equinewelfare

ERL losing lease in September. New farm needed.

2007-06-05T03:27:18Z

The Equine Rescue League,

an equine welfare organization in Virginia,
needs your help.

The Equine Rescue League, in Leesburg, Virginia is one of the oldest equine welfare groups in this part of the country, founded in 1990. ERL's founder, Pat Rogers, prior to opening this particular facility was the Farm Manager of the American Horse Protection Association's farm in Lucketts, VA before AHPA closed the farm and became more of a lobbying group. Pat had experience at this before most of the rest of us even heard of "horse rescue." She also attended auctions with Gail Eisnetz (author of Slaughterhouse) back in the 80's so was (and is) very committed to this mission.

ERL, in its first year of operation, took in a herd of 32 neglected Morgans from a case prosecuted in a nearby county. The owner received the harshest punishment ever given for a cruelty case at that time. The community rallied at that time, providing funds, supplies, and volunteer labor. If not for that support, caring for 32 starving (and many pregnant) horses would have been next to impossible.

In later cases, one involving 19 Appaloosas arriving at one time, one involving several starved foals only a few months old, and one case that inspired all who visited........The Gold One........the community again came together and helped ERL provide intensive care. At other times, arrivals were not as dramatic, one horse here, two there, but ERL was always there, plugging away feeding, watering, treating injuries and, sadly, offering peaceful ends to those for whom help came too late.

ERL set the stage for most of Virginia's other equine rescue operations. They've allowed many of us to adapt their contracts, for example, for our own use rather than making us reinvent the wheel. They've done more than most people realize to raise awareness of equine humane issues.

Now, Their occupation of Churchland Farm, which has always been a temporary arrangement, is coming to an end. Loudoun County, one of the fastest growing in the nation, must reclaim the property for landfill expansion. ERL has until September 22, 2007 to find a new home. In an area of such rapid development, land prices have skyrocketed over the last 5 years. The current market is not one easily entered by a charitable organization whose primary mission.....caring for neglected horses.......puts every donated dollar to immediate use. Saving the amount of money needed to purchase suitable acreage has been difficult.

Its time to rally the community again.

ERL and its residents need your help. The organization is asking for your assistance in procuring a property, raising funds, and soliciting donations or grants.

Please help them continue their work in Virginia. Losing this groundbreaking organization that led the way in the area would be a tragic occurrence. With no ERL, there would have been no Flower, no Bob, no Churchill, Goldie, or countless others.

From ERL's web site:

The Real Heroes

Although the Equine Rescue League depends on volunteers and private donations to help horses in need of our services and to maintain its farm shelter, the real heroes of our stories are the horses themselves.

Regardless of past mistreatments or abuses, these horses continue to trust, and even like, people. Each one seems to believe that the next stage in its life will be better than the last; that the next caregiver will treat him with kindness and respect.

It is always inspiring to see how quickly a horse can recover from total neglect once appropriate care is administered. The convalescent period is tackled with a "gusto" not seen in most human patients.

These pages are dedicated to those victims who would not resign themselves to an unpleasant fate.

How can we give up when they do not?

Please contact the Equine Rescue League office at 703-771-1240 if you can help them continue to help horses like those mentioned above. We can't afford not to.

VA - Riding Mule

2006-11-12T12:00:35Z

Meet Buster, November's "Feature Friend" on HorseWelfare.net. Buster is available for adoption through White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue in Burkeville, VA (even though he's far from being an Appaloosa!)
More information: http://www.horsewelfare.net/

To feature an available horse on HorseWelfare.net's home page, send photo and pertinent information to smithmc @ infionline.net (remove spaces)

Chris

Traveller's Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary
Spotsylvania, VA
http://www.equineelders.org
http://www.horsewelfare.net/

Scotland - Animal Health and Welfare Act

2006-10-08T13:47:41Z

"As Scotland’s largest equine charity, BHSS has a network of welfare advisors ready to give anyone advice and practical help on horse welfare in Scotland."

"The duty of care means those owners who don’t understand the needs of their animals will have to learn – and those who should know about welfare but disregard it will be committing an offence.

