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We have created a haven for horses and donkeys, who have needed sanctuary, to live according to their most fundamental needs such as:
– Being outside with the ability to go in and out of shelter as they choose
– Living in a herd environment
– Having access to unrestricted movement
– The ability to graze and forage at will
We rarely use halters and interact with the horses and donkeys at liberty. We have created a Paddock Paradise track, which is an alternative way to explore, enabling domestic horses to live as closely as possible to the way horses live in the wild.
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Born in 2010 and would be called a Thoroughbred
A little bit about Angelica, imagining how she would express herself:
The beautiful star on my forehead would signify that I am the star of my life and story. Like several other members of my herd, I spent my early years as a racehorse, which has left me with arthritis and thin hoof soles. These conditions that were once crippling to me are greatly relieved by medical care and holistic treatments. With the pain relieved, I have the ability to run and frolic as well as enjoy long, peaceful naps when I wish.
I also have Cushings disease which is incurable but managed. I share a buddy bond with Preacher, and you can often find us spending our time together.
Sponsoring me helps me to continue the treatments and medications that I require., thus being able to continue to be the star of my own life and fly through green pastures as I please. If you want to know more about me, check out my introduction story on our blog!
Born 2009 and would be called a Paint horse
A little bit about Baby Doe, imagining how she might express herself:
I love the simple things like lying in cool grass, watching fireflies and stars at night, and soaking up sunshine by day. In my previous situation I was used and mistreated in ways which led to physical complications (navicular disease and overly thin hoof soles). These complications are painful and need ongoing treatment and management.
In spite of that, I am living my life as a hero, enjoying the world around me as a horse being a horse. Sponsoring me helps with not only my typical horse needs, but also the medical care and therapies I require in order to be the author of my own story without being limited by pain. If you want to know more about me, check out my introduction story on our blog!
Born 2008 and would be called a Thoroughbred
A little bit about Coltrane, imagining how he would express himself:
I used to be a racehorse, but now my life runs at a much more relaxed pace…my own pace. Being a racehorse wasn’t all winning and photo ops. At a very young age, before my bone platelets had even closed, I had been put through years of training, exercise, nutrition not appropriate for a horse, as well as being shut in a stall unless training or racing. This lifestyle took its toll on me both physically and emotionally.
Then, when I was no longer useful to the humans, I was abandoned. Here at What If Farms, I enjoy retired life, where all my needs are met, and I’m free to choose my own path and spend time being a horse with my other horse friends.
I have a physical complication (degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis) that requires daily treatment and numerous medications and supplements to manage. Sponsoring me pays for my meds and treatments and allows me to continue live life as the hero of my own story in which (beyond all expectation) I can run and rear and buck just like any healthy horse! If you want to know more about me, check out my introduction story on our blog!
Born 2013 and would be called a Thoroughbred
A little bit about Elessar, imagining how he would express himself:
I used to be a racehorse, although I had a relatively short career. Even so, I had to endure what all racehorses endure , which include: being stalled unless out being exercised or racing, being put to racing when too young, nutrition which served the racing requirements, not the nutritional requirements of a horse, as well variable and often harsh treatment by the humans.
I am very glad to be here at What If Farms now. I have been slowly moving from the old knowledge acquired in my past to a new knowledge and cognition. I have been observed looking out for the other horses here (bringing attention to whomever might be having an issue that requires aid). And whereas I formerly panicked if I couldn’t find my way into a certain pasture where my pals were, now I am able to stop and think my way to the correct entrance.
Sponsoring me provides me with the medical and holistic care for my EPM (Equine Protozoal Myelitis which potentially leads to some severe neurological issues) Even though incurable, EPM can be managed. I continue to live my best life. If you want to know more about me, check out my introduction story on our blog!
Born in 2012 and would be called a Thoroughbred
A little bit about Isabella, imagining how she would express herself:
Back when I was a racehorse, I took a really bad fall which left me with permanent and severe complications with which I struggle to this day. I am my own emancipated being though, and nothing I’ve been through was enough to dampen my curiosity and interaction with the world around me. At What If Farms I’m blazing my own trail and following the path I choose, enjoying having my cognitive context of the world around expand as my reactivity decreases.
Sponsoring me helps with the extensive medical treatments I need to minimize the limitations my earlier injuries caused for my physical self. If you want to know more about me, check out my introduction story on our blog!
Born 2014 and would be called a Belgian Warmblood
A little bit about Preacher, imagining how he would express himself:
I had been shuffled around from human to human for my whole life; including being taken away from all I knew as a foal, put on an airplane and transplanted to Florida. But now, I am home and have been for a few years.
