Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Share
A refuge for neglected and abandoned horses
 |
| It’s OK NOW — Whiskey (left) and Rumor (right) enjoy a nutritious treat from caretaker, Henry Lankford. - Photo by Laura McCutcheon |
by Laura McCutcheon
Sonoma West Staff Writer
WINDSOR — These days Henry Lankford has Rumor eating out of the palm of his hand, but when Sonoma County Animal Control confiscated the Appaloosa from its previous owners in March of 2007 she’d back herself into the corner of a stall in an attempt to avoid human contact.
She had been severely beaten and abused before she set foot in greener pastures up in the Chalk Hill area, where Lankford and his wife, Shannon – owners of the non-profit Sonder Ranch – dedicate their lives to providing care and rehabilitation to neglected or abandoned horses.
At just 500 pounds, 27-year-old Whiskey was literally “starving to death” when she was rescued in July. “She was a mess. She had sores and wounds and literally had yellow jackets eating the wounds,” Lankford said, noting she is now up to healthy weight of about 1,000 pounds, and acts happy, even if she is riddled with arthritis.
Rumor and Whiskey will never be strong enough to leave the Lankford’s care, but horses that make full recoveries can be adopted out. Those that don’t completely recover, simply retire on the ranch where they enjoy the good life, and an abundance of love. In return, the horses are used to rehabilitate people. Part of the mission of Sonder Ranch is to promote healing and offer support to people with physical or emotional challenges by uniting them with recovered horses, Lankford said.
“Some of these horses will never be ridden again, but that doesn’t mean they can’t serve a purpose. Just love on them and the horses return the favor,” he said.
Apparently animals learn by example. Lankford tends to the horses like a doting mother to her children.
“Hi Bingo,” he said, during a recent visit.
“Hi guys,” he said to the others as he walked past a few of the mares toward the tack room where he keeps their vitamin and mineral supplements. At the sound of the supplements hitting the bottom of the feeding pans, all horses quickly stopped what they were doing and met him at the door.
“All right girl, come on, let’s come out here in the sunshine,” Lankford told Misty, as he led her away from a shaded area so she could soak up some rays, a treat in itself after several days of rain.
“This one really worries me,” he said of Misty, who was scheduled to see a veterinarian later that morning, due to a preexisting problem with her back leg that had suddenly worsened.
Meanwhile, all seven horses devoured what they obviously considered a treat. In fact, Rumor, not apprehensive anymore, after downing hers, attempted to steal Whiskey’s share.
“You need to eat faster,” Lankford said teasingly to Whiskey.
“All right girls, everybody go drink,” he said after they finished up, and then he walked back over to Misty.
“It’s all right sweetie. Don’t worry, we have Paul (the veterinarian) coming out.”
And the Lankfords will be footing the bill. In addition to vet bills, this horse-loving couple dishes out around $2,000 a month for boarding, and pays for regular health care and hoof maintenance, supplements, and other related expenses.
“This is a labor of love and passion for my wife and me. We have taken a loan out on our home, my truck … people look at me like I am crazy,” Lankford said, noting they are currently in search of someone who will lease them some property, which would be more economical than paying board for each and every horse they take in.
Why sell the farm to save a horse?
“When you see a kid that’s having a tough life and they come out and spend a couple hours with these animals and you see the smiles on their faces that is what makes it worth it,” he said. “And, when you can take an animal that could barely walk and you get to see it run across the field, that makes it worth it.”
For assistance with a horse rescue, to schedule a visit, adopt a horse, or for more information call Lankford at 758-2364, or go to www.sonderranch.com.
She had been severely beaten and abused before she set foot in greener pastures up in the Chalk Hill area, where Lankford and his wife, Shannon – owners of the non-profit Sonder Ranch – dedicate their lives to providing care and rehabilitation to neglected or abandoned horses.
At just 500 pounds, 27-year-old Whiskey was literally “starving to death” when she was rescued in July. “She was a mess. She had sores and wounds and literally had yellow jackets eating the wounds,” Lankford said, noting she is now up to healthy weight of about 1,000 pounds, and acts happy, even if she is riddled with arthritis.
Rumor and Whiskey will never be strong enough to leave the Lankford’s care, but horses that make full recoveries can be adopted out. Those that don’t completely recover, simply retire on the ranch where they enjoy the good life, and an abundance of love. In return, the horses are used to rehabilitate people. Part of the mission of Sonder Ranch is to promote healing and offer support to people with physical or emotional challenges by uniting them with recovered horses, Lankford said.
“Some of these horses will never be ridden again, but that doesn’t mean they can’t serve a purpose. Just love on them and the horses return the favor,” he said.
Apparently animals learn by example. Lankford tends to the horses like a doting mother to her children.
“Hi Bingo,” he said, during a recent visit.
“Hi guys,” he said to the others as he walked past a few of the mares toward the tack room where he keeps their vitamin and mineral supplements. At the sound of the supplements hitting the bottom of the feeding pans, all horses quickly stopped what they were doing and met him at the door.
“All right girl, come on, let’s come out here in the sunshine,” Lankford told Misty, as he led her away from a shaded area so she could soak up some rays, a treat in itself after several days of rain.
“This one really worries me,” he said of Misty, who was scheduled to see a veterinarian later that morning, due to a preexisting problem with her back leg that had suddenly worsened.
Meanwhile, all seven horses devoured what they obviously considered a treat. In fact, Rumor, not apprehensive anymore, after downing hers, attempted to steal Whiskey’s share.
“You need to eat faster,” Lankford said teasingly to Whiskey.
“All right girls, everybody go drink,” he said after they finished up, and then he walked back over to Misty.
“It’s all right sweetie. Don’t worry, we have Paul (the veterinarian) coming out.”
And the Lankfords will be footing the bill. In addition to vet bills, this horse-loving couple dishes out around $2,000 a month for boarding, and pays for regular health care and hoof maintenance, supplements, and other related expenses.
“This is a labor of love and passion for my wife and me. We have taken a loan out on our home, my truck … people look at me like I am crazy,” Lankford said, noting they are currently in search of someone who will lease them some property, which would be more economical than paying board for each and every horse they take in.
Why sell the farm to save a horse?
“When you see a kid that’s having a tough life and they come out and spend a couple hours with these animals and you see the smiles on their faces that is what makes it worth it,” he said. “And, when you can take an animal that could barely walk and you get to see it run across the field, that makes it worth it.”
For assistance with a horse rescue, to schedule a visit, adopt a horse, or for more information call Lankford at 758-2364, or go to www.sonderranch.com.
Share this Article
 |
 |
|
| Getting friendlier with bicycles | The Food Basket: Stories and information from West County’s ongoing efforts to help those in need |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of sonomawest.com.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
