What makes a "rescue?"

Some conversation on facebook recently got me thinking.......with so many "rescue" organisations out there, how do you know which one/s to give your hard earned money to? From my experience, many people go into "rescuing" to stroke their ego and "feel good" about themselves, when the horses really derive no benefit from the care they receive. So what makes an organisation worth dealing with? And how do you pick the ones who are truly committed to their horses, and who is just a glorified horse trader? These are not easy questions to answer, and an organisation with a flashy website and a few happy stories can seem like the real deal. Often they are. But how do you pick the ones that aren't? My thoughts on this are likely to cause some heated debate, but that's fine with me. Remember this blog is just an opinion!

Professionalism is the key. A solid track record of rehabilitation and rehoming is a good start. This does not have to be a high volume of horses, just regular success stories over several years. Solid backing, and not constant statements like "we have XX days feed left" or "all horses have to go" or "we have run out of money" or "we have no land" to guilt trip people into donating. All rescues need money, of course, but if someone goes into it, they need to do so with their eyes and wallets open. A registered association and non-profit status does NOT necessarily mean that the organisation is truly legitimate. They should be open to any enquiry, and not be on the defensive if someone has a different opinion to them. Places which suddenly shut down, harrass people (including "deleting" from social media pages) or vanish from public view when questioned about something would definitely ring alarm bells for me. Being a public organisation is going to draw scrutiny, and they should be professional in their handling of any issues.

I would always feel happier if the committee were made up of people who were not family members of everyone else. To me, this smacks of people getting together just to get that non-profit status and collect donations. I like to see regular meeting dates and minutes published, with a bare minimum being the AGM. I want to be able to become a member of the association if I so choose, and therefore be able to nominate for the committee. There are places around that are made up of only a few family/friends and allow no other members. I believe that this shows a lust for control, and being closed to new ideas and outside input. There also MUST be annual financial statements published, or at the very least available if requested. I won't compromise on that - I need to see where my money would go. I would also like to see their adoption policy freely available, adopting to the first person to pay is not what I call responsible.

Many rescues are run from people's personal properties. This is not a problem in itself, however there would need to be an obvious separation from their personal horses for me to be confident of their true rescue status. Not necessarily physically, as many have limited resources, but I have seen places who fill up their websites and communications with stories and photos of their own horses and their interaction with the "rescues." I'm not interested in that. Especially when they often raise money for new fencing or paddock shelters and feed. How much of this is going to the rescue horses and how much to their own? The other thing I like to see is the availability of the facilities to outsiders. If I can't visit the place, they don't get my dollars. I'm happy to arrange a specific time privately, as I realise people don't like others just wandering in all the time, or I'll visit an open day, but a blanket "no visitors" would turn me right off. Anyone who runs a legitimate rescue would be happy to show you their horses, I am sure.

I also do not like the shock tactics some organisations employ. This is not limited to horse welfare, many animal welfare organisations will post horrific photos of extreme cruelty on public forums and social media. This does nothing to promote the organisation or its goals. I do not doubt the validity of many of these pictures, but unless the organisation is actually going to rush over to Thailand, China or wherever and confront the situation, it isn't relevant. Many claim this is "education," however the education I want to see is about caring for horses - basic things like worming, hoof care, feeding, older horses etc. I don't need or want their personal/political views shoved down my throat. I want to see the actual work they are doing with their horses! That's why I am there. If I want to stop animal cruelty in China, I'll go there.

I am also concerned by the lack of safety I see in some places. Lack of appropriate attire including helmets and boots, small children unsupervised around completely unrestrained horses, and paddocks littered with rubbish and poor fencing. It isn't difficult to be safe around horses, and it will provide a good impression and set an example for prospective clients. Many people who look at rescue horses are not experienced, and will often see the organisation as a role model for their own care practices. Some organisations demonstrate excellent, safe facilities and practices, and promote these by excellent education on horse care and safety topics. This is what I want to see!

Probably my biggest problem is with transport. I am forever seeing people posting that they can't rescue a horse because they don't have transport. This includes organisations! This is one of the basic prerequisites I would think. If there's a horse in trouble, how on earth are you going to help it if you can't take it anywhere? I'm sick of the endless posts begging for someone to go pick up the horse! Pay for a truck if you don't have a float. There's plenty of companies around, and if you can't arrange it, well tough luck, you have no business rescuing. What if the horse needs veterinary treatment in a hurry (which is likely with rescued horses), or a natural disaster threatens you? With petrol prices the way they are, it would be a rare individual who will actually use their own time, float and vehicle to go get a horse that they don't know the history of. A legitimate rescue would already have a network of people available for this sort of thing, and not beg from the masses.

What are your thoughts? Please do not name people or organisations, as I don't want to start bickering, but do comment on anything that is good and bad about any rescues you have dealt with. (Note: any comments that are nasty or inappropriate will be deleted, so keep it nice folks!)

Worms, worms, worms!

