Understanding the Care of a Horse - Case Study Example

Understanding the Running head: EQUINE RESCUE Understanding the Care of a Horse: Why do so many Horses End up Needing Rescued? of Client Name of University Name of Class Understanding the 2 Understanding the Care of a Horse: Why do so many Horses End up Needing Rescued? Introduction Equine rescues provide much needed education and support to horse owners who are otherwise ignorant of the needs of the animals in hopes that those in their care will not become a case of neglect. However, in an economy that is making it difficult to feed and support human beings, animal care is becoming a secondary expense that must sometimes be cut in order to financially survive. It is unfortunate that some owners must abandon the proper care of their animals because the economy has caused such a deficit in available funds. Owners who purchased their animals with the intent of giving them good care are now floundering as their original plans prove too expensive and they are unsure how and where to cut the expenses. Neglect becomes a consequence of not knowing how to formulate an alternative plan for the care of their horses. Caring for a Horse In order to understand the issue, it is important to understand the responsibilities of an owner in caring for a horse. Every animal has a designed physical system that must be fed in a specific way. For the horse, the digestive system developed so that it could accommodate a nomadic lifestyle that provided a constant source of grazing (Prince & Collier, 1989, p. 81). Proper dental care for the horse is central to maintaining healthy eating habits as the horse must be able to liquefy his food through chewing before it is swallowed. The best way to feed a horse is to let them graze in a pasture. This sort of food provision is in line with nature and will provide most of his or her needs, except perhaps for an addition of salt if this is lacking in the area. If this is not feasible, then a cereal grain hay such as oat, barley or wheat would be the next Understanding the 3 best food source (Prince & Collier, 1989, p. 88). However, developing a pasture that can be grazed provides a less expensive food source and is closer to the actual natural lifestyle of the animal. A horse will need an area in which to exercise, and an area that will protect them from inclement weather and the elements. Ideally, anyone who has purchased a horse has a stable and land adequate for exercise available. According to Prince and Collier (1989), “A good stable site will allow for dry foundations, free drainage, good lighting, adequate water supply, and pure air” (p. 28). Loafing sheds are a place where horses can get out of the weather, yet still have access to the outside areas. These are usually built with three walls and are shared with several horses who have free access to them. Barbed wire, while used throughout a good deal of the West, is not ideal as fencing material because the horses end up with a great deal of injuries that can ultimately become infected or cause other health risks. Regular assessments of the health of the horse is necessary to prevent problems from becoming larger issues. One of the most important factors in determining the health of a horse is in conducting an assessment of the fat of a horse. A horse that is too thin is malnourished and will need to have eating habits and functions evaluated. A horse that is too fat will have a multitude of problems that must be attended. If a horse is over grazing, he or she may need to be corralled for a portion of the day to slow down the amount of intake. Using the Henneke guide (Appendix A) to determine the fat level of a horse is a good place to start in assessing this important aspect of the overall health of the horse. Horse Slaughter The slaughtering of horses is a practice that has a controversial history. Horse meat is Understanding the 4 acceptable in some countries, such as France, Belgium and Japan where it is considered a delicacy, and has been used in central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan and Mongolia. In the United States, the practice of eating horse meat is considered unseemly because of the emotional attachment to horses. In truth, horses are not a good source of meat as their system is not designed to convert food into large amounts of muscle (Sherman, 2002, p. 56). It is interesting to note that Pope Gregory III prohibited the eating of horse meat because it is the only time in Christian history that a food was prohibited (Frassetto, 2003, p. 38). Currently, there are no slaughter houses in the United States dedicated to destroying horses. Unfortunately, this