Name: Rocky

    Type: Horse

    Color: Dark Bay

      Markings: Star & Snip

    Sex: Gelding

    Birthday: 1/1/1996

Rocky is another victim of the livestock auction industry – which is often a sadly under-regulated cesspool of uncaring owners, scammers and traders who drop off thin, emaciated, wounded and crippled equines in order to squeeze the last dollar out of them. No oversight – no checking for chips or stolen horses, no Animal Control officers to hold these abusive, neglectful people responsible for animal welfare laws…and a supermarket for the “meat buyers” and scam artists who promise desperate people that they’ll get their horses a “good” home with a “rescue” or “therapy program,” grab the poor equine and race off to the nearest auction to dump them and make a few bucks. Practices abound in this industry that wouldn’t be tolerated anywhere else. Not all auctions are like this but way too many, are. 

Rocky was dumped at an auction in Mississippi. Fortunately for Rocky, he didn’t even sell to the meat buyers. He was left to fend for himself in a large field of other unfortunate equines until the next auction came along. There he was hazed off of food, bitten by larger, stronger more dominant equines and came to the attention of a woman working in rescue who knew the auction owner. Poor Rocky didn’t have  much going for him except a future of slowly starving or being injured. He sported a crumpled ear and was blind in one eye which was draining. All-in-all, Rocky didn’t have a lot to recommend him and he would undoubtedly end up on a trailer to Mexico. That’s where we came in. Rocky was picked up, taken to a local barn where he was evaluated by a vet and the rehabilitation process was started. That’s where, as is often the case, Rocky was discovered to be unadoptable and would need sanctuary. Rocky was older – a lot older – than anyone thought; his blind eye was painful and would need enucleation surgery; in short, he was a mess.

We had a spot, so Rocky came to Red Bell Run. We had his eye enucleated (removed) and he settled in with the herd at our Roadside Inn barn. Rocky has proved to be a gentleman and a scholar. He is easy to handle and we find his little crumpled ear endearing. He fits in well with his herd mates and is a much-loved member of the Red Bell Run herd. 

Rocky and Cheyenne

    Name: Fancy

    Type: Horse

    Color: Bay

      Markings: Star

    Sex: Mare

    Birthday: 12/26/2003

    Name: Carizzo

    Type: Andalusian Horse

    Color: Bay

      Markings: None

    Sex: Gelding

    Birthday: 12/31/2004

    Name: Sherlock

    Type: Mule

    Color: Bay

      Markings: None

    Sex: Gelding

    Birthday: 12/25/2005

Sherlock was rescued by the Circle of Friends group in Oklahoma several years ago. He was facing a very uncertain fate since he was on a kill lot and slated to be loaded on the next truck to Mexico for slaughter! Sherlock is a shy, sweet mule who bears the scars of past mistreatment. At Red Bell Run he has become best friends with Carrizo, an Andalusian gelding. The two are never far apart, living the good life at the Roadside Inn Barn. 

    Name: Johnny Bob

    Type: Thoroughbred

    Color: Bay

    Markings: Right hind sock, star, snip

    Sex: Gelding

    Birthday: 12/29/2004

Johnny Bob is a thoroughbred who ended up at Red Bell Run through a series of misadventures involving a riding program at a major university. Johnny Bob was found 15 minutes from loading onto a truck bound for Mexico. He had a tattoo which identified him as a thoroughbred and because of this his former owner was contact just in time. Tattoos and microchips are so important for your horse’s safety! Johnny Bob’s owner was horrified as he had been loaned to a major university for their equestrian program with the proviso that he be returned to her when they no longer needed him. Because someone didn’t read his file, he ended up in a sport horse auction where he was purchased by a kill buyer. Thankfully, he was identified at the kill pen and sent to Red Bell Run. Johnny has several issues including a propensity of ulcers as he is a bit high strung. At some point, he sustained an injury to his pelvis that prevents him from cantering comfortably. He is happy with his girlfriend Fancy at our Roadside Inn barn, and his playful, clownish personality makes him a barn favorite.