Hooved Animal Rescue & Protection Society

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

☀️ HEAT ALERT ☀️

While we're all feeling it, our equine friends are especially vulnerable to this unexpected rise in temperature.

Please take extra care of your horses today and in the coming days!

SHADE & REST: Stop all riding or work immediately, remove tack, and get your horse into the shade.

WATER, WATER, WATER: Let them drink their fill of cold water as you walk them out. There is NO evidence that drinking cold water causes colic.

HOSE 'EM DOWN: Don't be afraid to use cold water! Splash or spray it directly onto the horse. Myths about cold water causing cramping have been debunked.

MONITOR: Keep a close eye on their temperature and condition. When in doubt, always call your veterinarian.

Stay cool everyone! ❄️

08/28/2026

Fun Facts Friday! 🐎

08/21/2026

Happy Fun Fact Friday, HARPS Family! 🐴

​Did you know that horses can’t breathe through their mouths?

​Unlike humans and many other animals, horses are obligate nasal breathers. That means they breathe exclusively through their nostrils!

A soft tissue structure called the soft palate forms a tight seal over the back of their mouth, keeping air flowing strictly through their nasal passages—even when they're running, whinnying, or munching on treats.

​Why does this matter?
​Incredible Air Filters: Their long nasal passages warm, humidify, and filter air before it reaches their lungs, protecting their respiratory systems.
​

08/18/2026

Looking for a way to support HARPS Rescue?

We’ve partnered with author Melissa Campbell, creator of "When Lilies Turn Grey", an inspiring memoir about determination, commitment, and the bond between a girl and her horse.

Every purchase directly helps the rescue:
* Books ($15): $5 from each copy goes directly to HARPS.
* Candles ($15): $5 from each candle goes directly to HARPS.

Ready to order? Scan the QR code in the image to place your order! (Note: All orders must be picked up at the rescue.)

08/13/2026

TPR—Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration

​Knowing these three vital signs isn’t just for veterinarians, every horse owner should know their horse’s normal baseline. In an emergency, knowing what's "normal" for your horse can help you spot illness early and give your vet critical details over the phone.

​Here is a quick refresher on standard resting ranges for an adult horse:

Temperature: 99.0°F – 101.5°F
Heart Rate: 28 – 40 beats/min
Respiration Rate: 12 – 16 breaths/min

Pro-Tip: Check and write down your horse’s TPR on a calm, normal day when they are at rest. Store those numbers on your phone or near your barn first-aid kit so you have an accurate reference point.

08/08/2026

Weekend vibes at HARPS Rescue! 🌾✨

It’s a lazy weekend around the farm, and everyone is taking full advantage of the downtime:

🐴 Out in the pasture: The horses are happily grazing and enjoying the cool green grass in their fly masks.

🐽 Barn snoozing: Our resident pig has mastered the art of the afternoon nap, snuggled deep into a cozy bed of straw.

🐶 Paws on duty: The farm dogs are keeping a watchful eye on the driveway (or just finding the perfect patch of grass to lounge in!).

🛖 Inside the barn: Clean aisles, quiet stalls, and a peaceful atmosphere all around.

Wishing all of our friends, volunteers, and supporters a restful weekend! ☀️❤️

08/07/2026

Handsome Cochise ❤️🐎

08/04/2026

Ever wondered why donkeys have such spectacularly big ears?

It turns out those long, beautiful ears aren’t just for looks they are a brilliant survival tool! Because the wild ancestors of donkeys originated in the hot, arid deserts of Africa, their ears evolved to act as a built-in superpower.

Here are two amazing reasons behind those iconic ears:

Built-In Air Conditioning: A donkey's ears are packed with tiny, shallow blood vessels. When they get hot, warm blood pumps into the ears, and the large surface area allows the heat to radiate away into the air. This cools their blood and keeps their body temperature down without wasting precious water through sweating!

Desert Radar: In the wild, resources are sparse and herds have to spread out. A donkey’s ears act like natural satellite dishes, capturing faint sounds from miles away. Plus, they can rotate each ear independently to pinpoint exactly where a sound is coming from.

Next time you see a donkey, give those ears some extra appreciation! ❤️

07/28/2026

🪰 Battle of the Flies: Keeping the Barn Comfy! ☀️

Summer means great riding, but it also means an absolute army of flies. Winning the bug war requires a multi-layered strategy to keep horses happy and stop the hoof-stomping.

Here is a go-to barn checklist to beat the bugs:

💩 Source Control: Flies breed in moisture. Keeping stalls clean, paddocks picked, and the manure pile far away from the barn is 90% of the battle.

🌀 Airflow is Everything: Flies are weak fliers! High-velocity fans in aisles and stalls create a breeze that keeps them from landing (and keeps the barn cool).

🧴 Fly Gear: High-quality fly masks, sheets, and boots provide the perfect physical barrier so horses can graze in peace.

🐛 Fly Predators: Releasing these tiny, harmless, non-stinging beneficial insects decimates the fly population by targeting the pupae before they even hatch.

💦 Traps & Sprays: Strategic perimeter fly bags and a daily spray routine catch the stragglers that make it past the front lines.