New England Equine Rescues

I have been associated professionally with Beth since ’05 and have seen horses come into her place
that have been severely neglected.  I have witnessed her animal husbandry skills bringing these
horses back to health, and am confident, that with Beth’s abilities and New England Equine Rescues,
many more horses will be rescued and placed in safe homes...

~Mike McMinn has been a farrier in RI since 1974, he estimates over 50,000 jobs done over the last 34 years!   Mike has lectured at URI, Animal Science department 1976-1994, and co-lectured with Dr Raymond Hinkson (Animal Nutrition URI) for 4-H clubs, horse groups, fairs, etc.  Mike has worked Doc Kaplan, Steve Murone, and Conrad Jones, to name a few.  Mike’s shoeing philosophy is both pathological and physiological, using differing techniques to accommodate the balance of each individual horse.~

I provide assistance to thoroughbred horses in need, whether transitioning off the racetrack or saving them from slaughter via the auctions and sales.  I had the opportunity to assist Beth of NEER with the coordination of approving an adoptive home in the New England region.  Beth did an expedient and wonderful job checking all the references (vet/farrier), speaking to the boarding facility, and handling the adoption with NEER's adoption contract.   The process was very thorough and the horse will remain under the protection of NEER's contract.  It was a pleasant experience and provided a win-win situation for all involved.  Thank you!

Lisa Marli 

Providing Rescue, Placement and Transitioning to Off the Track Thoroughbreds
 

   
   Animal Control

EQUINE FOSTER HOMES NEEDED

 

 Cedar Oaks Equestrian Rescue • 6 Cedar Oaks Drive • Plymouth, MA 02360 •  phone: 508.728.9062

**Thank you to Christy (www.ac4h.com), for making it possible to get this mare from the broker!  And to the NEER members who donated.  PLEASE!...  Use a contract for every single transaction involving a horse...verbal agreements are just a BAD idea, and horses like Misty suffer every time!  If you don't have one, or can't find one...ASK!  (:

August 2007

I can’t believe it has been a little over a year since I’ve owned my very first horse! I adopted "Danny Boy" last year from Bill & Sharon at Shamrock Acres.  When I saw him on-line on New England Equine Rescues "NEER" I fell in love and immediately put in for him, and gave hubby the "surprise-good news" via phone as he was away on a business trip.  :-)  We went out to NY to meet Danny where I also fell in love with Bill and Sharon (who I still miss terribly!!).  Such wonderful people who did so much to save horses and give them a good life! 

Sue and Danny Boy meet for the 1st time.... When Danny came home we found his lip tattoo on his health papers and I began to try to trace his history.  I tired several times with the Jockey Club and it matched a chestnut gelding who would be 28 and had been reported as deceased.  So I told them he had come out of the kill pen and he certainly was not deceased as he was living the good life in our back yard barn!!  The JC referred me to the TB Racing Protective Bureau, and after several pictures, including his lip tattoo I have the information!!!

My beloved Danny Boy was formerly known as "Mr. Onbelieveable". He was foaled in 1978 in NY, raced at Finger Lakes in New York from 1981 - 1983 and had 5 firsts places, 3 seconds and 2 third places (out of 34 starts).  I'm not into racing so I don't know if this is a good race record or not but it doesn't matter to me anyhow.  What is interesting is that his great grand-sire was a famous race horse - Bold Ruler- who also sired Secretariat!

Don't ever give up on your dreams!!! Five and a half years ago I was diagnosed with MS, and my very first thought was that I'd never be able to ride again.  After a year riding in a therapeutic program to prove to myself that I could do this, I adopted Danny at the age of 48, my first horse ever.  Added to this that he was listed as a QH, so I thought he would be a "safe" horse for me.  I never ever would have adopted a TB as I had a terrible experience with one that almost took my daughter's life. I know that any horse can be dangerous, or sweet as pie, but that one time made me very frightened.  Danny gave me a run for my money at first (no pun intended), mostly just a test to see how I was, and I was intimidated at first.  After much help from the members of NEER, a great neighbor, my farrier, and local tack shops, I became more confident.  Danny has taught me so very much, especially about myself, and was a godsend when my Mom died suddenly last year of a massive heart attack.  He certainly has changed my mind about TBs!

And there is what was then my "non-horse" husband.  What a transformation I have seen in him, and he and Danny are the best of friends, and I think even closer than Danny and I are. Hubby is always out there feeding, grooming, or just hanging out with Danny.  He is even looking into someday buying more land so we can adopt more rescues. 

