The Horses of HeartSpace
SCOUT
Born in April, 2005 to Prema, Scout is a Mustang/Quarter Horse mare. She came to me in 2007. Being co-leader of the herd with her mom, she works at keeping them all managed. As my main trail-riding horse, she takes me wherever I want to go and loves to explore. She is a playful spirit, although at times she can seem so serious. Teaching boundaries is her specialty.
Shekhinah
Born 6/13/92 and arriving at the Sanctuary in 2015, Shekhinah (Kinah) is a Danish/Thoroughbred mare. Underweight and in need of rehabilitation, she has come along quite nicely. Also a lead mare, she has sorted things out with her pasture mates. They all get along well and have an understanding amongst themselves. After working through some trust issues about receiving proper care, her eyes have brightened and softened. She absolutely loves being scratched and brushed everywhere.
REVEL
Revel, a Quarter Horse/Arab born in January, 1995, came to HeartSpace Horse Sanctuary in 2016 from a rescue organization in Portland, OR. He had been up for adoption as a pasture pet but had no takers; his time was running out. When I went to visit him, he followed me up and down the fence line. His soft eyes and loose lips stole my heart and I promised to take him in and care for him for the duration of his life. He loves being a part of a larger herd, sharing his role as top gelding with Mr. Zee. He often volunteers to help people who come here feel more at ease. He is also a great teacher of how to respect the boundaries of others.
MAYA
Maya, a Pony born in 2013 (approximately), arrived at the Sanctuary in 2017 with her sister Sunny after being in a foster situation that had rescued them from poor conditions. Maya was very shy and not very trusting. Imagining all she had been through, I gave her the time and space she needed to make her way back to her heart in order to connect with others. She has come a long way, and every day seems more open to trust.
SUNNY
Sunshine (or Sunny), a Pony born in 2014 (approximately), arrived with her sister Maya in 2017. More outgoing than her sister, Sunny loves people and is very curious. When I go into the paddock with a halter, she will often try to put her head into it whether you want her to or not. She has made great progress and is becoming more confident everyday. Following most visitors everywhere, she is a delight to be around.
ZEE
On the day Sunny and Maya arrived, the woman who brought them to the Sanctuary received a call that Zee, a Pony born in 2011 (approximately), needed to be re-homed from his foster situation (also from poor conditions). Knowing he was Sunny and Maya’s father, she asked if I would like to reunite him with his daughters and take him in as well. How could I resist that! He is timid but very willing to come near and even be brushed now and then. Coming along quite nicely, he realizes this is now his home and he doesn’t need to be so worried any longer. The other horses have taken him in as an integral part of the herd. It is so wonderful to see them all running together.
RUBY
Ruby’s previous owners’ situation changed and they had to sell their property. She came to us to spend the rest of her life here (like all of the others). Ruby is a red roan quarter horse that is in her late 20’s. She has ringbone, so needed to be retired. We maintain her comfort level and give her plenty of room to move around. She’s in a group with three other old girls with the same nutritional needs. They can all have plenty of grass hay with a bit of alfalfa. She’s happy in her new home with her new friends.
OPAL
Opal, a Quarter Horse born in April 1994, came to the Sanctuary in 2017 underweight. She was very attached to her daughter Jewel (who ate a lot of Opal’s food and was overweight). The two panicked if they were separated. Quickly realizing extra food was much more enticing than hanging with Jewel, Opal got used to her new friends. Being in the paddock with a few other special needs horses (older and needing a special diet), she has now become attached to them and a lot more trusting of people. After all, she gets the nutrition she needs without her daughter eating it all.
AMIGO
Amigo was born in 2007 and is a Mustang from the Beaty’s Butte area in Oregon. His previous owner adopted him from a training program run by young adults designed to find more BLM mustangs forever homes. He has lived on their ranch for many years. They are selling their ranch due to life’s changes and needed to make sure he had another caring and forever home. I used to buy hay from them, so they knew the Sanctuary well, and knew that’s where he should go. After contacting me, I agreed that he would be a good fit. He and Prema have become fast friends. Both being BLM mustangs and born in the wild, they speak the same language.
