Story by Rita Thompson-Tinsley. Rescued horse photos by Veronica Jones.
What do you say when 21 horses come knocking at your barn door? If you are the folks at Yavapai Humane Society Equine Center, you open your hearts, and you open the doors.
That is precisely what happened in late August when an equine rescue operation, Desert Springs Equestrian Center, brought to the YHS facility in Chino Valley, 21 equines that had been purchased from auction sites in Texas and Louisiana. The delivery consisted of geldings, mares, mares with foals, mares in foal, a donkey and 2 smaller donkeys/burros. The spokesperson for Desert Springs Equestrian Center says that they have pulled 271 equines from slaughter thus far.
Some of the animals were in need of care. Most of the animals were clearly scared, skeptical and apprehensive. (Kill pens are not always a friendly place.) All of the animals are safe now and in good hands. Vet care including vaccinations, tetanus shots and deworming was provided before delivery by Desert Springs professionals. The head of this mission is relentlessly determined to save every animal in serious peril.
At the YHS Equine Center, I was given the grand tour by supervisor Veronica Jones, a hardworking, knowledgeable equestrian who proves well capable of managing this herd of variety with multiple challenges. YHS houses a total of 34 equines, which includes the horses who have come to the facility locally.
Jones knows all of them by name and personalities as well. She introduced me to Joey and George, two very handsome paint geldings sharing the same play paddock. Shango is an older gelding who boasts a rich history of trail riding, which he would prefer to continue. Then there is the big beautiful gray dapple percheron, Annie Oakley, and small donkeys Jack & Jill.
One of Veronica’s favorite mares is Mariposa, American-Spanish for butterfly. “This gal came with the group of rescues. She was suffering from multiple abscesses on her rear leg and was in so much pain but allowed me to treat the area while in agony, without fighting back,” Veronica details.
There are three sets of mares, each with a foal. Mom Tuesday came complete with baby Wednesday (their names). Patches came with baby Hunter, and no daycare would be complete without mom Marble (named for her unique color pattern) and baby Cruella (Ella) named for the gray streak in her little tail. Of course these sets would not be separated until the babies are weaned, but who could resist adopting them together?
We can’t forget the big Belgian draft in all her majesty. The mare Miranda is certainly a sight to behold.
Who would ever imagine that one would find such beauty and charm, such promise and hope under our own county roof? Yavapai Humane Society Equine Center in Chino Valley is an adoption-focused program for horses possibly in need of rehabilitation. They began their mission in 2016, and have built and maintained a fortress of love for the ones who need it most: the abandoned, the discarded, the vulnerable.
Equine adoptions from YHS come with medical and training records, vaccinations, hoof and dental work, and dewormings. Some horses may also come with Pedigree. Prior to adoption, the horses have undergone ethical training to learn basic behaviors on the ground and, if applicable, while being ridden. YHS’s goal is to ensure a good match between each horse and their new owner and home.
The facility has trainer Carl on staff to help where needed. But more help is always needed, especially now. Good volunteers would be so beneficial to the needs of these new mouths to feed, simply to clean stalls and check and fill water troughs.
In addition to the rescue horses, YHS also has goats, pigs, ducks, doves and an alpaca named Johnny Bravo. Life on the farm is a lot of work. Just ask Veronica Jones.
