sweet as I examined it. My husband was watching me with her at the fence line, and he said to our neighbors, “That is a horse, and she is a horse I would want for myself” – They told me what he said and that was all I needed to hear!

I had also felt an instant connection with this sweet palomino mare with the kind, gentle eyes...those eyes also reflected confusion, hurt and fear for what she and the others had just endured at Sugarcreek. They were saved in the ‘nick of time’ and now she was on our minds, in our thoughts and in our hearts… I called Jen that afternoon and shared the news that we really wanted to adopt her!

The next weekend, after a nice bath and doctoring her leg wounds, the same neighbors that we brought there to adopt the nursemare foals returned to help us bring ‘Sunny’ home! I gave her this name because of the beautiful gold-spun coat she had and also because she brought 'sunshine’ into our lives :)

We have had the joy to love and care for Sunny over the past 5 years, and today is the ‘anniversary’ of her rescue. We carefully treated her wounds and she healed up beautifully....on the outside. The emotional scars from her painful past took longer to heal, but she knew we loved her unconditionally and also that she could trust us. She even began to ‘care’ for us, always so loving and gentle, silly and playful, treating us as if we were valued members of her ‘herd’…she has always had a strong maternal instinct, and 4 years ago, we found her the perfect companion, a miniature donkey weanling, “Milo” :)

Sunny has taught us so much, and also others who know us and have seen and heard her story. They were shocked and saddened when we tell them what nearly happened to her. Sunny has been ‘telling her story’ and many have heard and learned what the truth is about horse slaughter in our country, and she has helped to inspire people to stand up for America’s horses.

We are honored to have Sunny in our family and she has brought us so much over these past years. My husband’s mother called him one day shortly after we adopted Sunny. She didn't know about her yet, but she had a dream that Bobby had found a special horse, a mare...that he would be touched by a horse. She was so thrilled to learn that Sunny found us!

Savannah Arrives

Savannah needs your help. Savannah is a 1 year old Thoroughbred filly who is unable to race due to issues with her hock she was born with a a high degree heart murmur.Her breeder sent her to us. Although she cannot race she will receive a second chance at a life at Pure Thoughts but we need your help to help her. On Thursday she received Cold Laser Therapy which we have had success with in the past. Before we can move forward and know her progress Savannah needs updated x-rays as well as an ultrasound, all of which we need to raise funds for. You can read more about Savannah on her page and donate if you can.. if you cannot donate please forward her information to others. We can all hope and pray that Savannah will live a full, happy life and one day find her forever home.

A new beginning for Savannah at Pure Thoughts

AJ Nuggett update

AJ Nuggett is currently back at Pure Thoughts where he is boarded and trained for his new mom who adopted him and loves him more than anything in the world. Life was not always so good for AJ Nuggett. His struggle to get where he is today was great! Below is the original story on AJ Nuggett and how he has got to where he is today. You can see why he is so special to many.





AJ Nugget was foaled February 26, 2006, he was bred by Menotti Lembo who was named as his owner during his racing career of only 21 starts total. Aj never broke his maiden. AJ ran his last ran on May 2, 2011 at Mountaineer Race Park. . After only 4 starts this year, he was just not running as good as expected so he was discarded. In August he was discovered to be at Larry Browning's farm in Kentucky where he would shortly be sent to slaughter. Horse advocates quicky worked to secure his safety along with five other horses. Several of the horses were injured and infected with strangles. They were all exposed and had to be quarantined.

Over 30 days of quarantine had passed and he was then sent to Pure Thoughts in Florida to begin his new life. He arrived there late on the night of September 28th. Here are a few of his intake evaluation pictures.

AJ has settled into his new surroundings and seems to be enjoying the pampering that he is getting now.

He has a long road of recovery ahead of him. If I could tell AJ how sorry I am for what has happened to him I would. He gave his all in his racing career and he deserved more than this. You have already beat the odds and now you are almost there. The most important race for you has just begun and it is the ONLY one that counts! You are going to make it AJ. You just have to.

"Everyone thinks that we found this broken down horse and that we fixed him,  but we didn't, he fixed us, every one of us, and I guess in a way we kinda fixed each other too"

This one is for you AJ

Windy is Adopted

I AM SO HAPPY to say that Windy the beautiful buckskin pony who as a yearling was in a killpen now has her girl and forever home... Such a wonderful family.. We could not be happier.

Keelyn is adopted and will always be loved

Unsinkable ships, sink
Unbreakable walls, break
Sometimes the things you think would never happen
Happen just like that
Unbendable steel, bends
If the fury of the wind is unstoppable
I've learned to never underestimate
The impossible..........


Today what I thought may not happen... happened. It looks like Keelyn has her forever home. She will be a companion horse who is part of a family and would like if they could do some light riding..just walking around. Although her adoption fee was free to great home... the joy this has brought all of us is priceless.


From this.................

To This..................

The story does not end so well for the horse that was found with Keelyn that day. 

In September of 2003, to the roar of the crowd and the cheers of fans that had her on their winning ticket Tornado Bait broke her maiden on her first race out, coming in first at Arlington Park, on that day she was claimed for $25,000. Throughout the year she changed owners a 3 times by being claimed, but continued to stay in the money. On July 23, 2004 she was claimed by her current owner of record  Four Ace Stable, trainer at the time was Eric Kisielewski. 

