Sidebar to Rescued for a Reason
About the Rescues participating in the Four States Ag Expo, Cortez, CO:
“Labor of love” may sum up the dedication of rescue operators, but the old cliché doesn’t come close to describing the challenges of caring for horses by the dozens, some with very special needs. Three equine rescues have colts ready for Jason Patrick’s Rescued to Ride™ program, and although each operation has a unique set of challenges, all are united in the passion for placing these horses in good homes or giving them humane treatment in their own pastures.
About Four Corners Equine Rescue (Aztec, New Mexico), owner Debbie Coburn says: “FCER is a 501(c)3 all volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of neglected and abused horses. Our horses come primarily from either the New Mexico Livestock Board as a seizure, or as owner surrenders. We receive no government funding, and rely on donations to operate. FCER has been in existence since 2004, and in that time has assisted almost 100 horses. The biggest challenge for operating the rescue is funding. The biggest challenge for finding new homes is training. Many of the horses come to us without training, which greatly reduces their chances of being adopted. We try very hard at FCER to set the horse up on a positive road to success, and training is, without a doubt, a key factor.”
All horses coming into FCER are evaluated, and a rehabilitation program is designed specifically for that horse (usually it’s weight gain). Once the horse has reached the end of medical rehab, FCER re-evaluates and decides whether to invest in training, put the horse up for adoption, or in some cases, retire the horse to FCER. The operation has a capacity of 30 horses, and FCER is—like so many others—currently operating at over-capacity. In 2009 they took in 23 horses, and had 17 go out – 13 to new homes, and 4 were euthanized.
Diane McCracken been involved with Spring Creek Horse Rescue in Gem Village (Bayfield), Colorado, in one form or another since June of 1976. The official capacity of the operation is 40, but presently they have a short term herd size of 50 due to some emergency interventions this winter. Diane cites their biggest challenge as space, saying, “We need more property to be able to help more horses. We’d love to have a large enough property not to have to say ‘No.’” The current economy is also adding to the strain of the program.
Diane has invested some thought into choosing colts for Jason’s program, paying attention to their potential to learn and the likelihood a little training will make them adoptable. She mentions some by name: Chloe, who came to Spring Creek never having seen, according to Diane, “Man, tractor, bale of hay, or cookies;” Shadow and Sarge, saved from slaughter in Mexico. Her hopes for the colts going to Rescued to Ride™? “Homes!”
Fresh Start Horse Rescue, near Dolores, CO, is owned by Amanda and Daniel Ryan. The rescue is a 501(c)(3) and has been helping horses since 2005. According to Amanda, they “take in, rehab, re-socialize, and find permanent homes for horses that are abused, unwanted, in danger, or relinquished by loving owners who can no longer care for them.” The rescue also provides permanent sanctuary for unadoptable horses. The Fresh Start horses are in reserve for the colt-starting, but some will be on hand to greet Ag Expo visitors and one or two will get some extra attention as Karen Scholl’s demo horses. Fresh Start’s website is www.freshstarthorserescue.org . Amanda states they have a “variety of wonderful horses available for adoption or sponsorship,” and they always have openings for volunteers.