"The Scottish Executive says it will issue species-specific codes giving practical advice on caring for animals in due course but, meantime, anyone concerned about how to care for their horses can contact The British Horse Society Scotland and we can issue advice or offer practical health and assistance via our network of regional welfare advisors across Scotland."

See entire article:
http://www.petsmiles.com/v1/?section=stories&no=12663&area=fun_stories&page=0

The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2006/asp_20060011_en.pdf

ID - OTTB shooting for World Equestrian Games

2006-07-19T12:09:46Z

Seven years ago, a small Thoroughbred wasn't making it on the racetrack. A thirteen year old girl, however, saw something in him worth getting excited about. This week, the pair are among finalists competing for a spot on the U.S. Equestrian Federation team scheduled to compete at the World Equestrian Games Aug. 22 to Sept. 3 in Aachen, Germany.

Read Sara and Tony's story:
http://www.tdn.com/articles/2006/07/19/ap-state-wa/d8iur1481.txt

UK - Four-Year-Old Boy Rides for Charity

2006-07-14T12:53:47Z

You're never too young!
Here's a young British boy who saw a photo of an overworked donkey in a less developed country and responded by organizing fundraisers for the Brooke Hospital for Animals (a charity that helps working horses and burros in just that situation)

http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1084&ArticleID=1628730

For more on "The Brooke:"
http://www.thebrooke.org/htdocs/Home_49.php

UK - Brooke Hospital to Showcase Rescue Success Stories

2006-07-08T17:16:38Z

In a charity event for the Brooke Hospital for Animals, "organisers are keen to hear from any animals that have been transformed into a sports or companion horse and for owners/handlers to share their news and experience."

Event organizer, Penny Woolams, "said the aim of the show is to demonstrate just how rewarding a seemingly hopeless case can become with patience, dedication and courage on the part of both horse and human."

In addition to the rescue showcase, the event will include games, shows and an opportunity for rescuers from different regions to come together for recognition.

For more on the show visit This Is Cornwall at http://tinyurl.com/ptyld

Brooke Hospital for Animals "relieves the suffering of horses, donkeys and mules working for poor people in the developing world. Our dedicated local vets and their teams provide free care, education and training in the heart of the communities we serve in Egypt, India, Jordan and Pakistan."
http://www.thebrooke.org/htdocs/Home_49.php

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PA Couple Help Form Foster Network

2006-06-14T11:07:40Z

Officer Elaine Gower, with Action for Animals Humane Society in western Pennsylvania, says "Over the past four years, calls to rescue neglected and abused horses have quadrupled," she said. "We're finding horses in everyone's backyard, but they need more than that. You can buy a foal for $35, but owners soon find out they'll cost you $2,000 to take care of by the next year."

To help the Humane Society, which does not have adequate equine housing, Bryce and Christine LeJeune formed Second Chance Equine Association. One of SCEA's first projects is to connect the Humane Society and its officers with volunteer foster homes able to care for horses in need.

More on this story from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/westmoreland/s_457959.html

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KY - Old Friends relocates and welcomes Hall of Fame resident!

2006-06-10T13:46:59Z

Old Friends began as a retirement facility for post-career racing Thoroughbreds. According to the Old Friends web site, once the news of Ferdinand's death in a Japanese slaughterhouse became public, "the plan became to bring at risk racehorses--those whose racing and breeding careers had come to an end--to Old Friends, provide them with the dignified retirement they deserve, and open the space to the public. By promoting these one-time celebrated horses through a campaign of education and tourism, we realized we could draw attention to all retired Thoroughbreds and all equines in need."

Old Friends recently purchased and moved to 52-acre Dream Chase Farm in Scott County, KY and welcomed its first Hall of Fame horse, Precisionist.

More on the story:
http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33924
and
http://www.wiretowire.net/show.php?id=69

Visit this unique organization at the Old Friends website:
http://www.oldfriendsequine.org

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CO - 20 years of helping horses

2006-06-09T02:39:24Z

Colorado Horse Rescue is celebrating its 20th year in rescue.

"Since 1986, CHR has cared for and adopted out more than 1100 horses."

