Official Statement: Re. Prisma

Thank you Animal Aid Abroad Inc for helping to feed our equines!

On 12 July 2016, Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Shelter (NANAS) received an email from Janet Thomas, Founder and Chairperson of Animal Aid Abroad Inc. informing us that they could help feed our horses.  This was after we sent out our announcement that very day to our supporters explaining our current situation together with an appeal for assistance.  (Please see Official Announcement of Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Shelter)

She had been following our work rescuing ex-working animals ranging from racehorses, show jumpers, riding school horses and even a pony from a theme park in Singapore and immediately offered assistance.

Their generous contribution on a regular ongoing basis will go a long way to help defray our feed costs.

Animal Aid Abroad Inc. (AAA) is an Australian registered charity dedicated to improving the living conditions and treatment of working animals around the world.  They work alongside partner groups to educate communities, provide shelter for animals and much needed food, water and care.

Here’s more information on Animal Aid Abroad.

Helping working animals all over the world

Animal Aid Abroad Inc. (AAA) was started in August 2007 in Perth, Australia with the purpose to improve the conditions and treatment of animals in Alexandria, Egypt.

AAA has expanded its operations to help other animals in developing countries specifically working animals including horses, mules, donkeys, camels, elephants, dogs and bullocks. 

In December 2008, AAA in partnership with their affiliated group, Animal Aid Egypt set up a 24 hr clinic in the city of Alexandria and begun outreach programs by setting up a weekly mobile equine/farm clinic and TNR programs with stray cats and dogs.

AAA has progressed from this initial project and now assists a number of groups all over the world to help working animals.

For more information, please visit their website: www.animalaidabroad.org

From our equines: Melody, Cinzano, Prisma, Boom Boom, Primus, Accolade, DJ and Don Juan thank you very much!

Farewell my friend...

Sir Whatmore

5 May 1998 to 9 May 2015

        To my owner,

When I won races and brought you glory, 

you cheered and praised me. My owner.

When I could no longer race and had to retire, 

you cast me aside and abandoned me. My owner.

Alas, when I was into the twilight and breathed my last, 

you were unaware as you have forgotten me. My owner.

       Your once faithful race horse,

       WhatMore.

Whatmore (left) with Sky Governor running with dogs.

Photo credits: Anne Young

Boomerlake and Whatmore (both were ex race horses) -
RIP my dear friends.

Photo credits: Anne Young

"Ask not how much your race horse won for you but 

ask how little had you done in return" - Author Unknown

Thank you Anne for capturing these photos of Whatmore for us to remember.

The spirit of a Warrior

Sir Steadfast Warrior

Knight Commander
11 September 2006 to 1 February 2015

Age: 8 years 4 months

Sunday, 1 February at 11: 45 a.m. we lost a dear friend Sir Steadfast Warrior who has been fighting a battle from his illness which the vet suspected that it was acute esophageal obstruction known as choke, swallowing disorders or uncommonly with congenital abnormalities of the upper airway.  Acute obstruction of the esophagus can happen in horses that eat too fast, have poor teeth or for a variety of other conditions that prevent the esophagus from functioning normally.

The past one week, Raymund has been painstakingly taking care of Warrior and administering the drip line on him to ensure that he was not dehydrated, watching him eat by giving him small meals and providing tender loving care (TLC) to Warrior.

When Raymund told me that Warrior was unwell on Wednesday 28 Jan morning, immediately the next day  I applied for urgent leave in order to go to Noah’s Ark to see Warrior - just in case we will not be able to see each other on Saturday, 31 Jan which is our regular visiting day to the sanctuary.  I took the day off to spend time with Warrior and to recall the good times he had at Noah’s Ark.

Warrior’s condition looked guarded – he was fighting to stay on but in his heart I knew that he was feeling miserable and down, the same feeling as us when we are sick.  When his time is ready, I know that he will go when his mission is completed - to see his close friends before he can rest in peace.  

