"Everything we do is for the horse"
Our Friends ~ Equine Sponsor ~ In Loving Memory... ~ Ranch Gifts ~ Newsletter
1981?
Bongo is a chestnut gelding, approximately 24 years old. Bongo came to us with three other horses, but was by far in the worst condition. (For more pictures, click here.)
Bongo's biggest problem was that due to neglect, old age, and lack of some teeth, he was severely underweight. Furthermore, his feet were in bad shape and he was not stable enough to stand on three legs for the farrier to help him
Once Bongo was in our care, we immediately moved him to on of our Monson, MA foster farms That foster barn is the home of one of our board members, certified massage therapist Lee Williams. We wanted Bongo to have the one on one individual attention of a private farm. Furthermore, around SCR, Lee’s barn is known as “the fat farm” and we were confident that while in Lee’s care, Bongo would put weight on quickly and safely.
Upon arrival at Lee’s barn, she said that Bongo was so weak he wouldn’t make any noise. All of his energy was put into surviving. Lee started him on a mix of Vintage Senior, hay stretch pellets, and a 10/10 sweet feed, all soaked to a mash due to his missing teeth. Bongo got 5 meals per day, free access to water (of which he drank a lot!) and although he could not eat regular hay too well, she gave him a little bit to keep him busy.
Bongo is now at a healthy weight and has been evaluated under saddle. We feel he should not have an adult's weight on him, but he has been ridden by a child (walking and trotting) and he did very well.