Spirit of Hope Farm

Home
News and Events
About Us
Our Philosophy
Adoption Success Stories
Adoptable Horses
Our "Lifers"
Our Services
References/Recommendations
Location
Contact Us/Links
Frequently Asked Questions
In Memory of..
With Humble Gratitude
How YOU can help!

"Those who hope in the Lord...will soar on wings like eagles."

Isaiah 40:30-32

 
 
Our "Lifers"
 

Every horse has a story to tell...

DANCER
 
Dancer came to me from a friend who graciously let me "borrow" him for long, mind-clearing trail rides after the death of my first husband, Ernie in 2002. If it weren't for my friendship with Karen and Dancer, I don't know if I would have made it through that very hard first year alone raising two small children. He let me cry in his mane, challenged me when I was in a fog, and gave me an outlet for tons of nervous energy (standing patiently while I spent hours grooming him). I became so attached to him that I bought Dancer from Karen in 2003.  We've had our tough moments together but Dancer is my best equine friend and he has a forever home with us.

Dancer
imga0227.jpg

DASHING MR. MARSHMELLOW
 
Mushy is a wonderfully mellow, incredibly funny horse!  Mushy is what is called a PMU colt. He was bred in Canada for the strict purpose of harvesting his mother's urine while she was pregnant with him so Wyeth can make Premarin and related medications for menopausal women. Most of the foals produced in this industry are sent to feedlots where they will end up being sent to slaughter at less than a year old. Fortunately for Mushy, he was saved from this fate and bought in a lot of about 100 other mares and foals, and sent to rescues across the country by United Pegasus Foundation (www.unitedpegasus.com). We met Mushy at Live and Let Live Farm in Chichester, NH (http://www.liveandletlivefarm.org/) and at 6 months old, brought him home to live with us where he has his forever home.
 
Jess and Mushy have been working on light saddle training, long-lining, and yielding to pressure.  He accepts saddle, bridle, and rider willingly, just not quite sure what to do from there!  This spring, as he is coming 4, we will begin his saddle training in earnest. At 16.3h and 1600lbs, he's ready!

A boy and his horse
im002055.jpg

SPECIAL RAINBOW
 
This little 9 year old mare came into our lives quite by chance. We went to a local auction a couple of years ago looking for tack and equipment but when I saw this mare standing so quietly amidst the chaos of people and horses, I knew she was indeed special. We brought her home and our then- 6 year old son immediately insisted that her name should be Sarah and that she was HIS horse!  Well as it turns out, little Sarah is a registered AQHA mare with decent cow-horse breeding. It also turns out that she is incredibly patient with little ones!  Quite the diamond in the rough!

My cowboys and one super horse!
july2006jvrshow024.jpg

Minnie the Mini
 

Minnie the Mini arrived in July with one serious problem... she is very allergic to insect bites, especially from those nasty no-seeums. She swells from the bites and the itching makes her rub until she bleeds. When she arrived, she had a few maggots under her mane from flies laying eggs around the bleedy spots there.  We gave her baths, applied salve to the existing raw spots, shaved her mane, and have kept her stalled at night, which has gone a long way to improving her condition.  We also give her garlic gelcaps and flax seed to help suppress the immune response to calm her allergic reations down.  Benedryl also is given during significant outbreaks.  In spite of this allergy problem, she is very cute and a joy to have here!  Minnie is about 17 years old, 32" and a dark bay with some splash.  Minnie is not currently available for adoption as we are employing her as our farm ambassador in our humane education program!

minniecropped.jpg

 
Spirit of Hope Farm Equine Shelter & Rescue
Jen & Jess Winchester
853 Lebanon Rd.
Winterport, ME 04496
(207) 223-5928