Introduction Letter
A Little more about Pasture Pals Equine Rescue, Inc.
We are a recognized 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation, and everyone here is a volunteer. Pasture Pals
Equine Rescue, Inc. Our purpose is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome equines; and to educate people
on their care and upkeep.
We need more volunteers that can commit to a schedule, help with the daily chores at the rescue, and
help train and ride. Even if it is only one day a week it helps. We make the rounds to feed, check water,
much out stalls, as well as pick out dry lots and holding areas from 9 am - 11 am every morning (or before
work); and then go back to groom and work on specific projects or animals, and do adoption meetings
between 11am and 4pm. We again make the feeding and mucking rounds in the late afternoon or early
evening 5 pm - 7 pm (or after work). It can take 2-3 hours to make the rounds in the morning but not
quite as long in the evening.
We live at 10 Colony Ridge, We have a pasture location at 690 West Olive Road, and another pasture on
2489 Rock Pillar Rd. We are not a professional ranch or training facility, just people who love animals
and couldn't leave them in bad situations.
I like to recommend to anyone looking for good information about horses, that they go to TheHorse.com,
it is a free membership. I am also a member of Noworriesclub.com, it costs $19.99 a month, you get
monthly magazines and DVD's, as well as being able to view any of Clinton Anderson's TV shows and
tapes anytime you want, and get advice and fellowship with other people about horses.
We have quite a verity of horses and donkeys that all need care and attention and we would like to have
a "dedicated volunteer" for each of them. We have set up a calendar/schedule so that we know who will
be here when. The more volunteers we get, who can commit to a regular schedule, the easier it is to
make sure the animals get the care they need, and the volunteers get the training they need to care for
them. We need more people who can be consistent in their visits. Right now we do ask that everyone at
least give us a text or call, preferable at least the day before coming, to let us know when they will be out
and for how long. New volunteers have to team with an experienced volunteer for at least the first month
or 5 visits. I will also frequently ask on the volunteer text thread who is coming and working on which
projects, just to keep everyone up to date. We like put our new volunteers on this text thread, to make it
easy for them to coordinate their visits with existing volunteers. If you have a schedule that you can give
us, we will put you on the calendar. After a month or so with us a volunteer can choose a specific animal
to work with or dedicate your "horse time" to, the animals do get attached to their people. They will look
for their people to come, and get upset/miss them when someone doesn't show up.
Right now a few volunteers are working with all the horses on occasion, looking for the “best fit” for them,
but most are still trying to decide on a specific horse to work toward adopting. A couple volunteers are not
able to actually work with the animals and are doing social media and grant applications for us.
We are not a training facility, just animal lovers, who could not stand to leave these animals in the
situations they were in. If you are just looking to jump on a horse and ride, this is not for you.
These animals need time and attention, not just to be used and put away. Care and ground work
will be required before anyone ever saddles a horse, and some help around the farm, stables, or
office is be expected of ALL volunteers. Equal time has to be spent on care and working as is
spent with the animal of your choice. We really need more people who know ground work, tack,
and riding as most of the horses are ride able, some are green broke, some are just companion
animals, but everyone needs ground work! While most have learned to like people again, all need
attention as well as miles under saddle or on lead.
We welcome trainers who could set up scheduled times to work with the volunteers and our horses.
If a volunteer wants to bring out a trainer to work with them and the equines, we are glad to welcome
them.
We don't really have any "Staff" yet. Keith and Alex are the only full time volunteers. Some volunteers
come out to help now and then, mostly a day or two a week or month with the animals.
Our Equines will remain in our care. This is a "volunteer" and/or "onsite lease" situation.
We are also looking for "sponsors" for the animals, to help pay for their medical/farrier/feed bills and lower
their overall cost to make it easier to rehome them. While a few animals are with us for life, most are / or
will eventually be available for adoption. Adoptions fees are equal to one half (or less) of what we have
invested in the animal. We are doing some boarding for horses that we have adopted out, on a case by
case basis.
We are cutting new trails for riding and do have some already at Rock Pillar, round rings for training,
stalls, western tack, and holding areas. If you have your own tack you are welcome to bring it, but we will
have to see if it will be suitable for the Equine as no saddle fits all horses and can cause serious problems
if it pinches or slips.
