Happy Hooves Donkey and Pony Sanctuary is trotting over to Estevan for a fun-filled weekend of fundraising to support their lovable residents.
The sanctuary is devoted to mini horses, ponies, donkeys, and mini mules with complex medical or behavioral needs. There are currently 43 animals residing in their care.
“We give them a lifelong home. This is their final chance, their final stop, basically,” said Happy Little Hooves, vice-president Laura Stock
The animals are often surrendered as their owners are no longer able to care for them or their medical needs. The sanctuary offers visits by appointment explained Stock. She added that she always happy to show off the animals and it offers the public a chance to interact with their "littles."
Happy Hooves began in 2011 when Stock and her sister Rhonda acquired two donkeys.
“We fell in love with the donkeys, so we started raising money for the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada in Guelph, ON. After about five years, we decided we wanted to start our own donkey sanctuary,” Stock explained.
Rhonda, who trims hooves for a living, was given a mini horse in 2018 to conduct a case study because he was foundered. Founder is a condition where a horse's hooves become so inflamed that it’s difficult for them to bear weight.
“We fell in love with the mini horses too, which led us to want to care for mini horses, donkeys, and then mini mules, and of course ponies,” Stock continued.
Happy Hooves also has a section on their website where you can sponsor a “little.”
“You can sponsor whichever little one you want at the sanctuary. For a minimum amount, you get a vial of their hair (mane or tail), a bio, a picture, and a certificate saying that you’ve ‘adopted’ that little one,” the spokesperson said.
This weekend, Happy Hooves will be holding a used book sale in Estevan outsidethe curling rink. The book sale will be running on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. on both days. Hardcover books as well as large softcover books will be $2, with standard paperbacks going for $1.
Money raised over the weekend will go towards the upkeep of fences, prepping the shelters for winter, and buying feed.
“We have five little ones that are on soaked feed all year round because they either don’t have the teeth to eat hay, or they have lung issues and can’t eat anything dry,” the spokesperson explained.
Happy Hooves will be celebrating its five-year anniversary on September 21 with an open house.
“We’re going to be doing a ribbon cutting and plaque reveal, along with demos. There will be a first aid demo, a hoof trim demo, and grooming demos, all part of the day-long festival,” the spokesperson said.