Project SAGE (Save A Grateful Equine) Horse Rescue was started in 2007 by then 17 year old Brittany Rostron in memory of her beloved thoroughbred “Sage”, who was a rescue horse. It is a New York State certified and ASPCA recognized non-profit organization, as well as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, whose goal is to save as many horses as possible from slaughter and place them in new homes. Since its inception, it has saved more than 30 horses and found new loving homes for many of them.

Project Sage

In Brittany’s own words:

“I always dreamed of rescuing a horse from slaughter, but being just 17-years-old everyone said I could never do it.  Well, about a year ago I started a program called “Project Sage” to help save a horse from the New Holland Horse Auction in Pennsylvania.  I created this idea in memory of my late thoroughbred, Sage, who passed away two years ago. A year has gone by and “Project Sage” has become bigger than I could have ever imagined. Four beautiful horses were spared their lives over this past year and two of them have already found loving homes. I cannot even begin to explain the amazing feeling you get looking into an animal’s eyes after you have rescued them.

My goal is to spread the word about the slaughter industry and get more people involved and informed about this evil that is going on in the horse world. At the auction many horses are bought for the specific reason of being sent to other countries for food consumption. Our pets, champion jumpers, and race horses are being slaughtered. I believe I will help change this, one horse at a time.”

Brittany and other volunteers with Project Sage, travel to horse auctions and rescue horses from feedlots that would otherwise be shipped to Canada to be slaughtered for human consumption in other countries. All types of horses end up at these dumping grounds. Some are former racehorses who can no longer win at the track, or lesson or show horses past their prime. Others are just family pets whose owners can no longer afford to keep them, or who no longer care what happens to them.

Rescued horses are examined and treated by a veterinarian and farrier, and rehabilitated until their health is restored. Some require only time to rest and re-gain their proper weight. Others need more extensive help including surgery in some cases.

Once a horse is restored to good health, the effort begins to place the horse in a new and loving forever home. Adopters are not only screened prior to adoption, but volunteers continue to visit the horses’ new homes on an ongoing basis to make sure they are safe and being cared for properly. All horses are placed subject to a contract to ensure they will never again end up at an auction or feedlot. If an adoption does not work out for any reason, Project Sage will gladly take back the horse and try to place it in another home.

Project Sage also attends many public and private events in the community in an effort to educate both children and adults on the inhumane slaughter and abusive neglect of horses.

What is most remarkable about this organization is that Project Sage doesn’t have its own facility to house the rescued horses, nor does it have a large endowment or government funds to draw on. Instead it relies on a volunteer network of private and commercial barns, as well as other rescue groups in Pennsylvania and New England, to foster the rescued horses until they are ready to be adopted.

Funds for the first horse rescued came from money raised by volunteers selling $1 candy bars at train stations. Currently, Project Sage also raises funds by selling riding gloves, donated tack and other horse items, by holding Chinese auctions and fund raisers at various Long Island locations, even by holding garage sales. It also receives donations from merchants who give a percentage of their sales of selected items to Project Sage. And of course, like all other rescue organizations, they are especially grateful for all monetary donations, large or small.

Donations to “The Sage Fund” are used specifically to help the horses on the feedlot. Members of Project Sage usually visit the feedlot once or twice a month, and the money in this fund covers the initial costs of saving a horse. This is literally the last chance for many of these horses. Donations made in memory of a horse also go directly into the fund.

In addition to outright adoption, Project Sage offers other opportunities to help, such as horse sponsorship for those unable to save a horse on their own because of lack of time or property. A donation can be made to rescue a horse from the sale lot, and in return the sponsor gets to name the horse and receive updates on his/her rehabilitation and eventual adoption. The donor’s name also gets listed on the web site as the horse’s sponsor.

“Life Line” donors can help the rescued horse of their choice for the small amount of $1 per day. Many of the horses have to stay in rehabilitation longer than others before they are ready for adoption because they may need more time to rest or heal. This money helps to pay for any necessary vet and farrier work, food, medications, training, etc.

And of course, if anyone has some free time to spare, volunteers are always needed to help care for the horses by feeding, grooming, cleaning stalls and water buckets, and especially by giving loving attention to a formerly neglected horse.

Project Sage’s many success stories include Hannah, their first official rescue. With the help of Another Chance for Horses Rescue in Pennsylvania, Hannah was saved from the New Holland auction lot. She was adopted and is now enjoying her new life and promising career as a Hunter-Jumper.

Patriot, rescued and adopted in July 2008, will soon be a regular participant on the Long Island show circuit. Patriot and Hannah have literally gone from the slaughter pen to the show ring.

