Painted Horse Rescue

11/04/2026

🚨 After Storm Update 🚨

Hey everyone, it’s RaeAnn! You’ve probably seen me around at our events or when you’ve stopped by Helsel’s Automotive.

Today, I’m reaching out with a critical update on The Painted Horse Rescue and the amazing family behind it.

First, the good news: We are incredibly grateful to share that Jill, Kamron, their beautiful family, and all of our beloved horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, tortoises, and other animals are safe. But while their spirits aren’t broken, their world has been completely turned upside down.

Right now, the entire property is underwater. The scale of the devastation is hard to put into words:

Total Loss of Feed: Every bit of hay in the feed trailer and all of the animal feed have been completely ruined.

Submerged Vehicles: Most of their vehicles are underwater and completely inoperable.

Homes & Workspace Destroyed: The office and tiny home are entirely submerged. Water has breached their main home, and the feed room and barn are still sitting in knee-deep water.

At the height of the storm, more than four feet of water covered the property, and some areas are still that deep. If the water does not recede by tomorrow, we will urgently need temporary locations to move some of our animals who simply cannot remain in the water much longer.

Jill and Kamron give so much to our community, and right now, they desperately need us to rally around them. They cannot rebuild this alone.

We urgently need to replace the ruined feed, secure fresh supplies, and begin the massive cleanup process.

Because cell service is very spotty and Jill and Kamron currently have no internet, it is incredibly difficult for them to contact anyone or respond to messages. If you have questions or want to help, please message this page directly. I will do my absolute best to answer you.

We understand there is so much devastation throughout the county, but if you can spare anything to help us care for the animals and help this family rebuild after such heartbreak, here are some ways you can support us right now:

🐴 Donate Online: You can donate through our Zeffy donation page ⁠ https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-monthly-reoccurring-donations , or send funds via Zelle at 321-591-3406, We also have Cash App, or Venmo.

🐴 Pay the Feed Store Directly: You can call Hay Direct at 321-626-5727 to pay for hay over the phone. Malabar Feed & Farm can do the same at 321-951-0019. Tractor Supply gift cards are also helpful.

🐴 Specific Feed Needs: We are specifically looking for Purina Ultium Senior, orchard pellets, and orchard hay.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, prayers, and support during this devastating time. Please share this post to help us spread the word and get the help these animals and this family desperately need.

Every little bit helps. ❤️

🎉🎉🎉 Update: We are so so so thankful for the overflowing donations dropped off today and prayers and messages checking on the rescue. We are so appreciative we can not thank you enough.
We appreciate the hay donations so much but at this very moment we have exceeded the amount we can safely store here because everything is still under water or completely saturated. We can regularly make trips to hay direct or malabar feed however, so if you would like to donate hay please call them and well pick it up as room becomes available.
Again thank you thank you thank you from this wonderful community 💕💕💕

10/28/2026

😫We are so sorry to have to share this extremely saddening news today…..

This is one of the hardest posts we have ever had to make, With the heaviest of hearts, we have to share the heartbreaking news that , the sweet senior gelding who came into the care of Painted Horse Rescue after surviving being stabbed and violently beaten in Cocoa, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Sadly, Hadley suffered from a neuromuscular disease called STRINGHALT or SHIVERS. This caused him to uncontrollably stomp his back legs on the ground as hard as he could without warning and he wasn’t able to control it. Unfortunately this caused him to shatter his REAR RIGHT PASTERN. Given his age and the severity of this injury, there was no kind way forward. Jill had to make the heartbreaking decision to let him go. 💔

Our hearts were simply not ready to say goodbye.😢

We had developed such a special bond with Hadley. But for Jill, there was something about that sweet boy that found his way deep into her heart. He wasn’t just another horse in her care. He was her Hadley. The connection they shared was something truly special, and having to make this decision for a horse she loved so dearly was devastating.

But sometimes, love means making the hardest decision of your life. It means putting their needs ahead of your own broken heart. It means letting go when every part of you wishes you could have just a little more time.

Love is letting go, even when your heart isn’t ready. ❤️

We later learned that Hadley’s struggle with stringhalt had NOT shown before his time in Cocoa. 😢 We may never know exactly why or how he developed it, but we have an idea. (See photo that explains)

Hadley so deserved kindness, comfort, and a chance to enjoy life……And that is what we wanted for him. That is what he received here at the rescue for the few months that he was here with us. He was the absolute sweetest, most gentle, loving, respectful, funny, best boy and we are going to miss him so much. 🥺

Hadley was one of the most loving horses you could ever meet. And oh, how he LOVED dinner time! (Or anytime food was involved) 😂❤️ He would get so excited when Jill came bringing his food that he would call out to her, making sure she knew he was waiting. His little voice, his excitement, and the way he looked forward to seeing her became part of the daily routine. Those seemingly little moments become the biggest memories when they’re gone.

Although his time here was short, and after everything he had been through, Hadley finally got to experience what every horse deserves: safety, a full belly, gentle hands, and people who loved him simply for being him. Not for how many rides he did that day or what number he placed that week in a show. He didn’t have to do anything but relax and enjoy life.

