From the president
September 2025
Dear Supporter,
Once again, we are beginning to see hope that the brutal heat of summer in Arizona will soon be fading for another year. At least no more 112 and 114 degree days. Having to experience many months of extreme heat each year brings me once again to talk about not only the heat of the summer but the many harsh conditions for pot-bellied pigs living in a foreign environment like the Arizona Desert.
They naturally live in warm, humid subtropical forests of Southeast Asia. In the United States they are generally considered exotic animals since they have been imported from a foreign country and are not native here. This is not their natural habitat for sure. So as well as the heat, here are some of the other problems that pot-bellied pigs have living here in Arizona.
They are foragers and thrive on grazing plants, a variety of fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds and insects that can be found in some parts of the United States but not much in Arizona. We provide a modified diet that consists primarily of pig pellets, canned pumpkin for those who need it and a small amount of hay. We provide the hay primarily for enrichment and fiber as well as providing some natural grazing behavior. Grazing provides social interaction and emotional contentment as well as some exercise.
The hard soil and caliche here in Arizona is harder on their joints and hoofs than natural organic soil where grasses and trees grow and organic materials decompose. While elbow dysplasia and osteoarthritis are prevalent in pot-bellied pigs throughout the country, it is almost universal among the pigs that are released to us at Ironwood and among our herds. We often see the beginnings of arthritis at an early age. Cracked dry hoofs are a big problem with our pigs as well, often requiring special meds and applying a conditioner to the hoofs to provide moisture.
Last but certainly not least, is the fact that pigs need and actually in some ways require for their well-being, mud wallows. They get a great deal of comfort digging in their mud wallows. The very first thing a new pig will do once he or she arrives is get in the mud wallow and dig and dig and then lie down. I think this natural behavior helps them feel a sense of security in their new surroundings. Water is precious here, but we have no choice but to walk over our many acres beginning at 7am on hot summer mornings filling pools and wallows. Even at that hour the pigs often come straight from their shelters to enter the mud wallows.
I hope this letter has helped you to understand some of what our pigs experience here in this harsh environment and what our challenges are to give them the best life possible. They are here. We don’t bring them here, but we exist to rescue them, give them sanctuary and with your continued support, to provide for them. Thank you so very much.
Sincerely,
Mary Schanz, President & CoFounder