These days, I’m free to be me at What If Farms with my good buddy, Angelica. Life for me here is simple and consists of just being a horse. I still have some struggles from the abusive treatment I received in the past, but being able to follow my own path has helped me work on moving from the old knowledge of those days to the new knowledge, which I am discovering in the cognitive context of What If Farms.
Sponsoring me helps me to continue to live where I can be free and at ease, with all of my needs provided for. If you want to know more about me, check out my introduction story on our blog!
Born in 2001 and would be called an Arab/Quarter Horse mix
A little bit about Serenity, imagining how she might express herself:
I am quietly myself, with big, beautiful eyes and expressive nostrils. I am very informed of my surroundings . (When necessary I even chase baby alligators out of our pastures!) After difficult beginnings full of cruel and hard riding, less than ideal living conditions and no freedom to blaze my own trail, my journey led me to What If Farms.
Here, I am free to be exactly who I am and live my life as myself. I have an incurable but manageable disease (Cushing’s) that requires costly medication. Sponsoring me helps me continue to get this medication as well as providing for my basic needs. If you want to know more about me, check out my introduction story on our blog!
Born 2011 and would be called an Appaloosa horse
A little bit about Spirit, imagining how he might express himself:
I have no physical complications, it’s more that discovering who I am is complicated and gets me labeled as “problematic” in the linear world, where everyone is labeled.
Being early weaned and late gelded, as well as being forced to be “useful” to the human, I didn’t get the chance to be the protagonist of my own story. I’m discovering that story here at What If Farms, where I’m free to simply be a horse. To be Spirit!
Though my past may not be all sunshine, my present and future are bright. Sponsoring me helps me continue to write my own story by ensuring that all of my physical and psychological needs are met. If you want to know more about me, check out my introduction story on our blog!
Born 2019 and would be called a standard jack
A bit about Bravestar, imagining how he would express himself:
Yes, I’m the baby and the son of Olivia who arrived here pregnant with me. When I was born, it was slightly earlier than expected so some of the things that needed to be in place for my birth in a field were not totally complete. This led to circumstances that caused my mother not to nurse me and, long story short, I ended up in an equine hospital for feeding every two hours and resolving the complications from my complicated beginning.
Without donors like you, this story might have ended differently as the first few weeks of my life were very costly! Because of your generosity I may remain where I was born and receive all the important care a donkey needs.
Born approximately 2013 and would be called a standard jennet
A little bit about Elsa, imagining how she would express herself:
I was rescued from an abusive situation brought to What If Farms, thin and very ill with a respiratory disease. I also was unapproachable by the humans that were trying to help me get better. With time and patience eventually I gained weight and recovered from my illness. And about 6 months after my arrival I let the first human actually touch me.
To this day, I am the one that needs to approach but when I do, I allow caressing, being especially fond of butt scratches J I even allow my hooves to be trimmed and dental work to be done (all without a halter since I still refuse to allow a halter on.)
Your donations make it possible for me to remain in this environment where I am not forced to do things that I cannot do and am allowed just to be me, Elsa.
Solly born approximately 2012 and Molly born approximately 2001 and would be called Sicilian Minis
A little bit about Solly and Molly, imagining how they would express themselves:
When our human passed away, her husband knew he needed to find a home for us. He had promised her he wouldn’t separate us because we had been together for such a long time. That made getting a new home difficult. But phone calls and agreements were made and we soon found ourselves forever home at What If Farms.
Even though we’re mini-sized, we require the same hoof trimming and dental work as the standard-sized donks at the same prices. Our vet bills are not sized-based either. So, your donations have helped and continue to help in keeping us together as we have always been.
Born approximately 2016 and would be called a standard jennet
A little bit about Olivia, imaging how she would express herself :
Sophia and I are like Solly and Molly in that we had been together for a very long time. So when the rescue contacted What If Farms Sanctuary for a possible home, it was because no one wanted both of us and so we couldn’t find a home. Because of donors like you, we now have a forever home together.
Born approximately in 2012 and would be called a standard jack
A bit about Sokek, imagining how he would express himself:
My name means Protector in Hebrew. I arrived at What If Farms pretty beat up by other donkeys with whom I had shared space at rescue facilities, I also had a case of skin scabies. This all got resolved when I arrived here and has not occurred again thanks to good care.
Finding myself in a sanctuary where I would be able to remain in peace was like a Balm of Gilead to my quiet, serious nature. I have certain deformities in my front legs that can cause hoof issues but here I get the regular care and expert hoof trimming that allow me to live a relatively comfortable life physically.
Your donations make this ongoing treatment possible.
Born approximately 2013 and would be called a standard jennet
A little bit about Sophia, imagining how she would express herself:
I am home here at What If Farms with Olivia! Because of your donations that make our care possible.
By the way, we all have different and beautiful voices in our donkey chorus, but when you hear me sing…well, it’s as though you are hearing your favorite opera singer!