His broken leg was a heartbreaking, unexpected tragedy. We wish with all our hearts that things had turned out differently. But we will never regret giving him a safe place to land, caring for him, and showing him that there are people in this world who love him and will protect him.

At Painted Horse Rescue, we believe rescue isn’t just about saving a life. It’s about making whatever time remains, a life worth living. Sometimes, the final act of love is knowing when to let go, even when doing so breaks your own heart.

Jill gave Hadley that final gift. She chose to spare him further suffering, even though she wasn’t ready to live with the emptiness he would leave behind. That is love in its purest, most painful form. ❤️

Run free, sweet Hadley. No more pain, no more struggling. May there be endless green pastures, sunshine, and all the dinners your heart desires. 🌈🐴

You came to us after experiencing something no horse should ever have to endure. But your story didn’t end there. Your story also held love, safety, full meals, happy calls, and a woman who loved you enough to make the hardest decision of all.

Your last months were filled with the love you always deserved. We weren’t ready to say goodbye, Hadley, but we are so so grateful we got to love you.

You were loved. You mattered. And you will never be forgotten.
💔🌈 Rest in Peace, Sweet Hadley. You Were So Loved. 🌈🐴

— Painted Horse Rescue

10/05/2026

Jill’s rescued horses are so lovable. Today, she kept following me around and then just like our kids, wouldn’t let me talk on the phone.
Volunteering brings me such joy. Reach out to Jill if you can help support the rescue or wish to volunteer.

10/02/2026

💪🏼Yesterday we had our absolute favorite sheath cleaner, Stefanie with Stud Crud Busters, out at the ranch to take care of our fellas, and wow, did she deliver fantastic service! 🧼🐴

During the cleanings, she pulled out the biggest bean from that we’ve seen since our sweet boy Timmy (who we miss dearly ❤️). Stephanie mentioned that poor Hadley probably hadn't had his sheath or bean cleaned in over 10 years! It was so large that she actually had to break it apart just to safely remove it! 😳
Poor guy must be feeling SO much better and more comfortable today.

🛑🛑Why is sheath cleaning so important for the boys?
For our geldings and stallions, routine sheath cleaning isn't just about hygiene—it’s vital health care:
✨Preventing Pain & Blockages: Over time, sm**ma, dirt, and dead skin build up inside the sheath and form hard, stone-like deposits called "beans" in the urethral fossa. If left unchecked, these can become massive, making urination painful or even restricting urine flow.
✨Avoiding Infections: Trapped debris creates a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to uncomfortable swelling, inflammation, and potential urinary tract or sheath infections.
✨Pest Control: Clean sheaths help keep flies and external parasites from causing irritation or sores in sensitive areas.
✨Early Detection: Regular cleanings allow us to spot abnormalities like growths, melanomas, or injuries early on.

A huge thank you to Stefanie Guillaume Equinetherapist with Stud Crud Busters for keeping our rescue boys feeling their absolute best! Give your boys a check-up—they’ll thank you for it! 💙

10/01/2026

🐴 THE SCIENCE OF 24/7 FORAGE: Why Constant Grazing Saves Lives (And How You Can Sponsor a Meal Today)
Did you know that a horse's digestive system is biologically designed to process small amounts of fiber continuously for up to 18 hours a day? Unlike humans, who produce stomach acid only when eating, a horse’s stomach secretes gastric acid 24/7.
When a horse goes for hours without food, that continuous acid builds up in an empty stomach, quickly leading to painful, debilitating gastric ulcers.
Keeping high-quality hay available round-the-clock is vital medicine for our rescue horses, especially during these dry months when pasture grass is unavailable. Here is how continuous forage intake protects their health:
• Natural Acid Buffering: Constant chewing produces a continuous flow of saliva, which contains calcium and bicarbonate that act as a natural, protective buffer against stomach acid.
• Colic Prevention: The horse's large hindgut relies on a steady stream of structural fiber to keep things moving. A constant supply of hay keeps the digestive tract active and prevents dangerous impactions.
• Thermoregulation & Energy: Fermenting fiber in the hindgut acts like an internal furnace, helping rescue horses naturally regulate their body temperature and safely maintain their weight when pasture grazing isn't an option.
Providing this critical, continuous care requires an immense amount of forage, and we urgently need our community's help to settle our current supply balances. 🌾
We are currently facing vital, overlapping bills with our local suppliers. If you are able to call either merchant directly, you can contribute any amount directly to our rescue account:

🛑 Hay Direct Account: It is time to settle last month's bill. We still owe for August ($1802), and with September ($1761) coming to a close, our next major forage invoice is due. Please call or text them to make a payment on our account:
📞 Hay Direct (https://www.haydirectfl.com/contact): (321) 626-5727

🛑 Malabar Feed Account: We also heavily rely on them for essential daily nutrition, including specialized feed, senior formulas, vital minerals, and extra hay. Please call them to help clear our running balance:
📞 Malabar Feed and Farm (https://malabarfeedandfarm.com/): (321) 951-0019

Every single dollar called directly into these accounts goes 100% toward the health, comfort, and recovery of our horses. Thank you for partnering with us to keep their hay feeders and hay bags full and their systems healthy! 🙏🧡🐴

09/28/2026

🐴✨We wanted to give a quick update on🐴✨Daisy & Glory🐴🩵

We are thrilled to share a wonderful, heart-warming progress update on Daisy and Glory, two of the horses that arrived alongside and are currently staying at a neighbor's pasture down the road.