Okay, so this is a bit ewwwwww, but anything with potential to save lives (of any species) piques my interest. Don't look if you can't bear the sight of worms! Read story here.

Anyway, this got me thinking about worms. Let's look at the subject of that article, the roundworm. Roundworms in horses, also known as ascarids, are relatively common, and are transmitted by swallowing eggs from contaminated hay or water. The eggs develop into larvae in the stomach of the horse, which then migrate to the liver, heart and lungs. They are then coughed up and swallowed - then develop into egg-laying adults, again in the stomach. This process takes about 3 months. They can cause coughing, pneumonia, liver damage, colic and diarrhoea. A heavy burden can cause intestinal blockage or rupture. Signs of worminess, from any species of parasite, include pot belly, rough coat, slow growth and general unthriftiness (among others).

To avoid these problems, we spend hundreds each year on de-worming our precious friends. We rotate wormers to avoid resistance, as we've been taught, and we worm every 6-8 weeks. (Well, actually, I don't, as my horses do not run with anyone else's, I worm 3 monthly, have done for years with no ill effects.)


I read just recently that these practices may actually contribute to resistance.  We already have resistance to some of the current compounds by large roundworms, pin worms, small strongyles and small redworms. Without any new worming compounds expected on the market over the next few years, that is a problem that can't be ignored. And besides, why put chemicals into your horse if he/she doesn't need them anyway? You wouldn't do that to yourself, would you? Horse wormers also have side effects: putting extra strain on the liver, killing of good gut bacteria, can cause impaction colic if the horse has a heavy worm burden that suddenly dies, can have an adverse effect on earthworms and beetles etc, PLUS of course worms developing resistance.The "standard" worming practices we have known for decades really need to be challenged to keep resistance at bay.

 How do we do this? Okay, it's gross, but Faecal Egg Counts. Yes, you guessed it, somebody looks at your horses' poo and tells you how many worm eggs are in it. Your vet should be able to do this, you can also get DIY kits if you don't mind playing with poop (You only need about a spoon full or something, it's not much). Some horses have a natural resistance, and will have a lower egg count than other horses on the same pasture with high counts, even if they were wormed on the same day. Adult horses with no heavy worm burden (and no health issues) should be wormed at longer intervals. Aged and very young horses still need to be targeted for intensive treatment but again, should be monitored for their actual worm burden. You can also monitor the effectiveness of your wormer - do a count before and shortly after worming. You'll soon see if your wormer is effective. Do another count at 6 or 8 weeks post worming and see if you need to worm again. I bet you probably don't. Continually de-worming just kills off the non-resistane worms, leaving ONLY the resistant ones to breed on, thus contributing to resistance.

Naturally, pasture management remains important - controlled stocking rates, regular harrowing, encouraging dung beetles, removing manure piles regularly, rotating pastures and grazing with cattle and/or sheep can all help reduce the reliance on chemical wormers. Frost and hot sun will kill worm eggs - so if your paddock needs a rest, the best time to do it is in the middle of summer, or the middle of winter if you're in a frost area. And don't forget to isolate and worm any new horses you introduce - preferably keep them separate for several days before putting out on your pasture. Oh, and get rid of those yucky botfly eggs you see on legs or belly. (see picture below)

There are also some natural wormers - garlic and fennel seed are two that are not highly toxic. Copper can also be added to the horse's diet to boost the immune system. Diatomaceous earth and crushed pumpkin seeds are two more examples, although less commonly used. I haven't had experience with these, but I do know people who swear by them.

Ultimately, it's up to individual horse owners to choose the worming program that suits them. But seriously, if we DON'T need to do it so often, why do we bother? Let's face it, it becomes a waste of time and money - and how many of us have horses who are easy to worm? (*puts hand up and grins*)

Remember Grace?

My apologies for the lack of posts......I have my own little equine issue going on right now, so please forgive me (again)!

I've blogged about Amazing Grace before (original blog and Grace's facebook page)......thought you'd all like to see her now!

Hard to believe it's the same horse! The trial date for her abuser is May 6th. Let's see what happens, shall we? The punishment will probably not fit the crime, it rarely does in animal cruelty cases, but we can only hope that 1 - she is found guilty and 2 - the sentence is the harshest possible under the law.

And another amazing rescue story!

  Whisper......

Whisper soon after rescue

Whisper is another of those horses who very nearly didn't make it. Another horse on the property from where she was rescued had already died, and as you can see from the photo, Whisper was close to death herself. She had gone down and could not get up, and despite calling a vet when it all went pear shaped, the owner did not provide adequate care to Whisper, or the other horses on the property.

The next problem was that nobody could take Whisper once she was seized. Rescues are full to the brim, and most animal control departments do not have horse facilities, especially for one as critically ill as Whisper. Anyway, as fate would have it she ended up at SAFE (Save A Forgotten Equine) - read the article for the full story of Whisper's care and amazing recovery.

