This blog is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of abused and neglected horses. It is a cause in which we believe and devote much of our time and resources. We hope that you will be touched by that you see and read here and will make a donation to help us help the Horses. Our new rescue organization is the Virginia Equine Welfare Society. Please visit their website www.vewshorses.org for information about volunteering, fostering horses, adopting horses and donating to the cause.






Thursday, July 29, 2010

Here we go again!

Yesterday USERL was again asked to assist in the rescue of more starving horses, this time in Charles City County. And, like the loving, caring people they are they responded within hours to save another 10 horses from abuse and starvation. That makes 43 horses and a goat (?) rescued this month alone. Our rescue barns are full as are most of the volunteer's barns but we will keep doing what we do!!!! Charges are pending against the owners.

You can see the video of the Channel 8 News coverage at this link http://www.wric.com/global/Category.asp?c=190525&clipId=4982868&topVideoCatNo=92150&autoStart=true

Friday, July 9, 2010

King and Queen County Court Case

The court case held on July 8th in King and Queen County could not have gone better for the horses!!!
In a Plea Bargain the defendants agreed to:
> surrender 33 horses to USERL
> no future ownership of horses
> restitution of $ 500.00 per month to be paid to USERL through K&Q County
> remaining 20 horses to be sold or given away under the county's supervision
> two Haflingers left on the property to recieve immediate Vet care
> husband can continue to train horses but not on his property
> County has free access to the property for future inspections
> animal cruelty charges will still be filed against both husband and wife

This is a great outcome...especially for the horses. The County waited to file the criminal charges until after the seizure hearing so it would not be tied up into the same trial as the criminal charges. This way the horses are not in limbo for months and months and can be adopted out as soon as they are ready.

Yet another great job by the USERL Regional Director and other volunteers...way to go!!! Please consider helping where and how you can. The horses thank you... "when we're hungry...love will keep us alive"

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Yet another seizure

Tuesday of this week USERL was asked to assist authorities from King and Queen county, VA in rescuing over two dozen horses including five stallions and at least one pregnant mare. Volunteers worked late into the night to load and transport the horses to safe locations where they will be given the care they need to survive, including Vet and Farriar services. News video can be seen at wtvr.com. There is still a lot of work to do in this regard to get all the horses to the various rehab barns and established in their individual rehab routines.

Please keep in mind that USERL is a non profit organization that operates through volunteers and donations. Our reward is seeing these horses returned to healthy/active animals. Please help where you can with donations of time and/or money. A link to the USERL website can be found below.