Open Gates Equine Rescue
New Gloucester, Maine
Bonny Bay Belle
Belle arrived at Open Gates on a sub-zero february night from an auction in Kalona, Iowa, having made a brief stop at a rescue in Pennsylvania. Belle and her traveling companion Annie arrived with nothing but a harsh nylon stock halter and a number glued to their back. No name, no age, no health information and no background. It was evident from the start that these ponies had never known the warmth of human companionship.
With much attention and affection from volunteers at Open Gates, Belle now seeks out human contact from anyone who will offer it. She loves to be petted and particularly enjoys our youngest visitors. Her best friend and constant companion is our 34-year old Quarter horse, Vandi. Vandi is visually impaired and Belle acts as her guide and protector.
Belle will be training this spring to drive. She did wonderfully on her initial lesson this fall.
A big thank you from all of us at Open Gates to
Susan and Kevin Brennan who are now sponsoring Belle!!!!
Patches, age 4, an Appy cross, arrived on October 30, 2004 with “Mama” and was very ill due to lack of proper nutrition for the first eight days of her life. She rebounded within a couple of weeks and is a very healthy, robust 3 year old filly. She is in training and has some wonderful people that are very interested in her at this time, so her adoption is pending. They are working closely with the trainer.
Brad, age 5 years, is a Morgan gelding. He was on the doorsteps of slaughter when a woman saw something in his eyes that told her that he needed to be spared. She purchased him but soon realized that he was going to be a handful, so she turned Brad over to us in August, 2006. This horse has been terribly abused, both physically and mentally. Kept in his stall nearly 24/7 in his previous situation, he now lives outside 13 hours a day in a new run-in shelter that was built by volunteers just for this horse. He needed to learn how to be a horse again. Overcoming his 'issues' has been a very long haul. His training is coming along nicely, but is not available for adoption at this time. When the time comes we will be looking for a Very Special person for this horse. But for now he will stay here with us.
Cleo is a five year old hackney-standardbred cross. She stands approximately 15 hands tall and has a very slender build. She is very eager to learn and very much enjoys being with people.
Cleo is currently available for adoption and would be best suited for an experienced rider who would help her to gain confidence. She would also make a very pretty driving horse.
