As the founder/operator of a not-for-profit rescue, please let me be the
voice of "reason" in this new press of interest and activity. While the
INTENTIONS of everyone is never in question, sometimes the actions, reactions
are willy-nilly.
Rescues are in dire need to meet the care demands of the horses we
have saved from abused, abandonment, neglect or just being "unwanted".
Rainbow Meadows (our operation) only has operations capitol to continue into mid
May. We currently house 15 horses, a number of them Arabians (just picked
one up yesterday). We struggle daily with calls reporting neglect, horses bound
for slaughter and individuals who simply do not want to keep/care for a
particular horse any longer. If we had 100 individuals donating$50.00 a
month, we could relax and care for all the animals AND be able to accept a few
more. BUT, hoarding horses is as toxic as hoarding anything else.
Just because our hearts are big enough and our ranch large enough DOES NOT
validate taking more horses than we can support. We would welcome the
partnership of ANYONE who loves and cares for horses like we do and without that
support, we cannot continue. Our horses are not at risk, we have made a
personal commitment to provide their care, even if we do not have financial
support BUT, should that happen, our mission to save horses will die. It
will be the victim of economics. So, if we (Ridecamp) have funds to
support rescues in SOME WAY, then BY ALL MEANS, let's network. BUT, we
must understand one thing: once you save a horse from slaughter and pay
its ransom (such as Medina) we must ask "who will pay the next week's feed
bill?" Please DO NOT rally just to pay ransom, instead, have a plan.
Support your local rescue MONTHLY. Help pay on-going costs.
VOLUNTEER!!!!!!!
The ability of individuals to assist with the financial needs of saving
horses from certain death is critical to the on-going viability of
rescues. BUT, we also need to rehome the horses which are in residence, so
we can save more. AND, this cycle WILL NOT STOP until horse owners do the
following:
1- STOP BREEDING unless there is an identified "forever
home" or you plan to keep the offspring for its entire 30 or more years of
life
2- STOP BUYING from breeders who are contributing to the
problem - both backyard and professional
3- STOP looking at horses as throw away. As long as
slaughter exists, people will view it as a pretty easy way to dump a horse, for
whatever reason; too tall, wrong color, wrong gender, too old, not what I want,
etc.
4- STOP and think about the future of the horse if your
finances or health or "whatever" changes and you can no longer care for the
horse. MAKE PLANS NOW.
Just in the last 3 weeks I know, personally, of 2 specific cases where the
death or terminal illness of one member of the family has threatened the very
life of the horses owned. In one case, an unexpected death left 27 Curly
horses without homes; abandoned. In the other case, cancer has prohibited
the owner from being able to continue care and left 13 horses with no one to
care for them. This is unconscionable. If you haven't made
arrangements for your horses (and dogs, cats, goats, birds, fish, cattle, etc.)
DO SO NOW. Don't let them fall victim to your lack of planning.
Okay - off my soapbox. I would be happy to visit with anyone
personally about this issue to take it off the list.
Our web and phone contacts are below.
Karen Everhart MEd President Rainbow Meadows Rescue and Retirement,
Inc. www.rainbowmeadowsranch.com 620-725-3402
Owner/Operator Horse Calls - Equine Management Solutions Centered Riding
Instructor Distance Horse Conditioning and Training www.horsecalls.com 316-648-5082
