New England Equine Rescues

... equines needing homes.


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 am writing on behalf of Beth Hill Ross, who has been running a horse rescue for a number of years now.  I know Beth primarily as my client for the horses and her other animals, mainly dogs and cats.  Beth takes excellent care of the animals and is very conscientious about finding the right adopting owners for the horses she rescues.
 
I do basic vaccinations and general health care for the horses as needed.  Beth is also quite energetic about using the internet and all other available resources for informing herself about any health problems the horses may have.  She is not at all shy about getting on the phone and consulting experts in various fields of veterinary medicine when an unusual or perplexing health issue arises.  She always tries hard to cure any ailments these animals may have.
 
I recommend Beth's rescue operation highly.
 
Kathrine M. Cook, DVM
kcookdvm@msn.com 

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
 

I first came across NEER through a group of horses in need that were awaiting slaughter if not bailed out.  The eyes of one of the mares called to me begging for help and we contacted Beth right away to tell her we would pay for "Molly" to be pulled from the kill pen.  Beth did everything in her power to ensure Molly and Bones would end up in the perfect place and not in the slaughter house.  She is a pleasure to work with and I always read the message boards about her working extremely hard to keep the horses safe and away from the kill pens, auctions, and the slaughter house.  Beth is a role model for not only myself but for other young girls who wish to follow in her foots steps of rescuing horses.  She is an amazing women and will do anything to ensure the safety of the horses.  Beth is a true "team player" and every time I e-mail her with a question she is quick to answer with helpful advice.  With out her many horses would not still be with us today and I am thankful to her for saving Molly's life.  The support of all NEER members is amazing and the group will go far in rescuing many more horses.  I look forward to working with Beth for years to come.  Thank you for all you do and for being such a wonderful role model for all the young horse rescuers. 
 
Brittany Rostron
Project Sage Horse Rescue
Co-President
"Save a Grateful Equine"

www.freewebs.com/projectsage
 
 

 
Hey Beth,
 
I wanted to take this chance to tell you that when Judith was down I got a chance to talk to her in depth about NEER. I absolutely love the concept and all that you guys do. This is a great way to not only get horses out of harms way but also bring more people into rescue and the needs of the horses. You guys are really doing a fantastic job of getting so many horses to safety and to love!!! THANK YOU
 
I think NEER is a very innovative rescue and you guys are doing great great work for the horses all over the country... GREAT JOB TO EVERYONE!!!
 
Jen
 
 
 
Jennifer Swanson
Pure Thoughts Inc.
Horse & Foal Rescue

www.PTHR.org
19181 Capet Creek
Loxahatchee, FL 33470
 

          "Saving the life of a horse may not change the world...but it will change that horse's world."

 
I first came in contact with NEER when I learned of their efforts to save horses from going to slaughter. As a racehorse owner, this struck a cord with me as I know the fate of horses who are no longer strong in these "careers".   I met with Beth at her farm in Rhode Island to discuss adopting a mini from NEER.  What resonated with me upon this visit was the passion, the outstanding care, the happiness of all her animals.  As fate would have it, my own racehorse needed to find a new home ( I was a partner in a syndicate, not the outright owner). My goals changed and Beth coached me along the way in finding a place to retire this filly.  She volunteered her expertise to help me make certain my filly would be happy. This is indicative of the dedication of the members of NEER.  I am so grateful this organization exists.
 
 
Christienne Budge
VP, Bank of America
Newport, RI
 

I wanted to take a moment to thank NEER for their efforts in saving so many "lost" horses. Lives have been saved, enriched, and preserved due to the care that is taken to place each horse with a matching family. Please consider helping NEER in their cause, as Lifelines surely will. NEER never forgets that working together with other rescues is so very important. To that end Lifelines has received numerous items we desperately needed, from NEER. I am enthusiastic that NEER will inspire to save even more horses this year, and help other rescues in their efforts as well.
 
Tee
Lifelines Farm & Sanctuary
http://www.lifelinesfarmsanctuary.com
 

Welcome to the Town of Groveland, Massachusetts
   
Groveland Town Seal
   Animal Control

EQUINE FOSTER HOMES NEEDED

Address:
Town Hall
183 Main St
Groveland, MA 01834
Phone:
(978) 372-8171 or 373-1542
Fax:
(978) 374-7676
Hours:
On Call-As Needed



The Animal Control officer is looking for Equine Foster Homes... Kim is working closely with New England Equine Rescues, a non profit rescue to aid in homeless horses, ponies and donkeys. This rescue is working diligently to pull horses from slaughter pens and place them either permanently or as fosters until a permanent home is available. We are also trying to rescue horses before they arrive at the slaughter pens.

Please visit www.newenglandequinerescues.com for further information.

Financial donations are always appreciated as we have to purchase these horse from either private owners or slaughter buyers.

