We Ride Sport and Trail Magazine January 2017 | Page 46

Between the piercing Florida sun and the particularly soggy weather,newborn Luca quickly developed a severe case of rain rot and sunburn.

relinquished willingly and their recovery plan was put into action immediately. Pathetic Luca instantly grabbed the heart of anyone who saw him. Gypsy’s ailments were less obvious, but her malnourishment prevented her from sustaining her baby. The horse angels at RVR Horse Rescue kicked into high gear. Luca’s recovery required him to be tube feed every two hours, in around-the-clock shifts, until his momma recovered enough to feed him herself. Volunteers poured in to help. With the excellent care he received, Luca’s skin condition healed and he re-grew a beautiful, shiny coat. The frail, sickly boy transformed into a spunky little character in a few short weeks.

At RVR Horse Rescue, every effort is made to rescue and rehabilitate equines in need. Sometimes the abuse or neglect has exceeded the possibility for rehabilitation and euthanasia is the only humane outcome. These tragic endings are a stark reminder that education of the public is a necessity.

RVR Horse Rescue’s Children’s Outreach Program is aimed at early childhood

“Please do not feed the horses . . .” Inside the gates, the driveway splits the property and is lined with multiple pastures that are home to approximately twenty-five horses currently under rehabilitative care.

Shawn’s passion for her life’s work is contagious. Volunteers flock to her aid. With their muscle, dedication, and compassion,

contagious. Volunteers flock to her aid. With their muscle, dedication, and compassion, Shawn and her team have saved the lives of hundreds of animals and touched the hearts of countless humans. RVR Horse Rescue’s worldwide social media following allows people from around the globe to follow their miraculous life-saving work. Shawn’s army of Horse Angels perform heroic rescues throughout the state of Florida and rehabilitate equines on the brink of death. There is no paid staff and other than Shawn’s paycheck, which is funneled to the rescue, grants and donations make their work possible.

At the heart of this incredible 501c(3) non-profit organization is one woman with the weight of her legacy planted squarely on her shoulders. Around-the-clock nursing, political backlash, personal threats, and constant financial pressure can’t deter this devoted and determined superhero.

legacy planted squarely on her shoulders. Around-the-clock nursing, political backlash, personal threats, and constant financial pressure can’t deter this devoted and determined superhero.

A recent rescue of eight horses in need taxed the organization to its limits, both financially and physically. Yet it is not in Shawn’s DNA to refuse to help. She rallied her team and the community into action, thus, resulting in yet another miraculous ending and The Great 8 are quickly being sponsored to adopt into loving homes once their rehabilitation is complete.

Her pockets are empty. Her soul is heavy and her heart is tattered and torn. And yet, there is not one day, even one moment, when Shawn would refuse a helpless baby a new chance at life. Luca is one such baby, literally. The two-week old colt and his momma, Gypsy, were rescued in September 2015. The pair was living in an open field, without proper shelter or shade, during an especially rainy period. Between the piercing Florida sun and the particularly soggy weather, the newborn quickly developed a severe case of rain rot and sunburn.

A concerned neighbor called a local vet, who contacted RVR Horse Rescue after speaking with Gypsy and Luca’s owner. Thankfully, the horses were relinquished willingly and their recovery plan was put into action immediately. Pathetic Luca instantly grabbed the heart of anyone who saw him. Gypsy’s ailments were less obvious, but her malnourishment prevented her from sustaining her baby. The horse angels at RVR Horse Rescue kicked into high gear. Luca’s recovery required him to be tube feed every two hours, in around-the-clock shifts, until his momma recovered enough to feed him herself. Volunteers poured in to help. With the excellent care he received, Luca’s skin condition healed and he re-grew a beautiful, shiny coat. The frail, sickly boy transformed into a spunky little character in a few short weeks.

Catey and Luca