Miracle Ranch Foundation, Located in Bandera County, Texas

Contact Phone: 830-522-4772

Hours of Operation: 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm

Address:
Miracle Ranch Foundation
2656 FM 337
Medina, TX 78055

Located in: Bandera County

Website: www.miracleranchfoundation.com

Group Background:
Vicki Adams is the founder and Director of Miracle Ranch Foundation. She was inspired by a young lady named Susie Nelson to get involved with horse rescue. She did not know the magnitude or the need of more facilities to get involved. Bandera County is an active horse community, and we believed that we are absolutely in the right area to get horses adopted. She has been an avid horse owner and lover for more than 35 years.

Miracle Ranch Foundation was founded July 20, 2007, and opened our doors on November 10th, 2007. We are a "fledgling" 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. We are in the process of implementing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy programs for children and young adults, utilizing rescued horses.

We have rescued more than 20 horses since opening our doors.

How are Horses Acquired:
Most of the horses we have received have been abused, neglected, from financially over burdened owners, or people that were no longer able physically to care for their horses.We have only received horses from Texas thus far.We are available to do Equine Investigations, and work closely with local law enforcement when a case arises in our community, or surrounding communities. We will expand these efforts along with growth.We have been averaging 1 to 2 horses per month, and our facility can only maintain about 20 horses at this time. It is a 35 acre facility, however we believe in "quality" rescue. We provide lots of love and attention to the horses we receive, and we believe that without proper staffing and funding by taking on more horses than you can manage, the horses are not being "rescued". Horses need proper care and attention.

How the Horses Rehabilitated:
Our first concern for our horses is their health. Once they are physically rehabilitated, we begin "re-training". All aspects are considered with regards to training. We believe that horses are more adoptable if perspective adopters are at least able to lead the horse. Our training varies with the needs and capabilities of the equine. We use positive, gentle training techniques which some times take a little longer, but results resonate with the horse. We encourage volunteers to pet, brush, lead, bath, and handle the horses in general to get them adjusted to different people handling them. Horses that are surrendered to the facility must have current vaccines and Coggins. They are seen every 6 to 8 weeks by the farrier, and wormed every 90 days, alternating wormers.

Group Specialties:
We would love to answer any questions submitted to us buy anyone!We are a new rescue, so we do not yet have programs implemented for past adopters, however most stay in contact and help us when they can.We do specialize in getting horses "gentled down". Many horses that have been at our facility were not "touchable", and now they love everyone!We do have local fund raising activities.

Rewards:
Jake Boren, assistant director and Vicki Adams are certified Equine Specialists through EAGALA. We are new, so we do not have any state or national recognition at this point We are a registered 5013c. We in the process of seeking funding and grants.

Typical Day at the Facility:
Horse are on a daily schedule to be fed, brushed, pens cleaned, bathed if necessary, fly sprayed, and general observation of condition. Some horses are in training programs and are trained for 30 minutes to 1 hour per day. We have two people on staff, and are beginning to get more volunteers. My responsibility is as Director. I oversee the care, heath, and welfare of the horses. We get three to four volunteers per week to assist. Some are there once per week, some more.

Horses Available:
Again, we are new. We have taken in around 20 horses this year. Three died of old age, but live out the remainder of their lives with lots of love and attention Our veterinarian Dr. Steven Sells is on our advisory board, We have adopted out 2, and currently have 12 horses on the ranch, with three more on the "adoptable" list. Some of these are being rehabilitated to implement in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, and children's education programs.

Adoption Procedures:
In order to adopt one of our horse and application must be submitted. Subsequent to that, an "on site inspection" of the potential adopter will be made. They are required to have a proper facilities, water, safety requirements (no barb wire, capped t-post, debris free area,etc.) and proper shelter, and be financially able to care for the horse. Our adoption fees range from Three Hundred to Seven Hundred dollars depending on the condition and training of the horse.We require information concerning any type of felony, animal abuse, arrests, etc.

Testimonials:
The people that have adopted from us absolutely love their new equines! They believed the process to be fair and did not have any complaints. They have been happy with results from any questions they have had regarding the horses.

Donations & Local Volunteers:
We do not require a minimum hourly commitment, however our volunteers love where we are, what we do, and the horses so much that they come back, and once they are there they usually spend a minimum of 4 to 5 hours working and playing with the horses.Volunteer do everything from help maintain the property to direct care of the horses. They also assist in outside functions and fund raisers.We accept donations both online, and via direct mail. We do not have a way to accept them by phone yet.

Comments:
We believe that "quality care" is the most important aspect of rescue. These horses have already endured enough strife. We know that there is no one facility capable of rescuing all of the horses we would like to rescue, however the ones we rescue get excellent care and training to the best of our ability!Horse lovers that have proper facilities, income, and knowledge of horse are great candidates for adoption. One of the things we believe and project to achieve is to educate perspective adopters on essential horse care. We talk to them about feeding, grooming, health care, and dental care. We also provide them with a toll free number to contact us with any questions or problems.