While rescue is not within our primary mission scope, we do occasionally rescue mini horses and donkeys. After rehabilitation, our hope is always they will be suitable to join our therapy mini teams.
But if our program is not the best second career choice for them, we carefully find loving and forever homes. We also help others rehome their minis through our network of mini friends.
Stanley - a story of unthinkable trauma
I fell completely in love with this tiny mini. Stanley had been shared around with several families and was deemed "untrainable". He is only 30", why would anyone try to ride this little guy? Two teenage boys took him in and used him for roping practice. I won't even go there with how angry this revelation makes me! Stanley lived by himself in a small backyard with only ducks and chickens for friends. It took some time for him to remember herd dynamics, but he finally integrated into our little herd. Stanley made GREAT progress during his 9 months of rehabilitation, but his previous trauma was still a daily challenge for him to accept human kindness. He bonded with me and we made remarkable progress with trust, daily handling, grooming, walkies... He truly is a sweet little horse, and he is learning that humans can be loving and kind. His adoption day was a bittersweet day. Part of rescuing is knowing when the perfect person and perfect home is presented to you. I knew Stanley would never thrive in therapy and truly needed a peaceful and calming lifestyle. He found his perfect home in Camp Verde with a kind and gentle soul who has an orchard and 3 rescue mustangs. Jill adores him and we are grateful he'll have the chance to live his best life in peace. Please note his before and current photos. What a change!
A great match for these 2 older minis!
Sometimes the pieces for a perfect rehome just fall perfectly into place. This is Velvet, a tiny bay. He was a World Champion in his prime and sired over 200 foals around the world. Velvet is now 25. He had been well cared for by his loving owner of 20 years but was not happy living with a couple of big bossy mares. I agreed to bring him to TLH so he’d have some little friends and live out his life. I later read a post on Facebook from a gal (another dental hygienist so we know she’s awesome) who had lost one of her minis 2 weeks ago. Her older mini, Fred, was 26 and very lonely after the loss of his stablemate. She was looking for a companion so, I sent her a message. We all met to discuss this opportunity ... and Velvet is now on his way to live his retirement years with a new little buddy, one that’s his age, he’ll enjoy some grassy pasture, which was a priority for his mama, and soon will be taking evening walks around the neighborhood with his new family. My heart is so happy for all involved.
A pony named Marshmallow
The life of a pony is often one of being passed around as kids and grandkids outgrow them. Marshmallow had been the pony of grandkids for a couple of trainers in Arizona. The last owner reached out hoping to find a more permanent home for their large mini/small pony. Marshmallow was a chunky girl and needed to be vet checked, and started on a diet, before she could be considered for adoption. Recognize the dappled filly in the pictures? Yes, that is Cezanne! Cez's owner agreed to foster Marshmallow and immediately placed her on a diet and started an exercise program for her. Well, as happens with many foster's homes, she became a "foster fail". Soon her name was changed to Sundae. Debra Lynn says she is a love bug and will now have a safe and healthier life with Cezanne!
Cezanne
How could such a gorgeous filly be considered a rescue? ... well, it was more of an intervention before she reached a rescue situation. We received a call from a sweet young woman who needed to place her mini due to some personal issues and a pending move. She thought she might be a good fit for our therapy programs. Her basic needs had been met, but her training, farrier and veterinarian care were way behind. We paid "bail" money (back board) to get her out of the horrendous boarding situation she was in. There was no way I was leaving her with the two shady characters running the stable. We got her vaccinated and cleaned her up. OMGoodness, isn't she gorgeous. I contacted the breeder and learned of her champion bloodlines. Cez was almost at the maximum height for a mini, and as young as she was, would probably exceed the limit. Fate intervened within months as we received a call from a dear woman looking for a taller mini. We were hesitant as our plan was to train her for therapy work, but, something pushed me to continue the conversation. Cez soon landed in a dream home of green grass and a couple who fell in love with her instantly. She is so loved and we receive weekly updates. Cez will be trained to pull a cart and shall live out her life on 2 acres of horse paradise in Glendale.
Rescuing Jamie/Sadie
Meet our latest rescue, Jamie. Not all rescues are from kill pens. We rescued this sweet girl this morning as an owner surrender. Jamie was well loved and her basic needs were certainly met. But her owner had some personal issues to get through and she knew she needed to rehome Jamie. We are honored she chose us, and now... to get her into a healthier state.
Jamie is 37” and dark black/bay. Her face has a lovely star and snip on her nose. She easily loaded up in Kathy’s trailer and traveled well to her next adventure. Kathy Lewis, a qualified therapy team friend, will foster her. After a quick assessment, she treated her swollen eyes with antibiotics. We got her in a fly mask to help protect them from pesky flies. We’ll start her on psyllium for 30 days as she was in a nice large and sandy turnout. Of course, a little less food is in order and some exercise. She is due for vaccinations and worming plus her feet need trimming. She’ll be getting a real mini makeover!
She will need immediate dental treatment. Her molars have long sharp hooks and her front teeth have some serious malocclusion issues (Bite is off and front teeth are crooked). Of course this former dental hygienist already has an appointment with our equine DDS.