DAKOTA
Dakota, a Welsh Pony born in 2000 (approximately), arrived here late one night in 2017. When her friend called out as they pulled away, she answered back. None of the other horses called out to her. They were so calm and quiet. I was expecting everyone to be riled up, but that didn’t happen. It seemed so out of the ordinary in the moment, but then I realized they were all calm and quiet to help her to be calm and quiet. All of the horses were so accepting of her from the very beginning, almost as if they had known her all along – or at least were expecting her (which actually, I guess I did tell them to be expecting her). Since her arrival, Dakota has really built her confidence and trust in people; she even comes when being called. She does, however, struggle with laminitis and metabolic issues, but does really well with her special supplementation and feed schedule she receives at the Sanctuary.
GOLIATH
PEDRO
One morning in 2016, I was looking on craigslist and noticed Pedro, a donkey, needed a home. We don’t know his true age, but he was born in 2002 (approximately). Upon meeting him and having him put his big head into my arms, I promised him I would bring him home to the Sanctuary. He has been the star of the paddock ever since; everybody loves Pedro. He has buddied up to many of the horses and is a calming influence, especially for Revel. Pedro loves to bray for hay, a treat, or a little attention and enjoys being brushed and scratched. He never wanders too far away from people or his friends. Having him as part of the herd is such a joy. He now has the run of the place and you’ll often see him paddock-hopping and roaming free-range.
HAWKS
Hawks came to us from a long-time owner who had difficulty taking care of him because of health reasons. She found us and brought him to the Sanctuary. He’s a black Bashkir Curly and is in his late teens. Hawks loves to be in charge of his group, though he is a kind leader to his horse friends. Being the social butterfly that he is, he enjoys visiting the other horses across the fence. They hang out all together. Hawks must live in a dry lot situation with a special diet as he is an “easy keeper”. Being an easy keeper means that he gains weight very fast and is prone to health conditions associated with being overweight (cushings, laminitis). We maintain his weight at a healthy level and he has plenty of room to roam.
MAYA 2
Maya 2 (we already have another Maya here!) came with Orion, her pasture mate. Their owner’s situation also changed. She (their previous owner) stays quite active by making monthly donations and taking care of their vet costs, if any, and helping us meet their needs. She is sponsoring them for life. Maya 2 has wobblers syndrome but does quite well on level ground in the front pasture. She can be on grass all day with supplemental feed and hay. Maya 2 is in her late teens and is a bay OTTB (Off the Track Thoroughbred). She is super sweet and easy to handle.
ORION
Orion came with Maya 2 and is a bay warmblood who is around 30 years old. He is very tall and thin and has a hard time keeping weight on due to his age and size. He is, however, settling into his new life here at the Sanctuary with plenty of room to run and exercise as well as having lots of food available to him 24/7. Orion is a bit timid as a long time ago his life was very traumatic. He is kind and agreeable, though cautious around new people. Again, his previous owner helps to sponsor him to meet his additional needs.
Rosie
More information coming soon!
Tiki rose
More information coming soon!
Trooper
More information coming soon!
RAINBOW BRIDGE
POPPY
Born 3/31/95, Poppy is a Welsh Pony mare who came to the Sanctuary in 2015. Great with children, she is such a cutie and so sweet. Knowing how to stay away from all the drama, she quietly waits her turn for hay. Mostly keeping out of trouble, she does, however, love to go on a walk-about if she gets the chance. Everyone loves Poppy and she loves the attention and being brushed!
KONAH
Born 6/22/95, Konah is a Palomino Arabian/Welsh Pony/Morgan gelding who arrived in 2015. Being more than willing to do whatever you ask of him, he is very much a gentleman. Being a pro at staying away from all the mares when they are pushing each other around the hay, he quietly keeps to himself until all of the drama is over. Olivia and Martin have claimed him as well, and he is particularly fond of Martin. Konah and Ali are living their best life at their forever home.
