SUNSET ACRES

As horses get old, just like people, their diets need to change to accommodate the aging process that makes it harder for them to stay in good health. The special feed that our older horses require costs more than the dry forage hay that most younger horses eat.

Currently with about 40 horses on this feed diet, we are spending more than $7500 per month. And as more of our horses reach that stage in their sunset years the cost of their care will go up.

The senior horses that I am talking about are previously rescued wild and domestic horses that were saved from abuse, neglect, and/or slaughter. Some were rescued in the early years of Lifesavers’ operations and have grown with us. Others were rescued as mature horses and have also reached the age where they need assistance with their care.

When Lifesavers rescues horses we make a promise to them, and to our loyal supporters, that the horses will never again be subjected to any kind of dire circumstance. We try to find forever homes, only the best homes, for those horses that are suitable. But most just need to spend the rest of their lives with us - and this is why we have so many horses in their sunset years now. Our promise holds true.

Thanks to a very generous bequest from a donor who left us in her will, we were able to purchase a new property that we call “Sunset Acres” and will be the place where our senior horses can reside together, and our special feed and care will be easier to manage. The ranch has a barn for a sick bay, outbuildings for feed and equipment storage, a water well that will produce enough water for all, a house that will eventually be a caretaker’s living quarters, and it is accessible from the main paved road making it easy to get in and out of with trucks, trailers, and tractors. It is 40 acres, and we have the potential to pick up another 20 acres that shares the property line.

Upgrades and repairs will be costly, and we could still use some help getting the jobs done. The first important thing was to replace the perimeter fence from dangerous barbed wire to smooth wire, so the horses won’t injure themselves. The cost for this project was $15,736.80 or $4.20 per linear foot.

And we have ordered four 3 sided shaders. The funds were provided by donors and dedication plaques have been engraved and are waiting for the shaders to be delivered and erected so they can hang inside each one. We will need at least 8 more to scatter around the ranch so there is always shade, rain cover, and wind block. They need to be sturdy to hold up to the weather and to the shenanigans of horses. The cost of each shader is $3000.

And the best news is… We have released our first eleven horses at Sunset Acres. SuzieQ , Wenzday, Golden, Solaris, Lana, Tyler, Skippy, Gandhi, Charity, Jade, and Odessa are exploring and learning all about their new home. There will be more joining them in the next few weeks.

This is a huge project and one that won’t be completed overnight. I am so grateful to our donor who made this first move possible by leaving us in her will. And just as grateful to you for helping us build this crucial and compassionate sanctuary for our deserving seniors in their sunset years.

Thank you for opening your heart. Your kindness and generosity truly make a world of difference.

From my heart to yours,

Jill Starr, Founder & Executive Director of Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue