Rocky was first surrendered to Rainbow Meadows by a compassionate owner that wanted to see him go on to a good home. He was one of the first horses adopted out at Rainbow Meadows where he served as the steady mount of his new adopters for nearly 10 years.
In Memoriam
B II Gyza (GYR x Zora), aka Pepper, is a registered Arabian mare who had been used in a backyard breeding operation in north-central Kansas. When the inability to care for the horses reached a crisis level, mares and stallions were still allowed to run together, despite the lack of food and wellness care. As a result, Pepper was bred at the age of 20. The stress of malnutrition was great, especially when complicated by the presence of a developing foal. Fortunately, her daughter Contessa was born healthy and strong in late September 2009. Pepper was adopted in 2010, but had to be returned to the rescue in the fall of 2011. She has now happily found her forever home. See Pepper under saddle.
Abril came to Rainbow Meadows when her owner was diagnosed with cancer and no longer able to care for her. Abril had never left the property at her previous home, but is settling in nicely at a foster facility in Manhattan, Kansas. Abril is a confident mare who will need an intermediate handler.
Nadjim came to Rainbow Meadows when his owner was diagnosed with cancer and no longer able to care for him. Nadjim was a friendly, gregarious boy who loved human attention. He was fostered in Manhattan, Kansas, for two years before he had to be euthanized due to a debilitating and chronic condition that would not respond to treatment.
Black Velvet was on the truck to slaughter when she was trampled by the others and could not get back to her feet. When the truck driver found her under the other horses, he decided to leave her at a nearby sale barn with the intentions of coming back later to take her on to the slaughter plant. Thanks to the many concerned donors and volunteers who provided dollars, time and transport, the Arabian mare came to Rainbow Meadows in December2006. She healed well from her scrapes and bruises, and was later retired to the rescue by Team Velvet of the Fans of Barbaro.
Buttercup came to Rainbow Meadows as one of the "Lucky 19+4." The "Lucky 19+4" included 19 horses, donkeys, miniature mules and miniature horses (four of which were pregnant) that were seized on March 13, 2008 along with llamas, dogs, sheep, goats, cats, cattle, turkeys, chickens and prairie dogs in one of Kansas's largest cases of animal cruelty. Upon seizure, the horses and donkeys were placed at Rainbow Meadows, where they received the necessary care to bring them back to health. After being granted ownership of the equids, Rainbow Meadows declared them as up for adoption and forever homes were found. Buttercup passed over Rainbow Bridge on July 2, 2010 after nearly two years with her adoptive family when she was lost to acute colic.
Captain Morgan (Cap'n) is a Morgan or Morgan-cross gelding who was abandoned when his elderly owner experienced a health-related emergency and was hospitalized. After hospitalization, it was determined that he could no longer live alone, so he was placed in a nursing home. Captain lived alone for 2.5 years with no care. When the farm was scheduled for auction, a neighbor contacted Rainbow Meadows, concerned that the gelding would be sent to slaughter by the new owners. Contact was made with the power of attorney for the owner and permission was received to transfer Cap'n to Rainbow Meadows. His appreciation for human attention was evident the moment he arrived as he allowed numerous volunteers to work for hours to remove all the cockleburs tangled in his mane and tail. Cap'n is a sweet soul that will make a wonderful partner to his new family.
Rode hard and put away wet too many times, this gentle gelding generously forgave the humans who betrayed him. His arthritic knees told the story of a very difficult life; however, he always remained calm and quiet for his handlers. Chance was a former working horse prior to being abandoned by his owner. Due to his extensive arthritis, he was a "companion only" horse in his final years spent with a loving foster family.
This proud fellow was loved by his owners, but sometimes love is not enough to cover the expenses of caring for a horse. As a result, Chief needed to find a new home where his needs could be met appropriately. He found that in his adoptive family! Chief is a "done-it-all" horse who proved to be a steady and reliable mount to his adopters and will be missed deeply.
"Got a ladder?", was often heard when approaching this 16h 3" tall Saddlebred gelding that arrived at Rainbow Meadows in July 2009. Loss of job coupled with chronic and painful illness came to burden the kind and sweet owner of Danger, whom referred to as Big "D". This loving giant was an experienced show ring competitor and behaved like a perfect gentleman even though he spent every previous day of his life in a stall in a Saddlebred show barn. He was visually impaired in his left eye, but was a regal riding partner to his new adopter. Big "D" passed over Rainbow Bridget in July 2010 as the result of a stroke. From his adopter: Danger Bay was a gift to me, I believe, from my PERFECT HORSE "Trucker" to show me that even though my heart was grieving his loss, I still had enough love to give to big "D" for his short time on earth. I will miss going out to the pasture and before I said anything he would look up and nicker and be the first one to the gate. His buddy, Squirt, misses him also. Wherever "D" was, Squirt was close by. I think Squirt acted as D's seeing eye pony. "D" was losing sight in his other eye but he never felt he couldn't see. He will be missed by Squirt, Mia and Newman, but, most of all me. I know he felt loved at the end because I never left him and my hand was always on him letting him know I was there. I know he is in green pastures with Trucker being able to see everything and no longer hurting. My heart will be heavy with grief but also filled with love for a wonderful friend.