Saturday, 31 Jan at 10.00 a.m. Warrior was looking fine and we were hopeful that he would pull through and recover, he was showing signs of improvements. I believed that he wanted to put on a brave front like a warrior showing the visitors from Lasalle College of the Arts that he was ok and he didn’t want them to worry too much in order for the students to continue their work at the sanctuary.  I could hear the students telling Warrior to get well soon and to continue fighting the battle.

If a horse gets sick, they are not like dogs that you could take them to an animal hospital – only the Horse Racing Clubs in Singapore and Malaysia have hospitals for horses and it is only for “race horses”.  

What happens if a horse outside of the racing club that needs to go to a hospital?  
The answer? “None”.  

How does a horse receive treatment if they are unwell?  
A vet will do a house call and analyses what is the wrong with the horse and administers the necessary drugs.  When a horse falls sick – they go downhill very fast and we have to be mentally prepared for the worst.  

This morning, when Raymund told me that Warrior had passed on, in my heart what is most important is that he passed on with dignity.  When Warrior retired from his career as a Race Horse – he did not have to be put down or be "deleted" a term used in the race horse industry.  Although Warrior’s stay at the sanctuary was only for a year and 4 months, he knew the meaning of freedom and he got to be a horse.  Warrior passed on with his last breath in the presence of Raymund and allowing him to stay at the sanctuary.  It is Warrior's way of showing Raymund his gratitude for taking care of him. Horses are like dogs - they are Man's Best Friend.

I have informed Warrior’s trainer Chris that he passed on and he said “Warrior’s life at Noah’s Ark was the best compared to his friends who have retired else where.”  So Warrior you are one lucky horse!

I have seen how you have raced and you always gave your best.

I will always remember you for your strikes and movements.

I loved the way you galloped when you have fun.

I have seen you rolled and played with mud, 
                 which was your happiest time.

You are a Warrior and living up to your name.

You are a Champion in our eyes.

You are a Friend.

You will always be Remembered.

Your buddy Chun Doong will miss you dearly.

We will ensure that he is fine and he will find 
                a buddy to accompany him.

I have witnessed your freedom the day you step on the grounds of 
          Noah’s Ark and now you are free to go anywhere you want on 
          Rainbow Bridge - a happy place for all God’s 
         Creatures Great and Small.

 By Lynda Goh

Warrior when arrived at Noah's Ark and the first thing he did was
to play with mud. 

Warrior running free with Primus (right).

Warrior with Chun Doong his buddy.

Warrior, Chun Doong and Primus arrived at Noah's Ark.

Chun Doong, Warrior and DJ hanging out.

Dawn of a new day. 
A warrior's spirit fading,

My journey complete.

- Steadfast Warrior's Haiku

(不抜武者の俳句)

My Reflection by Siang Li Ting

It was a lovely cloudy morning as we headed into Noah's Ark. I was especially looking forward to this trip again as it has been 3 months since I last visited the sanctuary.

The last 3 months has passed by in a blur as my own 16 year old dog was battling canine cognitive dysfunction for quite a while, and it has gotten worse after his 2 major operations last year for cancer, and I had to juggle work commitments together with caring for him, which has proven to be an uphill task. I had to make the tough call of putting him to sleep last month as he was not getting any better and I wanted him to go in peace and without pain before his condition worsened.

After I took some time to heal and gotten over much of the grief, I knew JJ wanted me to continue to spread the love that I had to other animals. And with much expectancy I went to Noah's Ark, knowing full well my soul will be very much recharged again and I can spread my love to the many animals there.

Having volunteered with the horses in March this year during a Volunteer's Open House, the horses have left a deep imprint (or hoof print, if you may!) in my heart. Interacting with them gave me a sense of peace and deep calm, and grooming them gave me a chance to be up close and personal with these majestic creatures.