January 2008
 
New England Equine Rescue has changed my life. I was at one time unaware that people actually mistreated horses, or furthermore ate them! I currently have 7 horses that I found through NEER that were in need of homes, and would take in 100 more (if I won the lottery!) Beth is great. She bends over backwards to help any horse she hears of that is in need, and has helped me place quite a few horses in need of a home. I can't say enough good things about her or about all of my dealings with New England Equine Rescue. If it was not for being a part of  NEER, I never would have found my true passion in life.
 
 
 
Thank you,
 
Sarah

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

 

 
Back in December of 2006, Beth posted a photo of a "gelded 2 1/2 y.o. paint" pulled
from a killpen by Monica. I looked at the picture and moved on to the next post. Our
therapeutic program did not need another mouth to feed going into the winter.   For
some reason I did not delete the post with the photo.   Over the next couple of days I
kept going back to look at this young boy. Finally I e-mailed Beth that IRIE would
take him. There was just something that kept telling me that he belonged with us.
 
So just before Christmas a few of us headed up to Monica's and got Bingham.  He
loaded like a pro, and was a good boy all the way home.  There was not too much that
we knew about him. His tail and mane were chopped. He had a slight parrot mouth
and an injury that appeared to be from being tangled in wire on his back right ankle.
A lot of proud flesh was on it and the area was swollen. He tried to bite and kick, which
gave us a feeling that he was bossed around.   In other words,  Bingham was turning
into a project.  For a few months it was hard. We both had to learn to trust each other. 
Well it was all worth it. Bingham is a sweet heart. He is growing and extremely
handsome. He loves attention, loves to play with his paddock mates, loves treats and
loves to run.  Bingham is a smart young boy. In his short time with us he has even
attended a natural horsemanship clinic with his "big brother" Beamer.
 
It still amazes me that this gorgeous boy was tossed away because he wasn't perfect.
Watching him run in the field it is obvious that there are no problems from his injury,
and he has no problems consuming his grain, hay  or treats.  Bingham has already
become a favorite with our therapeutic program family. He comes right over to
everyone who walks past his paddock.  He has not had any riders yet, we have just
begun to put saddle pads and girths on him. He tolerates them like he has been
working with them forever. I have no doubt that he will be a great part of our
riding team.
 
A big thanks to Beth and Monica for getting this boy out of the kill pen. 
 
 
Joy Rootkowski
Director and Founder
IRIE Therapeutic Horseback Riding
for Kids with Special Needs
www.iriehorses.org

Misty’s Story

 

Misty is a beautiful TB mare who raced as a youngster and did quite well.  She then retired to the breeder's farm and became a broodmare for the next 10+ years.  She was not ridden and didn't have a back up career.  When they no longer had use for her they gave her away.  This is where Twin Lights Farm comes in.  We took her and her pasture mate, another older TB broodmare, in.  The pasture mate was no longer breed-able and was placed in a good home and is now a beloved trail horse.  This was also the plan for Misty. 

 

She left Twin Lights Farm in May of 2007, on her way to what we thought was to be a new life of being a riding horse for a teenager in need of a horse.  There was never any feedback from the people who took Misty.

 

On July 29, 2007, we received an e-mail from a stranger stating that they had seen Misty listed on a web site of horses at risk of going to slaughter (  http://www.ac4h.com/brokerownedhorses.htm ).  We validated that this was in fact the case.  At first we were angry that we had been lied to, misled, and that Misty was paying for it.   Then we took the following actions to try and help:

  • Sent out much nicer photos and a full history on the horse, so that maybe she would stand a better chance of someone wanting her.
  • We hit the Internet, chat rooms, e-mails to everyone we knew, and forums to get the word out that she was in need of help, posted more photos and info on her situation. 
  • We contacted rescue organizations to see what could be done and quick.

 

NEER (www.NewEnglandEquineRescues.com) came to the rescue.  They contacted the facility holding Misty and got a hold put on her.  She was safe for now, but we still needed to raise the money to get her back.  We went back to the internet and the chat rooms, bulletin boards, forums and e-mails requesting donations to help not only Misty but as many as we could.

 

We took a lot of heat from people, who blamed us for what had happened, but we stuck to it and with the help of two forums in particular (www.equichat.com and the www.equinesite.com bulletin board), and of course 'Beth of NEER', we raised the money needed to get her back.

 

Now it is a matter of getting her back to MA where she belongs.  Trucking has been arranged, and we have arranged to foster her here at our farm until she is adopted. 

 

This has been a horrible ordeal and we will be so glad to see her come off the trailer when she arrives.  That is when we will finally breathe a sigh of relief. 

 

We wish to encourage anyone reading this to donate to equine rescues in your area, offer an empty stall for fostering a horse in need, and most of all check references, have a contract, and double check when placing a horse or selling a horse on the cheaper side, and then check up on them if need be to be sure they are where you thought. 

 

Please make a donation, there are so many more who desperately need help!

 

Thank You

 

The Barretts

 

Below are the links to NEER, the rescue which saved Misty from being shipped to Mexico or Canada for slaughter....

 

www.NewEnglandEquineRescues.com

 

www.MySpace.com/NewEnglandEquineRescues

 

www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/NewEnglandEquineRescues

 

        

 

**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