Then, there was Uno, a seven year old pony also rescued from New Holland. The kill buyers didn’t even want him, but instead laughed and made jokes about him. For $50, his life was saved. After spending time recovering at a farm in Pennsylvania, he was also placed in a new loving home.

Ginger, a mini, was rescued by Project Sage, and later adopted by a lady who had rescued two other mini horses that same week. All three minis were from the same broker lot and had most likely lived together before being sent to auction. Ginger and the other two minis are now reunited and living happily together again in their new home.

Dolly the mule, along with her horse companion Cassie, were also saved from the slaughter pen. Dolly has since found a new home in West Texas, while Cassie, a beautiful paint mare who loves to be with other horses, patiently waits for someone to adopt her as a companion horse.

Thanks to Project Sage, 30 year old Yankee and 24 year old Sandy now have forever homes where they will be loved and cared for, and can live out their remaining years in peace. And Promise, a mare who can never be ridden because of an old injury, will remain a permanent resident of Project Sage.

For more information on Project Sage, including pictures of horses available for adoption, please contact Brittany Rostron at “Sportie1030@aol.com” or visit Project Sage Horse Rescue at “www.projectsagehorserescue.org“.

Without a doubt, Project Sage Horse Rescue is well on the way to accomplishing its’ goal of saving horses “one horse at a time”.

I had spent a lifetime praying and dreaming of the day I would become a horse owner. Years of mucking stalls for free lessons had done nothing to persuade me otherwise and I decided without a doubt to move forward in my lifelong ambition of horse ownership. Looking back, maybe I should have been more specific in my prayers for a horse but I never thought I would find a horse like Fiona. Or is it that she found me?

My neighbor grew and baled hay for his cows and I figured the first step in attaining my dream horse would be to secure its food source. I walked away with not only but also, quite shocked my first horse. And what a horse she was.

It was with almost desperate despair my neighbor explained, to my surprise, that amongst his fields of grazing cows, there was indeed a lone horse. Given to him two years earlier for his children, this Thoroughbred ex-racehorse, had been written off as a loss and completely unable to be ridden. She had been left in a field to live with the cows and her existence had been literally forgotten by her owner, who knew nothing of horses. While the cows had managed to live a rather normal life, this 13 year old mare’s health had slowly declined.

I said not a word when I saw her the first time. She stood with a wary eye on her new, approaching company. It was obvious she was emaciated, covered in rain rot, and worst, her sensitive hooves had cracked straight through the top, making it almost impossible for her to walk. It was also obvious she wanted nothing to do with the situation and was quite content to stay where she was, cracked hooves and all. Her eyes showed not only fear but also a strong dislike for the people now inspecting her and her skin tensed under my hand at each touch. She was an impossible mess but at that moment, she looked glorious to me.

Fiona - A Horse Rescue Success Story

Without a thought, I took her home and prepared for the first of many long nights. Not a single piece of fencing yet stood, our barn had transitioned into an overloaded work shed, and the few trinkets I had collected for my dream horse over the years amounted to not more than a hill of beans compared to what I was getting myself into.

She was half wild, anxious, and rarely could I touch her without her rearing up. I couldn’t go near her with a brush or comb, even getting her to eat was a challenge. Not that the hours of attention I doted on her did not have an effect but it was in completely the wrong direction. We took pictures, notes, and called in all of the right people. The vet, the farrier, the dentist, and of course, the assortment of special treatments and medicines seemed never ending.

As her coat returned to a shining chestnut and her glorious mane and tail regrew (we had to cut all of her hair off because of how damaged it was,) so did her energy and her temper. Scars across her eye, flanks, and other sensitive areas spoke words she could not. Whenever we approached the fields, she could be seen, chipped knee, bad feet, and all, hightailing it for the other end of the field. We spent nearly a week fixing the barn to cater to her every need only to have her turn her nose up and refuse to step a hoof in it.

With the small amount of information we had, a tattoo mark inside her upper lip, we were able to understand better the life she had lead. For the first three years, she was a remarkable racehorse, and probably lived a life much more regal than we ever offered. Those things came to a quick end, however, when she chipped her knee and was unable to return to the track. She was bred for several years and then sold through several auction houses across the coast before shifting from farm to farm as she proved more work than pleasure until landing in the field where I found her in Culpeper, Virginia.

I spent nearly two years working with Fiona, and eventually added two other rescue horses for company, (untrained Loki and his forgotten mother, Barbie.) Fiona was truly the most beautiful horse I had ever seen, very much the Thoroughbred in her beauty and stature, standing over 16 feet. I worked with her daily, spending hours on her hooves, lungeing, and brushing her. By the time our relationship ended, I had successfully rode Fiona three times. Truly, I felt I had accomplished the impossible and the sheer joy I felt is indescribable.

