The Story of Hank and the Rainier Equine Hoof Recovery Center
“Urgent! Please help this horse” was the subject of an email about
Hank. A lame 6 year old gelding slated
to be euthanized that day!
Rainier Equine Hoof Recovery Center was established to
recover all breeds of horses, donkeys and mules back to a life of soundness.
We rushed to Hank’s pasture to find the big gelding lying in
the sun. Waves of thick red mane
fell against his copper body as he stoically heaved himself up onto his painful
feet.
Hank’s sweet nature was evident even as he rocked on the
thick screw-filled plastic pads nailed onto his hooves and encased in globs of dried
glue. His ligaments strained visibly
as he tried to steady himself on the domed pads. He’d been diagnosed by the person who attached those
“corrective” shoes to his hooves as “navicular.”
No vet consultation or x-rays films obtained to validate this (unsubstantiated)
condition. The handsome young
horse was deemed unsalvageable. The
corrective shoes - failed. The
renderer’s truck was in route.
After meeting Hank on that emotional day, we embarked on a
journey to help those horses slated daily for pick up by the rendering truck.
For decades, horses have fallen victim to myths and
misinformation about hoof care and the illogical explanations of vaguely
understood hoof conditions.
Since we were in the business of rescuing, we started the
application process for state and federal recognition as a 501c3 non-profit. Numerous phone calls, faxes and fees
led to official certification in early 2009.
Our goals at the REHRC aren’t limited to horse and hoof rehabilitation
though. Time is spent researching causes
of hoof failure and establishing preventative measures. Learning from unsound horses, and
cadaver hooves, we are correcting some elusive hoof soundness conundrums.
We work to educate horse owners individually and offer free
community workshops. We offer hoof trimming clinics at our facility, remote
facilities, in other states, and outside of the US.
To raise funds for feed and health care for our equine residents,
we had help publishing a professionally filmed/edited DVD. “Discovering
Your Horse’s Natural Hooves – How to Trim the Barefoot Horse.” Our highly-acclaimed DVD has shipped all over the US and many
other countries. DVD sales support our programs and horses while liberating
hundreds of horse owners from frustrating traditional hoof care approaches. Still it’s not enough.
We receive frequent requests to permanently accept lame
horses. Unfortunately, our budget
scarcely supports our current horses and few excellent homes are available to
take rehabbed horses.
Hank was one of the lucky few lame horses
who missed his ride on the renderer’s truck. He’s a long term REHRC resident and can be seen in our DVD
running in front of a group of horses.
Hank’s story became just one of many similar stories that followed.
Just as Hank needed us that fateful day, we need your help to
help our horses.
For more information on Hank and many other REHRC horses, our
DVD, clinics, workshops and donations page, please visit our website: www.rainierhoofrehahab.com
