Bella, above, the horse who started it all. She requires a farrier, vet, dentist, chiropractor and massage therapist to help her stay productive and live a long life. A fused cervical vertebra in her neck and missing cervical vertebra limit Bella’s mobility and requires her to assume a grazing stance with one front leg way out. She can only eat grass from one side of her mouth since she can’t turn her neck a certain way.
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they can. The need is great and the workers, donors and the advocates are few.
Having said that, I would like to start by telling you a story you won’t likely forget. One that I hope will inspire you as it did us, a story that all rescues long for.
Bella’s story and how Hosanna Horse Haven began.
You see, we didn’t start out to be a rescue. Growing up on farms, both Will and I were known to bring in strays and help animals in need. As farm kids, you can imagine, there were a lot of them. As a former Humane Agent, I was very aware of compassion fatigue, finding adopters and the daily responsibilities of running a shelter or nonprofit. Frankly, I didn’t want to tackle them. After much consideration, we decided to become part of the nonprofit Fleet of Angels, the transportation and assistance network for at-risk equines.
We were perfectly content with donating our services of time and equipment to transport horses from different rescues to their new adopters, even if it meant crossing state lines. Being part of Fleet of Angels helped us fulfill our need to help new adopters and equines in need.
This worked great, until it didn’t. One day we were contacted to transport a beautiful horse named Arabella. Apparently, the horse had been abandoned by her previous owner at a prestigious hunter/jumper barn. Not only was Bella abandoned, but she had been hurt in a freak accident while out in the pasture during a storm. The odds were against her. She had a broken jaw and partial nerve damage to her face. Where was her person? She had no one to advocate for her, love her, or nurse her back to health.
That was, until Jessica. Working her way through college the stable provided Jessica with not only a job, but it fulfilled her heart with the love and compassion she has for animals. When Jessica met Bella, it was love at first sight. Worried she wouldn’t make it because she could barely eat Jessica stayed by her side, hand feeding her mash to help her recover. Their relationship continued to grow, and their bond deepened.
By now, the board bill was close to two years past due, and the stable owner could no longer continue keeping Bella. She felt the only thing she could do, was humanly euthanize the horse. This broke Jessica’s heart but what could she do? An agreement was made between Jessica and the barn owner. She would give Jessica two weeks to come up with another solution. Jessica started contacting rescues and searching for anyone who could help. Somehow fate intervened and we were contacted to transport Bella to a rescue that agreed to take her into their care. Upon pickup, the love between Jessica and Bell was unmistakable, but she wasn’t in a position to have a horse. The tears flowed, and final good byes were said, it was all so bittersweet. Bella would live, but that meant separating the dear friends.
Upon delivery to the rescue that had agreed to take Bella to, our hearts sunk. Due to our background and very high standards of care, we knew we couldn’t leave Bella there. And so, it started, Bella would be coming home with us. We contacted Jessica and explained the situation. We told her after graduation if she was ever in the position to be able to take Bella we would do whatever it took to help make that happen. We agreed to stay in touch and visit whenever possible.
The rescue was formed, with the start of Bella in 2014. Since then, Hosanna Horse Haven has helped over 30 horses in need to find their forever home. HHH strives to find horses their perfect match, not just a home, regardless of how long the process takes. If for some reason the horse is deemed unadoptable they become a sanctuary horse. Currently, HHH has 10 horses in their care with a number of additional horses in foster care. Like many rescues, much of HHH’s work involves networking with other rescues to find homes or transport.
We honestly do face huge donation challenges. This is due to the fact that the majority of HHH horses are sanctuary horses. Why is that a factor? They aren’t the latest and greatest Facebook or Instagram story, they aren’t the most urgent case anymore. Donors aren’t as motivated to support a horse they feel is out of danger. In fact, several un-reputable rescues only take in certain cases because they know it will increase donations. They prey on the heart of well-meaning people and take advantage of them. It’s a business for them and not their life mission. Another issue that effects Sanctuary horses are their adoptions do not generate revenue because they stay forever and are safe.
Nonetheless, it’s about the horses. Remember the beautiful horse that started it all? This isn’t the end of her story. After four years with us she got her happy ending. Remember the college kid stable hand? Jessica has grown up to be a responsible caring adult. She never lost touch with us. Jessica always dreamed of being reunited with Bella, even making a 7-hour trip one year on her honeymoon to visit her.
Bella recognized Jessica immediately and they went for a ride. It was beautiful to see them reconnect. A plan was made to reunite them for good. Jessica and her husband would begin saving and making plans, as they intended to adopt Bella as soon as they could.
In the summer of 2018, a year after that visit, we were thrilled to transport Bella back to Michigan. This too was bittersweet, as we had grown close to this sweet mare and loved her much. But after all, Jessica was Bella’s person. Even though she loved her new family with HHH, she had clearly picked Jessica. They are reunited forever. Their bond and friendship have stood the test of time and flourished. Bella needs a lot of special care including dental because of how her teeth have formed from the broken jaw. Jessica had to search for the perfect farrier, vet, dentist, chiropractor and massage therapist that would continue to help Bella stay productive and live a long life. Additionally, she has a fused cervical vertebra in her neck and it is also thought that she has a genetic anomaly resulting in a missing cervical vertebra. The fused vertebra limits Bella’s mobility to graze and requires her to assume a grazing stance similar to a club foot horse with one front leg way out. She can only eat grass from one side of her mouth since she can’t turn her neck a certain way. She is however, according to the vets okay for light trail riding, as it will keep her in shape and more flexible.
HHH needs help. Like most rescues HHH does not receive any state or federal funding. Nor, have they been able to secure any grants to aid in their mission. If there are any grant writers out there HHH would love to work with you. With so much time spent in the barn and working to support the horses this small rescue could use some help with fundraising, events and social media. If you have some spare time and the skills HHH requires please consider donating some of your time to assist us.
To learn more about Hosanna Horse Haven and how you can help, donate or advocate please visit our website at www.hosannahorsehaven.org
quine neglect and abuse are a big issue in the world today. I’m sure you have read stories about numerous unwanted horses. Rescues such as Hosanna Horse Haven are encouraging people to donate, volunteer and help in any way
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Hosanna Horse Haven
Facilities in Ohio & Tennessee
By Lisa Allomong, Director
Fleet of Angels, the transportation and assistance network for at-risk equines.
We were perfectly content with donating our services of time and equipment to transport horses from different rescues to their new adopters, even if it meant crossing state lines. Being part of Fleet of Angels helped us fulfill our need to help new adopters and equines in need.
This worked great, until it didn’t. One day we were contacted to transport a beautiful horse named Arabella. Apparently, the horse had been abandoned by her previous owner at a prestigious hunter/jumper barn. Not only was Bella abandoned, but she had been hurt in a freak accident while out in the pasture during a storm. The odds were against her. She had a broken jaw and partial nerve damage to her face. Where was her person? She had no one to advocate for her, love her, or nurse her back to health.
That was, until Jessica. Working her way through college the stable provided Jessica with not only a job, but it fulfilled her heart with the love and compassion she has for animals. When Jessica met Bella, it was love at first sight. Worried she wouldn’t make it because she could barely eat Jessica stayed by her side, hand feeding her mash to help her recover. Their relationship continued to grow, and their bond deepened.
By now, the board bill was close to two years past due, and the stable owner could no longer continue keeping Bella. She felt the only thing she could do, was humanly euthanize the horse. This broke Jessica’s heart but what could she do? An agreement was made between Jessica and the barn owner. She would give Jessica two weeks to come up with another solution. Jessica started contacting rescues and searching for anyone who could