Friends of Ferdinand would like to acknowledge and thank Linda Pavey and the Brennan Equine Welfare Fund for providing a support grant for Angel, a 1980 chestnut thoroughbred donated to FFI. The Brennan Equine Welfare Fund is a unique grantor that provides for horses in their true retiring years.

Angel's story is the story of many unwanted horses. In June of 2007, Friends of Ferdinand was approached by a woman about donating a horse. A few months earlier, this good Samaritan had seen Angel in a feedlot, recognized her beauty despite her emaciation, and had taken her home. Based on the beginnings of her recovery and her worn lip tattoo, she appeared to be a 7 year old thoroughbred exracer that was once loved and well cared for. The timing was right and we were able to accept Angel into our racehorse rehabilitation/adoption program. It was a surprise, however, when the veterinarian told us that her tattoo and teeth put her at 27 years old.

Angel was placed in a foster home in northern Indiana with a wonderful family, a small herd, and twenty acres of rolling pastures. Angel has thrived, and it is still hard to believe that she is as old as she is because she is a beautiful horse with no health issues and a sweet, trusting personality.

Thanks to a support grant from the Brennan Equine Welfare Fund, Friends of Ferdinand has designated Angel as a permanent foster and will care for her until the end. She is our "poster child" -- a reminder of why we do what we do, and why we do it so carefully. Never again will Angel waste away in a feedlot with the threat of an inhumane death awaiting her.