Jamie is 37” and dark black/bay. Her face has a lovely star and snip on her nose. She easily loaded up in Kathy’s trailer and traveled well to her next adventure. Kathy Lewis, a qualified therapy team friend, will foster her. After a quick assessment, she treated her swollen eyes with antibiotics. We got her in a fly mask to help protect them from pesky flies. We’ll start her on psyllium for 30 days as she was in a nice large and sandy turnout. Of course, a little less food is in order and some exercise. She is due for vaccinations and worming plus her feet need trimming. She’ll be getting a real mini makeover!
She will need immediate dental treatment. Her molars have long sharp hooks and her front teeth have some serious malocclusion issues (Bite is off and front teeth are crooked). Of course this former dental hygienist already has an appointment with our equine DDS.
And she has now been adopted!!! Jamie will now be know as Sadie. This lovely young lady adopted her and has great plans to teach her to drive. She plans to become a veterinarian so she can help save even more horses. 💗 Sadie will be very loved and cherished!
Whoooooooooooo loves Conservation Efforts? Tender Little Hearts does!
Four Western Screech Owl fledglings have made our ranchette home. The Western Screech Owl is a small, nocturnal woodland Owl with short ear-tufts and yellow eyes. These little ones were rescued by Wild at Heart Raptor Rescue. Nesting boxes were place in our tallest trees in preparation the day before. The wonderful kids from the Scott Foundation made 3 awesome boxes for their release. The wee ones were placed in the nesting boxes right before sundown. They munched on a mouse for a few hours to settle in. The cover over their nesting box opening was finally removed so they could explore their new home through the night. Of course we hope they'll return each year to these same nesting boxes and raise their owlets.
Saving Chico. Now know as Edgar.
Chico was rescued from the Bowie Texas Kills pens. He was so cautious of humans but a very sweet donkey. With more and more handling, he has learned that human touch is not a bad thing. He is a beautiful dark faced donkey, steel grey with a strong black cross on his back. Chico finished with quarantine and came to Tender Little Hearts to begin his path to a better life. How scary life must be for a rescue. Each adventure is another day of safety concerns for their little minds. Will I be harmed? Who is my new buddy? Will I get food? We took care of all his medical needs and got him on the path to emotional recovery. He spent some time with an amazing donkey whisperer and TIP trainer of wild BLM burros for further training, Monique Wylde Williams. Chico/Edgar now lives with the owner of Donkeys of the Heart, a nonprofit in Cave Creek, Arizona. Chico/Edgar, I see nothing but happiness and kindness in your future! You'll be an amazing therapy donkey showered with love every day!
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Molly, now lovingly named Ellie
Molly was a bit of a wild ragamuffin when we met her. A family had tried their best to rescue her from a horrible situation but did not know how to raise or care for a young horse. Tender Little Hearts was called to step in and we immediately brought this darling home.
With a bit of TLC, she learned to trust and started her path to adoption.
She made friends, had daily grooming and walks, learned respectful behavior and soon transformed into a beautiful little horse..
April - July 2020
"I truly admire ALL rescues and am in awe of the love and time they spend with those they care for. After her quarantine period, I spent a little over a month and half with Ellie. She was young and quickly ready to move on to her next adventure. I cried for 2 days, waffled becoming a foster failure, but finally decided she needed to shine on her own... Ellie is now with a wonderful horse woman who wanted to train a therapy mini. She’ll accompany us on visits in the future and I’ll see her often as a therapy partner boards her mini at this facility. Best wishes, Ellie. May your life be full of abundance. From a ragamuffin to a healthy, happier sweet girl. Ellie is truly a doll and very loved!" Founder, Terry Holmes-Stecyk |
If you are interested in adopting a miniature horse or donkey, we can help connect you to several wonderful local rescues.
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9 Goats, 3 Donkeys and a Cow
August 24, 2019
The girls just turned their noses up at me and said; “MOM! You smell like a goat!” Actually, 9 goats to be exact!
We were blessed to assist Joey Ogburn and Mini Angel Eyes transport the rescue of 3 donkeys, 1 cow and 9 goats. We were the goat trailer.
The owner of a petting zoo had passed and her husband did his best to keep her herd together. Without the income from her petting zoo, soon the animals began to suffer and authorities arranged a seizure of the animals for their well being. All were very sweet animals and are now safe and secure in their new home! From a small enclosure and hungry to a new life on acres of grass with fresh water and love!
The girls just turned their noses up at me and said; “MOM! You smell like a goat!” Actually, 9 goats to be exact!
We were blessed to assist Joey Ogburn and Mini Angel Eyes transport the rescue of 3 donkeys, 1 cow and 9 goats. We were the goat trailer.
The owner of a petting zoo had passed and her husband did his best to keep her herd together. Without the income from her petting zoo, soon the animals began to suffer and authorities arranged a seizure of the animals for their well being. All were very sweet animals and are now safe and secure in their new home! From a small enclosure and hungry to a new life on acres of grass with fresh water and love!
