J.J. and Shalimar

We have two new rescues here at our farm. They are temporary fosters at this time but if Sarah has any say in the matter they will be permanent residents. Sarah came today to meet them and of course didn't want to go home. She is returning latter this week to spend 6 days (according to her). J.J and Shalimar came together and wherever J.J.(the pony) goes so does Shalimar (the goat). They are both very cute and well behaved little girls.

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

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"

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.

USERL 1000 saved

This is an original production from United States Equine Rescue League celebrating the rescue and rehabilitation of 1000 horses. Contact them to volunteer or donate at http://www.userl.org/ or the Richmond Region Chapter at http://www.userl-vard.org/

Eagles- Love will keep us alive( live)

Timothy B Schmit..(sorry no d )

This picture says it all...it is the reason we devote all the time, energy and expense to rescuing abused and neglected horses.

This is 'Coty' and like most of the rescues he was in rough shape when he came into the rehab barn. Now he is back to full weight and health and is being fostered and loved by a 10 year old little girl and her family!

This is what it is all about... thank you Emily...and thanks to everyone who has volunteered, donated and cared!

Preference Farm Video

This video is in memory of "Ingaberry Bey" and is dedicated to Amy J for providing the motivation...Hank

Panda and Cocoa Update

Both Panda and Cocoa are doing well. Both are back to full weight and are progressing with their ground training and under saddle.... but the best news is that they both are at their "forever home" here at Preference Farm. Kathy and I have become very attached to them and have therefore decided to adopt them both. They will both remain here with us at our farm. Cocoa reminds us both of our beloved Ingaberry Bey... her color and markings are very very similar and her head, face and ears also. She, of coarse, is not a full blooded Arabian however we are convinced that somewhere in her blood line there is some Arabian blood. Panda has such a wonderful disposition that you can't help but love her. She is just above Monte in the pecking order which makes her only second from the bottom however this makes little difference when you work with her one on one! She is smart and very willing to please. We hope by Spring that they both will be ready to go for trail rides and start enjoying the time away from the others.

Just remember that it was just the end of January 09 that these horses were seized from their owner. Less than one year! They were both only a body score of 1 emaciated and so weak they could barely stand. Due to the love and caring people of USERL and the efforts of their volunteers both of these horses are well and we hope and think happy again. Please do what you can by volunteering you time or donating supplies or money to this worry cause.

Kathy and I wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

It's been over a year since my last post! WOW the time does fly by. Since that time Snowy has left us after an injury to her left hind leg that required care we were unable to provide. She was moved to another Foster Barn with the facilities that were necessary for her recovery. We visited her after she was there for about 4 months and she was doing well and living the life of luxury with a dedicated turn out paddock as well as daily hydrotherapy. Her leg was healing well and she was continuing to gain weight.
Kathy and I are now fostering two new mares Panda and Cocoa. They have always been together and they are doing well with our own horses. They are 10 and 6 years old and are now back to normal weight and hoof condition. We have started them both under saddle and both have responded well. Before their neglect someone had worked with both of these mares.

Meet Molly

Molly is a gray specked pony that was abandoned when Katrina hit Louisiana. She spent weeks on her own and when she was found went to a rescue barn where abandoned animals were taken. While there she was attacked by a pit bull terrier, and almost died. LSU surgeon Rustin Moore agreed to remove her leg below the knee and an artificial limb was built. Molly was a one in a million patient . The other important factor was having truly committed owners that are dedicated to the daily care she will require for the rest of her life.

Molly has a new job now. She is visiting shelters, nursing homes, hospitals and rehab centers. Anywhere that people needed HOPE. Wherever Molly went she showed people her pluck. She inspires people and has a good time doing it says Kay the rescue farm owner.

USERL Investigators Course

This past weekend April 18th through April 20th I completed the United States Equine Rescue League (USERL) Cruelty Investigators Course and will now be able to partner with the experienced investigators in the field investigating cases brought to our attention either by concerned citizens or by Law Enforcement Officers. More than 30 people took the course, at least two thirds of which were County Animal Control Officers and a few Assistant Commonwealth Attorneys.
USERL did a fantastic job putting on the course and presenting the subject matter and I was proud to be a USERL volunteer. USERL is strickly a Non Profit Volunteer Organization and does their work through donations. They provide their services to the various County Goverment groups and to others they work with free of charge. Most times USERL can and will provide transportation of equines, safe rescue barns and all feed and hay for these horses. Their volunteer Vets and Farriers provide medical and hoof care which is usually/always greatly needed for these horses. What a wonder feeling it has been to see a rescued horse return to the healthy, happy and normal life they deserve and what a wonderful group of people it is that makes up the USERL. Please take a minute and visit their web site. There is a link at the bottom of our page.
Our foster horse Snowy is doing well and gaining weight day by day. Her bone structure is far less noticeable and she is gaining more strength every day. She is going to be a very nice horse and should be ready for adoption soon.

Snowy Update

Today is the last day of March and several days into Spring, however we are have sleet this morning despite the 42 degree temperature...what crazy weather!
On a positive note Snowy continues to thrive and gain weight. You can now see the difference and tell she is filling out some hollow spots around her hip and tail bones. Her coat, while it is shedding out for warmer weather, is looking better also. The farrier was here and she got her hoofs trimmed and the cracks in the front hoofs are growing out nicely. We are estimating that she has gained approximately 145 pounds.
Snowy has become very settled in and has become a little more self assured around the rest of the horses. She will go into the pasture with the others but doesn't find it quite necessary to be in close proximity to the others. Kathy has been working with her on her ground manners and she is doing well.
Better go now as we are expecting a visit from some of our Grandchildren and I have to get the tractor ready for riding.

Styx - Lady

I'll be There