Sage's Story
How did we begin as Thyme and Sage Ranch? It all started with me working as a vet tech in CA. It was a Friday night, and I was working late. I recall wrapping a racing pigeon's broken wing because most people would not help them because of diseases they could carry. The vet on duty looked over at me and simply stated, "You have too much time on your hands. I am going to give you my horse." So the journey began. I had to learn the basic horsemanship and ground work of a horse before Sage came to live with me. I had him boarded at a local stable and he became my best friend. He was about 16 hands tall and was the kind of horse that would walk over you if you fell or lost your balance. He quickly became the most spoiled and pampered horse. This is how my rescue turned from small animals to equines. Many people boarded and abandoned horses at stables. For liability reasons, these creatures were confined to a box stall with no exercise because everyone appeared "sue happy". I came in and raised enough money to transfer ownership and pair these beautiful creatures with underprivileged children. This became therapeutic for the horses and children. Once I relocated to WI, my horses, 13 at the time, were professionally transported. Well, Sage, my chestnut thoroughbred-cross, arrived at my new piece of heaven very ill. No new local vet could diagnose him correctly. When I called my pervious vet in CA at UC Davis, I was advised to get him to UW Madison immediately. I do no want to dwell on this too much, as it is still a very sad part of my life. In a nutshell Sage had pleurisy and was hospitalized for 3 months. When he did come home, his pre-existing condition of navicular was compromised by all his medications he was put to sleep after his coffin bone had rotated and sunk. I was completely devastated. Being that CA was a no-kill state for horses, I was not prepared for what I was about to witness in WI. I wanted to do something in Sage's honor, so I decided to go to a horse sale and adopt a horse that needed a home. I went to the fairground in a close city to an auction. Oh, the poor creatures. Hooves were curled, the skin and bones, the eye and nose discharge. That day I left with nine horses. You would be amazed not only of the before and after photos of proper care and good nutrition, but the rekindled spirit of these creatures is priceless.

So, Thyme and Sage Ranch began. We have easily taken in 86 additional horses from abused and neglect cases with about 75% taken from slaughter, some right off the trucks as they were pulling away with what would have been a terrible fate.

Thyme and Sage Ranch is a sanctuary for all kinds of animals as well as an adoption facility for many of God's creatures. We thrive on donations and would love to do more as funds allow. For more information, please visit our contact page.