Rescue Horses & Pony Rides

This picture was taken as the very first horses we rescued came off the trailer— coincidentally they were "born" into our lives during Grand Opening Weekend! Welcome Prince, Mirage and Angel. Come see what they look like now and we're sure you'll love their more recently rescued friends as well.

Angel

Angel is the one that started it all. In October 2007, we had heard about a 1 year old thoroughbred filly that was IN the slaughter pen, with just hours left to live. At her age, she had not yet even lived, and yet was about to die a horrifying death. Although we had limited experience with horses, saving this baby was all the motivation we needed. Thankfully we had the facilities, so, literally, within hours; this little filly was on her way, with Prince and Mirage (see below) in tow. As with all beautiful babies, she just tugged on all of our heartstrings, quickly becoming our little Angel, and thus she was named.

Mirage

Mirage arrived in October 2007, totally shell-shocked from her terrifying ordeal in the slaughter pen. No one could touch or approach her at all, and we had little hope about ever reaching this poor soul and establishing any kind of trust. She was skinny, and had the appearance of being striped! It turned out that she was streaked from having sweated so much from the stress of her terrifying ordeal. Little by little, in the coming days and months, she began to respond to us and the abundance of love and attention. She is now thriving, affectionate, happy and healthy. She is our adored 15 yr. old, Arabian Princess who has been aptly named Mirage for she is truly a vision.

Prince

Prince is a retired Standardbred trotter (harness racer) who, we have been told, had a respectable career. He was the skinniest of all when he arrived, and had a terrible case of thrush (a difficult to cure disease that eats away the tissue inside the hoof), in addition to having shipping fever. He broke fences and gates and challenged all the other horses, until he was given Mirage as a constant companion. Like many untamed bachelors, he needed a good woman to straighten him out! Over subsequent months, he has been restored to impeccably good health. Prince is our big 20 yr. old mush, who is totally content now that he is back to his proper weight, strength and good looks (see above below). Like all of us here at BHFV, he has fallen completely in love with Mirage!

Laredo

Laredo is a retired thoroughbred racehorse with a big heart and a lot of energy and life left in him. He had found himself in the slaughter pen, like so many racehorses who have outlived their usefulness. One of the lucky ones, Laredo was brought to the attention of Christine at Amaryllis Farm Equine Rescue. She raised the funds to save him and have him shipped to her at her Sagaponack farm. When he was being loaded onto the trailer that would take him to safety, he was so anxious to leave, that he bolted, injuring his shoulder horribly on the chute leading into the trailer. Christine was called, and was told to forget about saving him, that he was too injured. She said, "put him in the trailer". She healed his wounds. That was in December of 2007. In the spring, we adopted Laredo and he has finished his healing at home here at BHFV. He is loved and adored and has the most playful personality of all of our horses. He can be seen, when horsing around with the others, kicking up his heels and even sometimes rearing up to the delight of his adoring fans.

Sir Galahad

This wonderful gentleman somehow had the misfortune of ending up at the feedlot. His misfortune, however, was welcome to a small crippled baby horse that was being savagely attacked by the other horses. When Sir Galahad saw the predicament, he went into battle, and as some onlookers described, it was like a scene out of a Bruce Lee movie. Without looking back, Sir Galahad cleared the fields. He then stood majestically by the foal and protected this small one while he ate and drank. He stayed by him while they continued their journey to slaughter. He was then dubbed the "Perfect Knight" and so, "Sir Galahad" he was named.

He was "perfect" in courage, gentleness, courtesy, and chivalry. Sadly, the foal died of his injuries, but Sir Galahad had saved himself, he had gotten himself noticed. Word of him got back to Christine of Amaryllis Farm Equine Rescue, and he was saved. He was shipped to her in Sagaponack and then came to BHFV in the spring of 2008. We also found out that this magnificent creature at 17.2 hands tall is tattooed OTTB (off the track Thoroughbred), with an amazing pedigree and a successful career behind him. He is a decendant of the legendary "Man of War" and he enjoyed a very successful racing career with an entourage in tow. He now has that once again and he is a highlight during our Horse Rescue Tours. He is deeply loved by all here at BHFV – family, staff and guests alike.

Galahad has found his special someone, Josh Levine. They are kindred spirits, and their mutual adoration is both touching and amusing.

---

Please feel free to contact us.