SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Sidelines Caps
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Saturday, October 27 2012 / Published in Weekly Feature

Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue Rebuilds After “Isaac”

By Lauren R. Giannini

Pure Thoughts’ old location a few days after Tropical Storm Isaac.

Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue, a non-profit 501(c)3 “where the next chapter of a horse’s life begins,” has helped 1800 horses since it opened in 2002, thanks to the dedicated efforts of founders Jennifer Swanson and Brad Gaver and their loyal volunteers. Now they need the help and support of horse lovers to overcome a natural disaster.

 

On August 27, their facility was devastated by severe flooding caused by torrential downpours dumped by Tropical Storm Isaac that set a 100-year record in Loxahatchee, Florida. Jen and Brad were alone, responsible for the hands-on care with no volunteers scheduled. By 2 p.m. the waters had risen to three and half feet at the barns. Afraid that some of the ponies might drown, they opened every stall door, 39 in all.

 

By Tuesday, animals sheltered at Pure Thoughts had to be evacuated because it was too dangerous to stay. All their neighbors were in the same fix. Brad and Jen had to find high ground. The six-horse trailer was stuck in rising waters and they made many trips with the two-horse to remove horses that concerned them the most. Many horses, however, had to deal with standing water, which meant that hay couldn’t be put on the ground. But all of their animals – horses, ponies, minis – were safe, including the missing brain-damaged lamb and pig.

 

People rallied from all over the horse world. Kim Tudor posted a plea for help on Facebook. Karen Reese of Hilltop Polo Farm in Aiken took home two babies that were emaciated when rescued. A group of mares, led by former rescue Dakota, swam to Deer Run.

 

Jen and Brad, assisted by their volunteers, have been running Pure Thoughts out of three farms. They kept the ‘bands’ or sub-herds together, which reduced stress from the relocations. The horses, holding good weight, look and act very healthy.

 

Everything else at the original facility, however, is water-damaged beyond repair or use: all the hay and shavings, farm equipment, the essentials horse people take for granted. Isaac also put an end to Jen and Brad’s plans to dismantle and move the buildings, barns and fencing to their new property. Persistent standing waters in mid-September rotted the wood and posed health risks from mosquito infestation. The new home of Pure Thoughts consists of 20 acres on much higher ground about nine miles east, closer to Wellington.

 

“It’s a blessing that Jen and Brad had the new land already; but they need help for the new facility – money, building materials and also manpower,” said Kolleen Bylciw, who boards her adopted rescue at Pure Thoughts. “I can’t tell you enough about their dedication. They work all day, every day. They train horses, take in rescues, teach riding lessons and youth polo. When I got back from a trip and saw what Isaac had done, I couldn’t believe what they had accomplished.”

 

A time for new beginnings includes a new farm and a new logo.

You can support the efforts of Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue in several ways. You can bid on their regular on-line auctions and also donate items to be sold. Pure Thoughts maintains both a website and official Facebook page where you can donate via PayPal. If you want to know where your contributions are going, Jen and Brad invite you to bring it yourself. Remember, they need more than money and materials: they need hands-on to prepare the new facility so they can move all their animals onto one property.

 

You are invited to their festive fundraiser on December 29, which will take place at the new Pure Thoughts facility: Brad and Jen, who have been together for 10 years, are “putting a ring on it” and getting married.

 

“We don’t need anything for us, just for the horses,” said Jen. “We’re inviting everyone, it’s open to the public, but you have to RSVP by Dec. 15 – we can host 300 people maximum. We’re having a dinner and dancing to celebrate getting married. There’s no admission fee – just whatever a person decides to give for the horses. We’ll have a silent auction and we’re hoping to have a live auction.”

 

For more information: http://purethoughtshorserescue.com/

To RSVP for the wedding: Jennifer@pthr.org

Willow – the day Pure Thoughts arrived to rescue the starving filly.

Jennifer saying goodbye to rescue horse Willow who has found a forever home (along with her equine friend Jason) with Karen Reese.

Double D Trailers Info

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: Brad Garver, florida, Jennifer Swanson, Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue, sidelines-magazine, wellington

What you can read next

Catherine Haddad Staller: Trailblazing International Success
Overcoming the Impossible
Gold Rush Fever comes to Wellington!

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Jessica West always rode any horse that was availa Jessica West always rode any horse that was available to her throughout her Junior career, so she knew she had an advantage when she decided she wanted to ride on an NCAA team in college. Now a senior at @@auburnu and majoring in psychology, Jessica has enjoyed everything about the equestrian team and is ready to move on to her next adventure. 