We do not have anything fancy. We built everything here ourselves, with what we could find and afford or
what was donated and are continuing to make things better as we can. We are not money people, so
what we have, we built ourselves since May 2012, when we rescued Jessie. We did not set out to be a
rescue, but the animals keep coming and they don't care how it looks, just that they are clean, safe, and
cared for. Unfortunately I have had to turn away more animals then we currently care for. I can only do so
much, without more help from volunteers, outside funding, sponsors, and donations.
Our typical day starts from 9am-11am (or before work), making the rounds to feed everyone, mucking out
stables/holding areas/dry lots and then going back to groom, do training, and adoption showing between
11am-4pm. Our days ends 5pm - 7pm (or after work) making the rounds to feed and muck again. It
usually takes around 2 - 3 hours to go around feed, water, muck, and check everyone. Between feeding
everyone, fixing/building fences, and routine care; we don't have nearly as much time with the animals as
we would like. This is why we are giving people the opportunity to volunteer.
You would be more then welcome to come out and meet all of us and find out about the animals needs,
to care for, and train with them. We call this our “Meet and Greet” for new volunteers and we request a
one time $25 donation for the 3 or more hours we will spend showing and taking the tour. However; we
do not personally have a lot of time to train everyone so experience is a plus. Experienced volunteers pair
with new volunteers to teach them basic care. While I am happy to provide access to my Clinton
Anderson's Fundamentals and Horsemanship 101; and am providing a computer to watch the DVDs and
study the horse working method in an apartment off my house; Keith and I are pretty strapped for time,
with working as well as building better places and facilities for the animals. This is one of the main
reasons why we thought it would be a good idea to let other people work with the animals and get some
experience for themselves, while giving the animals more people time. I cannot allow anyone who is
under 18 to work with the animals without and adult to supervise, as this is a "at your own risk" situation
and I cannot be liable for accident or injury.
We currently have 19 horses, 4 donkeys, 3 goats, 3 dogs, and 2 potbelly piglets that are here at Pasture
Pals ER. All would be great 4H animals!
All of our horses and donkeys need ground work. They all love to be brushed, rubbed, curry combed, and
really seem to pretty much like people. Most horses are rideable.
The animals all have their own personalities and personal needs, just like people do.
Jessie was our first rescue. She is a 10yr old, sorrel, BLM Mustang, Mare. Jessie was very skittish,
seriously abused, and starving when she came to us on May 1st 2012. I have had her under saddle/bridal
a few times. Recently we have taken her back to her round ring and saddle training, but she very green
and needs a dedicated volunteer. She is very smart and loving but has a lot of training to do. Jessie gave
birth to Jessie's Little Diamond on 5/3/13. Jessie is a leasable and adoptable horse.
Lady, 16yr old, Tabiano Quarter horse, former show/trick horse then brood mare. She pretty much has
done it all and knows it all, but has to be reminded what she already knows, and will be pushy if you let
her, but loves to run. Lady is a leasable horse.
Spirit is a 3 yr old, Tri Paint, Quarter horse, Filly. Ladies last Foal. She is learning ground manners and all
about round ring and tack. No One will be allowed on her back until she is full grown, this means her
withers will be as high as her backside. But she does need to learn ground work and tack so she will be
ready when the time comes, and she is a pretty pushing big girl. Spirit is a leasable horse.
Dash, 9yr old, Sorrel, Arabian, Gelding. Dash came to us almost completely wild. He had been left in a
pasture completely by himself for his entire life, as was only used for stud. It took a lot of patience and
time to get Dash over being afraid of every sound and wanting to fight with every horse. He is now a
sweet loving, rideable, and amazing kid’s horse. He is available for Lease and Adoption.
Chester is a 3yr old, White, Small Standard, Donkey, gelding. He was completely feral, when he came to
us, but has since learned to like attention and actually comes up to almost everyone wanting to be rubbed
and brushed. Chester loves to play tricks on you, such as stealing tack and grooming supplies, and
pulling pony tails. Chester is a leasable donkey.
