Rocky's Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc.
Call 240-367-7256 or email: [email protected] for an appointment
Call 240-367-7256 or email: [email protected] for an appointment
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incoming condition
Long but happy story with a fairy tale ending.
Today we have happy tears of joy and happiness of how far gone a horse can be, and where the horse can end up if you give them the right tools love and respect.
There were many hands in Dakota’s journey. For the first year and a half he stayed here with us. Spent countless hours on the ground with him, along with my mare Gracie, and her assistance to helping Dakota when he was scared of new obstacles. Gracie would be brought in to show him it was okay and he was safe. Dakota lived in her field for a while.
From farrier to fly spray, Dakota was terrified of everything. So this horse took a lot of time and patience. Knowing when to push and when to back off. The only thing we didn’t do here at the rescue was ride him. This is where his next step in the journey started.
We sent Dakota to Ashley Lauer for saddle training and to be apart of the Rescued to Stardom challenge. Ashley did an amazing job getting him under saddle and riding. He could still throw a good buck here and there but he loved Ashley. He did okay at the challenge even getting kicked bad right before the start of the riding part. He was lame and sore for a while after the challenge. But Ashley hung in there with him and didn’t give up.
Ashley continued on with Dakota despite me telling her I really thought she was his person. After many failed showings and dumped more people, myself included. Then this is where his next journey started.
Ashley and I had a recent conversation about just bringing Dakota back and never riding him again. But back in the winter, Ashley had a couple that came to look at another horse and Dakota. Dakota was too much for Christine but Erik Cassady loved Dakota from the first meeting. His wife Christine did adopt and horse from a friends rescue.
Recently I received an email, Erik couldn’t stop thinking about Dakota. He filled out an application and went to see Dakota. That connection was still there. Dakota went home. His intake date was March 17, 2018, and his adoption date is May 21, 2021.
In the end, don’t give up if the horse is trying. You will have more down then ups with a horse like Dakota. The lessons he taught all of us will live on forever.
Happy trails Erik and Dakota. Can’t wait to meet up on the trails.
Please take the time to watch Dakota’s video. Words can’t describe where he was and where he is now.
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Update we have raised $15,687. We still need another $4,313 (as of 6-23-21) to purchase a truck we found that will work for the rescue. Many businesses are donating to help the rescue out. Are we able to raise the additional funds? If we cannot raise the additional funds. we cannot continue to help these amazing horses..
Rescue is hard work and most of the time people that run the rescues use their own funds to tend to the horses, which Danny and I do. So if you can help, every dollar is tax deductible and will go towards the truck.
Our old workhorse is a 2001 Ford F-350 with 387,000 miles on it. Danny and I have put almost $5,000 of our own money, in it this year in hopes of fixing it to keep it going. She's just done.
We have found a 2006 F-350 Maryland inspected at Bogley’s Auto Sales in Thurmont, Md who has graciously given us us 30 days to raise the additional funds. The dealer met me yesterday, on a Sunday to give him a $6,000 deposit. The only thing the truck needs to get us back on the road is a goose neck hitch.
The truck hauls these amazing horses from terrible situations, which if you follow the page you have seen the conditions these horses come in most of the time. Beaten down, abused, neglected and just thrown away.
The truck also hauls water to our one barn, we have 5 different barns 3 on the same property, this specific barn does not have running water so we haul 200 gallons in once a week or several times a week during the winter. This truck hauls the tractor 12 minutes from our house to put hay rolls out for the other barns and to mow the fields. Our old truck did anything we asked of it and more.
At times we have to bring an injured horse from the rescue to our home. We all know how horses are, they tend to injure themselves at any given time. So we need to be prepared to be on the road and hitched up at any time day or night. And we are NOT!!!!!
Bogley’s Auto Sales has generously also come down $2,000 on this truck and is giving us 30 DAYS to raise the additional funds. The total cost of the truck on the road is right at $20,000. That does not include immediately putting a goose neck hitch in, the only thing the truck does not have. Our son, who I brag about all the time being an amazing diesel mechanic has been all over this 2006 Ford F-350 and said it can hold up to what we need it to do.
Our mailing address is : 12155 A Creagerstown Rd Thurmont, MD 21788
Gofundme link:
Venmo link:
Today we said see yah soon to Solomon. His new owner Leslie Kearns is excited. Hard to say goodbye but he now has his own person and will get all the attention he could ever want.
We took some pictures of us, his new owner and some of the volunteers that help us take care of Solomon and many others.
3-16-21:
Welcome Three Sixty now renamed Thrixie. 2 other rescues asked if we could take in a pregnant Tb who has been moved around quite a bit recently. Her bail was $1500. She is rumored to have come from a Quarter horse breeding farm. This was very unplanned and our resources are tight with the current hay costs. PLEASE donate what you can for
Thrixie and her foal.
April 2021: Thrixie had and recovered from a case of strangles. Thankfully she has recovered before giving birth. She is due any day.
5-03-21:
Overnight Thrixie gave birth to a healthy colt. He has been named Anthony (Tony)
This video shows you what a kill pen is like. Taken during one of our trips to pull horses.
Buttercup
We saw this cute 12 year old pony while getting the 6 broncs onto their trailer. She is a cutie. Rides nicely. More Buttercup in the future.
April 18, 2021
Hard workday at the rescue. Home Depot Foundation gave us $10,000 in supplies to do MUCH needed turnout shed and fence repairs. We got it started but May 23rd we need help to continue the work,
We had a lovely article in the Frederick Post News about the workday and rescue.
Below is the link to the article. Please enjoy it.
May 23,2021
Work continued with help from many devoted volunteers without whom we could not get this done. The rotting turnout shed housing Indy and Granpa is being torn down after a new larger shed is built. It was a hot sunny day but the work progressed nicely. There is still a roof to put on.
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For latest information concerning the equine industry related to Covid-19 go to :
What is Rocky's Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation ?
Rocky's Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation is a 501c3 non-profit horse rescue ( EIN# 46-5656223) located in Thurmont, Maryland. It is run and cared for with a 100% volunteer staff. We rescue equines from all over the United States to give horses, donkeys, and mules a soft place to land after being abused, neglected, or thrown away at an auction to the highest bidder. We also assist in helping horse owners find a new home for their horse if we are unable to take them in to the rescue.
Our goal as a rescue is to rescue , evaluate , rehabilitate , and find them forever homes. This process can be easy or difficult depending on the needs of the animal rescued. Many of our equines are adopted out to live their lives happy in their forever home. However, some of the equines we rescue can't be homed and these equines will live out their lives at our Sanctuary. Most of our horses, donkeys, and mules can be found on the "Our Horses" tab above.