Read more about Jessica at the link in our bio!

#ncea #ncaa #equestrian #collegiateequestrian #huntseatequitation #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #collegelife #showjumper #hunterhorse #horseshow #sidelinesmagazine
In the unique and challenging sport of combined dr In the unique and challenging sport of combined driving, Jacob Arnold has proven himself to be a bona fide star. It’s been said that success develops from a recipe based on hard work, perseverance, learning and sacrifice, paired with a love of what one is doing. Since the time he was a boy, Jacob has had the right combination of all of those ingredients, which have culminated in a meteoric rise to stardom.

Beginning his career as a Junior, Jacob earned the coveted @usequestrian Junior Equestrian of the Year award in 2011. Since then, he has taken the combined driving world by storm, competing successfully in four @fei_global World Championships. He also won the USEF Advanced Pair Horse National Championship in 2020 and 2021, among other victories—all before the age of 28, in a sport that has historically been dominated by older drivers. Last September, he placed 12th—the highest of any American driver—at the 2021 FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs in a field of over 100 top-level drivers.

Read more about @jacobarnoldcombineddriving at the link in our bio!

@alex.banks.photography #combineddriving #drivendressage #dressage #driving #carriage #horsedriving #equestrianstyle #equestrianlife #horselover #drivinghorse #carriagehorse #showhorse #sidelinesmagazine
@rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the f @rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the first equestrian Major of 2022, winning the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters. In doing so he also claimed an additional bonus for non-consecutive Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping wins, following his victory at CHIO Aachen last year. The German champion’s outstanding performance riding his trusted partner Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z once again makes him the live contender for the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Catch up on all the action and watch the free highlights video on the Sidelines Show World blog (link in bio!)

#showjumping #rolex #grandslam #rolexgrandslam #showjumper #dutch #netherlands #dutchwarmbloods #equestrianlife #hunterhorse #hunterjumper #equestrianstyle #showhorses #showjumpersofinstagram #jumpinghorse #grandprixjumer #grandprixhorse #sidelinesmagazine
Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 ac Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 acres in Jupiter Farms, Florida.

Jupiter Farms is an equestrian community with a trail system and a sand riding arena at the park. Charming home features vaulted ceilings, custom trim, custom lighting in master bedroom that changes color with a remote. Granite countertops in kitchen and laundry room. New 2022 stackable washer/dryer. Privacy fenced backyard with beautiful tall pines for shade, many palm trees also on property.

Secure fenced  25’ x 25’ pen with wood fencing , for a horse, dogs or a garden.  Wonderful property in desirable Jupiter Farms. 45 minutes to Wellington, 25 minutes to Jupiter Dog Beach. Perfect oasis for dog and horse lovers, close to everything in South Florida. MLS# 10778333, Agents welcome.

$655,000
Contact 561-246-9317
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Hanoverian Stallion - Sternlicht
    Sternlicht (Soliman de Hus-Rascalino-Wesley) 2010 Hanoverian Stallion 16.3 Hands Owner: Hilltop Farm, Inc. Breeder: Greengate Farm Approved Registries: AHS, ARS, GOV, Westfalen, ISR/Old Breeding Fee: $1,500 1-Year or $750/dose, cooled or frozen semen EVA Status: Negative,

    [Read more]

  • RAUSCHENBACH TACK SHOP
    Exclusive retailer ÉCE Equestrian Quality Custom Wear for Horse & Rider Hits Saugerties May-September mlucci@aol.com www.rauschenbachtackshop.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022
  • Better Business with Malvern Bank: Michael Meller’s Secrets to Success
  • Third Annual Painted Ponies Art Walk takes over Southern Pines, NC!

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Jung Ends as He Began — On Top — at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™
  • ROLEX TESTIMONEE DANIEL DEUSSER WINS ROLEX GRAND PRIX AT 2022 DUTCH MASTERS
  • STABLE VIEW IN AIKEN POSTPONING ‘A’ RATED $400,000 H/J CHALLENGE SERIES DUE TO RESTRICTIVE MILEAGE RULE

Category

Recent Posts

  • Mindset: Making or Breaking a Comeback

    By Margie Sugarman Someone recently approached ...
  • Blessed Are the Grooms

    By George Williams “Behind every successful man...
  • Caitlin Boyle: From Horse Family to Horse Professional

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller  ...
  • July 2022 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Bill Rube: Giving Many a Reason To Smile

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller &...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!