ALI
Born in 2001, Ali is a Welsh Pony/Quarter Horse mare who came to the Sanctuary in 2015 and has since been adopted by my son, Martin, his wife, Olivia, and their son, Smith. Since she arrived she has really gained confidence. Trusting us and loving the attention she gets, she has become very attentive to her people. She loves every minute she has with them. Going on trail rides with Olivia really gets her excited for more. Attention and love is all she really asks for, along with hanging out with her pasture mate, Konah.
Prema
Born in July, 2000, Prema is a BLM mustang mare from Nevada (area 51). Adopting her when she was four months old, I made a lifetime commitment to her. She and I have a special bond and we have learned so much from each other. Strong and sturdy, she is a lead mare, giving guidance to the herd. She has known what it’s like to fight for food as a youngster with other captive mustangs and lets no scrap go to waste. Smart and determined, she is a kind and gentle teacher.
GALENA
Galena was a dark brown quarter horse in her late 20’s who used to be active in the rodeo world as a riding horse. After her retirement, she went to live with Maggie. As their owner’s situation changed, they moved from Wyoming to Bend. Galena loved her food but didn’t mind sharing with the other old mares in the paddock. No one is ever left out at feeding time. Galena also liked to visit with the other horses nearby.
FROSTY
DUKE
Duke was born on 4/20/1995 and is a miniature donkey. He was named after “The Duke” and lives up to his big name. Pedro was unsure about him at first, but now they are best buds, with Duke being the dominant of the two. A volunteer that worked here use to own him, and his foster home needed to rehome him as he was getting too fat on pasture. Needing a dry lot and extra special care, he came to live here. Fitting right in, he is flourishing and losing weight (though it may be a bit hard to tell 😊).
MAGGIE
Maggie was a 35 1/2-year-old red roan molly mule. She was the sweetest girl ever and was very curious. She would come to you when you called her and was always looking for a treat or a special scratch. Mules tend to be curious and keep the paddock safe by looking out for the perimeter. She loved to roam and explore, foraging on grass and other brush. Arriving here with Galena, who had been her pasture mate for the last five years, she settled in nicely. She was in the “old mare” group with lots of access to hay and forage, along with getting supplements to support her health. Her owner is also involved in volunteering here and making monthly donations. She wanted the rest of Maggie and Galena’s lives to be safe and sound.
NEHALEM BAY (NEHALEM)
Born 4/22/98, Nehalem was a Holsteiner mare who came to the Sanctuary in 2015. She stood about 18 hands tall – by far the biggest girl out here. She was very sweet and kind. Despite her size, she got pushed around a lot. We were told Nehalem had been fighting lymphoma for over 10 years, resulting in a lower jaw with edema. When I got her, she barely had the strength to get into the horse trailer. Shaking and weak, she managed the trip home. I was uncertain as to how long she would be here as it seemed death was knocking at her door. However, she began eating and gaining more weight and strength each day. My heart was overjoyed as I watched her run to me from the front of the pasture and jump over a little ditch with such big and beautiful movement! Reiki, herbs, and proper nutrition helped to boost her immune system and build up her compromised lymph system. Each day she showed improvement and her edema and sarcoid finally reduced greatly. In the end, she was thriving.
ACE
Ace was a Kiger mustang mix gelding and was born in 1999 (approximately). Although an older guy, he still acted like a youngster and was a beautiful Bay color with a thick mane and tail. It took him a few years to really come out of his shell and trust again, but after that, he was always the gentleman – easy to handle and very kind. The trusting really clicked with him here, and he gained more freedom and stimulation after arriving. He was very smart and loved new things, especially his extended herd at the Sanctuary. Coming to the Sanctuary from a previous rescue situation (that had been a very good home), his owners’ situation changed and they needed to find him and Layla a new forever home. Having committed to caring for them for the rest of their lives, the previous owners both felt it was very important that they found a Sanctuary where Ace and Layla could live out their lives. Spending many years searching and wondering, our paths finally crossed. Great relief came over them as we made arrangements for the horses to come live here.
