Rocket 10 yr old 14.2 QH was taken in from neglect/abuse.  He was already trained under saddle when we took him in, however needed a refresher and had a few bad habits.  He was sent to refresher training to qualm any negative behaviors.  Joe was the only one willing to try.  Seems as if Rockets habits were a response from years of abuse and being alone for 7 yrs.  Rocket has been in re-training over 30 days and has been on a trail ride.  He is doing much better.  Rocket needs an EXPERIENCED horse person/adopter who is calm and gentle to give him the continued positive attention he needs.

Leilani Mae Horse Rescue

We must give another update on Rocket Man.  Rocket was the horse with behavioral issues…Rocket had been alone for 7 years from age two until he was 9 years old.  When his owner died, and he was taken in my LMHR.  He had lived in a small moist area infested with insects, he was thin, a cryptorchid. he had blood in his ears and all over his legs and body from insects’ bites.  At first, he would stand still when big horse flies would land on him, he had been ravaged for so long.  His hooves/soles soft which hardened over time.  He did not understand how to be a horse, he was alone for so long.  After gelding at NC State vet school his unpredictable behavior did not improve.  We thought he may need to be put to sleep.  Rocket had a couple of volunteers that believed in him.  So, he was sent to Joe Gross for training.  Thank you, Joe Gross and your wife Lynn.  90 days later Rocket was a completely different horse.

Leilani Mae Horse Rescue

Remember Rocket?  We really had a tough time with him at first, he was down right ornery.  A cryptorchid, he was gelded at 9 years old at NC State.  He was alone for 7 of his 9 years and not touched for the last year prior to his rescue.  He had to learn to be a horse again, especially around other horses.  His last chance was with a man we knew named Joe Gross – he stayed with Joe for almost 4 months.  (Thank you Joe and Lynn), and was turned out with other horses and re-trained.  He needed understanding and patience.  Rocket turned around and was adopted a couple months ago.  Every Horse deserves a chance … look what his 16 yr old very experienced adopter/owner (Meredith) say about Rocket!!  Thank you for giving him such a wonderful home—

Hey Deb, I just wanted to giver you an update on Rocket.  I LOVE THAT HORSE!  I’ve been riding him every day, took him to Love Valley. 

Leilani Mae Horse Rescue

Has been very busy at Believe with new intakes…

Let’s not forget we have these two in training.  This mom was sold directly to a kill pen and gave birth shortly after arrival.  She is only 3 – 5 years old.  She fought to keep the kill buyers help from her.  They used a cattle prod to shock her and finally we were called.  Wasn’t an easy task to get her loaded.  She arrived terrified, skinny, sick and her baby with infection.

Many nights we fought for them as we thought they would lose the battle! They survived strangles, pneumonia and bacterial infections.  Gained lots of weight and now with a wonderful trainer.

She has learned so much and defiantly loves her training.  Looks like she is going to make someone a very happy horse owner!  Thank you, Joe and Lynn.

Lusa Martinez Believe Equine Rescue