Onyx
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Whisper
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Annie
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Let's Deck the Stalls with Boughs of Plenty for 2018
31 days to 2018, YOUR donation means more horses can be helped!
On the 13th Day, there was Onyx, Whisper, and Annie!
31 days to 2018, YOUR donation means more horses can be helped!
On the 13th Day, there was Onyx, Whisper, and Annie!
Last January, AAE learned of a call for help with 20 some horses that had been removed from the range in Nevada. These were Virginia Range wild horses that were removed by the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDOA). The NDOA manages the horses that are on state lands.
In short, the NDOA has authority to remove horses that present a clear and continuing danger to motorists after failed relocation attempts. Sadly, this group of horses had crossed the highway too many times and presented a threat to motorists. The Virginia Range Sanctuary (VRS) works tirelessly to protect and advocated for the wild horses, and when they are removed, this amazing group works diligently to place the horses in forever homes. When forever homes can't be found, they look to other organizations to continue their work.
In January, one of our volunteers, Pam, reached out to VRS with interest in one of the horses that had been removed. At the time, we were still hoping to help the Hallelujah Horses, but winter weather and the transport situation was not cooperating. Since we hadn't made progress in that situation, we refocused to a more local need. Before you know it, we committed to four Virginia Range Horses: Legend, Onyx, Whisper, and Jackson. Today, we focus on Onyx and Whisper.
Onyx and Whisper were originally landed at Pam's, and started their domestic life learning integrating with Pam's herd, until we realized Onyx was pregnant. Overnight, Onyx showed signs of delivering, soon. Pam was headed out of town on vacation and was not prepared for a baby. We made a quick decision to move the duo to AAE. AAE's facility is more appropriate for foaling, and we had volunteers to monitor and care for them in the event she did foal. We set Onyx up in the foaling stall and paddock, and partnered Whisper up with a buddy next door to her. Onyx had her own space to prepare for baby. Sadly, this isn't quite how it would have happened in the wild, had they not been removed from their family, but we did the best we could to keep them "together". Considering the threat of casualty "hit by car" and the potential danger to drivers and their passengers, it's the sad reality of horses and humans cohabitating in the same environment. Anyhow, Onyx gifted our volunteers with delivering her foal one Saturday morning in March, and several volunteers were blessed with the opportunity to see Annie enter the world. Onyx delivered a healthy little filly....a sassy one at that!
These two were a super cute little pair. Onyx was slowly accepting the human world, and Annie had a heck of a time figuring out the purpose of two-legged creatures. She definitely had her own opinions and had no issues expressing them. Mom just observed, fondly and admiringly.
Whisper was an independent one. She buddied up with a couple of the boys and had no problem exploring what the rest of AAE had to offer. Her curiosity and confidence found her playing happily with moving her way on down toward the pasture and the herd. Before she got there, she met her match. It was love at first sight for one of our volunteers. As much as the original plan was to keep Onyx and Whisper together, it was going to be difficult to find a home for three, and there was no denying these two were meant for each other. Luckily, Whisper was whisked off to the love of her mom's eyes.
In only a matter of a couple months, a couple visited to meet the Hallelujah Horses. They were looking for a mare/foal pair to live on their acreage up north. They were offering a sanctuary-like setting and Onyx and Annie could be together, forever. It was the perfect opportunity for these two to have a together forever future.
Unfortunately, recent state action has threatened the existence of the Virginia Range wild horses. For more information about the Virginia Range horses, check out the Virginia Range Sanctuary.
If you would like to help more horses get the help they need, please donate here.
In short, the NDOA has authority to remove horses that present a clear and continuing danger to motorists after failed relocation attempts. Sadly, this group of horses had crossed the highway too many times and presented a threat to motorists. The Virginia Range Sanctuary (VRS) works tirelessly to protect and advocated for the wild horses, and when they are removed, this amazing group works diligently to place the horses in forever homes. When forever homes can't be found, they look to other organizations to continue their work.
In January, one of our volunteers, Pam, reached out to VRS with interest in one of the horses that had been removed. At the time, we were still hoping to help the Hallelujah Horses, but winter weather and the transport situation was not cooperating. Since we hadn't made progress in that situation, we refocused to a more local need. Before you know it, we committed to four Virginia Range Horses: Legend, Onyx, Whisper, and Jackson. Today, we focus on Onyx and Whisper.
Onyx and Whisper were originally landed at Pam's, and started their domestic life learning integrating with Pam's herd, until we realized Onyx was pregnant. Overnight, Onyx showed signs of delivering, soon. Pam was headed out of town on vacation and was not prepared for a baby. We made a quick decision to move the duo to AAE. AAE's facility is more appropriate for foaling, and we had volunteers to monitor and care for them in the event she did foal. We set Onyx up in the foaling stall and paddock, and partnered Whisper up with a buddy next door to her. Onyx had her own space to prepare for baby. Sadly, this isn't quite how it would have happened in the wild, had they not been removed from their family, but we did the best we could to keep them "together". Considering the threat of casualty "hit by car" and the potential danger to drivers and their passengers, it's the sad reality of horses and humans cohabitating in the same environment. Anyhow, Onyx gifted our volunteers with delivering her foal one Saturday morning in March, and several volunteers were blessed with the opportunity to see Annie enter the world. Onyx delivered a healthy little filly....a sassy one at that!
These two were a super cute little pair. Onyx was slowly accepting the human world, and Annie had a heck of a time figuring out the purpose of two-legged creatures. She definitely had her own opinions and had no issues expressing them. Mom just observed, fondly and admiringly.
Whisper was an independent one. She buddied up with a couple of the boys and had no problem exploring what the rest of AAE had to offer. Her curiosity and confidence found her playing happily with moving her way on down toward the pasture and the herd. Before she got there, she met her match. It was love at first sight for one of our volunteers. As much as the original plan was to keep Onyx and Whisper together, it was going to be difficult to find a home for three, and there was no denying these two were meant for each other. Luckily, Whisper was whisked off to the love of her mom's eyes.
In only a matter of a couple months, a couple visited to meet the Hallelujah Horses. They were looking for a mare/foal pair to live on their acreage up north. They were offering a sanctuary-like setting and Onyx and Annie could be together, forever. It was the perfect opportunity for these two to have a together forever future.
Unfortunately, recent state action has threatened the existence of the Virginia Range wild horses. For more information about the Virginia Range horses, check out the Virginia Range Sanctuary.
If you would like to help more horses get the help they need, please donate here.