has meant that the horses are now shipped to destinations such as Mexico or Canada, enduring hours of travel without food, water, or rest. The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 503/S. 727) has been introduced to Congress which will prevent both the slaughter and the transport for the purpose of slaughter of horses (The Humane, 2009). Before the three last houses were closed in the United States, over 100,000 horses were killed each year for the purpose of food production. The unfortunate truth is that many of the horses that are put up for auction are purchased by the foreign based slaughter houses (The Humane, 2009). Many of the horse owners who are being forced to put their horses up for sale, some of them beloved pets, are unknowingly selling them to be slaughtered. For equines, this is a sad and fatal consequence to the current economic crisis. According to the Dr. Kimberly May writing for AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), it costs roughly $1825 for basic care for a year without medical care. There are 9.2 million horses of which it is estimated that 100,000 per year will become unwanted, and this figure is likely to increase as the economy becomes more strained. The AVMA estimates that Understanding the 5 2700 rescue facilities are necessary to care for the current number of horses that will no longer be cared for by their owners. The average number of years that a horse will live is 30 years. Currently the AVMA is opposed to the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 503/S. 727) because it is concerned with how the growing number of horses that are taken to auction because they are no longer wanted will find adequate care. While the organization does not support slaughter, it also does not see a clear solution to the problem and feels the bill creates a further burden on the problem by eliminating an undesirable, but viable solution. When the horse slaughter plants were running in the United States they were highly regulated with laws about the humane transportation and killing of the animals. In the current situation, animals suffer cruelties in the transportation and even further inhumane methods of killing which includes a habit in Mexico that requires severing of the spinal cord through several knife cuts in order to shut down the lungs and suffocate the horse. The AVMA believes that this fate is far worse than the regulated slaughter within the United States. US to Mexico Livestock Export Summary Purpose 2006 2007 Increase % Increase (2006 to 2007) Slaughter 11080 45609 34529 311% Breeding Males 559 1285 726 130% Breeding Females 738 1679 941 128% Geldings 2373 3837 1464 62% Burro/Mule/Pony 4 124 121 3025% Total Horses 14754 52534 37780 256% Table 1 Understanding the 6 Equine Rescue Within the United States, there are two types of horses that need rescue. The first source of horses that need help and care is from people who can no longer care for their animals. The other source of horses in need of rescue are wild horses. The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management has an agency that is designed to care for the herds of wild horses in order to ensure that over population does not occur. The Wild Horse and Burro Program estimates that there were 32,000 horses and burros removed from wild herds and cared for in short and long term facilities in 2007. The intent is to adopt out the animals to caring owners, but adoptions fell from 5,701 in 2005 to 3,706 in 2008. The program costs 38.8 million dollars in 2007. (U.S. Department, 2009). The significance of the Wild Horse and Burro Program to the issue of domesticated horses who have become unwanted is in the allocation of resources. The number of horses that have become an issue within the United States is a growing problem that must be addressed with creative use of resources. Currently, there is no federally organized or funded system for the rescue of domesticated, unwanted horses. Because the rescue organizations are not tracked for statistical evaluation by the federal government, there are no realistic sets of statistical evaluations. The “IRS lists 109 non-profit, tax-exempt ‘equine rescues’, ‘horse rescues’ and ‘equine humane societies’ in the U.S. - this does not include animal shelters who take in horses or farm animal rescue” (Williams, 2009). While this does not take in every form of rescue that is available for unwanted horse, it does indicate that the figure that the AVMA believes is more accurate in caring for unwanted horses - 2700 facilities - is no where near being met. Because there are no federally funded programs that support the needs of unwanted Understanding the 7 