Using the Parelli method, I was able to work through her fears and one of my biggest highlights was being able to touch her face, work it in my hands, and train her without bridle or bit. No training or book could have prepared me, though, for her growing angst and frustration with not just me and my over bearing attention but with anyone who walked on two legs and held a lunge line. Her hooves, still a daily struggle, had begun to deteriorate more and the doctor’s orders to stall keep her were more than Fiona could bear.

Several days of standing in a stall, even with daily workouts, had done nothing but prove to her that whatever thoughts she had on people rattling around in her brain must be true and she took matters in her own hands. With one swift quick of her right hind foot and a bad concussion on my part, I understood immediately she meant to end our relationship by all means necessary. Sadly, I let her back into the field that night knowing it was the only thing left I could do and it was without anger or resentment that I let her go.

With the limited choices for an ex-racehorse, and a sour one at that, and my limited experience, I made the best decision I could for her at the time. The life of a leftover horse can be devastating and usually ends in the worst of ways but I am glad to say she still lives happily on a breeding farm in Charlottesville, Virginia. Without a rider in sight.

I will never forget Fiona or our wild ride. I continued to work with horses and dogs that were in need of rescue and many stories had happy endings so I know my work had meaning. Her pictures are still on my walls and my saddle still smells like her but I have yet to replace Fiona, I don’t know if it’s even possible.

My wife and I drove along the narrow private drive with anticipation. It was our third weekend in a row spent horse shopping for her. She was a new rider and we had to find a stocky but short horse that was sane and mostly sound. Toss that in with the small budget we were working with and you could conclude that our goal was improbable.

The road turned to large jagged rocks, poor footing for horses I thought. When we reached the end of the drive we could see a barn in disrepair and fields with sparse grass. There were pieces of rusted construction equipment dotting the horse fields too. We noticed two horses in the field and it was obvious from a distance that one of them was a large draft breed.

Our hopes would build with every new prospect only to be disappointed. It was apparent we were in for more frustration.

The seller had been recommended by a friend so we decided to at least look at this horse to spare any hard feelings.

The owner was a pleasant enough man but he didn’t seem to know much about the care of horses. When I inquired about shots and teeth floating he thought I was talking a foreign language.

When the man went to get the horse out of the field I told my wife that I would spend a couple of minutes looking and then we would politely say, “No” and leave. We watched the man walk out to the field and hook a lead to the draft horse. The other one, a 14.2 hand chestnut followed at a distance.

The man came back to our location smiling with the draft horse in tow. “That one is too big.” I said.
“Oh no,” he said, “not this one, the one in back there. He won’t let me catch him but he follows this one everywhere.”

My wife slowly approached the smaller horse and gently took hold of his halter and I saddled him to try him out. He was old but you could tell he had good confirmation at one time and he had a real good handle on him too! Someone had taught him to neck rein very well, the lightest touch I ever experienced!

“How old is he?” I asked. “Twenty years.” he replied. My wife was doubtful but climbed into the saddle while I stood on the ground looking the animal over. He was a little underweight, had arthritis and there was something wrong with one eye. The man said the horse had the beginning of a cataract but could still see and the vet said not to worry about it. I noticed the horse was slightly head shy too.

We hadn’t talked about price but I decided to pass on the horse anyway and helped my wife from the saddle. The man didn’t argue and began to lead the horse back to the field but the animal wouldn’t take a step. The man had the horse’s halter in his hand and used it to slap him in the face. “Come on!” he yelled! When he went to hit the horse a second time I stopped him and said, “How much do you want for that horse?”

He paused to think but before he could say anything I stated, “I’ll give you six hundred if you throw in the saddle and bridle.” The man made the deal and we loaded Jake into our trailer.

Driving along the road my wife asked, “I thought you didn’t want that horse?”
“I don’t.” I said.

We drove in silence for a while as I pondered what to do with this horse. I didn’t think it would be the right one for my wife but I couldn’t leave him there in those conditions either.

Jake - A Horse Rescue Story

The next day I rode the horse around a bit and was still surprised by the way he handled. I knew this horse had been an excellent little cow pony for somebody when he was younger.

After a couple months, Jake gained weight and I decided to keep him as a pasture buddy for my other horses. I called a vet to check out his condition. The vet said that Jake was in excellent shape for his age which was closer to thirty not twenty. “What about the cataract?” I asked.

