Pat has helped me save four horses that were in very bad shape from neglect. Two of them had been foundered and then so neglected they had abcessed and toes so long they could hardly walk. Pat took those two in and nursed them back to health and ultimately placed them in good homes. When I first took pat to see them and pick them up I was sure they were beyond saving. Both returned to full use with no issues. Pat has also helped me with several other ponies that had their feet neglected for years, all have been corrected and are moving around with no discomfort - you would never suspect they had been so mistreated. Pat is kind to the animals and does her work in a way to avoid distress and earn their trust - I have yet to see her give up on a horse that needs her help.
I run a non profit animal rescue. We have 3 miniature horses that came to us with bad feet. Pat has done an amazing job of getting them on the right track to healthy hooves. I would highly recommend this organization to anyone that has a horse with this type of problem. Pat is great to work with!
I discovered an extremely foundered mini mare laying in misery in a field all alone. Dora had foundered many years prior to my seeing this little beauty. I called Pat and told her what I knew at the time of Dora. Pat went the next day and rescued Dora. Pat put Dora in a minivan and drove her back to REHRC. That same day Pat worked on Dora's little hooves and made "custom" booties for her little feet. Today Dora is running with the rest of the herd. Content and mostly pain free. THANK YOU PAT!
Pat and Rich have dedicated so much of their lives and time to rehabbing many horses. They've done wonders for the horses and children. Their education days are filled with fun, but more importantly, they are teaching the children about life, though the horses. What a gift. The kids wont forget that, nor will the horses. If I were able, I too, would buy the 40 acres and donate it to the Hoof Rehab. Time to buy a few Lotto tickets I guess!!
What can you say about someone like Pat Wagner? You can't change the world, but you can make it a better place, one horse at a time, and that is exactly what Pat is all about. Nobody works longer or harder to make unwanted hay burners happier and healthier.
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At the Rainier Equine Hoof Recovery Center, Inc. Pat has a passion for saving the lives of challenged animals. As an equine hoof rehabilitation practitioner, she works tirelessly to repair the lives of equines (horses donkeys and mules of all sizes) with hoof ailments that would have, in many cases, sent them to an early grave.
Even though Pat has arthritis in her spine she works on the hooves of many horses, nearly every day. Her husband Rich, a veteran, feeds the horses, cares for the property and has stacked thousands of hay bales even though he’s an amputee.
Pat’s income is earned trimming horses to go barefoot for her many customers of her business, Heel First Landings, Inc.
However, Rich has been unemployed since January of 2011, and still that hasn’t kept them from continuing take in equines in dire situations, which number up to 20 now, along with caring for their own 5 horses. Donations help, as well as the proceeds from the DVD they published which teaches owners to trim the hooves of their own equines.
Some equines arrive with behavioral issues, starved or so scared of humans that hoof care has been impossible for them. Kindness and training, no matter how long it takes, becomes part of their hoof repair program. Many wonderful horses have been saved from death, or worse yet, a horrible trip to the slaughter plants in Canada or Mexico.
Pat believes they will find a way to continue helping them, no matter what the situation or how hard they have to work. They do all this on only 10 acres. If you ask Pat or Rich why they put so much effort into such an expensive endeavor, both will tell you that the gratifying feeling of watching a horse that previously could not walk, take off running across the field, mane and tail flying, is worth every back ache, every dollar and every long day. For the past 10 years, both Pat and Rich have devoted most their time and income to saving the lives of these amazing animals.
I have volunteered at REHRC and have been overwhelmed by the beautiful horses that Pat has rescued from being put to death because of hoof problems and then treated and healed them. Most of the time she not only heals their feet but also emotional troubles. Pat has over 20 horses that she cares for and deserves acknowledgment and help.
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I got to know Pat wagners amazing skill with horses and her ability to salvage their hooves when everyone else had given up as a client of her trimming service and as a volunteer at Rainier Equine Hoof Recovery Center. Rainier Hoof Recover Center is a well kept, well run, beautiful facility with a herd of well cared for, very contented, relaxed horses. If you could meet the lovely horses that Pat is working to save, the sweet affectionate personalities and the trust they show in Pat; you understand what a terrific job she is doing and an excellent non profit cause she has. This horses would not have survived if not for Pat Wagner. Pat's work can be dangerous, but she is gifted and passionate and this is her calling. Please become a supporter of Rainier Equine Hoof Recovery Center.
This great charity takes in lame horses and rehab the horse's feet. Most lame horses are sold for meat or put down. Ms. Wagner is able to trim bare feet and correct the damage done by steel shoes. The practioner/owner also goes out to differest farms, homes and ranches and does special hoof rehab work. Ms. Wagner also teaches the horse owners to trim their own horse's feet. This new field of horse trimming is influencing the horse owner population. Ms. Wagner is one of the first leaders in the field. Modern day horses have feet like their wild counterparts.