HELPING HORSES NEWSLETTER
Winter 2009-2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!
(and Happy 1st Birthday to Helping Horses)
It's been a year since Helping Horses has become an official horse rescue. Though we had been saving and rehoming horses for years, it was last year that we decided to make our rescue a full time, 501c3 non profit organization. We have met some wonderful people and horses along the way. Below are some recaps from the year, some updates, thank yous, and what we have planned for the future.
(New to mailing list? If you have made a donation, volunteered for us or contacted us about our rescue, you have been added to our newlsetter mailing list (which only goes out about four times per year). If you would not like to be on our mailing list please email FLequestrian@aol.com)
Recap of 2009
Trip to New Holland Auction - (actually December 2008)
Molly and Benji were rescued from auction. Instead of going to slaughter, they were brought to Helping Horses Equine Rescue for rehabilitation.
Uno comes and goes - rescue horse was returned. Because he is a hard keeper and was not staying sound as he grew older, (therefore being returned to us) we decided to retire Uno instead of juggling him around even more. We needed to find him a nice place in a warm climate (better for his arthritis) where he can simply be a horse. We found a great place in Texas where Uno now lives on 1,500 acres. We get weekly pictures and are told that Uno is among the liveliest horses in his herd (below in the picture he is the grey in the front right). The large space is doing him good. For more information on this retirement home please visit www.horseretirement.org
Destiny, Bear and Ginger find forever homes
Helping Horses stepped in as these horses were heading to auction and they all found wonderful forever homes. A huge thanks goes to Christine Wright of Wright Rescue for taking in and finding wonderful homes for Bear and Angel in 2009.
Our New Location
Though we are grateful to Nancy Thomas and Thomas School of Horsemasnhip for housing our rescue for the first few months, we were very happy to move to our own barn in Spring of 2009. Our new location in Huntington gives the horses access to turnout where they are always allowed to come in and out of their stalls as they please. They love their new barn and it is wonderful for the rehab.
2009 Thank Yous
(in no particular order)
Our Rescue Horses say "Thank You For..."
Jody Bessner- many hours of training, support and "lectures"
Sabrina Keutmann- expanding NH, trailering, support!, etc.
Lucia- loving Benji and being consistent in his life. He loves you.
Annette- helping us with the new barn and whenever we are in a crunch
Gail- our Christimas Hay Surprise!
Cyr Family- all of your days of hard work. The horses felt your love!
Mrs. Keutmann- getting Uno back to health and all of your support
Connie L- your support, and for teaching your kids how to truly care for horses
Dawn- massages and being a wonderful, consistent volunteer who loves all horses
Pam G- your support (and the Sunshine rescue stories and updates)
Dr. Durnin- your support and patience with Molly!
Kathy B- photo clinic fundraiser and support
Lynda Smith- wonderful tack donation
Denise I- wonderful tack donation
Vicki Logan- hay donation
Dr. Perry- your patience and obvious love of horses, which so many people lose along the way
Regina M- a lesson which stayed with me long after our time was up
Tim Hayes- your time in helping with some of the difficult horses
Nancy Thomas- donating stalls to rescue
Caroline Mahon- massages
Dave Amon- donating a shoeing and set of shoes to our rescue horses
Maria Maguire- your hard work and loving the horses even in the cold weather
Jess- taking in a wonderful little horse and giving him a second chance
Christine Wright- your own natural rescue work and for finding great homes for Angel & Bear
Wendy C- saving a horse and giving her a new chance at life
Carol P- your support and help with paperwork (the hardest part of all)
Vincent C- your support and dedication helping the horses
Susan McCotter- your support and good advice and love of NH
Yvette- for recently joing Pegasus Club and for practicing NH
Katie McGowen- your help and time and understanding
Thanks to KIDS!!
Kids are our future and it's important that they are brought up to really love horses... and not just love RIDING them. These kids have showed support to the rescue in all different ways. Whether it is cleaning the barn, grooming, having a lemonade sale or giving all bday gifts to the rescue, these kids are amazing. In addition to being amazing riders one day, these kids will be knowledgeable, well rounded horse people.
Sarah A., Francesca and Shelby Cyr, Alison M., Isabella and Charlie L., Amy Benenson, Gilda G., Lisa M., Michelle Maguire, & Natalie C.