Congratulations, CHR!

Colorado Horse Rescue
http://www.chr.org/

VA - Lost Fantasy receives grants

2006-06-08T20:05:52Z

Lost Fantasy Rescue, in Ceres, VA, is the recipient of an Avrum Katz Foundation Grant as well as grants from Petco and the Guident Foundation.

"Lost Fantasy Rescue is happy to announce that we have received a $1000 donation from the Avrum Katz Foundation, which supports organizations working for the benefit of children, animals and health-care related research.

In addition, Petco has given Lost Fantasy a $500 donation and Guident has given us a $250 donation to help to feed and care for the many animals currently in rescue.

Lost Fantasy Rescue is a 501(c)3 organization working with the rescue, adoption, and sanctuary of equines and companion animals in need."

Lost Fantasy Stables and Animal Rescue, Inc.:
http://www.lostfantasystables.org

VA - White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue awarded grant

2006-06-08T02:32:30Z

Thank you, White Bird, for sharing the good news. Congratulations!

"The White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue is pleased to announce that we have received a $1000 donation from the Avrum Katz Foundation. The Avrum Katz Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation that was originally founded in 1993 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Foundation donates money for the benefit of children, animals and health-care related research.

The White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue is a 501(c)3 equine humane organization that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes Appaloosas and other horses in urgent need.

It was founded in 2003 in Marshall, VA, but is currently relocating to a larger facility in Burkeville, Virginia. We are honored to be the recipient of this substantial donation and grateful to the Foundation for its compassion and generosity."

White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue:
http://whitebirdapps.com/

Thoroughbred Adoption Network

2006-06-07T20:21:54Z

Hosted by the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center, a Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Facility at the Kentucky Horse Park, The Thoroughbred Adoption Network is a national search engine for Thoroughbreds available for adoption.

Participating adoption organizations include Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, Bright Futures Farm, CANTER, The Exceller Fund, Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program, the Horse Protection League, MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, ReRun and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Each organization has its own adoption criteria. Once horses of interest are found through the network, the potential adopter should visit the websites of the participating adoption programs to view their procedures. Links are provided on the network's web site.

Thoroughbred Adoption Network:
http://www.thoroughbredadoption.com/home.aspx

Helping Equines and People Come Together

2006-06-07T16:31:25Z

Helping Equines, at http://www.helpingequines.org ,"was created to provide horse owners and rescue facilities with another alternative to assist in finding new homes for their horses."

Owners needing to find new homes for equine friends may list horses with Helping Equines at no charge. Helping Equines is a listing service only. Horse owners are responsible for interviewing potential new owners and may, therefore, maintain control of where their horses go.

Helping Equines is open to both rescue organizations and individuals.

The site also provides a list of rescue organizations at
http://www.helpingequines.org/horserescueorganizationlistings.html

TX - Haven offered at Osborne Stables

2006-06-07T10:50:25Z

From the Wilson County News:

"The Osbornes have 11 horses they call their own, plus 18 horses they have adopted to remove them from abusive situations. Their horse refuge is not a preparation for adoption. The Osbornes plan to keep all 29 horses for the horses’ entire lives."

"What the Osbornes do, more by example than by words, is set a standard for horse husbandry. The message is: If you cannot meet that standard, maybe you should not own a horse."

More on the Osbornes and the horses they care for:
http://tinyurl.com/zkku6

NC - USERL Launches Foster Training Course

2006-06-06T20:13:31Z

As announced on the USERL web site, "The most recent Foster Certification Training Course was held May 20, 2006 at the NCSU Veterinary College in Raleigh, NC. The course was designed to inform our USERL Fosters about our policies, caring for the neglected/abused horse, and working with them - just to name a few."