horses, private facilities depend on donations and money raising activities in order to survive. The best facilities are given status under 501(c)3 as non-profit and tax exempt by the IRS. Gaining this status allows for more foundation based donations to be available to the rescue (Sparkplug 2009). However, with the statistics that are available, it is clear that more activity at the federal level is necessary to find a way to use resources and create better concepts in handling the excess population of these beautiful animals. Comparison of Needs for Federally Funding Rescue Efforts for Domesticated Unwanted Horses and Wild Horses and Burros While horses in need of adoption from the wild herds only make up 24% of the total number of horses that will be rescued each year, they receive 38.8 million dollars in federally funded grant money in order to assist in those efforts. The number of unwanted horses may or Understanding the 8 may not be truly represented as all of the resources who give this figure suggest that it is an estimate since there is no statistical tracking of these animals. However, when the figures are examined in the purchase of horses by Mexico, it is clear that in 2007 there was at least 52,534 horses that were not wanted by American buyers at auction. If the rate of increase that was observed between 2006 and 2007 as being 256%, this could indicate that in 2008 the figure could be more in the range of 134,487. This is in line with the estimations that have been made by the various sources, including the AVMA whose interests are not in promoting the slaughter of the animals, but in providing reasonable care or humane death if necessary so that animals do not needlessly suffer. According to an article from MSNBC, pet owners on the whole are cutting back on preventative services for their pets. Kim Campbell Thorton (2009) reports that veterinarians are seeing a marked decrease in yearly visits for their pets and other services. As an example, a certain veterinarian office that was featured in the article reported that while at Thanksgiving they were usually booked full for the boarding service every year, while this year they were only half full. This indicates the current trend to cut back on non-essentials. It is reasonable then to assume that horses are being sold rather than allowed to continue to drain family and agricultural business finances. Because horses are seen as a commodity more than an emotional family asset, the statistics that would be required to assess the number of horses that go un-rescued are not available. Those who want to promote the cause of horse slaughter houses in the United States promote the idea that there are too many horses that go unwanted and that slaughter is a way to provide a solution (Animal, 2009: May, 2008; The Human, 2009). However, others suggest that Understanding the 9 these suppositions are over-inflated in attempts to support horse slaughter. In truth, no hard data exists to back up claims about a burgeoning population of “unwanted horses.” What is clear is that killer buyers working for the slaughterhouses are outbidding other buyers at auction because they have the financial incentive to do so. The market for slaughter horses is set by the international demand for their meat in other countries, not by the number of supposedly unwanted horses. The solution can only be found through a research study that provides accurate statistical data and through creating inventive solutions that can be implemented in a poor economy while addressing the problem with viable solutions. A truly viable solution would be to combine the needs of the unwanted horses with the needs of those with medical challenges that would benefit from therapeutic interaction with the horses. According to Pavlides (2008), for instance, individuals with autism will receive a therapeutic benefit from interaction with a horse (p. 132). Another option is to use rescued horses for interactions with schools and other organizations. With the way in which bailouts are becoming a political reality, utilizing existing farms and stables in foreclosure while creating a viable employment opportunity for those who run them through federally funding the use of these animals for a philanthropic use could be a way to solve problems over a variety of issues. The needs of this society to treat these animals with humane practices must be addressed on a national level. Research must be conducted in order to create a clear picture of the many aspects of this issue so that it can be known how many of these animals are being lost to cruelty. As well, determining the mindset of this culture as to whether horses are a