Last year, two young Arabians showed up at auction, possible culls from a breeding farm. We were able to save the 3-year-old Rose grey colt, while we were outbid by a horse trader for his 4-year-old sister (the filly returned to auction just last month, in significantly worse shape, this time thankfully picked up by another rescue). 

How quickly a young life can turn sour, but in Romeo's case, it never had to. We took him from the auction, and with the help of two generous sponsors, were able to geld the young colt, and put him into 3-months professional training with gentle cowboy Joel Sheridan. 

By the time his 3-months were up, this formerly un-started colt, was now a gentle, green broke gelding, ready to find his forever home!

And he did 

Congratulations to Deanna, his new mom, who fell head over heels for the horse she always dreamed off -- a grey Arabian! When the fates align, they align..

Romeo left for his new home today, and we're excited to watch their progress as Romeo bonds with his new family!

If you would like to find your own "forever" companion, please take a look at one of our rehabilitated rescues,

Happy birthday (Feb 12), "Magdalena's Pride"!

Rescued early last summer from the Ontario Livestock Auction, this then-9 yo Thoroughbred broodmare had produced one foal, before she was unceremoniously dumped at an auction that specializes in selling goats and pigs -- not horses..

With an open offer to foster from Catherine, we were able to save this unwanted girl, and were pleased to hear shortly thereafter... Catherine and Pride were in love! So, adoption it was

Rescuing from livestock auctions is one of the riskiest ways to save a horse. No information, no time, just a glimpse as the horse enters the ring, with seconds to decide. We're happy we made that split second decision, narrowly saving this granddaughter of In Excess from slaughter. 

And, as we always say, nothing beats the love of a Thoroughbred mare 

Happy Valentine's Day, Catherine and Pride!!!

Valentine's visit with Bucky at the hospital tonight:

Mr. Buckminster's healing hooves are adapting well, now that he's on a daily regimen of low-dose bute and betadine soaks. 

Although after his hoof trim, further X-rays revealed navicular damage, that won't stop this gentleman from living a full life, even if his riding future will be a tad muted. 

Happy Valentine's Day, Bucky! Hope you enjoyed the carrots!

Meet "Xena," an 8-year-old Icelandic Horse rescued from Mike's Auction on Saturday.

How does an Icelandic Horse end up at auction? We're not entirely sure, but she was such an unexpected sight, we had her listed as a "pony" that night.

That 13 hh pony turned out to be a rare breed of horse, with less than 5,000 Icelandics in the entire United States. 

Still, Xena needed rescue as much as anyone. Following the auction, the vets at West Coast Equine Hospital addressed her horribly neglected teeth. Otherwise, this girl appears to be healthy and sound. It will be exciting to work on the retraining stage of such a unique gaited horse!

Nobu, aka 2011 Thoroughbred gelding "Drop A Member" (by Council Member and out of a Phone Trick mare), was rescued from Mike's Auction in December as an intact *double* cryptorchid colt... Clearly, his prior owners had a laugh when registering his name with the Jockey Club. 

This sweet boy made it to the racetrack long enough to be tattooed, but never raced. He seemingly wasn't conditioned properly, and went to auction with a popped patella. 

After a few months of a careful exercise regimen, Nobu has had three rides under his belt, and is proving to be remarkably broke for just a baby (mind you, he *is* just a baby!). 

Yesterday, Nobu had his turn trotting for Dr. Barnes and Dr. Valdez of West Coast Equine Hospital, to ensure all was "in place" with his patella (and the rest of him). Nobu is looking good, and ready to find his adoptive home!

If interested in adopting a super cute 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, please fill out our application 

Dr. Valdez and Dr. Barnes of West Coast Equine Hospital came out today for High Z's exam to see if he's healthy enough to begin retraining, after coming off a feed lot and subsequent auction lot, in very poor condition, last month.

After a series of nerve blocks and radiographs, it was confirmed Z has what almost all Thoroughbreds do -- pedal osteitis. 

To ensure a healthy sound rehab, shoes with pads will be needed to protect his coffin bones from further damage. Otherwise, he should be fine to proceed with a new career. 

With his lovely temperament, and as a son of High Brite, we expect him to make a stellar pleasure horse.

Looking forward to Stage 2 of "bringing back Z"! 

If you would like to donate toward Z's rehabilitation and retraining, please go to

EMACIATED STALLION UPDATE:

At 15.2 hh and 727 lb, this emaciated 3 yo stallion came to Mike's Auction, after being picked up for free off Craigslist. With the help of auction staff, we were able to transport him direct to West Coast Equine Hospital to work on immediately stabilizing his condition.

Today, the newly christened "Wesley," was given the all-clear to come home!

From here on out, Wesley will be slowly brought back to weight by refeeding cautious, frequent feedings of alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets, as was done for Chiron and Eclipse before him.

Wesley, like Chiron, has a long road ahead of him til he will be healthy enough for gelding surgery. If you would like to help with donations toward his veterinary, farrier, and feed bills, please donate direct to West Coast Equine Hospital at (805) 386-7151 or through our websitehttp://www.auctionhorsesrescue.com/donate.html -- and please mark as donating toward "Wesley.

IN NEED OF RESCUE:

"All Joy" is a 2002 Thoroughbred mare by Storm Boot and out of an Affirmed mare. This granddaughter of Storm Cat sold at a Keeneland as a yearling for $115,000, before earning $53,226 on the track, having a foal in 2011, then ending up wandering lost in a riverbed. Baldwin Park Animal Control picked her up, alongside Josie's Dream. 

Just two weeks ago, All Joy's lone foal, "Black Magnum," had his first work out at Santa Anita. As his dam sits at Animal Control, awaiting a home. 

One of the officers who works with the mares regularly, states he is especially fond of All Joy. Very well-mannered and a pleasure to be around.

All Joy stands around 16 hh. 

Currently located at Baldwin Park Animal Control, 4275 Elton St, Baldwin Park, CA.

To inquire, call 626-962-3577.

BOSTON BAKED BEAN UPDATE:
We recently received this e-mail from Lisa concerning Boston Baked Bean and his new owner Rachel. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did. 

"Boston's temperament has come around completely in the time he's been in Kentucky. I trailered him to his new boarding facility on the day Rachel took him home and I wish you could have been there to see Boston "mobbed" by a dozen (seemed like at least 50! lol!) college aged girls. All were cooing at him and offering him treats and taking pix non-stop. Boston accepted all the attention like a gentleman. He happily posed for pix and ate the proffered treats. He wasn't nervous at all the activity at all! 

I know it must seem to you that for all the horses you help, there's always going to be more that need it but I hope you realize that you make a true difference to the ones you reach. Thank you for all you do.

I will keep you updated on Boston and I'll get you some pix of her riding him when I get a chance in the next week or so. They seem to have bonded beautifully." 

Lisa