More on the program:
http://www.userltriangle.org/fostertraining.html

MD - Days End Farm Horse Rescue Volunteer Program

2006-06-06T12:37:53Z

Days End Farm Horse Rescue, in Lisbon, MD, offers many volunteer opportunities for people of all experience levels.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Farm Tech
Maintenance Engineers
Data Entry Clerks
Educations Program Tech
Marketing and Public Relation Volunteers
Computer Techs
Barn Check Volunteers
Equestrian Volunteers
Photographer Volunteers
(See http://www.defhr.org/vols/vol.htm for descriptions of volunteer positions)

All people interested in volunteering are required to attend a Volunteer Orientation. See http://www.defhr.org/events/cal.htm for dates. Your orientation will include:
Tour of DEFHR
History of DEFHR
Farm Rules
Days End Programs Available
Volunteer Opportunities
Body Language of the horses
Handling of horses
Grooming of horses

More information on all aspects of DEFRH volunteer program:
http://www.defhr.org/vols/vol.htm

UK - A Sour Start for Sweetpea

2006-06-06T10:48:42Z

From the Oxford Mail, a story of rescue, rehabilitation and the dedicated people who offered help.

"Alone, abandoned and severely neglected, Sweatpea the pony was so ill it was touch and go whether she would survive."

"The grey mare was rescued by Thames Valley Horsewatch...a self-funding voluntary organisation dedicated to crime prevention in the equine world."

For the rest of Sweetpea's saga:
http://www.oxfordmail.net/display.var.783629.0.a_sour_start_for_sweetpea.php

GA - HRRRF to host Osteopathy clinic

2006-06-05T23:58:01Z

Rescue organizations see a wider variety of injuries and illnesses than most individual horse owners. Many, therefore, are very open to investigating what traditional veterinary medicine describes as "alternative" healing.

Osteopathy is but one technique practiced by holistic healers.

Marcia DuBois, DVM, CVA describes osteopathy as focusing on "the free flow of fluids in the body. An area where the flow is restricted is termed a blockade. Areas beyond the blockade experience a decrease in the flow of nutrients into the area and also a decrease in the flow of toxins out of the area. This leads to poor oxygenation and the build up of toxic materials resulting in devitalization of the affected tissue. This devitalized tissue is called the terrain. It is because the terrain is present that the disease process is allowed to develop - not the other way around. In other words, a bacterium is allowed to invade the body and reproduce because the tissue is devitalized first. The bacteria perpetuate the devitalization; they don't initiate it. Osteopathy uses a series of physical adjustments - of the skeleton and/or internal organs - to release the blockade and return the terrain to normal. Once the tissue normalizes (generally within the first three days post treatment), the self-healing mechanisms can "kick-in" and the bacteria are expelled. Antibiotics may kill the bacteria, but if the terrain is allowed to remain, the infection will return and become a chronic problem."

For more of Dr DuBois' article, see http://savethehorses.org/pdf_files/equine_osteopathy.pdf

On June 24, 2006, Dr. Janek Vluggen (mentioned in article referenced above) will conduct a clinic at the Horse Rescue, Relief & Retirement Fund, Inc. in Cumming, Georgia 30040. Dr. Vluggen holds a degree in osteopathy from the International Academie of Osteopathy in Gent, Belgium has started two schools of osteopathy in the United States to train future generations of equine healers.
More on clinic: http://savethehorses.org/html/event-equineosteopathy.html

TCA approves $1.75 Million in grants

2006-06-05T21:24:29Z

Thoroughbred Charities of America Approves $1.75 Million in Grants for 2006

"At it's annual board meeting on May 13, 2006, Thoroughbred Charities of America (“TCA”) approved grants of $1,750,000 to 136 non-profits, representing equine rescue/retraining, backstretch/jockey, research, education scholarships and therapeutic riding facilities in 35 states."

Press Release Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Read more at
http://www.thoroughbredcharities.org/TCA2006grantapproval.htm

Welcome!

2006-06-05T16:59:25Z

This journal is born to draw attention to horse devotees, nationwide, dedicated to ensuring humane treatment of domestic equine in America. "Horse rescue" has come to mean many different things, from offering haven to abused animals to preventing inhumane transport, no matter the destination. Not all organizations see eye to eye on every equine welfare issue. Blanket agreement is not necessary to work effectively in the humane world, nor should it be expected. We hope, in this journal, to celebrate the accomplishments of equine welfarists, large and small, and to present an opportunity to express opinions on welfare issues in a well-reasoned manner. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you'll return often!