Horses
Bloom
In 2024, Bloom was rescued from Iowa as part of the “Soul 6”. Coming from an Amish working horse background, she arrived very underweight and showed signs of having recently foaled. Known as our resident gentle giant, Bloom adores being brushed and is highly food-motivated. She is diligently working to regain her fitness and improve her body condition, reflecting her resilient spirit and desire to thrive.
herta
Herta was rescued from an auction in August 2024 as part of the "Soul 6." She endured a painful auction process while suffering from severe hoof neglect. We knew she was meant to be a Sanctuary Save when we met her.
Upon rescue, her neglected hooves and legs made walking nearly impossible. X-rays revealed fractures in her right leg, and with our veterinary team's help, we cast and stabilized it, providing pain relief.
Sadly, Herta's condition took a turn for the worse when she colicked in mid-August. After another set of X-rays, we discovered her injury had worsened, and the bones in her hoof were shifting beyond repair.
After two weeks, we made the difficult but compassionate decision to put her down. Herta was laid to rest peacefully, free from pain.
You ignited a fire in our hearts and strengthened our resolve against animal cruelty. Rest easy, sweet girl. Run free and run with love.
radiance - Adopted
In 2024, Radiance was rescued from the Iowa auction as part of the “Soul 6". We believed her to be an ideal candidate for human healing from the moment we saw her. Radiance is incredibly sweet and loves attention, but don’t let her size fool you—she’s the boss of her herd! Her dynamic and sassy personality makes her a standout resident of the Sanctuary.
As of October 2024, Radiance has participated in two Hooves for Happiness trips. Her gentle spirit and expressive attitude made her an instant favorite!
Loki
Loki was rescued from an auction in August 2024 as part of the "Soul 6" when he was just two months old, which is very young for a foal. Loki faced numerous health challenges, including weight loss, swollen legs, a "parrot mouth," and early signs of stunted growth from being separated from his mother too soon. Despite these struggles, Loki showed a playful, happy, and resilient spirit!
In the months that followed, Loki faced numerous challenges, including multiple hospital visits for infected teeth that required surgery, as well as injuries to his bones and joints due to underlying medical conditions. Although he remained calm during these difficult times, his fragile health continued to worsen. After extensive testing revealed a grim prognosis, we made the heartbreaking decision to let him go with love and compassion.
During his four months with the Sanctuary, Loki experienced the care and joy every animal deserves, leaving a legacy of resilience and love. We are deeply grateful to his foster caregiver, volunteers, medical teams, and donors who supported him. Loki's story reminds us of the profound impact compassion can have, even in the shortest of lives.
Amara
In 2024, Solstice Sanctuary rescued Amara from Iowa as part of the "Soul 6" initiative. After years spent as a broodmare, she was left severely depleted and suffering from serious front leg ligament injuries and overgrown hooves. Despite her challenging past, Amara demonstrated incredible determination. She had a strong, loving spirit and took cuddling seriously, often following volunteers around in search of attention and affection.
Sadly, in early October, Amara's condition began to decline. With heavy hearts, we made the difficult decision to pursue humane euthanasia. Her pain levels had increased, and her pain management was no longer sustainable for the rest of her body. We understood this outcome was likely when we chose her at the auction. Amara far surpassed our initial expectation of just two weeks of survival and received love, nourishment, and even donuts during her two months at the Sanctuary. Run pain-free, sweet girl.
Josie
Josie was rescued as a 4-month-old filly from Texas, in November of 2021, with a "healed" broken leg. When the team saw her video we knew she needed help or else she would be sent to slaughter. Along with a healed broken leg Josie came in with strangles and digestive issues. A year later we took update radiographs and the leg is healing in a way that gives her a wonderful prognosis for life. Amazingly, she does not let her leg limit her, and she loves to buck and run around the indoor arena. She is a sweet soul and growing into such a lovely horse.
