Little Red was kept in a 4x8 stall with no turn out at a childrens riding stable. He had a horrible tumor the size of your fist spreading on his neck. I almost didint take to Red, because of the insightly thing, but I continued to think about him. He wasnt trained to do anything but go in circles. I retrained him with the help of summer camp instructors (Bill Collins & James Wyatt in Alberta being most important) I decided to learn English. Ramblin Red was his show name. I won the high point English Pony Pleasure for the Maritimes and was invited to the Canadian Royal Fair in Toronto with Red. Unfortunately I outgrew him, but kept contact with his owners for 20 years as he moved to several new homes to teach other children how to ride.

 

One of my farorites even has a tumor in his sinus's and had tubes drilled in his head with big drain straws. Whimpy was an unbroke 2 yr old skinny blue roan and the owner was tired of the vet bills. Whimpy took me to the Maritime Championships for Hunt Seat Equitation in Canada at 4yrs of age. He later became a police horse, as I continued to "rescue" ohers.

 

There have been many horses over the years but these 2 were the beginning of my adventure.

 

Not all of my horses have been show horses. Many were not even halter broke, and I placed them after I got a gentle handle on them. Things didn't alwsy go smoothly starting out. I had big dreams in the beginning when I purchased my first house. I wanted to save the world in the 80's. I had been picking up 1 or 2 horses at the feedlot- the last stop in the road when they were going to the slaughter plant (and out of the 100+ I saved from there NEVER got a lame one!). I worked up to room for 5 at a time at my place, but then got caught up in the excitement at a killer auction. I purchased 23 weanlings at a sale out of pitty- the meat buyer was bidding against me. High bid was $35 on most of them. With my 2 horse trailer I had to trailer them all to my home 1 1/2 hours away and provide them with a place to live. I was set up on 5 acres for 2 horses at that time. My Well was not set up for that many either and went dry 3 weeks later. Trips to the Mini Mart with milk jugs were my only savior. I was single and I was on my own in this adventure at that time. Fortunately I was able to place all of the babies, and sell the property. Rescuing horses doesnt go well when you fly by the seat of your pants. You need  A PLAN!

 

When I decided to offer riding lessons in Texas in the 90's I was presented with several Free horses to use (most were not suitable for the purpose). I found there was a need for placement for unwanted horses and looking into getting my 501 c 3 so I could have the resources to help more. I got my non-profit but, unfortunately it doesnt open up flowing rivers of money, like I expected. There were many things I had to learn over the year about how to finance my horse addiction in order to successfully be able to accept and place horses. In fact, until 2006 during the horrible drought and then flood, the word "No" was not in my vocabulary- only the words "where do I pick him up?". After racking up 3 credit cards to pay for all the unwanted horses who came, loosing my fence and barn to high waters and downed trees, I had to finally say "No". As heart breaking as that is, I have discovered I cannot save them all- only the ones I have the room and finances to care for properly. Its a lesson I learned and will be paying for, for quite some time. 

 

I do this for the love of the horse. There is no repayment. Its simply because I dont want them to be starved, slaughtered, or neglected, and Im willing to leverage my finances on this problem. When push comes to shove, even if you are a 501 c 3- someone is ultimately responsible for the debt, for the animals who cannot be placed, and the property where they live. When the donations are not coming in for several mosnth, where does the money come from the feed old Dobbin? The IRS will hold someone accountable as well- utimately you! Corporation or not- you need to be aware that there are liabilities - with finances and with your volunteers actions, and with the people who enter your property and may become injured by something stupid they did (set the toddler in the new stallions pen to pet the horse while your showing the other kid where the bathroom is!).  

 

I meant to put this all in the form of a book (my 1st book was "The Horse Owner's Field Guid to Toxic Plants"), since I get many inquiries a month asking how to get a Horse Rescue up and running. However I never found the time- I am now getting my masters to be a counselor and have been certified in EAGALA (see www.eagala.org ) My rescues will be used in the program I plan in the future to offer here at Meadow Haven to help people- Rescued horses Rescuing people. Its a perfect fit until a placement is found for the horse. Plus it will give the horses a job so they can support themselves! They will earn feed bill, vet bill and farrier, which there is never enough funds for. The best part is, there is no riding involved, so everyone who lives here can participate!

 

So I have come to a halt on my project book. Instead  I have found a wonderful resource to share with you! Lori at Last Chance Ranch in PA has already done the work for me at her rescue, so I am providing you the links here to visit her and learn the ins and outs and see if your really cut out for the Adventure! All the info is free on her website!

 

HOW TO START A RESCUE