Bit Of Hope Ranch

Mounted Police Training Clinic A Huge Success

Suzanne — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:56:47 +0000

Eleven horses and riders from Bit of Hope participated in the Feb 4th and 5th Clinic held at Wolfe’s Born to Ride in Parrish. Robert and Kathy Wolfe were excellent hosts! Tek was a brilliant leader and trainer. Much was learned while we took our horses through maneuvers and over obstacles. The confidence building took place in a tremendously fun environment. If you have the opportunity to attend one of these clinics in the future, be sure not to miss out. See our face book page or gallery for more photos.

Christmas for the Horses!

Suzanne — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:01:46 +0000

Help our horses have a Merry Christmas! For a $25.00 donation we will decorate a stocking with the horses name and put it on their stall. We will fill it with horse treats, carrots and apples. We will post pictures of the horses eating their treats on Chrismtas Day! You can send your donation through Paypal (bitofhoperanch@msn.com) mail it or bring it to the ranch. If you want us to give your stocking to a specific horse, please let us know! This is a great way to give during the holidays and support the ranch.

CHRISTMAS PARTY!!

Suzanne — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 16:46:16 +0000

Please join us at our ranch for our annual Christmas Party!! Monday December 19, 2011 from 5-8pm. We will have chili, please bring a dish to share. Please RSVP by 12/15/11.

BARN WORK DAY!!

Suzanne — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:36:38 +0000

Please join us at the ranch Saturday, October 8, 2011 @ 9am. Bring your own tools, the ranch will provide drinks and snacks. Please contact the ranch if you have any questions or to RSVP.

Congrats!

Suzanne — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:31:51 +0000

Congratulations to the PGHA 2010/2011 end of the year winners. We are very proud of their accomplishments and can’t wait till next season!

Pictured L to R:
Sheridyn (Simon)
Bella (Cisco)
Reagan (Cino)
Carrie (Mercy)

Waffle Update…

Suzanne — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:15:58 +0000

Waffle has had her second treatment, one to go! If you would like to help with the cost of her treatment, please contact the ranch.

WAFFLE

Suzanne — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:13:39 +0000

Waffle, one of the horses at Bit of Hope Ranch, is suffering from a skin infection (cellulitis) in one of her hind legs. This is a common problem for horses of her breed (Belgian Draft) due to the fact that they have long hair that grown around their feet (feathers). These feathers, when not taken care of properly, can cause a lot of moisture to be held near the skin which weakens the skin’s natural barrier to infection. As a result, bacteria that would normally be no threat become a problem and horses get what is called an opportunistic infection.
This is what has happened to Waffle before she came to Bit of Hope. She has an infection which is due to three different bacteria, one being a MRSA species (methicillin resistant staph aureus). Currently we are working to treat Waffle’s infection with multiple different antibiotics as well as “Regional limb perfusions” (RLP). An RLP is a procedure in which a tourniquet is applied to the limb and antibiotic is injected into a vein. The tourniquet does not allow the blood from the limb to leave and go back into circulation and therefore the antibiotic is kept at very high concentrations in the area where it is needed most. This procedure is costly and needs to be done a minimum of three times.
Also, due to Waffle’s size, her therapy is more expensive since she needs to be given a higher dose of antibiotics.
Bit of Hope has taken on this challenge and would appreciate any help…

From: Dr. Whitney VanWinkle-Gulf Coast Equine Veterinary Services–941-266-1356

If you would like to help, please send donations to:

Bit of Hope Ranch
720 Texas St.
Englewood, FL 34223

Dr. Whitney VanWinkle (c/o Waffle)
7248 Frisco Lane Sarasota, FL 34241

BitofHopeRanch@msn.com (Paypal)

Summer Camp 2011

Suzanne — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:57:14 +0000

* Beginner Camp-July18-22

* Intermediate Camp-July 25-29

* Trail Camp-August 1-5

Please click on the forms below to print. There are a total of (5) pages in the packet. Forms can be mailed, Emailed or brought to the ranch. All forms need to be turned in by July 1, 2011 with a $75.00 non-refundable deposit.

Form # 1 (Welcome Letter)

Camp Form #2 (Registration)

Camp Form #3 (Bus)

Camp Form #4 (Wagon and Pool)

If you are unable to open the file, please let me know, I can send it through Email/snail mail.

Sun Fiesta Success

Suzanne — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 03:05:19 +0000

We had great success with the Sun Fiesta! We raised a good amount of money that was put towards Mercy’s Medical Bill. Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help, and all the people who donated for our cause. A very special Thanks to Classic Shears of Venice, they were there all weekend giving $6 haircuts with all proceeds going to the ranch! Thank you Dale and Denise and your wonderful staff !

Everyone was “Clowning around” at the parade~ a good time was had by all.

Bella on Tre

Abby on Wild Eyed Jack

Venice Sun Fiesta

Suzanne — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:01:05 +0000

For the Venice Sun Fiesta the Bit of Hope Ranch will have a booth set up the 15th-17th of October and participating in the parade on the 16th. We need volunteers to help with the booth!

The Sun Fiesta is an annual fundraiser for Women’s Sertoma of Venice and other community organizations.

Sertoma exists for the high and noble purpose of SERvice TO MAnkind by communication of thoughts, ideas and concepts to accelerate human progress in health, education, freedom and democracy. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the organization was founded on April 11, 1912. Over the years, individual members have brought forward their talents and joined the collective experience of thousands to chart a unique course of action for community service.

Their Main Event

The majority of their scholarship fund is raised during the Sun Fiesta which Women’s Sertoma has sponsored and organized since 1994. The first official Sun Fiesta was in October 1973. It originated to provide the community its last chance to get together before the ‘snow birds’ started migrating in November! It has remained one of the most beloved events of the year for the citizens of Venice. The celebration includes a parade, bed races, arts & crafts, food, music and dancing.
{Info from the Sertoma website}