Coming in 2010... Natural Horsemanship Club for Kids!
Our Current Horses
Benji -
Nine year old, Quarter Horse gelding Benji is always the center of attention and the "barn clown". He is always playing with something and interested in whatever is going on. He was diagnosed with navicular after we saved him from New Holland auction. He has been getting special hoof trimmings every five weeks from Doug Hanna of www.appliedequinepodiatry.org and has been in rehab for this for almost a year. Benji has come a long way and is currently sound under tack (barefoot). He is very quiet and loveable. He would make a wonderful family/light riding horse. He's a great husband/kids horse who can sit for weeks and come out quiet and easy to ride. Benji does not mind traffic, he is good with other horses, and perfect for the vet and farrier.
Benji's Status = One of our volunteers fell in love with Benji and has decided to half board him for the winter. If all goes well she will be adopting him in spring. We all hope that it works out because they have a wonderful, loving connection. He will not be available for adoption during her winter lease.
MOLLY -
Molly is a sweet Quarter Pony in her mid-late teens. She is about 14.1hh. She has had a rough life and was very untrusting of people when she arrived. We have been working with her for almost a year now and she has come a long way. She is perfect for grooming and great around everyone including little kids. She is great for farrier and some vet work (but does not like IV shots or dentistry). After months of groundwork we are able to ride Molly in the round pen English, Western and bareback. Molly used to think that riding meant "go fast" but now she will walk, trot, stop and back up when ridden in only a halter. She knows all of the Parelli games and does well at liberty. Once you understand her, you will see that she is one of the sweetest horses around who just needs some better experiences.
Molly's Status = If someone is willing to continue her Natural Horsemanship training, Molly can be adopted out as a riding horse. She is sound and brave, but needs time to develop trust with more people. Molly is also available for adoption as a companion horse. She is an easy keeper and gets along with our other horses.
New Addition... CATS!
A wonderful cat rescue found two feral kittens on the Flushing Meadow Parkway. The cat rescue was looking for a safer place to release the kittens after they were spayed. We decided to have them come live in our barn. They are wonderful and friendly and make us laugh all day every day.
Welcome Black Friday and Magic Hat
to the Helping Horses (and cats) family!
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Book: Horses of Proud Spirit - written by Melanie Sue Bowles
DVD: Path of The Horse - documentary by Stormy May
(Beware--You might never look at horseback riding the same again!)
As seen in Parelli News...
Having a Great Time Together
"
I have been a hunter jumper riding instructor/trainer for the past 15 years. I went into this profession because of my love for horses and my dream to really connect with them. I didn't even realize that instead of creating a strong bond, I was working against the horses, adding martingales, stronger bits, and force. It was actually a fight with the horse to do everything and it was stressful! Even when I was having "fun," knowing that my horse was not ruined it for me. When I learned of Parelli and saw what people have accomplished in a natural way, I immediately switched over. For the first time (since my dreams as a child) my horses and I are truly having a great time together. I now look forward to my play time as the best, most fun part of my day. —Spirit S., Long Island, NY "
What We Need:
Accountant
We are currently looking for an accountant that can help us with some of the paperwork and financial challenges. If you can recommend someone, please contact Spirit Seabre at FLequestrian@aol.com
SPREAD THE WORD!
We would like to increase the size of our mailing list. If you know of any groups or any people that might like to hear about our rescue please forward the link or email. Emails go out one time per season to update everyone and to give info on upcoming events.
Donations
Please visit Pegasus Club to see how to sponsor a horse via paypal and also Wish List to see what we are in need of at the current time. All donations are tax deductible and go toward current and future rescue horses.
COMING IN 2010...
Natural Horsemaship Club for Kids!
Kids will learn about horse behavior, living a natural life, how to make horses happy, Natural Horsemanship games, and more.
Horse Ownership Classes
Want to buy a horse but don't know where to begin?
Want to learn more about caring for horses?
Want to make the relationship you have with your horse even better?
Want to learn how to groom, tack, wrap?
Helping Horses will be offering lessons about horse care and horsemanship at our barn or yours. Helping Horses will also be available to assist you in purchasing your new horse.
THANK YOU for a wonderful 2009!
Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers and sponsors!
-Spirit Seabre
Founder of Helping Horses Equine Rescue