“What cataract? That’s not a cataract that’s an injury from something hitting him in the eye. He’s totally blind in that eye!”

I had an idea how that had happened. I felt sorry for the old horse so I devoted plenty of time correcting his head shyness and putting weight on him. Jake become one of my favorite horses. Even though I was too tall for him I would ride him every so often just around the yard. I used to sit in the barn when it rained and listen to the drops hitting the metal roof and Jake was always there beside me. We comforted each other.

We knew that friends who didn’t know how to ride would be safe on Jake. He also taught several of our nieces and nephews to ride and was a great companion for my other horses and me. He befriended my black and white paint and the two were inseparable. In fact, in the April 2004 edition of the Paint Horse Journal, an article was published about my paint. Included in the story was a mention of his pasture buddy, a one eyed chestnut. A horse that a few years ago had been doomed to misery was now being mentioned in a national magazine.

Jake was truly one of my best friends. But like everything else, horses don’t last forever. We had stopped riding him and for two years we allowed to him to do whatever he wanted. We kept him fed and healthy and let him know every day that we loved him. One day Jake began falling and having a difficult time getting back up. I knew the time had come.

We slowly walked Jake from the field and even though it was difficult for him to walk he willingly stepped into the trailer. We took him to New Bolton Equine Center in Pennsylvania where Barbaro spent his last days. Very caring staff members clipped some of his tail hairs for us, then they gave Jake an injection and our old friend went to sleep.

My wife and I cried all the way home. To this day I still look at his photos of which we have many and I shed a tear for our old friend.

We are proud that we were able to increase Jake’s lifespan and make his last years comfortable. Jake did more for us than we could ever have done for him because friendship and trust from a helpless animal is a great reward.

We miss you Jake.

Written by: Jan Hoadley

Horse racing gets a bad rap when it comes to “rescue.” When it was learned that Ferdinand had, like Exceller, died in a slaughter house those in the Thoroughbred community were hit hard. Not only disappointed by the loss of a champion tossed away, but facing condemnation of others in the horse community. Thoroughbred fans and owners took the blame for something not of their doing.

In March 2008 a Thoroughbred gelding was found in a feedlot in Washington state. Slated for the end of his career and life the gelding had passed through the ranks and landed as far down as a 10 year old gelding at the end of his racing life could go. The old boy had a name and while many knew it, it took one to put the name to him in those surroundings. Cappuccino Kid. He earned nearly a quarter of a million in his career, once being claimed for $50,000. He was a known name at Bay Meadows, Golden Gate and Hollywood Park. He was claimed for $10,000 in March 2007, raced three times for a partnership then started in a different name at Grants Pass Downs in southern Oregon.

A racing fan, Linda Madsen, fronted the $425 needed to get Cappuccino Kid out of the feedlot. SOS Equines, a Washington based organization, had contacted exercise rider Alex Brown when finding the gelding to set things in motion. Brown made a call to Kentucky to Old Friends, an equine retirement farm.

With Cappuccino Kid safely out of the feedlot donations came in to pay for his transport to Kentucky. During his time on the track the gelding had 44 starts with 10 wins, 7 second and 8 thirds. His half brother is a little more famous grade I winner Medaglia D’Oro now standing stud in Kentucky.

As a gelding nearing mandatory racing retirement Cappuccino Kid’s prospects were much more meager. There was no breeding career. He knew one thing racing. The work of many meant one bay gelding has a well deserved retirement.

This is not the first time Old Friends has taken horses from a distance. Sunshine Forever, a 1985 stallion was a stakes winner including the grade 1 Turf Classic at Belmont with a narrow miss in the 1988 Breeders Cup Turf, winning Eclipse honors as best Turf horse. He ended up, like Ferdinand, in Japan. Along with stablemate Creator they stood at the same farm Ferdinand did and are the first two stallions returned to the US from Japan.

Old Friends is also home to Bonnie’s Poker, dam of Silver Charm, himself now in Japan. Ogygian, the last son of Damascus, is in residence, returned from Japan in August 2005 and now 25 years old.

The horse many have seen on the big screen but few know his name lives here. He became famous as an actor breaking from the starting gate literally in “Seabiscuit.” On the racetrack he did earn 11 wins over six years, but far more saw him in his portrayal of Seabiscuit. Popcorn Deelites was one of six bay horses that appeared to bring the mighty Seabiscuit to life for modern audiences.

Perhaps the closest call is that of Williamstown, a chromed out dark son of Seattle Slew who set a track record in 1993 at Belmont carrying 13 pounds more than the horse that set the mark. He stood in Kentucky then moved to New York and finally Iowa in 2007. Due to infertility issues plans were underway to euthanize him until the insurance company holding the claim took possession of him and contacted Old Friends.

