Layla Rose Ranch Equine Rescue

🐴 A Little Sand Can Make a BIG Difference! 🌾

During their vet intake on day one, our new equines were found to have some sand/dirt in their tummies—which makes sense with their history and environment.

Because of that, we’ll be starting them on SandRid daily for a week, then transitioning them to the same maintenance schedule as the others: once a week.

Regular sand management is an important part of equine care. We recommend doing SandRid at least once a month to help reduce the risk of sand colic and prevent excess sand from interfering with their ability to properly absorb nutrients.

We’ve had an equine come in carrying so much sand that they were struggling to gain weight. It took quite a bit of work—and was definitely a messy process—to get them completely cleaned out. 😳

That’s why, when new equines arrive, we automatically start them on SandRid until our vet has the opportunity to examine them and make recommendations specific to their needs.

And here’s a pretty fascinating fact: when there’s sand moving around in an equine’s gut, you can actually hear it through a stethoscope—and it sounds like waves! 🌊🐴

Another little reminder that sometimes the things happening inside our horses are just as important as what we can see on the outside. ❤️

Reata Equine HospitalReata Equine Hospital

Meet Cooper 🐴💙

Cooper is a 13-year-old, 8.3-hand mini gelding with the sweetest soul and just a little bit of spice—and we absolutely adore him for it! 🥰

This little guy loves to explore and go on adventures on his lead line. He can be a bit shy at first because he wasn’t handled or interacted with much before coming to us, but he is really coming out of his shell. Once Cooper knows you, he loves to talk to you—especially when he knows mealtime is coming! 😂

Cooper is a companion only and would do best with a large horse after a slow, thoughtful introduction. Before coming to us, he had a big horse best friend and the two of them did everything together, so we know how much he enjoys having a buddy. ❤️

Like many rescued equines, Cooper needs someone who understands that trust takes time. He may require a little patience in the beginning, but once he learns that you are someone he can trust, you’ll get to see his truly sweet personality shine.

And then there’s his adorable little quirk… Cooper loves to stick his tongue out! 😂👅

This special little gelding is ready to find his own person—someone who will give him the patience, companionship, love, and forever home he deserves.

Could that person be you? 💙

📩 Cooper is available for adoption. Please reach out to learn more about him and our adoption process.

Laylaroseranch.org

🐴 Vet Day Update! ❤️

Vet day went really well for our girls! We’re so relieved to share that none of them are pregnant, and all three received much-needed care. 🥰

Snowball, who is in her 20s, and Lainey and Dolly, who are both 16, all had their feet done, eyes flushed, and were microchipped. They also received the dental care they needed, and we’re incredibly grateful for how well everyone handled their appointments.

Snowball’s situation is a little different. We decided not to float her teeth just yet. She has a significant stifle issue with arthritis in that leg, so our priority is getting her comfortable first. We’ve started her on daily liquid Equinoxx to see if that helps with her pain and mobility. Once we can get her to a more comfortable place, we’ll move forward with her dental work.

Snowball was actually the best patient today! I forgot to take pictures of her exam 🥹❤️ Dolly and Lainey did great too. We intentionally waited a couple of weeks before having the vet come so we could spend some time working with them on handling and helping them feel more comfortable. That extra time really paid off.

Now comes the hard part… the bill. 💔

Between the dental floats, ultrasounds, eye flushing, hoof care, medications, microchipping, and everything else involved in today’s visit, this is going to be a significant expense.

We are still fundraising to help cover today’s vet bill, and any amount you can contribute would mean so much to us. If you’re not able to donate, sharing this post helps more than you know. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who has supported these girls, cheered them on, donated, shared, and followed along with their journey. We truly couldn’t do this without you. 🐴

paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4400502

Reata Equine Hospital

Hay Day at Hay USAOur weekly hay run of Washington 2nd cut Timothy, Teff and 2 compressed alfalfa from Anderson Hay & Grain Co., Inc.

We love this hay and so do our equines.

I think one of the cruelest parts of animal welfare is that no matter how much of yourself you give… it never feels like enough.

You save 100 animals, but all you can think about is the one you couldn’t.

Five amazing families want the same horse. You choose one, and four people leave hurt.

You spend hours finding grants, raising donations, and stretching every dollar, but someone still asks why you didn’t spend more.

You make the most compassionate decision you can for an animal that’s suffering, and someone asks why you didn’t try one more treatment.

You celebrate a rescue, an adoption, a reunion… and before the moment is over, another emergency walks through the door.

Then you go home and replay it all.

Could I have done more?

Should I have done something differently?

Did I fail that animal?

The truth is, this job has a way of convincing good people that they’re failing, even when they’re giving everything they have.

And that’s how burnout happens.

Not in one terrible day, but in a thousand tiny moments where you slowly give away pieces of your heart until one day you realize you’re running on empty.

People see the decisions.

They don’t always see the weight of carrying them.

And sometimes the heaviest burden isn’t the animals we couldn’t save.

It’s believing that no matter how much of ourselves we pour into this work… it will never, ever feel like enough.

Maybe just one more...

~Copy and pasted~
From other people feeling the same.

Buddy was one of the lucky ones.

Thank you to everyone who has subscribed monthly it is greatly appreciated but also for the stars on my post!

Our young volunteers absolutely love spending time with the minis 💛 From learning how to lead and brush them, to introducing them to the wash bay and walking calmly through the barn — it’s amazing to watch both the kids and the horses grow together. Patience is a big lesson… one that Snowball is still learning, but we know she’ll get there with time and love.

This Wednesday is a big Vet Day for our herd. They’ll be getting ultrasounds, hoof care, dental work, and microchips. Our vet is even bringing a radiograph machine in case it’s needed.

We’re especially worried about sweet Snowball. She’s struggling the most right now — with a severe hip issue and poor blood flow to one of her hooves. Standing for the farrier is incredibly hard for her, and she shakes from discomfort. We’re doing everything we can, but we’re also preparing our hearts for the possibility that her journey may look different than we hoped. Please keep her in your thoughts 💔

Cass will also be evaluated. His front suspensory ligaments have been an ongoing challenge, and despite all efforts, he’s still uncomfortable. He has made great progress with his weight, but comfort is still something we’re fighting for.

This is the reality of rescue. We never truly know what we’re taking on when neglected animals come into our care — but we give them everything we have: love, safety, food, and trust. And they give us everything right back.

We continue to receive calls to take in more horses, but our sanctuary and medical spaces are full. It’s never easy to say no. Finding the right homes is just as important as rescuing them — especially for companions, who are often overlooked.

We currently have $400 raised toward this week’s vet visit, and we expect costs to reach $1,000 or more depending on what’s needed.

If you’re able to help, it would mean the world to us — and to them.
98% of all donations go directly to their care.

Thank you for being part of their journey 🐴💛

paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4400502

Does anyone want to home a 10 year old pig? He’s very sweet and loves kids but it also appears he needs to lose weight. His owner can’t take care of him anymore but wants a soft landing for him for the rest of his life. She lives in Rotan Tx

Let me know if anyone has room for him.

Bruno update 🐴💛

Look at this handsome boy thriving in his new home! He’s slimming down, soaking up the sunshine, and having the best time with his new best friend. They bonded so quickly—it’s like they’ve known each other forever.

He loves following along when she’s out riding and exploring the pasture together. Seeing him this happy and healthy truly means everything.

I love getting updates like this 🥹