commodity or a pet is necessary in making decisions on a national level about how to address the problem. Awareness as to the consequences of taking a horse to auction may make owners think twice before Understanding the 10 condemning their beloved animals to the potential fate of slaughter. Viable alternative options will bring about significant improvements that can relieve the burden from owners who have suffered an economic downturn. Issues of this nature that are affecting citizens across the nation require new forms of thinking and the creation of viable solutions that do not drain public dollars without creating public benefit. As people struggle to feed and care for their animals in a bad economy, turning to resources for alternative resources and education while creating an understanding of the auction process will provide a clearer framework for the horse owner to make informed and humane decisions. Understanding the 11 References Animal Welfare Institute. (2009). Prevention of equine cruelty act. Retrieved on 10 May 2009 from http://www.awionline.org/legislation/horse_slaughter/index.htm Frassetto, M. (2003). Encyclopedia of barbarian Europe: Society in transformation. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO. May, K. (5 September 2008). Unwanted horses and the AVMA’s policy on horse slaughter: Frequently asked questions. AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association). Retrieved on 8 May 2009 from http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/ unwanted_horses_faq.asp National Equine Rescue Coalition. (2009). Rescue Group Members. Retrieved on 8 May 2009 from http://nationalequinerescuecoalition.com/nerc1_004.htm Pavlides, M. (2008). Animal-assisted interventions for individuals with autism. London: Jessica Kingsley. Prince, E. F., & Collier, G. M. (1989). Basic horse care. Doubleday equestrian library. New York: Doubleday. Sherman, D. M. (2002). Tending animals in the global village: A guide to international veterinary medicine. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Sparkplug Foundation. (2009). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved on 9 May 2009 from http://www.sparkplugfoundation.org/faq.html#501c3 The Humane Society of the United States. (2009). End horse slaughter permanently. Retrieved on 9 May 2009 from http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/citizen_lobbyist_center/help _end_horse_slaughter.html#Get_the_Facts Thorton, K.C. (12 November 2008). Pet owners skipping vet visits as economy sinks. MSNBC Health, Pet Health. Retrieved from 9 May 2009 from http://www.msnbc.msn. com/id/27665004/ Traveler’s Rest Equine Elder’s Sanctuary. (11 July 2006). Horse Welfare: Henneke Body Condition Scoring. Horse Welfare. Retrieved on 9 May 2009 from http://www.horsewelfare.net/henneke.htm Understanding the 12 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management. (2009). Fact sheet on Challenges Facing the BLM in its Management of Wild Horses and Burros. Retrieve on 9 May 2009 from http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro/new_factsheet.html Williams, J. (2004). The current status of rescue. Retrieved on 9 May 2009 from www.aaep.org/pdfs/pressroom/the_current_status_of_rescue.pdf Understanding the 13 List of Tables Table 1. US to Mexico Livestock Export Summary. AVMA. Available at http://www.avma. org/Issues/animal_welfare/unwanted_horses_faq.asp Appendix A Henneke Body Condition Scoring system The Henneke Body Condition Scoring system was devised to evaluate how "thin" or how "fat" a horse is. Because horses differ in conformation and fat distribution, six different areas of the body are scored individually, then the scores are averaged to determine the overall Body Condition Score. Each area may be scored in increments of 0.25. One area may, for instance, be rated a 3.25, 2.50, or 4.75. It is not necessary to use only whole numbers during evaluation. The six areas to be considered are A) the neck, B) the withers, C) the loin, D) the tailhead, E) the rib cage and F) the shoulder. The list below shows which numerical value to place on each area based on the presence or absence of flesh or fat in that area. Evaluation should be a "hands-on" experience whenever possible since coat can obscure bone structure in some cases. (Traveler’s, 2006) A. Neck 1 - Bone structure easily noticeable 2 - Bone structure faintly discernable 3 - Neck accentuated 4 - Neck not obviously thin 5 - Neck blends smoothly into body 6 - Fat beginning to be deposited 7 - Fat deposited along neck 8 - Noticeable thickening of neck 9 - Bulging fat D. Tailhead 1 - Tailhead (pinbones) and hook bones projecting prominently 2 - Tailhead prominent 3 - Tailhead prominent but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Hook bones appear rounded, but are still easily discernible. Pin bones not distinguishable. 