A less known resident is Riva Way. His sire is a son of the legendary Secretariat and his dam is sired by the other Meadow Stable star, Riva Ridge. Riva Way may bear physical good looks to his grandsire but after five years of claiming races the gelding had a record of 11 wins and in the money 19 times from 56 starts. He’s typical of the Thoroughbred seen and often forgotten and when injuries prevented his ability to start on the track he was retired to Old Friends.

Slated to retire at Old Friends is champion and fan favorite Lava Man. A very popular older gelding Lava Man had some questions surface in routine x-rays. The 7 year old has 7 grade 1 wins and just over $5.2million in earnings. He’ll have a permanent home at Old Friends and still be available for the public to see.

It’s all great to get the big horses say the critics. It isn’t just big horses at Old Friends. In fact one of them is quite small. He never started a race and has no lifetime earnings. $40 pulled him off the truck, some time spent cleaning him up at the track. The track had horses but “Brownie” had to go. Renamed Silver Charm due to his silver mane and charming personality, he was renamed again when people said he wasn’t the real Silver Charm. Now Little Silver Charm, a miniature horse stallion resides with the big horses.

Old Friends is funded by donations. There is a wish list posted on their website of items needed and anyone with racing memorabilia on the horses in residence can donate it to a planned racing museum. There are books available on the site that 15% goes to Old Friends. Tours are given of the farm with donations going to the horses. This is the only Thoroughbred retirement facility that takes stallions. They were a beneficiary of funds from Breyerfest 2008 and maintain an eBay store as well as accepting donations online. Additionally anyone who feeds Southern States or Triple Crown feeds that does not use the proof of purchase symbols from select bags of feed can send them to Old Friends, where they are collected and benefit the horses. There are also sponsors who assist and private donations given.

Old Friends is located at 1841 Paynes Depot Road, Georgetown Kentucky. 502-863-1775

While it’s true horses don’t live forever Old Friends gives these gallant old guys a place to just be a horse. Occasion died in April of 2008 at 27 years old and had her last years being cared for with dignity. These horses, despite what many think, are more than a checkbook expense. The unfortunate truth is it takes money to care for these horses. Send them a check or paypal today and help them be able to help another horse. Sometimes, like Cappuccino Kid or Williamstown, they don’t have much time left. Do it today so that they have the care they deserve and are able to help the next horse in need.

Appaloosa - Horse Rescue

A Skinny Appaloosa: A Horse Rescue Story

Written by Jan Hoadley

A search for a horse brought a phone call about a “skinny appaloosa” who needed a home. She was in a pen with two dominant Arabians and if she didn’t finish her food before they did, or if it was too close to them, she went hungry. The story was her teeth needed work, and she needed a home. Sierra went through times that would kill ordinary horses.

I went to see her and the description did not prepare me for what I saw. She was beyond skinny. She was a skeleton with a hide draped over it. Without a trailer, I had to ride several miles to get her, then stop multiple times to let her rest on the trip home. She was put in a field to eat. For the first month I thought she would die. Plenty of grass with a little grain was her diet, and it was a case of easy on the grain for fear of colic or laminitis. Her teeth were done and she was wormed and checked over by a vet who proclaimed the only thing wrong with her teeth was not getting enough to eat.

A month later she was still alive. Two months, three months passed and she started filling out. Her backbone and shoulder no longer showed visible bone. She had muscle over her hip and it was no longer a matter of pushing on her and she’d stumble sideways. As she gained weight I wondered if she’d gain attitude but in time I found not only was she good to clip but she’d allow her ears done without a twitch. Someone, somewhere along the line thought a lot of this mare. The muscles came back and there were fewer shadows and bones showing. It was clear she would live.

She had finally gained sufficient weight to stand light work so short rides a few times per week were in order. While she definitely had her preferences she didn’t have a nasty attitude. After many months and much food went through the system there was a faint trace of rib left to show of her ordeal. Her feet told the story if anyone looked, but one anonymous know it all left a nasty note on the door of “people like you shouldn’t own horses.” It made me wonder what the point was in even spending the time and money to build her back up then I’d go work with her and the nasty note didn’t matter. People assuming anything and accusing without a shred of a clue of the facts didn’t matter.

Sierra was a joy to ride but was not pushbutton. She had the heart to cross whatever waterway she was pointed in, no matter how deep. She would carefully navigate hills and natural trail obstacles. Her short term mental meltdown at balloons and shopping carts was humorous, her fear of drainage grates was a quirk to not pick a battle over. She’d calmly walk along the road as drivers came close enough to reach out and touch with my foot.