Both Daisy and Glory are doing remarkably well! They are steadily gaining weight, eating with great appetites, and showing a noticeable surge in energy. Most importantly, it is clear from their demeanor that they are feeling so much better every day.

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who continues to support our efforts. Your positive thoughts, prayers, and good vibes are truly making a difference. It is inspiring to see how deeply our community cares about these horses and their journeys toward recovery. 💪🏼

Every bit of support—no matter how small—helps make outcomes like this possible. Thank you all for being such a vital part of their healing process. Please keep the positive energy coming!

09/24/2026

✨🐴It’s been so busy, I haven’t had time to post…..

But here is an Update on Sweet Hadley 🐴❤️

It is hard to put into words just how special is. He is truly the most precious, gentle soul, and every single day he reminds us why rescue work matters so much.

After everything he has been through, watching him settle into a peaceful, safe life has been nothing short of a gift. He is steadily and slowly gaining weight—building back his strength step by step, right at the healthy pace he needs. His body is healing, and his spirit is shining brighter than ever.
Hadley has completely stolen our hearts and settled in as a beloved member of the farm family. He absolutely adores everyone here—Well, almost everyone! He’s made it very clear that he’s not quite sold on his nosy neighbor, Sonata, who just loves to poke into his business. 🤣😅 It’s kind of a love, hate relationship!😆
Thank you to everyone who has followed Hadley’s journey, sent love, and cheered him on. Stopped by to meet him, or sent feed or supplies! He still has a ways to go, but with a full belly, a peaceful mind, and plenty of love around him, he is thriving!!! 💪🏼🐴🥕
Patti Yochim thank you so much for the adorable giraffe fly mask!! It is the cutest mask I’ve ever seen and he absolutely rocks it🙌🏼🩵🐴✨

Michelle Marie thank you for always coming to help and being so eager to learn. But most of all for loving all of them like we do💪🏼💕 Thank You!!

09/17/2026

Help and His Friends! 🐾❤️

We are raising funds to support Hadley and his 4 companions. Every donation goes directly to their care, and because this fundraiser is hosted on Zeffy, 100% of your donation goes directly to the cause with zero platform fees!

👇 👇 Click below to donate or share: 👇👇

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-help-hadley-and-his-4-other-friends

(Or click the link card attached to this post)

A horse that authorities say was repeatedly stabbed in a Brevard County animal abuse case is recovering at a local rescue, where caregivers say he has gained weight and is beginning a new chapter after weeks of rehabilitation.

09/16/2026

We had a visitor to show the world how is recovering. Please share to spread the word that he is slowly gaining weight and loves his new home!! He is the best boy🩵
👇🏻👇🏻DONATION LINK IN COMMENTS👇🏻👇🏻

A horse that authorities say was repeatedly stabbed in a Brevard County animal abuse case is recovering at a local rescue, where caregivers say he has gained weight and is beginning a new chapter after weeks of rehabilitation.

09/13/2026

✨We had an incredible day at the rescue - sanctuary yesterday!! Our rummage sale fundraiser was another huge success, and we are beyond grateful for this amazing community.
🙌🏼To everyone who stopped by, shopped, and donated to support our herd: THANK YOU!
🙏A massive, ENORMOUS Thank You to our incredible volunteers who gave their time and energy yesterday —setting up, breaking down, managing the sale, keeping everything running smoothly, and facilitating the sweet animal meet-and-greets. We truly couldn't do any of this without you! ❤️🐴
The afternoon turned into absolute wild chaos because, on top of the event, yesterday was also farrier trim day! But we adapted, powered through, and got it done 💪🏼.
An extra-special SHOUTOUT to our incredible farrier, Justin Mackey—we love you!! Thank you for always making it work, no matter how crazy things get.🤪🤣

While the event was a success, yesterday’s farrier bill was heavy, and we urgently need sponsors to help cover the cost of all 7 trims. 💔
Among those trimmed today was our sweet Hadley. For those who know his story, Hadley survived unimaginable cruelty before finding safety with us. Today, Justin had to carefully replace Hadley's special corrective shoes. Watching Hadley patiently lift his feet, trusting us after everything he’s been through, is a constant reminder of why we fight so hard for him. But his specialized orthopedic care comes at a high price, $175, and we need your help to pay for it.
If you can spare a few dollars to help sponsor or any of the other 6 horses trimmed today, $50 a trim, every single cent goes directly to their care.
How to Donate:
* https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-change-lives-monthly-reoccurring-donations
*Zelle - 321-591-3406
*CashApp - $paintedhorserr
*Venmo - https://venmo.com/u/Jill_H_Paintedhorserr

✨Thank you all for opening your hearts to our sweet rescue family! 🌾🐴❤️ We love and appreciate all of your support 🥰🐴💪🏼🐐