4 - Prominence depends on conformation; fat can be felt. Hook bones not discernible 5 - Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy 6 - Fat around tailhead feels soft 7 - Fat around tailhead is soft 8 -Tailhead fat very soft 9 - Building fat around tailhead B. Withers 1 - Bone structure easily noticeable 2 - Bone structure faintly discernable 3 - Withers accentuated 4 - Withers not obviously thin 5 - Withers rounded over spinous processes 6 - Fat beginning to be deposited 7 - Fat deposited along withers 8 - Area along withers filled with fat 9 - Bulging fat E. Ribs 1 - Ribs projecting prominently 2 - Ribs prominent 3 - Slight fat cover over ribs. Ribs easily discernible. 4 - Faint outline discernible 5 - Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt 6 - Fat over ribs feels spongy 7 - Individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat 8 - Difficult to feel ribs 9 - Patchy fat appearing over ribs C. Loin 1 - Spinous processes project prominently 2 - Slight fat covering overbase of spinous processes. Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes are prominent. 3 - Fat buildup halfway on spinous processes but easily discernible. Transverse processes cannot be felt. 4 - Negative crease along back 5 - Back level 6 - May have slight positive crease down back 7 - May have positive crease down back 8 - Positive crease down back 9 - Obvious positive crease down back F. Shoulder 1 - Bone structure easily noticeable 2 - Bone structure faintly discernable 3 - Shoulder accentuated 4 - Shoulder not obviously thin 5 - Shoulder blends smoothly into body 6 - Fat beginning to be deposited 7 - Fat deposited behind shoulder 8 - Area behind shoulder filled in flush with body 9 - Bulging fat Average score of 1 = Poor. Animal extremely emaciated; no fatty tissue Average score of 2 = Very Thin Average score of 3 = Thin Average score of 4 = Moderately Thin Average score of 5 = Moderate Average score of 6 = Moderately Fleshy Average score of 7 = Fleshy Average score of 8 = Fat. Fat deposited along inner buttocks Average score of 9 = Extremely Fat. Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank filled in flush Appendix B Determining Degree of Lameness AAEP’s (American Association of Equine Practioners) system of classification. Grade 1: Difficult to observe; not consistently apparent regardless of circumstances (i.e., weight carrying, circling, inclines, hard surfaces, etc.). Grade 2: Difficult to observe at a walk or trotting a straight line; consistently apparent under certain circumstances (i.e., weight carrying, circling, inclines, hard surfaces, etc.). Grade 3: Consistently observable at a trot under all circumstances. Grade 4: Obvious lameness; marked nodding, hitching or shortened stride. Grade 5: Minimal weight bearing in motion and/or at rest; inability to move. (Traveler’s, 2006) Appendix C List of Horse Rescue Groups Rescue Group Members Alaska Equine Rescue (AK) www.alaskaequinerescue.com Dreamchaser PMU Rescue & Rehabilitation (AZ) www.dunrovinranch.com Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary (AZ) www.equinevoices.org Horse Rescue of North Scottsdale (AZ) www.rescueahorse.com California Coastal Horse Rescue (CA) www.calcoastalhorserescue.org California Equine Retirement Foundation (CA) www.cerfhorses.org Exceller Fund (CA) www.excellerfund.org Golden Carrot (CA) http:www.thegoldencarrot.org Grace Foundation of N. (CA) www.thegracefoundationofnorcal.org Pregnant Mare Rescue, INC. (CA) www.pregnantmarerescue.com United Pegasus Foundation (CA) www.unitedpegasus.com A For Effort Horse Rescue (CO) www.a-for-effort.org Ahimsa Ranch Horse Rescue (CO) www.ahimsaranch.org Colorado Thoroughbred Horse Rescue (CO) www.coloradotbrescue.org Large Animal Support SWestern Slope Organization (CO) www.lassohorserescue.org SummerWinds Stables Horse Rescue (DE) www.summerwindsstables.com Whimsical Equine Rescue (DE) whimsicalequine.rescuegroups.org Beautys Haven Farm and Equine Rescue (FL) www.beautysequinerescue.org Horse Protection Association of Florida (FL) www.hpaf.org Pure Thoughts Horse and Foal Rescue (FL) www.pthr.org Sterling Silver Farm Equine Rescue, Inc. (FL) www.ssfer.org Begin Again Farm (GA) CANTER Illinois (IL) www.canterusa.org/illinois Lazy Maple Equine Rescue & Rehabilitation (IL) www.lazymapleequine.org Animal Protection Coalition (IN) www.animalprotectioncoalition.org Indiana Horse Rescue, Inc. (IN) www.indianahorserescue.com? Spoiled Acres Rescue, Inc. (IN) www.spoiledacres.com Hope In TheValley