She’d pony other horses, but didn’t have patience for their attitudes. It was when a lesson horse was needed that she found her calling. In particular a young man I’ll call “Tim”. To say Tim was quiet was like saying Sierra was a little skinny when I got her. He’d answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ but that was it. His mom brought him for lessons and although I questioned using her sometimes, Sierra would ride that balance of enough to be a challenge and sensing when to calm down. Because of her background that was known, and how much wasn’t known, she was a substitute lesson horse. Except for Tim.

In a ‘game’ to teach emergency dismounts it was a point to Tim if he got off before Sierra stopped and a point to her if she stopped before he cleared the saddle. Not only could he get off at a gallop and land on his feet, but he’d spend time just being with Sierra. She’d close her eyes and lower her head. He was the only person besides me who she clearly 100% trusted.

It was not until months later I found out what Sierra already knew – what she had sensed and “zoned in on.” Tim not only had been horrifically abused by an uncle, but his demeanor when I first met him is how he was all the time. Because of Sierra he gained confidence – he initiated conversations in time. She reached where counselors and testing and people could not. Much as she trusted few, so did he. His mom later privately pointed out that until he started taking lessons she wasn’t sure how to reach him and credited my teaching with his change, but I knew the truth. I had nothing to do with it – it was Sierra.

She tolerated almost everything including competing in a scoop shovel race. For those who haven’t lived this is an entertaining event involving two people, one horse, one rope and a scoop shovel. The rider snubs the rope, tied to the shovel, down while the other person must sit on or hang on to the shovel the entire length of the arena and back. The fastest time down and back with both people in their respective places wins. We didn’t win but she did her part.

Some time later someone thought it would be funny to open a gate and turn some horses loose. Sierra was hit on the highway and had to be euthanized due to an inoperable break below the hock. She was a throwaway horse that gave her heart every time it was asked and should have had many more years hanging out in the field, begging for treats and drooling on anyone silly enough to stand next to her after handing her an apple. She is buried in Oklahoma but her memory lives on. A part of me and several people she taught to ride went with her, but as long as that memory is alive so is a part of her.

Horse Rescue - Joe After Rescue

600 pounds at 16 Hands – Horse Rescue of Joe

Written By: Kate Manning

This is an accolade to two horse lovers from Florida – Gaetan and Michele – who over the past 20 years have taken on and cared for many horses after they were abandoned at their former boarding stable – turned rescue home – by their owners. But one horse in particular holds within his memory, a life that one can only speculate and imagine..

One day in March 1999, Michele received a call from someone enquiring about boarding. When she asked what breed of horse the owner had, she was told that the horse had not been bought yet! Still, what they expected, and the horse who slid off the trailer, were two very different things.

As Joe, what should have been a quarter horse, exited the trailer, he fell over and sat down. Michele immediately called the vet. This heap of skin and bones was bought at auction for the rock bottom meat price of $200. Not that there was any meat on him, luckily!

Joe was just too weak to support his own weight and for many days could not even stand up. Joe was wormed and tests were taken to determine his health and the likelihood of his survival was looking dim. He weighed in at a dismal 600lbs. For a 16.2hh horse that it a pitiful weight.

Rehabilitation commenced. He was fed small portions and often. He had ample hay and bulk feeds, and they also determined that when they fed carrots at night, his preference was peppermints! And why not the boy deserved them!

During the first week, Guy had no choice but to remove Joe’s waste manually. Reaching in and taking out feces many times a day was not a nice task but when you care enough about someone or something, you go above and beyond without hesitation.

As for Joe’s new owner Guy and Michele received the first month’s board fee. The next month they were met with a rubber check. After that, they received on half of the months rent. Then – nothing. Poor Joe had been abandoned again, but this time into the right hands. Having worked so hard at keeping him alive and regain his strength, they were not about to give up on him now. Gaetan and Michele were the proud new owners of a bag of bones!

Miraculously, Joe soon found his feet and started to gain weight. He was given free grazing of the whole property, and could wander freely. He started to become acquainted with the other horses as well. Although it would still be a long way to go before he could be classed as in the safe zone’. But the fates turned. Call it coincidence or extremely bad timing. Shortly after becoming Joes new owners, he contracted EPM. One morning they noticed that he was not moving his back end properly. As he walked, he was somehow dragging his legs. The vet was called again and treatment began for the EPM.