Molly, 19yr old, Morgan mare. Loves everyone, loves attention, and is a great with kids. She has some
arthritis and has to be kept on supplements. She cannot be expected to do much work, but when Molly
feels good she is a nice easy ride, steers with the leg, and genuinely likes people. She is definitely a
“been there done that” kind of girl. Molly needs someone to love and is an adoptable and leasable horse.
Fritz an 11yr old, brown, Miniature Donkey, 34 inch tall, Jack. He is little attention hog and always butting
in to get rubbed. I use Fritz for the people who need to learn, hoof care, and grooming to practice on. He
is a great little guard donkey and always greets everyone when they come out to the house. Fritz has a 4
generation pedigree and was actually breed to be a show animal and a stud. Fritz is a leasable donkey.
Buck is a 20yr or older, Thorough Bred, which we rescued on Dec. 22 nd 2012. He was underweight by
500lbs, skin and bones, his teeth were terrible, and had foot rot that we had to work hard to clear up. He
has gained his weight back now and his feet are healed, but he is having some issues with arthritis. He is
a very sweet loving big boy. He loves to be brushed and rubbed, and needs a lot of loving care. He is a
bit pushy and doesn't realize how big he is sometimes. Buck is starting to act like the Thorough bred that
he is, a good trail horse, and is great babysitter for our younger horses. Buck is an adoptable and
leasable horse.
Diamond was born on May 3rd 2013, right here in our back yard. His mommy is Jessie and his Sire was
Dynamite. Diamond was imprinted when he was born by Alex. At 3am in the dark back yard where he
was born all we could see was the Diamond shape on his head and so that became his name. He is a
sweet loving attention hog, has to be reminded (like any teenager) that he has manners, and needs
someone to love on him and get him used to all the tack and ground work he will need to become a good
horse someday. Diamond is Adoptable and Leasable.
Lucky, 5yr old, sorrel, Appaloosa / Quarter cross, gelding. We brought Lucky home 8/13/13 He loves
everyone, is pretty pushy and needs work on ground manners, loads well, is good for the farrier, and is
very ride able but needs finish work. Lucky is smart and just the right size. He could have potential in
many different types of riding. Lucky is a leasable and adoptable.
Sweets 16yr old, Sorrel, Mare. We are not sure of her bread at this point but she appears to be gaited.
She came to us from the Johnston County Animal Control. She is very sweat and healthy now. She
needs time and attention, as she was covered with infected saddle sores, when she came to us, she is
afraid of anyone climbing onto the saddle, and needs to learn it doesn’t have to hurt. Sweets is leasable
and adoptable.
Star, 12yr old Paint/Appaloosa, Mare. Star came to us from Johnston County Animal Control. She was
badly abused and is still frightened of people for the most part. She is learning that we will not hurt her
and that people can be good too. She does well on the lead line and moves beautifully. She know ground
work and has been ridden, however she is very head shy and we have not yet gotten her calm enough to
let us put on a bridal. She will be an amazing horse, when we can get her desensitized to the bridal and
people touching her head. Star is Adoptable and Leasable.
Flossy May, 6yr old, Light Gray, Small Standard Donkey Jenny. Came to us
3-8-13, with elf feet, missing half of an ear, nursing one baby, and pregnant with another. Flossy new
nothing of humans, feed, cookies, carrots, and apples….or pretty much anything but cows, hay, and
being picked on by the other donkeys. She is now a love bug and pretty much comes up to everyone
wanting attention. Flossy is Adoptable and Leasable.
Mr. G, 30yr old, Bay, Saddle Bred, 16 3 hands tall, several hundred pounds underweight at 1095lbs,
came to us 3-11-14 G has very few teeth and cannot eat hay, but ChaffHaye, sweet feed, pellets, and
grass work just fine. It is taking a while, but G is getting healthy. Although his skinny face makes him look
like a grumpy old man, G has proven to be loving and seeks attention from everyone. Mr. G is with us for
life and would love a dedicated volunteer.