Equine Rescue Sanctuary (KS) www.hopeinthevalleyequinerescue.org Peaceful Horizons Equine Rescue & Rehabilitation (KS) Phoenix Rising Horse Rescue (KS) www.freewebs.com/phoenixrisinghorserescue Rainbow Meadows Equine Rescue & Retirement (KS) www.rainbowmeadowsranch.com Blairs Equine Rescue (KY) www.blairsrescue.org Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue (KY) www.blazesequinerescue.com Gatton Equestrian Center, LLC (KY) www.geclic.org Mountain View Horse Rescue (KY) www.mountainviewrescue.com Speak Up For Horses (KY) www.speakupforhorses.org Hooved Animal Rescue & Placement (LA) Central New England Equine Rescue (MA) www.centralnewenglandequinerescue.com Foal Haven Farm (MA) Ipswich Equine Rescue (MA) www.ipswichequinerescuetx.bravehost.com Vineyard Miniature Horse Rescue (MA) Freedom Hill Horse Rescue (MD) www.freedomhillrescue.org Equihab Foundation (MD) www.equihab.com Horse Lovers United, Inc. (MD) www.horseloversunited.com HorseNet Horse Rescue (MD) www.horsenethorserescue.org Magic Persuasion (MD) New Life Equine Rescue (MD) www.nler.org Mountain Equine Rescue & Rehab (ME) www.mountpleasantfarm.org CANTER Michigan (MI) www.canterua.org/michigan Horse’s Haven (MI) www.horseshaven.org Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary (MT) www.blindhorses.org Hope For Horses (NC) www.hopeforhorses.org Angel Heart Rescue (NE) www.angelheartrescue.com Break Heart Ranch Horse Rescue (NE) ww.breakheartranch.com Lone Oak Horse and Animal Rescue (NE) www.freewebs.com/loneoakfarms Phoenix Rising Horse Rescue (NE) www.freewebs.com/phoenixrisinghorserescue E.P.O.N.A Equine Protection Of North America (NH) www.eponarescue.org Live and Let Live Farm Rescue (NH) www.liveandletlivefarm.org Perfect Harmony Animal Rescue & Sanctuary (NM) www.perfectharmony-nm.org Serenity Acres Equine Sanctuary (NM) www.serenityacresnm.org Manes and Tails (NJ) www.manesandtailsorganization.org Miracle Horse Rescue (NV) www.miraclehorse.com Shiloh Horse Rescue and Sanctuary (NV) www.shilohhorserescue.com Amaryllis Farm Equine Rescue (NY) www.forrascal.com Bella Horse Rescue (NY) www.bellahorserescue.org? Horsefeathers Farm (NY) H.O.R.S.E. Rescue and Sanctuary (NY) www.hrsny.org Horse Savers US (NY) www.horsesavers.us Quarter-Acre Rescue Ranch (NY) www.tomhouston.com/qarr/adoptions.html/ AnotherChanceEquineRescue(OH) www.freewebs.com/anotherchanceequinerescue/ CANTER Ohio (OH) www.canterusa.org/ohio FrogPond Farm Draft & Pony Rescue(OH) www.hometown.aol.com/frogpondfarmltd/homepage.html Voice For Horses Rescue Network (OH) W.H.I.N.N.Y. Horse Rescue (OH) www.whinnyhorserescue.org Wyandot County Equine Rescue (OH) www.wyhumane.org Grey Oaks Farm Equine Sanctuary (OK) www.greyoaksfarm.org Horse Feathers Equine Rescue (OK) www.horsefeathersequinerescue.org Prism PMU Foal and Horse Rescue, Inc. (OK) www.prismpmufoals.com Hooves and Halos Animal Rescue (OR) www.hoovesandhalos.com HyTyme Equine Rescue (OR) www.hytymeequinerescue.com Whispering Winds Equine Rescue (OR) www.whisperingwindsequinerescue.com Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue (PA) www.saveahorsenow.org Another Chance 4 Horses, Inc. (PA) www.ac4h.com Back In The Saddle Horse Adoption, Inc. (PA) www.bitshorseadopt.org Bright Futures Farm Horse Rescue (PA) www.brightfuturesfarm.org Last Chance Ranch Equine Rescue (PA) www.lastchanceranch.org Lifelines Farm and Sanctuary (PA) www.lifelinesfarmsanctuary.org/ Save A Horse Stable (PA) www.saveahorsestable.net Second Chance Equine Association of Westmoreland County PA Horse Play Horse Rescue (RI) www.hptrc.org New England Equine Rescues (RI) www.newenglandequinerescues.com Horse Savers US (TN) www.horsesavers.us Mustang Alley Horse Rescue (TN) www.mustangalley.org Ipswich Equine Rescue (TX) www.ipswichequinerescuetx.bravehost.com Utah Animal Adoption Center Horse Rescue Program (UT) www.wasatchhumane.org Lost Fantasy Rescue (VA) www.lostfantasystables.org Melanies Equine Rescue & Rehab Ctr (VA) www.wilsonlivestockandforage.com/melanie National Horse Protection Coalition (VA) www.horse-protection.org? Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue, Inc. (VA) www.rvhr.com SAFERpastures (VT) www.saferpastures.com Spring Hill Horse Rescue (VT) www.springhillrescue.com Equine Aid (WA) www.equineaid.net Save A Forgotten Equine Horse Rescue (WA) www.safehorses.org Washington Thoroughbred Transitional Facility (WA) www.tbrescue.com Chestnut Farms Equine Rescue (WV) www.geocities.com/chestnut_farms Santiburi Farm Ripley, (WV) Second Wind Adoptive Program (WV) Fair Dinkum Farm Equine Rescue (WY) www.FDFER.org Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary (WY) www.kindnessranch.org (National, 2009) Read More