LAYLA
Born in 2005, Layla is a Quarter Horse mare. Sorrel in color and also very well-mannered, she has settled in nicely in her paddock with Ace. Also connecting with the other horses here, she has come into her own; trusting and kind. Her previous owners (same as Ace’s) adopted her from a rescue in the area in 2012. We were happy to keep the two of them together and really enjoy having them here! Their owners continue to support the Sanctuary the best they can.
GRACIE
Born 5/4/02, Gracie was also a retired Thoroughbred race horse mare who came to the Sanctuary in 2015. Soon after arrival, she became great friends with Prema and Scout, as you can see in the many photos we have of the three of them together. After bonding with them, she had a place in the herd that was a bit higher than before. Incredibly sweet, she would stop eating if you scratched her or gave her any attention whatsoever. Although she moved a bit slower near the end, she never missed a meal or her late morning nap.
JEWEL
Jewel, a Quarter Horse born in May 2002, arrived with her mother Opal in 2017. As an easy keeper and much younger than Opal, Jewel has settled into the herd nicely, making new friends and learning the dynamics of the herd. She seemed more relaxed and willing to be handled by her new people. After settling in, she began training and turned out to be a great trail horse for an experienced and gentle rider.
SLEW’S GOLDEN
GIRL (ATHENA)
Born 5/11/01 and joining the Sanctuary in 2015, Athena was a retired Thoroughbred race horse mare and descendant of Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew. Athena was a very sweet and steady horse; being brushed and loved on would put her right to sleep. One morning while feeding, I found Athena in the front pasture, having passed without struggle to the Rainbow Bridge during the night.
VALZARA (VAL)
Born Valentine’s Day in 1989, Val was an Arabian mare that came to me in 2015 in very poor condition. Severely underweight, she was listless and seemed to have given up. During a bout with colic, I thought she was on her way out. Doing some energy work on her and letting her know I would honor her wishes and she was welcome here, she made her decision to stay. After giving her some fluids in the morning, she fully recovered with a new lease on life. Having put on some weight with proper nutrition, she looked about 10 years younger. Following me everywhere, she seemed grateful for no longer wondering if and when she would be fed. Val crossed over the Rainbow Bridge at the start of 2019; she was just shy of 30 years old. The property is not this same without our “free-range” Val gal.
NEZ
I got a call one afternoon early December 2018 from a rescue in Sandy, OR asking if we had room for a blind horse that needed a home ASAP. They saw the ad on craigslist, which creates a sense of urgency since meat buyers often look there for good prospects. We didn’t want that to happen to this beautiful girl. Zeb’s Wish volunteers went to see her and get the owner to remove the ad, and almost immediately we found a ride for her to my place. When I looked at her photo I began to cry and knew she would be a good fit at the Sanctuary; she’d have a home here for the rest of her life.
The vet said Nez was approximately 13 years old, making her birthdate sometime in 2005/2006, and she was totally blind. She didn’t have a pupil in her right eye and her left eye didn’t function at all. Looking at her you wouldn’t know she was blind; she managed quite well and loved the sounds of things, especially the feed wagon. She was such a sweetheart and I was honored to be by her side until the end.
She reminded me of two horses I had as a teenager that were given away without my knowledge. After that happened, I vowed I would one day help unwanted horses and never let that happen to any horse in my care. And thus, the impetus for starting this Sanctuary was born.
SHADOW
Shadow is a Quarter Horse/Arab born in 2006 (approximately) who came to the Sanctuary in 2017. Arriving from the same rescue farm as Opal and Jewel, he had been removed from a very rough situation. In a paddock with his mares, he is very much at ease and a joy to be around. Outside of the paddock he is a bit more nervous but trusts my lead. We do all we need to in his safe place while helping him build more confidence. He has already made progress and we’re excited to see how he blossoms and thrives.
DONATIONS
You can help make a difference.
100% of your tax-deductible donation goes to the horses. Donations go towards new shelters, food, medical care, blankets, and so much more that contributes to their health and wellbeing.
Click HERE to learn more about director of HeartSpace Horse Sanctuary, Melanie, and what inspired her to follow her dreams and make her passion for horses a reality.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @HEARTSPACEHORSE