What I want to pass along is that to never ever give up on your dreams.  My Mom always taught us kids that you can do anything you want to in this world; you just have to work hard at it. My Mom was so very happy for me when I got Danny, and although terribly frightened of horses herself, I have one photo of her patting Danny right before she passed.  This certainly is hard work, but the rewards are from heaven itself, including the great muscles in my arms from hauling hay & water, etc.  No flabby old lady arm flaps for me!  he,he, he!

Horse people are the best, and I am so happy to be a part of NEER. Thank you for all of your help over the last year, and for all that you do for horses, from being brave enough to go to the auctions, to those taking care of so many at their home, to lobbying on their behalf, to sending whatever money you can, to praying all you can, to words of inspiration, it all matters, and it all helps.  And there’s always the good laughs on this group that really make my day!

This morning before going off to work I groomed Danny. I was talking softly to him telling him how much I loved him and he nuzzled me, he put his mouth and jaw right next to my head and looked me straight in the eye and I could see the love in his eyes.

Take care and have a blessed day!

Sue and Danny Boy

Big Thanks to BETH in RI for all the good work she does for the horses, and for organizing the equine rescue people in all of New England;  "NewEnglandEquineRescues" (NEER) ---- 600 members strong and growing !   THANK YOU BETH! 

Chris Jubic
www.freewebs.com/mulekist

June 2007...

In March of this year I lost a dear member of my family.  My younger Gelding Buddy, a 20 year old 17 hand 1800 lb Belgian developed neurological issues that in a matter of days took him from being an older if still able to kick up his heels friend to being incapable of standing.  We had to put him down.  It literally was like killing one of my children.  As I write this I still have a lump in my throat thinking about that day.

The results were several.  It was the first time in a long time that we were down to a single horse, Jimmy.  Jimmy is an Amish bred Belgian who in his prime was 17.3 and weighed 2400 lbs.  He was now 20ish, fading, with arthritis, swollen joints and a variety of issues.

Buddy’s death struck Jimmy hard. He stopped eating and rarely moved much when turned out.  I doubted he would live until summer.  I very seriously considered getting out of the horse business all together.  It’s a lot of work and it is an expensive hobby. We make our own hay, but with just the cows and sheep we could have afforded to buy it rather then take the huge amount time that is required to make it our selves. 

It was one day about a week after Buddy’s death that my wife found me moping around in the tack room, covering up Buddy’s harness and oiling his collar.  One thing, my wife doesn’t really like horses, but since we own a farm helps because we are partners.  I told her that I was done that she no longer would be dragged into the lives of horses; that I was going to let Jimmy go in the spring.

To my surprise my wife was rather angry.  She told me that she knew what a great love I had for horses and what a stress relief they were for me.  She further pointed out that my daughter loved horses and that as a FAMILY we supported our farm.  She told me that we definitely needed to have a friend for Jimmy; that he needed one to stay alive.

Now this was a problem.  Jimmy, old and ratty as he was is still a big animal.  I knew from the maulings of past animals that he could be a bit rough on new family members.  I knew it couldn’t be just any animal.

That was when it happened, a friend gave me a contact with NEER.

Beth was wonderful to work with, and her love for animals knows no bounds.  She initially arranged that I would foster a mare that was a rescue from Pennsylvania and had made it up my way.  Before the mare arrived, though, Beth had yet another horse, a fairly large Gelding that was being a bit of a handful in her yards.

I tentatively agreed to take this guy off her hands. Again with her grace ad determination, Beth arranged that the animal be delivered to m farm.

 He was a big muscular horse, 17 hands and nearly a 1800 lbs sucked up and skinny from being on the butchers line.

The first couple days were a hoot.  Jimmy and he immediately needed to decide who was the head muffin of the manure pile.  There was a lot of running, bucking chasing nipping and commotion.  It was great because this was the most Jimmy had moved in a year.  It was like he had lost five years.  Soon things settled down, at the cost of most of my fence rails, two trees and a couple of restless nights wondering if I was going to here them running up the highway!

Soon, though, Beth called me again, she had a mare that needed to be placed.  I agreed and found myself the proud keeper of three huge Belgians.

 I cannot say enough about NEER.  They were open and honest, helpful to the extreme; understanding when I was delayed in paying off the adoption fee and funny friendly and kind to deal with. Anyone who appreciates these traits would appreciate dealing with these people

Signed

Bill Sargent

Gilsum NH.   

wsargent@ci.keene.nh.us