This week I received two calls to adopt horses. I always ask why.
There are always various reasons. The horses were over 20 and had finished their use for them. They wanted to get another horse and could not afford to keep two. The child outgrew the horse or they were short of money. Or they are sure it would be a good companion horse. There is a divorce, will I take the horse? If they had owned the horse for more than 10 years, I suggest that they send their pet over the rainbow bridge. Some call me names, tell me I am a cruel person for having the reputation of saving horses. I am more realistic now.
I know I cannot save them all.
I know the cost to my pocketbook and the cost to the horse. It is much easier to say no, because I haven’t had a raise in my pension for some time. I think about the horse that has been under the same care for 10-15 years and their owners want to send them into the unknown. Change is difficult for us oldies. It takes a long time to settle into a new place, sometimes a year.
In past years, when a newbie came to the Sanctuary it was quarantined until there was a health assessment, dewormed and vaccinated. After a couple of weeks, I would introduce the herd, one by one, to develop a familiarity. There were 25 horses, I did not separate them; they were a herd with herd mentality.
Any newbie is awarded that special spot at the bottom of the pecking order.
Horses can be cruel and the mares are dominant. The alternative is to ship the horse to the Truro sales, where horses are picked up for slaughter. My sympathy is with the horse, so give them that last act of kindness. Now there is help with the cost. Horse Aid Canada, helps with the cost of euthanasia. They are able to do this through donations. Horse Aid Canada is a federally registered Canadian Charity Registration No. 762762029RR0001. This Non-Profit was organized by one person “Laura Cull” who saw a need to save horses from slaughter. Please check out the Horse Aid Canada website. This would be a great place to donate your $$’s to help horse owners and the horse. Speaking of money, and the need for tax receipts, the “Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Group” does good work, their office is at the Atlantic Veterinary College. Check out the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Group website too. The SJDAW helps the Sanctuary with our health clinic in April and also the Dental examinations in the fall.
Volunteer Orientation
Finally, on February the 1st we had a very successful Volunteer clinic. It was fun to have Trailblazers come as well. It was lovely to tell horse stories and figure out where everyone would be helpful at the Sanctuary. I said finally because I had organized the gathering for 2 previous Sundays. We cancelled each one due to the weather forecast. I was beginning to think I was bringing on the storms with my organizing. It was nice that this weather bomb fizzled.
These are the five freedoms of Animal Welfare:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst,
- Freedom from discomfort,
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease,
- Freedom to express normal behavior
- Freedom from fear and distress.
For me, putting a horse down is a difficult decision. I have had to make that decision close to 80 times in the last 45 years. I make a promise to everyone that I will be their last caretaker. They tell me when it is time. I waffle!??! Then promise them one last summer on the hills. Not always has that been the best decision. It may be good for the ones that have trouble breathing, not so good for the oldies with arthritis. In my defence, they all get extra treats and lots of hugs. At the end I invest in lots of tissues. There are nine left, I am sure most will outlive me. Decisions I will not have to make.
I have applied for 2 summer student positions through the Canada Student Job service.
The Provincial application for the “Jobs for Youth” grants have not been posted yet. I always ask for 12 – 16 weeks to give work to a University or Holland College student. They need that much time to pay their fees. Mostly I get an 8 week grant and that would suit a high school student. It is a good place to work, Education is our game and there is fun too. If you are looking for an introduction for work in the fields of animal health, agriculture, forestry or tourism, (yup we cover all those things) send your resumes to Handibear Hills Horse Sanctuary, Inc. For me every year is about the horse.
This year is super special the Lunar Calendar declares it officially as the year of the “Fire Horse”.
I am excited!! Take a little time to reach out to your neighbour when the weather is wicked. There is a promise of an early spring. I will believe when I see it, until then love and hugs from Yogi and the herd