Winter is a beautiful season, but it can pose challenges for our equine companions. The dropping temperatures and icy conditions require extra care and attention to keep our beloved horses healthy and happy. 

First and foremost, providing dry bedding is crucial during the winter months. Horses are prone to developing respiratory problems when exposed to damp conditions for prolonged periods. Therefore, it is essential to keep their bedding clean and dry. Regularly removing wet bedding and replacing it with clean and dry materials, such as straw or shavings, can help prevent moisture build-up and maintain a comfortable living environment for our equine friends.

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Calorie intake is another critical aspect in keeping our horses in good shape during winter. As temperatures drop, horses require additional energy to regulate their body heat. Feeding them high-quality forage, such as hay, can significantly aid in digestion and generate internal heat. Ideally, horses should have access to hay throughout the day to fuel their metabolic processes. Additionally, incorporating feeds with a higher fat content, supplemented with vitamins and minerals, can provide a much-needed energy boost to help them combat the cold.

Water is often overlooked in winter horse care, but it is just as crucial as other aspects. Horses must have access to clean and unfrozen water at all times, as dehydration can be a significant risk in colder months. Insulated water buckets and tank heaters can help prevent freezing and ensure a constant supply of fresh water. By encouraging your horse to drink, you can help maintain their overall health and prevent conditions such as impaction colic.

​Blanketing is another essential aspect of winter horse care that requires thoughtful consideration. While some horses may benefit from blanketing, it is crucial to assess their individual needs. Horses with thick winter coats and adequate shelter may not require blankets unless they are clipped or older. Blanketing can help retain body heat, but it must be done properly to avoid overheating or rubbing. Regularly checking the fit and condition of blankets is necessary to ensure they are providing the intended benefits without causing discomfort or injury.

​Hoof care plays a vital role in maintaining the overall health of our horses. With winter comes wet and muddy conditions that increase the risk of thrush, abscesses, and other hoof-related ailments. Regular hoof picking, cleaning, and application of hoof protectants, such as oils or balms, offer protection against moisture and help maintain the integrity of their hooves. Additionally, scheduling routine farrier visits ensures proper hoof trimming and enhances hoof health throughout the winter season.

​Apart from these key aspects, there are a few additional practices that can further enhance your horse's winter care. Regular exercise not only helps keep them physically fit but also aids in maintaining healthy circulation and muscle tone. More frequent grooming can help eliminate trapped moisture and mud, preventing skin irritations and promoting better overall coat health. Moreover, maintaining a stress-free environment can contribute significantly to your horse's well-being during the colder months. This can include providing regular turnout, ensuring proper ventilation within stables, and minimizing sudden environmental changes.

​Last month HNBAR had a Benefit Garage and Tack Sale! Our volunteers and other supporters donated all the items that were sold. We had so much stuff, it was wonderful! After several hours of pricing, sorting, and cleaning items, we were ready for the sale to start. The community was so supportive and there was a great turnout. 

​During the sale, some of our available rescue animals made an appearance and mingled with the shoppers. We are happy to report that they all have been adopted!

​Because of the community support and people’s generosity, we were able to get 40 tons of hay! It took several loads to completely fill the barn! 

​Please join us for our next Benefit Sale on August 19th from 10am to 4pm, located at Harmony New Beginnings Animal Rescue. With your help we will continue saving and caring for these rescue animals.

​We have received so many donations! There is something for everyone. Horse tack and horse care items, home goods, collectibles, games, puzzles, dog items, art, books, and much more! 

Some of them look like they are ready to embark on some great adventure.

Just look at those eyes!

Warrior as his alter ego.

Others inspired beautiful landscapes. 

Thanks for going on this journey with us! Let us know what you think. Dose the AI do the rescue pets justice?
Comment Below! 

We have some new faces at HNBAR. They are in rough shape and are going to need a lot of love and care to get better. We will try and share their journey as much as possible. These three are from a recent rescue our volunteers were called to. Please take a moment and read their story on Northwest Horse Report. 

Did you know?
 
A horse’s range of vision is 350 degrees with two small blind spots, one directly in front and one directly behind them.

Horses cannot breathe through their mouth, only through their nose.

Horses usually gallop at around 27 mph, but the fastest recorded sprinting speed of a horse was 55 mph.
There are around 350 breeds and types of horses around the world.
 
Most of the white horses that you see were actually a much darker color at birth and gradually turn white. These ‘white’ horses may start out as bay, chestnut, or almost black. Of course, these horses aren’t actually called white, but grey…

Horses with pink skin can get a sunburn

Most of the time, wherever a horse's ear is pointing is where the horse is looking with the eye on the same side.
If the ears are pointing in different directions, the horse is looking at two different things at the same time.
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In Wilbur, Washington, it is illegal to ride an ‘ugly horse.’ Do so and you risk a $300 fine.
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Horses in Burns, Oregon, are allowed into the town’s taverns with their owner — provided their owner has paid for their admission, of course. (Haven’t tested this, but I kind of want to)
 
You can tell if a horse is cold by feeling behind their ears.
If that area is cold, so is the horse.
 
Horses produce approximately 10 gallons of saliva a day.
This is roughly 40 times the amount humans produce.
 

Horses have a sense of humor.
A fun horse fact is that horses are just that - funny! According to Dr. Sarah Ralston, VMD, PhD, DACVN, horses exhibit many “playful” behaviors throughout their life such as playing tag, mock fights, or nipping.

