About Ally's Haven Equine Sanctuary

Once an animal has been rehabilitated and deemed healthy, we evaluate it for placement matching their potential, both physically and mentally. Those unable to be placed due to their physical or mental capabilities remain at the sanctuary to enjoy the quality of life and respect they deserve.

The Sanctuary also helps horse owners in crisis with placement assistance and some veterinary grants, as well as providing retirement for community service horses.

100% of all donations go to the direct care of our equines. We reside at the Lucky B Ranch, where the founders have provided their ranch at no cost to support the efforts and provide support for these amazing animals.

Ally’s Haven was founded in 1999 by Robin Bonn, inspired by her Arabian mare Al Witesseh (Ally), and co-founder Grant Wilson. In 2001 they purchased a larger ranch to accommodate the growth of Ally’s Haven. The ranch is located west of Loveland, Colorado. in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Wild’s Story: Wild is a beautiful bay Quarter Horse who arrived at Ally’s Haven on May 9, 2001, at the age of 2. He was placed with Ally’s Haven due to a fetlock deformity - the result of an injury when he went through a barbed-wire fence as a yearling. Wild went into surgery on June 1, 2001, for an Inferior Check Ligament and Superior Check Ligament, followed by many months of physical therapy. During Post-op in September 2001, it was determined that Wild suffered from irreversible damage.

Wild was turned out to pasture to enjoy life until quality could no longer be sustained. During this time, Wild received medical support that included massage therapy, aromatherapy, and physical therapy to help preserve his health. After 13 months, we were at a crossroads of evaluating the quality of his life. It was at this time that we were fortunate to come across Dr. Andrea Floyd, who specializes in “Advanced Laminitis.” We consulted with Dr. Floyd, and after a complete review of Wild’s medical records, with additional x-rays, she agreed to take on Wild’s case and “give it a try”!

In November 2002, Wild was shipped to Dr. Floyd in Virginia. Wild arrive in Virginia 4 days later in great condition and settled in well.

On Dec. 12, 2002, during a 12-hour procedure, Dr. Floyd was successful in dropping his heel. However, the expectation of full mobility was not achieved; Wild’s suspensory ligaments were “tight as banjo strings,” which limited his movement. Since the suspensories cannot be cut, the game plan was to wait and see if they would relax.

In looking at the before and after pictures, the results are amazing! If the suspensories did not relax, then Wild would have to wear a leg brace for the rest of his life; given the severity of his injury, it would not be a bad outcome.

On Dec. 16, 2002, Wild went back into surgery to have his annular ligament cut: amazingly, that worked, and Wild’s heel touched the ground for the first time since his initial injury when he was a year old!

Four days later, on the morning of Dec. 20th, Wild was depressed and mildly colicky. As the morning progressed, his temperature spiked to 105.5; his heart rate to 100, and his mucous membranes were brick red with a severely prolonged capillary refill time. His cecum was distended but not tight, and he had one bout of hematuria. Wild was at death’s doorstep and needed to be rushed to North Carolina State University (a 5-hour ride).

Upon arrival, he had profuse watery diarrhea, the right abdomen was mildly distended, and rectal palpation revealed a gas-distended cecum. His blood work revealed virtually NO white blood cells; the diagnosis was colitis.

Wild had one of the worse cases of colitis presented at the hospital - yet he still had an appetite, and his eyes were bright. The doctor said due to the fact that he was eating, he could possibly make it, but it was not deemed very probable.

Wild had not given up, which meant we wouldn’t either. Wild received blood transfusions, colostrum, herbs, massage therapy, devoted attention, and love from the staff.  In the early hours of the morning on Dec. 25th we received a call that Wild was making great progress – he could be released the next day: Wooooo Hoooooo & Merry Christmas! Wild went back to Virginia to continue with his rehabilitation. For the first time in 3 years, his hoof was touching the ground, and he was bearing weight on it. He went from a walking cast into a leg brace. He resumed physical therapy, hydrotherapy, and massage therapy.

As time passed, Wild spent less time in his brace. But his leg started to contract yet again. The contraction was mild, but still, it was contracting. On August 28, 2003, Wild went back to North Carolina State University to undergo some extensive testing to help identify the factors for this contraction. It was concluded that Wild had sustained neurological damage from the original injury, and the contracting was the result of “learned behavior.”

On Sept. 9, 2003, Wild went into surgery to have his fetlock fused and his cannon bone shortened - making it impossible to contract. He was discharged one month later, on Oct. 7th, when he was returned to Virginia to continue his rehabilitation.

On June 1st, 2004, Wild returned home to Ally’s Haven located at the Lucky B Ranch in Loveland, CO. He is absolutely gorgeous and happy; looks great, feels great, and finally has the quality of life he fought so hard to achieve. Wild is proof of what perseverance, dedication, and endless love can do in the process of restoring health. Wild is very brave and never gave up; he is living proof that miracles happen!

I would like for Wild’s journey to be shared with children so they too can learn what bravery is and the importance of believing and not giving up, so they too can believe in miracles.