Whisper during her rehab, which was full of setbacks

It was a long and bumpy road, but she made it. Somehow. She was adopted into a new home and is doing brilliantly. Her former owner was prosecuted, and received a sentence of 12 months community supervision, 90 days electronic home monitoring, and could not own or keep any animal, plus being fined for court costs and rehabilitation of the horses who survived.

Whisper now......what an amazing change!

I want one of these!!!!!

I'm sure most horse owners who've ever stabled their horses agree that cleaning up after them is not a pleasant task. Necessary, yes, but not your favourite chore for the day! Or if you've worked in a stable, cleaning box after box, you would definitely appreciate this invention!

No, it's not an automatic poo-picker, although if someone invented that I'd also be pleased. It's a "house breaking" system to teach your horse to poop in the one spot! Long overdue I say!

It's based on a reward for behaviour - they poop or urinate in the right spot, and they get a food reward. Simple theory, and according to the people who made it, they've got 5 horses using it succesfully. There is a heat sensor that detects when a horse has done its business in the correct spot (they use a grille-covered pit), then an automatic feeder releases the reward. Simple!

There are a few limitations - the system needs to remain there as horses go back to their old "habits" if its removed, and because of the way male horses urinate it isn't as successful for them, although they still learn to poop in the right spot - but it has huge potential!

You can imagine the benefits - less bedding, better hygeine, reduced odour, no more cleaning green spots off your white horse the morning of a show........

The ultimate endurance ride!

Check this out! A woman, her best mate and her little Arab.......riding from Los Angeles to New Hampshire. (That's pretty much one side of the US to the other, for those who, like me, don't know a lot about US geography!)

http://linnykenney.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html

When I first came across this I couldn't help but think of Forrest Gump.......sorry guys.......you'll have to scroll through the archives to get the whole story, but it's just amazing. If you read right through you will learn that Sojourner, the horse, went through four homes without making a real bond with anyone before coming to Linny. Few people could ride him, and Linny was advised to look for a horse older and more experienced - but to her, the connection meant everything, and she connected with this one! Their story has been featured in Arabian Horse World 5 times, including this one.

This explains it best, from the blog:

On March 1^st, 2010, my friend, Walter, and I set off on an adventure with our Arabian horse, Sojourner. Together the three of us covered 3,700 miles traveling from Los Angles, CA to my childhood home in Bath, NH. I rode Soj and Walter drove our little Toyota Tacoma. 

I say “our” because what was once mine or once his is now ours since the ride poured its magical powers over us and made two platonic friends of 11 years fall in love. This blog tells the entire tale of our nearly 9 month horseback ride and brings us to the now where Sojourner, Walter, our cat, Porter, and I have landed in NH…a new little family with one big focus: LEATHER CREATIONS (and maybe a few others)....like planning a wedding!!!!

They never cease to amaze me!

Horses are such tough creatures. They can survive situations that just leave us shaking our heads sometimes, wondering how on earth they could possibly have made it through!

Take Eddie the Arab for example........read his full story here.....who survived a harrowing trip through an irrigation tunnel - over 5km in length! His 16 year old rider was riding along the riverbank when Eddie slipped and fell in. The poor rider just had to let go, and watch poor Eddie sucked under the water and swept away. I can only imagine how terrified both of them were feeling at that moment.

The tunnel is a horseshoe-shaped concrete waterway, which carries 740 cubic feet per second. That's a LOT of water, moving in a big hurry. Eddie would have been in about 2.5m of water, with only about 60cm of head room to breathe. Whta's even scarier, is that to actually get into the tunnel, he would have had to go through a water control gate, which meant he would have been about 1.5m underwater, facing backwards - and remained submerged for about 30m or so!

He remained there for 2 days until he was found by a worker in water to his belly. Amazingly, he only had grazes and cuts to show for his ordeal. He did spike a fever and was given fluids and antibiotics, and has now recovered well.

Read on in the article to the last couple of paragraphs - Eddie sure is one good rescuer!

Just a quick one.....

I promise I'll be back writing proper posts soon.....moving away to a new town, starting a new job and sending my eldest off to "big school" has kinda taken up all my time lately!

Just thought I'd mention this: Equine Emergency Rescue, particularly in light of my recent flood post, and with all the terrible, terrible things going on around Australia at the moment. Floods, fires, cyclone - and it's only just February!

It's important for horse owners to have some idea of how to rescue their beloved animals if things do go wrong. Having been in a float accident, let me tell you it is a horrifying, frightening experience. We all know horses are flight animals, and will panic if things go wrong. Even the calmest of horses can lose control in a tough situation - and let's face it, most of the time anyone coming to your rescue is probably not going to understand an awful lot about handling horses, let alone panicked, stressed ones!

The book is written in such a way that it's easy to show someone how to help your horse out of danger. Definitely worth the money - and if you get an electronic copy (like I did), you can print it and keep a copy in the car, stbales, float, truck, everywhere! Well worth the small cost in my opinion.