Freda's Monthly Needs

Meet Freda — Learning to Feel Again

Freda didn’t come to us broken in an obvious way… she came quietly, carrying things no one could see. The kind of horse who tried to do what was asked, even when her body hurt and her mind was overwhelmed. The little signs—her anxiety, her odd behaviors, her uncertainty—were really her way of asking for help. And when we finally found answers and began to support her, she started to change. Today, we see a horse who is beginning to trust, to connect, to feel safe enough to be curious again. Those small moments—a soft look, a step toward her person, a choice to stay instead of run—means everything. Freda is learning how to live in a world that finally makes sense to her, and with your support, we can continue giving her the time, care, and understanding she needs to fully become the horse she was always meant to be.

Can you help Freda by covering a portion of her extra care? 
Here is a breakdown of her monthly cost for Medications, Farrier, and Dental

Care Item

Monthly Cost

 

MetaRX/Ozactin

$120

 

Farrier Care

$50

 

Dental (once a year in spring $300/year)

$25

 

Supplements

$30

 

Total Monthly Care above not including basic care: $225        (Scan Code to Donate)

Basic Care:
(Basic care including hay, low-sugar feed, bedding, and routine veterinary care averages $430/month

Freda’s Journey

‘Freda’s story didn’t start with a dramatic rescue…It started with a conversation.  A friend reached out to Letitia about a mare who needed a home—someone who simply wanted the right place for her. A cutting horse who didn’t like cows. An unexplained lameness that no vet could diagnose… only “resolved” by turning her out in a field for a year.  But the moment she walked up to Freda and she looked at her…she knew.  This wasn’t a horse who needed to be set aside.  This was a horse who needed to be understood and needed intervention to support her body and work to build her confidence.

A Horse Trying to Cope

Like many horses we welcome into Melody’s Haven of Hope, Freda didn’t arrive with obvious injuries… but something wasn’t right.  Horses like this often need the most.  Freda came with behaviors that told a deeper story:

• Licking walls
• Sticking her tongue out and chewing on it until it foamed
• Extreme sensitivity to grooming
• Eating her own manure
• Anxiety-driven reactions and confusion

These aren’t “bad habits.”  They are signs of a horse who has been overwhelmed… and has learned to cope the only way she knew how.

Searching for Answers

We started where we always do:  Proper nutrition, Supplements, Time, patience, and consistency  But Freda wasn’t improving.  So we dug deeper.  With the guidance of Dr. DePaolo, we completed a horse hair analysis—and finally got answers:  Heavy metal toxicity and significant imbalances.  Freda began a year-long chelation process to help her body detox and rebalance.

And slowly… things started to change.  She no longer eats her manure, She tolerates grooming, Her nervous system is beginning to settle.  But healing her body was only the beginning.

Rebuilding a Horse from the Inside Out

We’ve come to understand something deeply:  Many horses trained with traditional methods don’t learn confidence…They learn to shut down.  Freda didn’t need more training.  She needed to learn how to feel safe again.  One of our students formed a special bond with her and began the slow, beautiful process of connection:

First… a small check-in--Then… another--Then curiosity--Then choice--Then trust
No force. No pressure. Just space to learn.

Now we see:  A horse who follows her human, A horse who explores with curiosity, A horse learning that the world is not something to fear

From cones… to balls… to toys…And even the bridge—her favorite place—where she will stand proudly and walk across with confidence.  Each week brings a new breakthrough.  A deeper connection.  A softer eye.  And it has been nothing short of extraordinary to witness (you can see the progress on our Instagrams posts following her journey).

Be Part of Freda’s Journey

Freda is not just healing…She is becoming.  Becoming curious--Becoming confident--Becoming connected  And she’s doing it because we took the time to listen.

You can be part of that story.

By sponsoring Freda, you help provide:  Continued medical and holistic care, emotional rehabilitation through connection-based work, a safe, loving forever home

Because horses like Freda don’t need to be fixed…They need to be understood.

And when they are…They show us something truly incredible.