Dottie, 18yr old, Leopard Appaloosa, Mare, 15 2 hands tall, underweight by 300lbs at 832lbs, came to us
on 4-7-14. Dottie was at deaths door when her owner called us to come get her. An untreated eye
infection from 4yrs earlier had left her eyes blind, dead, and rotting in her head. We have helped Dottie
gain some weight, and had the eyes removed. Now she is feeling better and just wants to go all the time.
Dottie has a dedicated volunteer, but still needs people who can love her, and patiently lead her around
so that she can learn her surroundings. She is a sweet mare and when healthy will make a good lead
pony. Dottie is adoptable, but probably with us for life.
Comet, 9yr old, Tricolor, Paint/Arabian, Gelding, 14 1 hands, 678lbs. Comet is very sweet and seeks
attention, learn ground work, and be broken to ride. Comet is adoptable and leasable.
Sasha, 10yr old, White over Sorrel, Paint/Arabian, Mare, 13 2 hands. Sasha is still a bit head shy, but has
gained her weight back, is sweet, likes attention, but is learning that she is not the Alpha mare she
thought she was bossing her little brother around. Sasha needs to learn ground work, and be broken to
ride. Sasha is Adoptable and Leasable.
Prince is a 3yr old, White over black, Miniature Paint Pony, Gelding, 35 inches tall. Prince looks like a
stuffed animal, he is so unbelievably cute. Unfortunately Prince can be dangerous. He has no manners
and needs extensive ground work and desensitizing, as well as being broke to saddle and bridal.
Storm, 13yr old, White, Mustang, Stallion. Storm is almost completely wild and has spent 12 years in a
tiny little 10ft stall. He just arrived a couple moths ago and will take a lot of time to overcome the abuse
and neglect he has suffered the last 13 years.
Pearl a 6yr old, Boyer mix, goat, who was dumped in my horse trailer by someone. She recently gave
birth to 2 kids Butter and Chip.
Rose is a 7yr old, Light Sorrel, Large Standard Donkey, Jenny. Rose has only been with us a couple
weeks and is not used to people and pretty skittish, so she needs a lot of calm patient handling to help
her heal and get used to to people.
Cassie is a 15yr old, Flea bitten gray, Appendix Mare, and a new arrival who is working on gaining weight
and getting used to our routines.
Doc is a 18yr old, Sorrel, OTT Thoroughbred, Gelding, and a new arrival who is quarantined at the
house. Doc is a little bit worried and depressed right now, so we are kindly showing him that we are
going to make his life better as he gains weight and gets healthy again.
Donkeys learn very much the same way as horses and can be trained with the same methods. I have
done some round ring work with the donkeys.
We also have Little Girl, a 10yr old, black and tan, Mini Doxy; Dust a 3 yr old, Blond Lab Mix; Trouble a 3
month old mix breed puppy. All the dogs love everyone. They may try to lick you to death, but other than
that they are not at all dangerous.
Most of the animals have been abused, completely neglected, or both in their former lives. So we are
trying to be very informative about them to anyone who is interested in getting involved with them. If there
is a particular animal, you are interested in let me know and I will tell you more about them and their
background. The most important thing to us is that people be respectful of everyone and not overly
aggressive with the animals or each other.
We talk to a lot of people who are interested, and really like to set up time to talk and for you to meet all
the animals. That is the best way to see if we can make a good fit. It usually takes about an hour and a
half to two hours, to make the rounds and find out about everyone. I have turned a few people away that
just weren't looking for what we have to offer and would not be a good fit for us. If you are just looking to
come out and pick a horse and ride, this is not for you. If you just want to come out and ride and leave all
the care/work to us, this is not for you. Also, if you are looking for a fancy "ranch", we don't have one. This
is all about caring for and spending time with the animals.
If you are still interested, please call or text. I am always available on most days by appointment. I cannot
answer always answer my phone while working with the animals, so texting can be more effective.
Alex 919-320-7272 or email PasturePalsER@aol.com
You can also find more information about us on our web site www.PasturePalsER.com and on Facebook
@ Pasture Pals Equine Rescue, Inc. If you click on photos and then on albums you can see a pictorial
history of each of the equines in our care.
Hope to hear from you soon!