Joanne

In the summer of 2009, a fellow went to pick up his horse in De Luz. While there he noticed an emaciated mare and was told he could take her home. He turned her loose on his property in Lakeside and tried to provide her with food and care. A couple of months later, a concerned neighbor called San Diego Humane Society and SPCA about the mare’s weight. In spite of the man’s good intentions, the mare’s needs exceeded his resources. Since the mare was technically a stray, she was taken in by County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. When she was not claimed by her owners, she was placed with us on November 1, 2009.

Joanne had a tough life. Extensive scaring in her right eye had left that eye blind. She had been branded at least three times. The branding on her left shoulder was nothing more than a large, crude scarring of three letters. In spite of the difficulties Joanne had experienced, she had a wonderful spirit. She was very friendly and trusting. She lived with Meg, our Thoroughbred mare who also arrived emaciated just a few weeks before Joanne. After arriving at Horses of Tir Na Nog, she gained weight. She also gained a name. She was named “Joanne” by her sponsor, in memory of her sponsor’s mother, Joanne Siebenaler.

On December 12, 2009, our hearts broke as Joanne was humanely euthanized following a diagnosis of a broken elbow. She had taken a tumble in her corral, one that most horses would have simply shaken off. Sadly, prolonged emaciation had robbed her bones of important nutrients, in all likelihood causing osteoporosis which made her bones fragile.

When Joanne left us, she took pieces of our hearts with her, but thanks to the generosity of her sponsor, Joanne will not be forgotten. The dollars initially donated for her sponsorship have been transferred to a special fund, called the Joanne Fund. This fund recognizes Joanne Siebernaler’s love of animals, and our beautiful Joanne.

Click here for more information about the Joanne fund.