Opal
Opal, who was rescued from Texas, in November of 2021, is believed to be in her early to mid teens. She has been used as broodmare, meaning she had many foals (babies), her entire life which resulted in her struggling to maintain a proper weight. She was extremely skinny and nervous upon intake. Now she is learning to trust humans. She has had multiple dental work sessions done to help her chew and breakdown her food better.
Cat Woman
Cat Woman, a 5 month-old mini foal in November of 2021 was rescued alongside her mother, Opal. Upon intake, Cat Woman was sick and struggled to breathe; but with the care of our team, she has blossomed into an energetic foal who loves to run, buck, and rear. She is quite sassy, and over the years has healed her weak stifles (knees.) We hope Cat Woman will participate in human healing at senior living facilities in the future!
Catori
Catori, who we believe is in her teens, was rescued from a local neglect case in August of 2021. She spent months without proper food, water, and care after an owner passing. Alongside law enforcement the Sanctuary was able to rescue and rehabilitate this sweet girl. At intake, she was fearful and timid of people but with a little love she has transformed into a sweet girl.
Catori often spends time being groomed by volunteers and she loves the attention. She holds space during our human healing sessions as well.
kanali
Kanali was rescued alongside Catori. After her owner passed she spent 6 months slowly experiencing starvation. Upon intake she was extremely emaciated and she spent four loving days with us. Unfortunately, her neglect had taken an immense toll on her body and she was unable to recover. Her time with us was short, but her impact was indescribable. Our annual fundraiser “Kanali’s Cause” was named after the bright light she brought to us all.
Merla
Merla was rescued from an auction in Iowa in October of 2022. She was unable to fully straighten her leg and had cushings. She was such an affectionate mare and absolutely loved her food. Unfortunately, in quarantine she developed an infection in her throat that prevented her from fully getting oxygen to her lungs. She was able to feel love and support from the Sanctuary before her passing. We affectionately coined the term “Merla’s Mark” because she left a mark on all of us.
Cassia
Cassia was rescued from an auction in Iowa in October of 2022. She had a severe injury to her hide end, concentrated to her reproductive area. We weren’t sure what the extent of the damage was, but we knew she needed help. She also had extremely overgrown hooves and multiple injuries due to being an Amish cart horse. She is one of the sweetest horses we have brought to the Sanctuary, making her a great fit for our Human Healing Pillar.
She had to undergo a surgery to repair damaged tissue in her reproductive area due to a terrible foaling, which led to her being dumped at the auction. Cassia will remain on many different supportive supplements based on her injuries and her previously difficult life.
Cassia is also the first to get her feed and loves her time spent with volutneers.
Mack - Adopted
Mack was rescued from a kill-pen in Wisconsin, where he was emaciated and under immense stress. He has marks on his body from where the harness was attached during his working days. He ws nervous around people and it took months of him learning to trust people before he could have his hooves trimmed. Thankfully, he was able to live a wonderful life after being adopted by 2 of our supporters!
Chief - adopted
Chief is a young colt who was rescued from an auction where he was at risk of going to slaughter. At intake he battled lice and a respiratory infection. Since then, he has been adopted by Steph where he has transformed into a very cool guy!
Hank - Adopted
Hank was rescued as 5 month-old stud colt from an auction in Texas. He was thin and nervous upon intake. Due to being in an auction he acquired strangles, a nasty respiratory infection, that took 3 months to clear. Along with digestive issues this guy had a rough start to life. He has blossomed into one of the sweetest and calmest horse and he is now adopted by one of our team members!
Bodhi - Adopted
In November of 2022 Bodhi was rescued as a 7 month old stud colt from an auction in Iowa. Upon intake Bodhi was not handleable, he was very afraid of people. Along with his emotional neglect, Bodhi was severely neglected physically. During his quarantine process the Sanctuary Team removed roughly 200 ticks from Bodhi, he was also covered in lice and needed to be dewormed multiple times.
During his time in quarantie Bodhi learned that people were safe and that he could be haltered and treated by the veterinarian. Bodhi then spent the next year in training at the Sanctuary so he could become adoptable.
In January of 2024 Bodhi was adopted to his forever family!