Matriarchs
Horses, cows, and pigs live in a matriarchal society. It is typically the smallest, oldest, and mightiest female that will lead the family to safety, food, and water. She will nurture the…
Teaching People Kindness and Compassion to Animals, Each Other and our Planet.
Love
February brings Valentine’s Day and with it, flowers, romance, and great appreciation for our loved ones. I will definitely be spending some special time with Jay and adoring…
Dealing With Change
Years ago, one of our wise mother cows, Witness prepared to make her transition. The entire cow family gathered around her and took turns stepping forward, laying their heads on her side to pay their respects. Once the entire family said their goodbyes, they…
A Thousand Reasons
With the fires, evacuations, and deep concern for our oldest animals came lack of sleep, missed meals, fatigue, stress, the flu, and in the end, a three day hospital stay; it…
The Greatest Movement In History
In the style of the late Harvey Milk, my name is Ellie Laks and I want to recruit you! I’d like you to join me in the greatest movement in history! The atrocities…
A Warrior
Bonsai was an enormous, mighty, strong, brave, courageous, opinionated, and feisty giant who ironically came to us in a miniature horse’s body. He was the victim of severe abuse for his first six years of life until he was…
Twenty Years
It feels like a lifetime, and it’s gone by in a blink. I’m so grateful to have served the last 20 years and I am excited to…
Kindness Always
Having a sanctuary is amazing; hearing the animals’ soft noises as they eat and rest, smelling the earthy grass and fur aroma from the barnyard, and of course, getting to spend time with all these mystical creatures is pure magic. Living…
Little Details
This week we brought another one of our horses to the hospital. Caesar is now thirty-two years old. He has overcome past abuse, has opened up and come out of his shell, has become the…
Warrior
Our miniature horse Bonsai has been in and out of the hospital now for about three months. Initially, he had a very painful impaction and over time caused an infection in his intestines. This took a very long time to heal. Horses have bacteria in their gut, including salmonella, which is dormant when they’re healthy and strong, but when they have an elongated illness that bacteria can take over. Bonsai was diagnosed with salmonella last week, which has caused a lack of appetite, severe diarrhea, and extreme weight loss. There is no way to directly treat the salmonella, however with supportive care, like Sun Chlorella, acupuncture, massage therapy, energy work, fluids, tube feeding, probiotics, daily visits and love, and great vet care, Bonsai is finally getting better, slowly.
There was a time where Bonsai had lost so much weight, was so uncomfortable, and was feeling so weak, that I was wondering if he had had enough and wanted to transition...
There was a time where Bonsai had lost so much weight, was so uncomfortable, and was feeling so weak, that I was wondering if he had had enough and wanted to transition...
Upcoming Events
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A Gentle Drive-Thru
Join us for a experience like no other at The Gentle Barn before.
Spotlight Sponsor of the Month
Spotlight Sponsor of the Month
Since its founding in 1984 CRYSTAL™ Deodorant has been a vegan, non-toxic, mineral-based line, focused on providing products that are cruelty-free. MyCHELLE Dermaceuticals®, founded in 2000, is known as the creators of the clean skincare movement, and is a brand dedicated to developing high-end, results-driven, cruelty-free products.
Animal testing is still such a problem in the beauty industry and in personal care products. We feel that it is our corporate mission to lead a different way and that is something we are proud to have done with our brands for more than 35 years. CRYSTAL™ and MyCHELLE® are proud to sponsor The Gentle Barns Gentle 12 program for the month of September.
- Catie Wiggy, Vice President of Marketing & Product Innovation for MyChelle Dermaceuticals and CRYSTAL.