Jughead the Horse Comes to Rainfall Ranch: A Non-Profit Success Story

GG Equine has a long-standing dedication to helping registered equine non-profits. With a little bit of official information, we can enroll these organizations in our non-profit discount program. Most of our staff has worked at or with non-profits in the past.

We are only too aware that rescues, equine therapy, and other such places not only do good work, but also have to do that work with very limited resources. More often than not, they operate through the good will of volunteers and the donations of people who care.

This GG herd story is about a horse who would seem to be an unlikely candidate for a GreenGuard Grazing Muzzle. This is Jughead, also known as “Jugs.” When the folks at Rainfall Ranch Rescue in Lakebay, Washington, heard about him in December of 2022, he was in really poor shape, and 250 pounds underweight.

Jugs, a rescue draft horse, was underweight in January 2023
Jughead (“Jugs”) in January 2023. Photo by Rainfall Ranch.

Jugs was malnourished, his mane was patchy, and his hooves had gone untrimmed for far too long. In spite of his condition, Jugs was still being made to work and perform. The place he was living at was preparing to put him up for auction. Fortunately, Rainfall Ranch Rescue was able to take him in during the early days of January 2023.

With the help of the rescue’s veterinarian, the Rainfall Ranch team started Jugs on a diet to bring this emaciated draft horse, this gentle giant, up to a healthier weight. Just about half a year later, at the start of July 2023, Rainfall Ranch reported that Jugs had reached that goal successfully. His mane, coat, and feet were all right where the vet wanted them. A major success story for the non-profit rescue!

That’s right around where GG Equine enters the story. We’d seen on Rainfall Ranch’s TikTok earlier in 2023 comments about how much they liked the look of GreenGuard Grazing Muzzles. We reached out to them directly and told them about our non-profit discount and donation program. Depending on our stock, GG Equine can sometimes donate a gently-used return muzzle to equine non-profits.

Jugs wearing his GreenGuard Grazing Muzzle, October 2023
Jugs wearing his GreenGuard Grazing Muzzle, October 2023

By the time Rainfall Ranch sent us this photo of a strong, healthy, and recovered Jugs wearing his GreenGuard Grazing Muzzle, he had fully grown into himself. Three months on from receiving a clean bill of health, Jugs was an active participant in the rescue’s activities. From trail riding to working with children new to horses, Jugs was cleared for action. A remarkable success story by any measure!

Rainfall Ranch and Rescue is a woman-operated non-profit that helps horses and people find healing and supportive community. Like any non-profit, they face daily challenges of making the work that they do sustainable for the communities - equine and human - that they serve. As a woman-owned small business, GG Equine is so proud to be able to help organizations like Rainfall Ranch in the ways we are able.

Jugs, now happy and healthy on pasture, June 2024.
Jugs, a happy and healthy horse, June 2024. Photo by Rainfall Ranch.

We are grateful to get photos like the ones of Jugs in his muzzle to see that even small gestures can make a big impact. If you work for or with a registered equine non-profit, reach out to our team to find out how to enroll in our discount program. If you are reading this and want to find out how you can support the work of Rainfall Ranch Rescue, visit their website and follow them at the links below.

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