This neurological disease was treated daily with a medicine that was shipped in from Canada, consisting of Pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. He was also given spinal taps of medications. During one of these, while outside, Joe suddenly shot up and tipped over backwards. He went shooting off with the needle still in his back! Joe has had a habit of tipping, since long before they owned him. One can only speculate as to the treatment he has received in that past, but he has cribbed (wind sucked) since day one. When applying a cribbing collar he also flipped and he would also flip when a farrier tried to trim his back feet. The farrier episode is probably a result of the EPM, since it may have caused a trapped nerve which hurts when he picks his leg up too high.

For a horse of his size, things did not look good from day one. The daily treatment for EPM continued for a month. Shots, pastes and other treatments were performed on a wing and a prayer.

The treatment was continued, and thankfully, at the end of it, Joe recovered from the disease. Ever since, he has always walked slightly oddly with his backend. He still picks on leg up a little higher than normal when walking.

For the past 9 years Joe has lived in Florida with Guy and Michele. They put weight on him, rehabilitated his health and now, only the way he walks is a physical reminder of what they all went through. It is tough to imagine just what he went through before he arrived at their farm. Joe is loved by everyone, despite the fact that he does hold a slight disrespect for someone standing in his way, especially for a cool blooded quarter horse. Perhaps rightfully so, considering what people have put him through. Although, we do say that he is Quarter horse and three quarters bull!

Joe has learned to love people again and lives happily on the farm here, roaming free around the 10 acre property. His only qualms include the flipping when a crib collar is put on, and if the farrier tries to lift his rear legs – as well as the occasional going through the fence! But he is such a wonderfully sweet horse. His story is one of success and respect for mistreated horse and the people who strive to help them recover and return to being what a horse should be.

Sammy – A Horse Rescue Story

Written by Alisa Atkinson

The story of Sammy really begins eight years ago with the story of her mama Misty.  I bought Misty from a lady I met through a friend, a woman who owned many horses but for some reason was reluctant to let Misty go.  After an agreement was made that Misty would be bred and the foal would go to the lady, Misty was mine.  At the time, I didn’t think the deal was a bad one but as time passed it became clear that this was possibly the worst deal ever made.

Sammy was born on a cool early November night in 2002.  It was clear right away that something wasn’t right; and despite urgings from her dam and repeated attempts by me she didn’t get up to nurse.  The veterinarian determined the tendons in Sammy’s front legs were contracted, which prevented her from straightening her front legs.  Without physical therapy, she would not survive.

I stayed in the barn for the next two nights massaging Sammy’s legs to lengthen the tendons and bottle-feeding her to keep up her strength.  The next morning she still could not stand on her own, but she never gave up.  By that afternoon, Sammy was showing real improvement.  Once on her feet she began to get her balance.  By the second day, she could get up on her own and finally I could breathe, she was going to be just fine.

It became clear the morning after Sammy was born that this was going to be a long journey.  Because I became attached to Sammy while trying to ensure her survival, I approached her owner and offered to buy the filly.  She wouldn’t hear of it.

In the months following Sammy’s birth, I approached the woman many times about purchasing her and when my husband and I bought a farm several miles away, I approached her one last time as I knew I could give her a better home than this lady who adamantly insisted on keeping her.  To my horror, she refused; and my heart was broken.

As years passed, I learned more and more that things were not as they initially seemed at the woman’s farm.  It became increasingly clearer that the horses that lived there were not getting the best care.  In fact, the county animal control visited the property three times but still nothing was done.

My heart ached for Sammy.  I wondered often what her life was like.  More than once I called the woman to see if she had changed her mind about Sammy (she hadn’t) and I always asked about her when I ran into her.  I would always tell the woman before we parted: “if you ever change your mind, please call me first.”  I was afraid that call would never come.

But it did; and on May 22, 2008 my dream came true.  Sammy’s owner had realized that she could no longer care for all the horses and she wanted me to have Sammy.  She knew I would give her a good home.  Hanging up the phone, the words echoed in my ears: “She’s mine, I can have her.” Slowly the words settled; I was speechless, excited, and worried.

I got in my car to go see her.

What my eyes found was horrifying.

Coming Home

I found not only Sammy but also 13 other horses starved. If it were not for Sammy’s markings, I would not have recognized her at all. She was so thin and small; her ribs and hips were poking out and it looked as though time had stopped for her.  Oh, my beautiful Sammy was the size of a yearling despite the fact that five years had passed.

Tears streamed down my face as I realized some of the poor horses were locked in dirty stalls with no food or water.   It was a nightmare.  All my dreams of Sammy and how beautiful, healthy, and strong she must be after all these years evaporated into a nightmare of pain, hunger, and waste.  Sammy looked so weak and lost as I turned to leave.

