We wish everyone a peaceful Christmas

Merry Christmas from our rescued beauties Jet and Prince, and all of the other horses and humans at DoubleHP / New Hope Horse Shelter.

Every Day is Giving Day here. We give to the horses, and the horses give to us.

Today is "Giving Tuesday. "  But here at New Hope Horse Shelter, every day is a Giving Day.  We give to the horses by caring for them and loving them.  And the horses give to us, in so many ways it's hard to begin explaining.  Let's just say they teach us how to get along in life, if we will take the time to learn from them.

The easiest way to give to our rescued horses on Giving Tuesday or any day is to make a deposit directly into our bank account. We have already received $14,000 in matching funds. That's what our hay costs us for the year. We buy early, in June/July, before the prices get so high. This year was actually a really good hay year around here, first cutting anyway, for people who planned ahead and bought early, that is. Can we match the $14,000 on this Giving Tuesday? that will replenish our hay fund for the next year.

Just use the Donate button on this, our web page.
The Horses Thank You!

 

Or, of course, when you shop Amazon, use this Amazon Smile link for our organization. Thanks!

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/80-0031520

 

 

 

 

Princey got a surprise visit from his boy, Paul.

Princey and Paul first met in 2009.  Paul had gone through several heart surgeries, and one of their Doctors had recommended animal therapy for Paul's family.  And so they found us. And Princey.  Princey was one of our very first rescues.  We rescued him from starvation when he was a yearling.  Princey has arthritis in his hocks, probably due to malnutrition as a baby. 

Princey and Paul are really good friends.  Even when Paul doesn't visit for a while, their relationship picks right back up each time he does come to visit.

Like yesterday.

Paul's sister Christina planned a surprise visit for the 2 of them.  She thought it would be good therapy as their family prepares for another open heart surgery for Paul.  Scheduled for Oct. 12.   Princey and Paul had a wonderful time together yesterday, as they always do.

 

You may follow Paul's Caring Bridge website at www.caringbridge.org/visit/pauljeremiahantonsen

 

If You Never Go On An Adventure, You Might Never Find Your Treasure

If You Never Go On An Adventure,

You Might Never Find Your Treasure

Another Man's Treasure

You know the story:  the one about the guy who throws something in the trash and the other guy who comes along and finds it, lifts it up out of the rubble, cares for it, and treasures it forever.

Lily is my treasure. She is also my Parelli Partner and, as of September 2016, we are official Level 3 graduates. Together.

 

Being the founder and manager of a horse rescue organization certainly has its emotional rewards (along with, of course, many heartaches); but in the middle of a South Dakota winter, being the contact person for this group is not fun and games. Unless I think of it as an adventure!  I got the call about Lily during a bitterly cold February. Lily and her only friend had been turned out in an open field with no shelter, no food, no water.  Lily's friend had already died and there, barely, stood Lily. Waiting...waiting...waiting...

And so, on a cold South Dakota February evening, my husband, Greg, and I went on yet another horse rescue adventure. We picked her up at the Humane Society in a neighboring county.  She looked like a shriveled up pony and she also had that other look -- the one that says, "I have lost my dignity, my pride, my beauty, my strength, my only friend, my life; now do with me what you want." 

The day after Lily's rescue, our Veterinarian came for evaluation. Lily, then a 3-year-old, had a body condition score of 1, her halter was growing into her head, she was loaded with worms, and she was lame.

For the rest of that winter, Lily lived in a barn with as much hay and water as she wanted.  We promised her she would never again be without food, water, and shelter.  We did put Lily up for adoption the following spring/summer, but no one wanted her. She was still not sound, she was very protective of her food, and we could not guarantee that she would be a riding horse.  And so, she came to live at our horse sanctuary, New Hope Horse Shelter, where 14 of our rescued beauties live. 

A few years ago I researched various horsemanship programs.  I wanted to start a program here with our rescued horses, giving people an opportunity to learn about horses even if they can't own a horse of their own.  I am so happy that I chose Parelli Natural Horsemanship.  The Parelli program is a perfect fit for me.  Through PNH, I have found a way to encourage consistency in our barn for both horses and humans; to combine my love for horses with my love for music and rhythm; and to stay connected to my roots. (My B.A. is in Education; I am a former high school teacher and coach and a strong believer in continuing education and self-improvement.)

I believe that we are never too old to learn something new, and that the best time to start something new is now.  Starting a new journey -- going on an adventure -- can be scary and, yes, as we get older, it can be even scarier.

But you know, I know, Lily knows, if you never go on an adventure you might never find your treasure.

Story written by me, Darci Hortness,

founder and manager of DoubleHP and New Hope Horse Shelter

501c3 nonprofit Horse Help Providers, Inc. (DoubleHP)

25337 470 Ave, Crooks SD  57020
605 359-0961
www.newhopehorses.org
www.facebook.com/newhopehorses

Our barn Parelli videos can be found by searching gentlereins on YouTube.

 

If you are interested in joining our horsemanship program, call me. Darci. 359-0961.