Tornado Bait continued to stay in the money until September 4, 2004 and continued to race until November of 2005, her last race was at Mountaineer.  

Since we want to stay with the facts and we have no knowledge of Tornado Bait from 2005 until yesterday we will jump to November 22, 2011.

A loose Appaloosa was reported, Penny Crosby a Pure Thoughts Foster Home was called and immediately responded. She found the owner who told her that she let her out of the gate because the mare tried to attack her and was mean. Sidenote: Penny's daughter walked this 20 year old mare to their barn 4 miles away in the dark. 

After looking in the paddock Penny saw and emaciated Bay Mare and a deceased Chestnut Mare. Through identification of her tattoo it was discovered that the deceased, emaciated horse was named Tornado Bait. It was also evident that this mare did not have a peaceful passing. 

Penny asked if we could take the bay mare who was only days maybe hours away from the same fate as Tornado Bait. They surrendered the bay mare, Keelyn over. Then asked if we knew someone who could remove the body of the red horse (Tornado Bait.) At this time Penny asked her about why the horses are in this condition she said she did not know what was wrong with them. Today the vet confirmed that the only thing wrong with Keelyn was NO FOOD. The woman also said that her father in law was up North racing. We have confirmed the address of Four Aces Racing Stable (Kisielewski) is the same address where Tornado Bait's body is and where we picked up Keelyn. This is also the owner of record of both horses per Equibase. 

Keelyn was seen by a vet today and will have a long road to recovery. The vet confirmed it is starvation that caused this condition. You can see Keelyn pictures here www.PTHR.org

 Eric Kisielewski of Four Aces Racing Stable passed away in Jan 2009, his father George Kisielewski of Four Aces Racing continued in racing and has three horses racing at Mountaineer this week in fact, Pluries came in 9th yesterday in the 5th race at Mountaineer.  

The Sheriff's office and AC have been notified, as of this morning, the body of Tornado Bait still lays in the paddock.

Is it irony... is it hypocrisy... or is it just horrific mistreatment that Tornado Bait won her first race but in the end lost the race of life in such a cruel manner.

On a personal note.. if I could have been granted one wish yesterday it would have been that we had the gift of clairvoyance 72 hours  prior.. .then maybe.. just maybe... the fate of Tornado Bait would have been different.

RIP Tornado Bait.. you did not deserve this! 

Siphon City Update

Megan and Siphon City at Mark Wonderly show, 2012.  But Siphon has come a long way from where his racing career ended and his new life began. His story is one you won't forget. 

Willow and Jason update

WILLOW & JASON UPDATE - Wednesday they will be seeing Dr. Boswell, Jason's backend is definitely improving the more he runs and plays so we ae thinking and of course hoping that it is just due to muscle atrophy. When will came in she had a hard bump/node on her left jawline, which could have been a calcified injury but also we were thinking an tooth abscess or ingrown. At that point it was not bothering her and she could not have withstood any type of removal so we let it be. First priority was weight gain and de-worming to get the to a safe level. Saturday even Brad and I noticed some swelling in the area of the bump on her jawline so we are back to thinking abscess which now could be aggravated with all the eating she has been doing so that is something the vet will be look at as well. Not to worry these are not any issues that are shocking or do we anticipate life threatening at all.. just something that must be dealt withe and healed. This is obviously going to happen as we go along the path of rehabilitation. I am just keeping everyone informed of their progress. 


For those that are not familiar with their story: Willow is approximately 1 year old her dam passed away a little bit ago, her name was and OTTB Lil Miss Lollipop, her sire is an OTTB named Derby. We have named her "Willow The Wisp" her body score is a 1 stretching to maybe a 1.2, she would not eat at first which is not unusual for starvation cases. Jason is approximately 6 months old, his dam is Secrets Letter and his sire is also Derby. Jason has not suffered for as long as Willow has and he is doing a little better than her. His body score is 1.75, it is hard to tell because even with already being clipped one his hair is so thick and matted. He was ready to eat as soon as he arrived.

They have their own facebook page where you can follow their progress and enjoy more pictures of them. 

They not have 250 followers and would love to have more! 

Saratoga Russell makes it to Florida Horse

Saratoga Russell makes it to Florida Horse... because he is a CHAMPION!! HIS STORY BEGINS ON PAGE 44.

To Saratoga.. this is a song that reminds me of all the horses that we are blessed to have for as long as we have them. Very few people know why you are so special to me... I am so happy you have found your "forever home" my forever young. 

May the good Lord be with you 
Down every road you roam 
And may sunshine and happiness 
surround you when you're far from home 
And may you grow to be proud 
Dignified and true 
And do unto others 
As you'd have done to you 
Be courageous and be brave 
And in my heart you'll always stay 
Forever Young, Forever Young 

And may you never love in vain 
and in my heart you will remain 
Forever Young, Forever Young 

And when you finally fly away 
I'll be hoping that I served you well 
For all the wisdom of a lifetime 
No one can ever tell 

But whatever road you choose 
I'm right behind you, win or lose 
Forever Young, Forever Young 

Love , Nanny Jen

 I want to thank everyone who has helped and is helping Hasty Red get to Pure Thoughts.. thank you to those who have shared his story.. thank you to those who have donated and a BIG THANK YOU to those who have worked behind the scenes to make sure his course stayed that of safety.. Will update as we go along.. hope to see the big red dude here very soon.