Astoria is a 3 year old pony mare whose foal, Bluff was only 12 hours old when they were both rescued from the slaughter auction! It is possible that Baby Bluff was actually born in the trailer on the drive to the auction. This is such a heartbreaking story. This is probably the most blantant example of over-breeding that we have ever seen! It is just disgusting that this day old baby was already in the slaughter auction enviroment. Incredibly, Bluff had to wear a ridiculous auction number tag that was almost as big as his hindquarters!

Happily for us, both Astoria and Bluff are safe at Shiloh now, but their story could easily have turned out differently. There is nothing worse than people who breed horses indiscriminately, it has become so bad that horses are actually bred to go to slaughter. Or "bred to die"- as we call it. Disgusting. Poor Astoria, herself, is way too young at two years, to have a baby at her side!

UPDATE: Astoria will become available for adoption once baby Bluff has been weaned. Bluff will be staying at Shiloh and is not available for adoption at this time!

UPDATE: 7/30/05 Bluff has been very sick and has spent much of the last two weeks at the vet clinic. After many tests, he has finally been diagnosed with migrating Roundworms which he contracted through Astoria's milk (she had never been wormed in her whole life prior to her arrival at Shiloh). The worm's lifecycle causes coughing, diahrea, and anemia. He is staying at the clinic until his symptoms are under control. He is currently being treated for the parasites.

Sweet Astoria has found a future home with the Royer Family of Las Vegas! Her adoption will be completed when Bluff is weaned at 6 months of age. We are very happy that this little mare will have a wonderful loving home, her story could have turned out much much worse. This is what keeps us going in our commitment to save slaughter bound horses.

UPDATE: 9/15/05 Both Bluff and Astoria (now named Cricket) will be going to the Royer's home very soon. They will continue to work with both horses and will wean Bluff at six months. Once little Bluff is weaned, he will return to Shiloh. We are all going to really miss him while he is gone!

UPDATE: 9/22/05 Happy news as Astoria went to her new family today! Baby Bluff went along to be fostered by the Royer family until he is weaned, when he will return to Shiloh to find a home of his own! The Royers have a wonderful home and we know both horses will be very happy there!

UPDATE: 3/6/06 Happy news today as baby Bluff has been adopted by a member of his foster family! He joins his new owner, Keila, whose parents adopted Bluff's mother, Astoria! We are so happy for everyone!