I whispered a promise to her: “I will be back.  Tomorrow I will take you home.”

I arranged to pick her up the next day, and tried to find homes for the others.  I decided I was going to do everything I could to get them out of that nightmare, but I had to do it without making the owner angry and causing her to shut down communication.

However, the following Wednesday, the county came and took six of the worst horses, and charged the owner with six charges of Inhumane Treatment of Animals.  Two days later, one of the six seized horses was euthanized because it was unable to stand due to loss of muscle mass.  It was determined by necropsy that the horse was so malnourished his body had consumed the nutrients from its own muscle to sustain the vital organs.

On May 23, 2008, Sammy stepped off the trailer onto the green grass of her forever home.  The veterinarian had warned, however, that the green grass would have to wait for several days, as her system couldn’t handle it all at once.

Sammy Arrives Home

Sammy

Even though her pedigree was littered with much larger horses, Sammy weighed just 580 lbs and stood only 14.1hh at 5 years old.

Sammy's Initial Days Home

Settling in, I was not surprised when she inhaled the hay but I was surprised when she would not eat her grain or touch her water during those first few hours home.

The next morning little had changed, the grain was still there and only a small amount of water was gone.  Worried sick, I called the veterinarian.  He told me “be patient, she may not know what it is.  As long as she is eating hay she will be ok, don’t panic yet.”

He was right.

Later that evening when we returned to the barn, it was gone, all of it; and her water bucket was only ¼ full.  With great relief, I poured more grain in her bucket. She attacked it like a starving child.  I stood with a growing smile and tears of joy streaming down my face.  Oh, my beautiful Sammy is going to be okay.

Soon it was time for Sammy to have a friend.  I knew sweet Rusty would be the perfect companion and so I turned them out together.  The two were fast friends, and soon were napping together under the oak trees.   Another sigh as that familiar smile spread across my face; yep she is going to be okay.

Starting Again

My plan for Sammy was to get her weight up so she could join the rest of the herd she would so affectionately stare at over the fence.  In order to prepare for the “big day” I rotated a number of horses into Sammy’s pasture, which always provided us with some priceless moments that I would have given anything to capture on film, but I never seem to have a camera for those times. Ah, but then some moments are really just better kept in your memory.

On July 4, 2008, Sammy decided that she was ready to join the herd whether or not I was.  Sammy refused to follow her normal routine so… I held my breath and one by one turned the other horses into the pasture with Sammy.  I watched.  I watched some more.  They settled in like one big happy family and tears came to my eyes, as I knew Sammy was finally home.

Sammy (Forefront) - Gaining Weight and Friends

No training and very little else had been given to Sammy over the five years of her life.  Slowly the horse inside began to show though the dull hair and tired eyes.  However, like most rescue stories it is not all sunshine and butterflies. With an awakening often comes, fear, anger, and aggression.  Alone each of these are not a big deal but when they all crash together the results can be very dangerous.

From the time she came home, I made a point to be close to her.  Sammy began to show fearful aggression when confined or pressured in any way; and she would explode into violent tantrums when tied.  They began as mild pawing and escalated into violent kicking and rearing explosions.  I didn’t realize what the trigger was until the worst outburst nearly ended in tragedy.

After Sammy exploded into a kicking fit one day in which I was struck at least three times it occurred to me that Sammy was experiencing a great deal of claustrophobia.  Could she have been confined in one of those stalls without food or water before she came here?  Regardless, after the near tragedy, I made it a point to go slow with her, earn her trust, and give her time.

In rescuing an abused animal, the easiest part is the actual physical rescue from the environment; but to truly save them a person must be capable of dealing with the wounds that we cannot see.  Sammy and I began again; I cannot hold against her any of her actions, as she can only use the tools she has been given.  So, I gave her new tools to deal with frustration and fear; and she has learned how to use these tools to give a voice to her opinion about her training, her likes and dislikes.

Sammy is finally home and no matter what tomorrow brings she is safe now.  She has the home she always deserved and was destined to have.  As she learns and grows in more positive life experiences we will become more of a team.  The road may be long, it may have many rough spots, but she is worth every bump.

There is something unbelievably fulfilling about being involved with an abused animal.  Seeing them come from horrible conditions, mentally and physically to a happy and well-balanced animal with a productive job is truly a gift.  Sammy has many talents, and a wonderful, sweet personality; how she managed all those years and still has the ability to forgive and move on is beyond my comprehension.  Most people would say she is a lucky horse to have found her way through; but I say I am the lucky one.  I am the lucky one to have such an amazing creature’s love and trust.

Sammy - Before Rescue

Sammy - Just a Few Months After Rescue

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