There is someone I'd like you to meet.

Her name is BELLE and she was an unwanted horse.

She was slaughtered-bound for the butcher shops of Mexico.

Luckily, Joey Ogburn, President and founder of the LUV Shack Ranch Horse Rescue, was able to save her from that fate.

When my husband, Warren, and I arrived at the ranch to volunteer that day in April 2008, we saw a pathetic horse, at least 100 lbs. underweight, whose mane, once beautiful and flowing, was matted and ripped out in places.  Her rump was burned from being cattle prodded.  Her coat was falling out, her eyes were empty and, to add insult to injury, our vet, Dr. Sickler, announced she was 9 months pregnant and only 2-3 years old.  I will never forget that day.  We looked at Belle and made her a solemn promise...she would never be hungry or mistreated again.

So began Belle's journey.  With Joey's help and support, we used many supplements and a lot of good Bermuda grass hay to get some weight back on Belle.

We do a great deal of fund raising to get money for these animals and also have foster care and sponsorships available to help offset our expenses.  Once they are rehabilitated, we hope to adopt them out to forever homes.  Depending on the horse and the condition it was in when he/she came to LUV Shack, it can take many months to rehab.  Just look at the difference LUVing care and nurturing can do for an abused horse.

This is Belle just 7 weeks after she came to us.

She looks so much better and has begun to trust Warren and me. At this point, we still cannot touch her rump, and her feet are still an issue, but she loves being groomed and walked about the property.

It's pretty obvious we were on BABY WATCH!

Dr. Sickler thought the baby should come early in July....we were just weeks away!

If a foal is born at the ranch without any complications, we don't need the assistance of a vet.  Joey is an amazing woman who knows about as much as a vet because she has helped deliver many, many foals...so, we hoped all would go well.  As luck would have it, Belle's baby watch went over the expected time but, in the middle of the night on July 21, 2008, we had a perfect little filly, Izzy!

We spent the next five months putting more weight on Belle.  Unfortunately she had two setbacks during that time.  She came down with Strangles (horse mumps) and, after she spent some time quarantined (it's very contagious), she broke out in hives.  We were also still earning Belle's trust and getting Izzy used to being with humans, being groomed and LUVed...she got plenty of that from the kids who volunteer at the ranch!

In November 2008, we formally adopted Belle, weaned Izzy and moved Belle to a boarding facility near LUV Shack.

Now, back in April 2008, we had no intention of adopting a horse!  Warren and I LUV'd just being around them.  I had grown up with horses but life had taken me away from the barn for many years, just being back with horses was good enough for me...or so I thought!  But, horse fever grabbed me once more and I just knew that Belle was the horse for me.  I hoped to make her into a wonderful riding companion.  That took well over a year, some broken bones and a few different trainers, but then I met Debbie Gumm (Horses By Gumm) who began the process of calming Belle.  Then we turned to Angela Carmitchel (Taylermade Equestrian Services) who finished her.  Their determination, and my belief that Belle had a good heart, helped to transform Belle.

I now have the horse of my dreams!

I know not everyone is able to adopt a rescue from Luv Shack, but we do offer sponsorships and fostering.  For a small sum of money, you can help the horses with a monthly gift.

So why should someone want to adopt a rescue?  After all, these horses don't have any "papers" and sometimes we're not even sure what sort of horse it is...a Mustang, a Quarterhorse, or what!  All I can tell you is you must have patience, determination, and a strong will to get to know the horse...and, if you do, you, too, will find the LUV of your life!!

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