Meet The Herd

Linus, a small Welsh Cobb gentleman with an enormous heart. His enthusiasm for eating knows no bounds, and he's quite insistent on being the first to be fed. Despite his joyful nature, he's not fond of rainy or cold weather, and for chilly nights, he has a set of cozy jammies to keep him snug.

Due to past struggles with laminitis, he retired from show jumping and later from being a therapy horse. Linus adheres to a meticulously curated diet comprising low-sugar food and supplements, specially formulated to support his health. As a treat, he relishes homemade low- sugar delicacies and finds delight in munching on celery for snacks. His care is tailored to ensure his well-being and happiness at every turn.

Bill and Mitch are a bonded pair of Belgians, who are former Amish work horses, rescued from a kill pen (tags 225 & 224) who were heading to a meat market in Mexico. They are truly "gentle giants" at 18 and 18.1 hands. After years of hard work, they are finally able to rest and relax, and just enjoy life.   

Both horses eagerly anticipate feeding time, and the sight of food prompts a spirited trot in your direction. Brimming with affection and responsive to loving attention, Bill and Mitch serve as profound teachers about the importance of love and companionship. Their vibrant personalities add an element of joy to the sanctuary. Mitch enjoys watching Mr. Ed, especially during any necessary treatments.

Despite their challenging pasts, both horses have encountered health issues. Mitch has grappled with multiple hoof abscesses and the loss of some teeth, while Bill has undergone numerous dental surgeries to rectify years of neglect. Despite these adversities, their resilient spirits shine through, making them a testament to the healing power of love and care.

  Apollo, a 10-month-old blue Percheron colt, found himself labeled as tag number 302 at the Elkhart auction. Enduring the auction twice, he appeared increasingly defeated each time. A well-known horse trader insisted on $5000, making it challenging to secure his freedom. Finally, when he showed up to run in the auction for the third week in a row, 1 Horse @ A Time Draft Rescue stepped in, paying his ransom. Michelle Patterson, President/CEO of Guardian Therapeutic Horsemanship, became his foster mom for the next year and a half. Upon going to pick him up from the auction, she discovered a disheartened baby with a crooked front left leg. Calling him “Neil," he battled depression, sadness, and a fever of 107. It was then that he had his first trip to Texas A&M's equine hospital, where he spent weeks in the ICU for severe pneumonia and underwent numerous rounds of IV antibiotics. It was a miracle he survived. When he was well enough, she took him back home to continue recovering. Later, they returned to Texas A&M for surgery on his “crooked leg”, hopefully to straighten it enough to give him a chance at survival and a “normal” life. He spent three long months on stall rest to heal from the surgery, during which his personality started to shine, but he always remained very well-behaved, despite his rough beginnings, and being confined. Finally at the end of the third month, he had the green-light to go outside. His pasture mate was a miniature, and they became the best of friends. He captured the hearts of everyone at Guardian therapeutic horsemanship and remained true to being a true gentleman. Neil loves life and is a sweet and loving boy. Not knowing if he can ever be ridden, or if the screw in his leg will ever need to come out, we adopted him from 1-Horse @ a Time Draft Rescue. We continued to ensure his continuity of care and sent weekly photos of his healing leg to Foster Mom Michelle, his orthopedic surgeon at A&M for about a year. This past year he was released from care at A&M by his orthopedic surgeon, but we keep in touch every so often, just because. Today, his full name is Neil Armstrong, and he goes by “Apollo,” because of his extraordinary abilities to overcome enormous obstacles, and because we love him to the moon and back! Apollo is on a special supplement to help ensure healthy growth.

Elliot, a timid young appaloosa mini, tag number 720 at kill pen, was rescued right after Christmas in 2022. Due to all he endured he harbors distrust, especially towards men, but is gradually opening up. Despite limited knowledge about his past, we discovered he's around 2-3 years old, not 10 as initially thought. This sweet and affectionate young gelding possesses the speed of a thoroughbred, the strength of a mule, the courageous spirit of a lion, and the intelligence and gentle soul reminiscent of an elephant.  

  Sammy Jett was rescued by a compassionate organization that initially believed he was blind, crippled, and wild, wanting to euthanize him. Jasmin Shinn of 1 Horse @ a Time Draft Rescue intervened, saving him from this fate. Loaded into a cramped trailer with minimal space, Sammy, exhausted, collapsed immediately and remained on the floor throughout the lengthy journey to Texas A&M’s Large Animal Hospital.

Upon arrival, he was dehydrated, emaciated, and infested with worms. The veterinarians at A&M provided wonderful care for him. Afterward, Sammy found solace in the foster care of Michelle Patterson, President/ CEO of Guardian Therapeutic Horsemanship, where he experienced unconditional love. During this time, he faced colic, requiring a return to A&M. It was discovered that dental issues were hindering proper food consumption, contributing to the colic. Dental procedures, akin to dental implants, were performed to address the gaps in his teeth, along with medication for his legs affected by dropped pasterns due to malnutrition during development.

Adopted in October 2023, Sammy may never be rideable and necessitates proximity to A&M for ongoing treatment. Despite his challenges, he exudes love, joy, and a lively spirit. His foster mom named him Sammy because "God Heard his cry," a name we retained as he became an answer to our prayers. The name Samuel, originating from the Hebrew words Shem ("name") and El ("God"), conveys the meanings "name of God" or "God has heard."

In addition to regular specialty dental appointments, Sammy is on a special supplement for his joint and tendon growth.

Fill in content here

fill in

fill in

 Leo crossed the rainbow bridge on June 10, 2024. 

Though he is no longer with us, he will always be in our hearts, remembered for his patience and gentle spirit.

Leo, whose full name was Emilio, had a unique journey as a kind-hearted retired carriage horse from Dallas, where he loved giving Christmas light tours. A blend of Half Belgian and Half Quarter Horse, he transitioned from carriage work to becoming a therapy horse. However, his path was not without challenges; he struggled with severe allergies exacerbated by the Texas heat and local allergens. Leo was allergic to nearly everything associated with being a horse, including oats, grasses, soy, and even flies. To manage his allergies, diarrhea, and other conditions, he was prescribed medications and followed specific allergy protocols.

Hope passed away on July 10, 2024.

She is deeply missed. At times, her presence can still be felt. Initially known as tag number 47 at the Elkhart horse auction, she experienced a Christmas miracle on December 17, 2022, when 1 Horse @ a Time Draft Rescue saved her and named her Hope. Once a strong workhorse, she was discarded as age caught up with her, neglected instead of appreciated for her years of service.

When she arrived, Hope was malnourished and frightened, bearing the scars of her past. Fostered alongside her friend Gabriel at Guardian Therapeutic Horsemanship, she faced heartbreak when he passed away just 48 hours later, leaving her in deep grief. Initially wary of humans, she would shy away from interaction. Foster mom Michelle Patterson patiently visited daily, waiting for Hope to signal her acceptance.

With time and care, Hope learned to trust again, revealing her gentle personality. Due to space limitations, she was moved to another foster home and, on January 1, 2024, after 380 days in care, we welcomed her into our family through adoption. Despite her age and struggles with Cushing's, her sweetness shone through. Hope ultimately passed away from a fractured hip; despite our efforts, we couldn’t help her back up. Before her passing, she thrived on daily medication, natural vitamins, and a special diet, enjoying low-sugar treats and a good scratch. Hope, a true survivor, embodied resilience and kindness.

4o mini