Morris Herd
 Spark – 20 year old sorrel gelding |
March 6, 2022 Whisper Ranch was called in by our local Animal Control to assist with five horses and a pony who’s elderly owner (Mr. Morris) had passed away after he had been in the hospital for some time prior. The late gentleman’s daughter (a very kind and caring woman) was concerned about the future welfare of these horse. We offered our help and she surrendered the whole herd to us. We will take good care of them, work hard to restore them to health and find trusted and compatible homes. This herd consists of four mares ranging in age from 8 to 15, a gelding approximately age 20 and a pony stallion also aged 20 being kept at a rented pasture that has no infrastructure, just wide open fenced in space. There was no hay and no grass at their location, so our first step was to secure a supply of hay for them, which we did that same day. They were – understandably – very hungry. Two of them are clearly quite emaciated and need a careful and specialized re-feeding program. They have been moved to our sanctuary for the more intensive care they need. The others remain at the location they were found, but we have secured permission from the land owner to take over rental of the pasture for now. We will get them all vetted, address any health needs, build them up nutritionally, and get to know them so that when they do move out, it will be directly to an appropriate foster home. Normally we get calls for one or (on occasion) two equines in need at one time. This is our first rescue of a whole herd at once and it certainly presents some challenges, both logistical and especially financial. We can handle the logistics, but help via donations for feed , hay, supplements, medications and vet care, is much needed and would be greatly appreciated. |
 Star – 15 year old bay mare |
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 Ethel – 15 year old Bay mare |
March 21, 2022 Today all the horses were seen by our veterinarian. The pony stallion was gelded. Two of the mares have “pot” bellies, so blood was drawn for (among other reasons) a pregnancy test for each mare. We feel fairly certain the pony couldn’t “reach” the mares, but nature does tend to find a way, so we need to be certain. |
 Lucy – 10 year old bay mare |
March 25, 2022 The results are in…NO ONE IS PREGNANT! Whew!! Also, now that everyone is getting regular feedings and have hay available 24/7, their prior frantic behavior (from being so hungry for so long) at feeding time has eased. Before it was like feeding time a Jurassic Park! Now, they are much becoming much calmer. |
 Jasmine (Jazz) – 8 year old black-bay mare |
March 28, 2022 Update Received negative Coggins reports on everyone. We are in the process of creating a page for each horse, so be sure to check the Rescues -> Morris Herd menu above. We don’t have much verifiable information on them. Our veterinarian helped to age them (approximate), the only one with a name anyone knew is the sorrel gelding. His name was Jack – same as 80% of male donkeys everywhere! We changed his name to Spark (new life, new name) and together (staff and volunteers) named the others. |
 Willy – 20 year old pony stallion |
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April 3 2022 update
The three ladies, left to right – Lucy, Ethel and Jasmine in a moment of feeding peace. |
When we feed, they are all still a bit frantic to get to the food. Chasing each other as they run from feed pan to feed pan until each finally settles on one. This is not uncommon when horses have gone hungry for a period of time. It is a feeling of “get it while you can, because there might not be more.” |
Willy – now a gelding |
They have settled a little now that they are getting two feedings a day going on a month and they always have hay available 24/7, but it will take time for them to really relax at feeding time. Willy gets the worst of it from the ladies when food is first brought out, but after everyone settles and the food is almost gone, he and the ladies will clean up the pans together, some times everyone eating out of one pan without a fuss. |
Sharing |
They are looking a lot less ragged then they did when we met them, but still have a way to go…it will take time for them to become truly nutritionally sound. Their hooves have been trimmed, they are in rough shape and will take regular hoof care and good nutrition to recover. Everyone did fairly well standing for the farrier. Lucy was a bit freaked out at having her feet handled, so we will work with her to ease her fear. We don’t know their history. We don’t know what they have been taught or not taught so we can only go from our experience about the behavior they display. Each horse will get as much time as they need to get used to being handled. We don’t force. We believe in building relationship and trust. |
April 13 2022
The three Amigas (Ethel, Jasmine and Lucy) and Willy |
Spark – getting better! |
Star -also getting better…slow but steady. |
May 2022 Update
The three Amigas (L-R: Ethel, Lucy and Jasmine) |
Willie – learning to be handled, realizing not all humans are bad. |
Spark – getting better and better! |
Star – slower than Spark to gain, but still improving. |
July 2022 Update
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Finally got the Dillard pasture bushhogged!! |
Willy, Jasmine, Ethel and Lucy on bushhogging day |
Spark – looking good! |
Star – shiny and happy! |
August 2022 Update
NEWS!
Jasmine and Willy are spending some time with our favorite people at
Willy and Jasmine discovering that a stall isn’t so bad. |
“What is this thing called ‘saddle’ of which you speak?” |
Willy (hiding behind Jasmine) with their new pasture buddy, Moonshadow. |
Jasmine, checking things out on arrival at Wild Hearts Center |
Willy (hiding behind Jasmine) but taking a peak to see what we are up to. |
Out and about with Moonshadow. |
The Story:
The initial reason for them going to Wild Hearts was for Willy to be exposed to people. Lots of people of all sizes, ages and personalities. When we met Willy, he had no use for people, could not be caught or even touched, would pin his ears and leave when approached. We don’t know his history, but somewhere along the 20 years of his life, he decided humans were no good.
When we took custody of the Morris herd, our dear friend and founder of Wild Hearts, Jessica Fry, was one of the first to say “How can we help?” Willy! In addition to exposure to a lot of very kind people, Jessica is an extraordinary trainer who can work with Willy and help him discover that relationships with humans are not only possible but a good thing! Jessica came to Whisper Ranch to meet Willy and while here, Jasmine inserted herself into the conversation. Jessica calls her “a total people pony”, and offered to take her too and work with her. We don’t know much about Jasmine either, but its fairly obvious that she has had no training AND no harsh treatment. Basically she is a “blank slate”… how many trainers get to work with fully grown horses that have zero baggage, no bad habits to undo before teaching good ones?
In mid-July we delivered them both to Wild Hearts. We are beyond grateful for Jessica and everyone at Wild Hearts giving these two an amazing opportunity with lots of positive attention and love!