What's happening

10/22/08

10/19/08 National Rescue Ride
What a great time at Mane Trails! Lynn and all the people were absolutely wonderful and the facility was great! It was so nice to be there and meet them and so many other wonderful horse people. Ah, the beautiful horses! It was great to also meet up with other members and enjoy the weather and time at the campgrounds. Several members rode the 2 horses that we took (Betty & Rebel) and thanks to everyone who donated! $1000.00 was raised to purchase grain for the horses this winter!
Pictures can be seen at:
http://www.indianahorserescue.com/Events/08NRR/NationalRescueRide.htm

10/19/08 Chick-fil-A Evansville
Thank you to Chick-fil-A for a $100.00 donation! They had a family fun day and asked Club HOPE to bring the miniatures, Preacher & Prayer. Club HOPE members transported the mini's and talked to people while the kids had fun petting the horses.

09/27/08
1 day - 5 more horses

1 week a total of 7 horses taken in.

It has been a very busy week for all our divisions.

IHR East was called in to evaluate 2 horses that ended up being confiscated the same day - you can click here to see their horrific hoof neglect and lower than normal body condition.
Horse #1 and Horse #2 @ IHR Central

IHR SW was called by animal control, who was "trapped" in their truck by a stallion charging them.
While this may sound humorous, it is pretty scary if you are not a horseman. A team went out, captured the stallion, 2 mares and a 3 month old colt. All 4 were confiscated by animal control due to this being the 4th time they were running at large and there was not appropriate housing, fencing or feed for them.
While 2 of the horses were not poor, them mare/dam of the foal was in serious need of feed and care.

We have many cases that we are investigating, it takes, time, people and funds. Taking a 30 minute drive to check out possible neglect may not seem like much, but doing it multiple times per week gets not only costly, but time consuming. Reports, pictures, all have to be done and turned into vets, animal control officers, law enforcement, etc. Any horses that have been confiscated must be evaluated by a veterinarian (see problems below). Along with caring for the horses currently in our care at each division. Each division has volunteers that are responsible for feeding and caring for the horses, along with cleaning stalls, mowing grass, general upkeep and returning phone calls and e-mails. More volunteers are always needed and appreciated!

We do not "like" housing confiscated horses - but where else would they go? Most humane societies are not set up to house horses or other large animals. Many rescues across the United States are full and some are closing due to lack of donations, adoptions, etc. Most of our divisions operate using their own paychecks, with the economy (we ALL know it is bad) they are having less funds to continue caring for the horses they have or even taking more in.

Problems: We all face having to cut our budgets where ever we can, many people are giving their own vaccines, vs. paying the veterinarian. We were in shock that Angie at IHR East could NOT find a veterinarian that would evaluate the 2 horses that police confiscated near her. These 2 horses were in pain, yet had to travel another 3 hours to our Central Division to be evaluated by a veterinarian. WHY? Many vets are afraid to even write a report on the condition of a horse that was confiscated by law enforcement - they are afraid you (their clients) will no longer use their services. Please, contact your veterinarian and veterinarians in your area and let them know how you feel.

Are you shocked that they don't want to help?

Would you/they report a sex offender or child molester?
If so, why won't they at least evaluate a horse that they obviously are not treating anyway!

I would think they would get a reputation of CARING about the animals around them, NOT losing business.

IHR has to pay the veterinarian - they are not providing the service free.

Please consider making a donation to help the rescued animals!

9/11/08

Well, some days just don't go the way you intend for them to go....
..... and then you end up at the hospital and find out you have broken not one, but both wrists!

I was intending on riding a new animal that came in, a mule, I did all the right stuff, walked him around with the saddle on, laid over his back, sat on his back and had another person on a lead line before actually riding him.....

Sometimes you don't think, and I guess that is what I did! Mr. Mule started going faster and I couldn't see well, so I dismounted, sort of.... face first, or hands first...
I am not as young as I once was, and I have found that I no longer bounce either!

Please be patient, as I am a little slower replying via e-mail or getting phone calls returned! 6-8 weeks! What a dumb mistake - oh well, I can only laugh, it was my own fault!

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