I loved horses since I was a child, but due to a lack of finances, was unable to take regular riding lessons to continue being with horses as much as I would like to. Noah's Ark's amazing work with rescuing these retired racehorses and riding school horses have allowed people like me who love horses to come and work with them in a way quite unlike any other stable.

Horses get to roam free with the dogs.

Because in Noah's Ark, there's one thing that is starkly lacking with many stables elsewhere, and that is freedom – something horses need and crave for. Without the pressure and stress of having to make top spot in a race, or having to take rider after rider on their backs at a riding school with, the horses returned to their most natural self. Watching them get turned out to graze and roll over their backs in the sand to relieve an itch was amazing and soul-fulfilling. They were happy, and it showed.

Giving Cinzano a bath. 

And it's not just the horses, every animal that walked through the doors of Noah's Ark has been given a second chance in life. They know and cherish it. Dogs run free through green fields, cats receive tender loving care in their catteries, and even the monkeys got an upgrade to their enclosures recently! It was truly amazing knowing there are dedicated volunteers who dedicate their time, money and efforts into making sure the animals do not experience the same and often traumatic past they had.

This time round I connected more so with another horse named Chun Doong, also a retired ex racehorse, his name means Thunder in Korean. But what may have once been a name given by his ex owners to ensure a top spot in a race has given way to a sweet soul that stood by with his eyes closed in contentment for a long while as I stroked and scratched his chin. There and then I realized we have so much to learn from them-for enjoying a pleasurable given moment you have now in the present, despite your past.

When evening neared, we were given a chance to ride some of the horses leisurely. I jumped at the opportunity to pick up where I left off many months ago, and was much appreciative to the big boy Cinzano, a beautiful 16 hands high horse who allowed the very inexperienced me to be on his back. I have much to learn! But I am so ever grateful to my beautiful four-legged teachers for being gracious with me.

The skies soon darkened quickly and it was time to pack up and leave. Fun times always pass by in a whizz. We left for a sumptious dinner of crabs with great company, and everyone left feeling satisfied in body, soul and spirit.

Noah's Ark is and will continue to be a legacy, where God's creations can freely roam and are all given a second chance. I urge all who have never visited the Ark to drop by sometime. A word of caution though.. you may find yourself wanting to come back again and again, just like many of us!

Horses at Noah's Ark: The Perfect TEN Residents

Melody

Primus @ Sanuk

  

Northern Prisma Three

Noblewood Cinzano

Apache

Whatmore

Chun Doong

Steadfast Warrior

  

Daring Journey (DJ)

Biegun @ Boom Boom

  

Horse Sponsorship

It costs S$100 / RM250 a month to sponsor a horse at Noah's Ark .

To sponsor a horse, please click Horse Sponsorship Form.

Your sponsorship will go towards food, medical, supplement and upkeep of the horses at the sanctuary.

Sponsor a Bale of Hay

You may also support by sponsoring a bale of hay at S$50 / RM125 for the horses.

For details, please click Hay Sponsorship.

Noah's Ark Horses: Apache

Name: Apache

Sex : Gelding

Age:  est. 15 years (as at January 2014)

Birthdate: Born in 1999

Colour:  Fleabitten Grey

(Brown specks of hair flecking an otherwise grey coat)

Breed:  Thoroughbred

Arrived at Noah’s Ark: In 2009

Apache is a Polo Horse rescued from Leisure Farm. Due to leg injuries, he could no longer be ridden for the game and horses with his fate are usually put down.

Apache now spends his time grazing with his buddy Whatmore, living a carefree life in the sanctuary.

Apache and friends.

Noah's Ark Animal Sponsorship

To sponsor Apache's stay at the Ark it costs S$100/RM$250 a month.  Your sponsorship will go towards food and medical expenses to upkeep his stay at the sanctuary. 

For sponsorship form, please click here.

Click their pictures to meet our other horse residents at Noah's Ark.

Melody

Primus @ Sanuk

Boom Boom

     

Prisma

Cinzano

Warrior

Chun Doong

Daring Journey @ DJ

Whatmore