River’s Wish is home to more than 120 residents, including 25 equines. Twenty of our equines are seniors. Eleven of these seniors have special needs, beyond the additional care and maintenance required for aging equines. We call them our “Golden Equines”. As a sanctuary who has been serving the community for more than 25 years, it’s not uncommon to have such a large population of senior animals with special needs. 

All equines need ongoing vet care for dental maintenance, vaccinations, parasite control, a farrier for proper hoof care, appropriate feed and/or supplements, good shelter, proper hydration, and grooming. Senior animals, like their human counterparts, often require specialized care, medical interventions, and focused nutritional support. Most equine veterinarians define senior as older than 15 years. Depending on a horse’s background and situation, they can have varying health issues and special needs. 

From hay, to special feed, to medications for conditions such as Cushings or diabetes, we are committed to the care of these amazing equines. Costs to support this special group are more than $28,000 a year, with an average of about $250 between them all. We hope you'll choose to sponsor our Gold Equines Fund. 

Meet our golden equines

CODY: AGE 26
Cody is 26 years old and said to be a Mustang. He came to River’s Wish instead of going to auction when he could no longer be cared for. Cody was adopted out into two different homes over the years, but when he was returned the last time we promised him he would be here forever. More recently, Cody has struggled with intermittent health issues and depression, but with some interventions and a new feed and supplement regimen, we’ve seen significant improvement in his weight, appetite, and behavior. We continue to monitor his health. Cody requires additional feed both morning and evening. It costs about $315 a month to support Cody’s medical and special feed requirements.
DANCER: AGE 26
Dancer is a beautiful and spirited gelding who is now about 26 years old. Dancer was rescued at a slaughter auction in 1997 when he was only about 2 years old. He was being paraded through the event with a large injury on his hind leg. He looked bewildered as he was led through the ring surrounded by kill buyers and a few people from the general public. Dancer was our first experience with the slaughter auctions where we learned that regardless of age, training or breeding, any equine is vulnerable to this happening to their lives. His leg has been treated, but still bears a scar. Dancer had a lot of energy for many years, and while he has settled down a lot in his older age, he is still full of fire! Based on his age, he requires special care and feeding to help him maintain weight and his expenses are about $335 a month.
FLIP: AGE 24
Flip is a stout and bossy senior miniature horse known for his love of eating--and his love of Mabel. He also has 80s bangs. His overall cuteness and wild hair makes up for his occasional pushiness. He is 24 years old and came to the sanctuary with his gal pal Mabel when their owners were facing a difficult family situation and were no longer able to care for them. Flip was recently diagnosed with Cushing’s, and now requires daily medication. It costs about $116 per month to support Flip.
GEORGIA: AGE 29
​Georgia is a 29 year old mare who found herself in need of a new home. She had been boarding for awhile at the sanctuary, and was comfortable and well cared for, so we made the decision to not disrupt her routine. Based on her age, she requires special care and feeding to help her maintain weight and her expenses are about $335 a month
KENO: AGE 25-ish
Keno arrived in 2008 from an equine rescue that closed. He has a Sweeney Shoulder from an injury prior to his arrival. Sweeney Shoulder is also known as suprascapular neuropathy and is a condition affecting the nerves and muscles of the horse’s shoulder. Keno is in his mid-twenties and receives a special feed supplement to help with his weight maintenance. His expenses are $335 each month.
LEO: AGE 39
Leo is one of our senior donkeys who is estimated to be 39 years old. He is also diagnosed with Cushings. He was saved from slaughter where he was heading for being a 'cow tipper', meaning he knocked cows over. He now shares his life with Montana, his best friend donkey, and wanders the pasture, where he and his buddy are inseparable. It costs about $150 a month to support Leo’s needs.
MABELINE: AGE 24
Mabeline, or Mabel for short, is a beautiful senior miniature horse. She is 24 years old and was raised with Flip since they were both about 7 months old. Mabel is one of four equines at the sanctuary who is being treated for Cushing’s, otherwise known as PPID (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction). The condition requires daily medication, plenty of exercise and a low sugar diet. We provide quality organic grass hay to our equines and other hay eaters. Mabel came to live at River’s Wish with her best friend Flip when their owners were facing a difficult family situation and were no longer able to care for them. She and Flip love living with the herd of 8 minis. It costs about $116 per month to support Flip.
MAGGIE: AGE 25
Lovely Maggie has had two homes in her life, and is now in her forever retirement home. Maggie had a very serious potentially life threatening case of pigeon fever and was transferred from her adoptive home to McKinley and Peters where she and her companion Helena remained for three weeks. (In 2020, equine veterinarians saw a dramatic increase in cases of pigeon fever in our area). Maggie was also diagnosed with Cushings at the time of her illness, which meant her immune system was compromised, alling the Pigeon Fever to become more severe. Helena also had pigeon fever but it was milder. These best friends returned to River’s Wish on a path of healing and a vet bill of more than $6,000. It costs about $132 per month to support Maggie’s needs.
MONTANA: AGE 34
Montana is another one of our senior donkeys who is about 34. He now shares his life with Leo, his best friend donkey, and wanders the pasture, where he and his buddy are inseparable. It costs about $116 to support Montana.
NUTMEG: AGE 28
Nutmeg is a classy senior mare, about 28 years old. She came to River’s Wish in 2013 after a local animal protection organization seized her from a dire situation. Nutmeg had a lovely little foal with her named Amber. Amber found an amazing forever home. Nutmeg is a very sweet soul, and because of her early neglect, she was in very poor condition and in need of lots of TLC. It was best for her to stay at River's Wish, where we could ensure her needs were met. She now has Cushings and also uses a special farrier to care for her chronic hoof issues. Based on Nutmeg’s special needs, it costs about $387 a month to support her.
VELVET: AGE 27
Velvet is a 27 year old beautiful little miniature horse who has Diabetes and Cushings and is receiving medication for both. Velvet was looking for a place to call home and River's Wish was there for her. She also receives special feed to assist with her weight. It costs about $154 a month to support Velvet.