The wait is over for Bella and Canela! The adorable mother and daughter are now available for adoption after over 700 days at the shelter, and we couldn't be happier for them! Both horses came to HSVC as part of a neglect investigation in late May 2023, where they were found severely emaciated. Upon seeing their condition, our Humane Officers immediately impounded Bella and her one-week-old baby, Canela, and transported them to the shelter. After months of dedicated rehabilitation and nearly two years of waiting for their case to come to a resolution, both loving equines are now ready for a fresh start with a loving family!

Above: Bella, an 11-year-old Quarterhorse, was in an emaciated state with a Henneke body score of just 2 out of 9 when she arrived at our shelter in the Spring of 2023. Her baby, Canela, was just as thin.

When Bella and her newborn filly Canela arrived, it was clear they faced an uphill battle. Bella was so underweight that she couldn’t produce enough colostrum, the vital first milk full of antibodies, leaving Canela at risk. Thanks to a life-saving plasma transfer and five hours of intensive care from Dr. April Armstrong at Shoreline Equine, Canela received the immunity boost she needed, and her health began to improve. With additional vital care from the staff at Humphrey Giacopuzzi & Associates Equine Hospital, farrier Stacy Hyatt, and our dedicated shelter staff, both Bella and Canela made a full recovery from their condition. The mother/daughter duo are now both happy, thriving, and looking for new homes!

Bella has proven herself to be an incredible, adaptable horse. She is broke, lunges nicely, and absolutely loves baths. She’s great in the trailer, though she isn't afraid to make herself known. We think she would make an excellent kids’ lesson horse or a dependable partner for trail riding. With her calm nature and "more woah than go" attitude, Bella would thrive in a home with beginner to intermediate riders — especially kids. She’s smart, treat-motivated, loves learning new tricks (ask her to smile!). This sweet and affectionate girl loves people and is always looking to make new friends.

While Bella is a social butterfly with humans, she can be a bit selective with other horses, so a home where she can pick her herd mates or be the star of the show would suit her best. She's also well-behaved for the farrier and is showing great potential to become "bomb-proof" with continued exposure.

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Canela has grown into a lively "sour patch kid" — a little bit sweet, a little bit sassy, and a whole lot of fun. At just under two years old, Canela is very much a teenager: she can be slightly stubborn and protest new things at first, but with patience and consistency, she always comes around. She’s currently working on her basic groundwork skills and is making great progress. While she hasn’t been saddled or ridden yet, her solid foundation and eager-to-please attitude mean she could excel in any discipline with the right training.

This gorgeous gal gets along wonderfully with both horses and people. A social butterfly who loves attention, Canela loads into trailers well and travels relatively calmly for her age. She’s also learning to enjoy water (baths are still a work in progress) and is improving with her farrier visits as she continues to gain confidence. Canela loves to give kisses and is truly the affectionate type!

Because of her young age and spirited nature, Canela would thrive in a home committed to ongoing training. She has fantastic potential to grow into a children’s or beginner’s horse one day, especially with a family willing to work with her and help her blossom alongside a young rider. They can learn and build a beautiful bond together!

 Learn More About Canela