​Horses use their ears, eyes, and nostrils to express their mood.
They also communicate their feelings through facial expressions. They can also understand human expressions and remember a person’s previous emotional state, adapting their behavior accordingly. This ability comes naturally to horses as they have complex facial expressions themselves.
 
Horses remember a lot.
You may have heard that elephants have an extremely superior memory. Did you know that horses are considered second in rank when it comes to memory in animals after elephants? Horses have great memories!

All existing horse breeds fit into five categories: hot-blooded, warm-blooded, cold-blooded/draft, pony, and miniature.

Hot-blooded horses include the Arabian, Thoroughbred, and Barb breeds with origins in the Middle East. In contrast, cold-blooded (heavy) horses and ponies developed in northern Europe. A warm blood horse refers to any breed whose ancestors were crosses between hot-blooded and cold-blooded/pony type breeds. Finally, miniature horse breeds are scaled-down versions of their big cousins with a specified maximum height.
 
All Facts Sourced from:
https://www.doubledtrailers.com/45-random-amazing-bizarre-horse-facts/ https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/horse-facts-653825
 

March 1st is National Horse Protection Day also known as World Horse Day was founded in 2005 by Animal Behaviorist and horse lover Colleen Paige. Her goal was to bring awareness to the plight of animals around the globe, and ultimately bring people together to help!
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At Harmony New Beginnings Animal Rescue (HNBAR) we help horses in all kinds of situations. Occasionally, an owner will surrender their horse to us, because they are no longer able to care for their beloved friend and want to know they will be taken care of and rehomed to a safe and loving environment. Unfortunately, it is much more common for a horse to come to the rescue scared, abused, and in rough shape. Many of the horses that are at HNBAR have never had a positive interaction with humans before. This is where patience, kindness, and care are the important building blocks to rehabilitation.

​Warrior, Moon Dancer, and Reaper are Mustangs that were bought to avoid them going to slaughter. When they first arrived at HNBAR they had little to no interaction with humans, and what little contact they did have, left them suspicious and fearful. Now they train with a professional trainer, and are socialized with volunteers every day. All three still have a long way to go before they hit the trails with a trusted rider, but everyday they are making progress. 

​Scout, Heather, Moriah, Mandy and Indy were brought to us by their owners for various reasons. Heather and Indy were previously rescues at HNBAR. All of the animals that come through our rescue have a safe place to come back to if needed. While it is hard to give up a beloved pet because circumstances in your life have changed, we are so glad to be able to continue helping these horses and hopefully find them another loving home. 

​Graffiti, Clover, and Campo were victims of abuse. The official statement of the Sheriff’s Office said the animals were seized because of a “lack of proper shelter, nourishment, and veterinary care.” However, the reality was so much more horrifying than this simple statement. Horses were in living in half a foot of their own filth, some animals had to be euthanized on site because they had such extensive health issues resulting from the ongoing abuse they suffered. After arriving at HNBAR, all three began their recovery process. During their initial vet exams, we found out they were pregnant! Unable to tell just how far along each mare was, the primary concern was if the mom and babies were healthy. 

Malnutrition is dangerous to any horse, but can have even more lasting effects on a fetus. Would the foal develop properly? What health issues might it have once its born? Will the baby survive the terrible treatment its mom was exposed to? These are older horses; how will age affect them and their foals? Would the mares trust us enough to receive medical care? These are only a few of the questions that needed to be addressed. With proper diet and care the mares began getting vital nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy. We had to wait six months before we would know the full extent of the damage done.  
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In February Campo had a beautiful little girl! Immediately the filly was given a plasma transfusion, to help boost her compromised immune system. She will have to have a hernia removed in the near future. Because of improper nutrition during half of Campo’s pregnancy, one of her foal’s legs did not form properly. We are waiting to hear from the vet if a brace can possibility correct the defect. We are very happy to report that mom and baby are doing well, however the filly does need some medical procedures before she is given a clean bill of health. Our goal is to give the new filly the best possible start in life!

Donate-  
Right now, we have a donor willing to match all donations until the end of March. No donation is too small, we need all the help we can get!

www.hnbar.org/donate.html

Adopt-
You will need to contact us, then fill out an adoption application. Next is a meet and greet, as well as, a home/facility check for suitability.

www.hnbar.org/adoption-process.html

Foster-
You will have to fill out a foster application and have your home/facility checked for suitability.

Volunteer-
If you want to get more hands on with helping, or can’t afford to donate, fill out our volunteer application online.

​www.hnbar.org/volunteering.html
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Raise Awareness-
Share knowledge about animal abuse and spread information about available resources to help care for animals when owners fall on hard times, such as our Pet Food Bank.

Its February and love is in the air! Harmony New Beginnings is no exception. We have some loveable pups at the rescue that are just waiting for the right match.

The Couple
Fiesta and Teddy came in to the rescue together and would love to stay that way. Their owner was moving and could not take them, they have been together most of their life. They are older pups, but still have lots of love to give. Fiesta is a wonderful girl that loves a good snuggle and is very cute in her sweaters! Teddy has that chihuahua charm, and is cute as a button. If you think this couple is right for you check out their Petfinder profiles with the links below.

​For more pictures follow us on Facebook and Instagram

 We are having a FUNdraiser! Go to our Facebook to see the merchandise boxes HNBAR is selling!
​Supply is limited so hurry!