Equine Advocates

This autumn, I decided to replace my horses' winter blankets with brand-new ones. We were wondering what to do with the old ones and Betsy Perreten, my stable manager, came up with the perfect solution.  She thought we should donate the blankets to an organization called Equine Advocates, a national nonprofit equine protection organization founded in 1996, promoting equine rescue, retirement, and the humane treatment of horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules, located in Chatham, New York. Susan Wagner, the founder and president of this wonderful organization, is very passionate about and proud of what she does. "The mission of Equine Advocates is to rescue, protect, and prevent the abuse of horses through education, investigation, rescue operations, and the dissemination of information to the public," she told Betsy. "The organization deals primarily with five main issues of importance: equine rescue, horse slaughter, wild horse issues, the PMU [pregnant mares' urine] industry, and the prevention of equine abuse."

Lovely rolling hills and paddocks:

The 128-acre center is called Safe Home Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, and welcomes visitors to see the dozens of rescued animals finding shelter there. It's really heart wrenching to learn the sad history of these animals. The center also has an education facility where you can attend seminars dealing with all aspects of horse care and equine issues. Susan is extremely active with many political causes and conducts symposiums and fund-raisers for her mission. Betsy was very inspired by her visit and looks forward to returning again. She and I both feel very good that the horse blankets she delivered that day are keeping five rescued horses warm for the winter.  All photos today were taken by Betsy.

Susan and Betsy holding one of the donated blankets:

Every equine has his or her own story.  This is about Willie and Nelson, two rescued American Mustangs:

This is about Jerry and Jeffrey Mac, two other amazing rescue stories:

Some of the horse stables:

A cute pony:

 

Comments

[Kathy]

Martha,
What a good use for those horse blankets. Betsy did come up with the perfect solution in donating them to Equine Advocates. Thanks for telling us about their work to better the lives of the horses---and donkeys---they rescue.
Kathy

[PAULINE MUCCIACCIO]

Hi Martha,
What a wonderful organization.
I'm sure with you blogging this article they will receive other types of donations. It seems like the horse is admiring the blanket
that Susan & Betsy are holding.
Pauline Mucciaccio

[Trish]

It makes me happy to learn that five rescued horses will be enjoying the warmth provided by your donated blankets. Equine Advocates is the second place in a week that I have read about in regards to rescued horses and other farm critters and I praise the people who take care of these precious animals. When I found out how much it cost just to buy hay to feed the horses regularly, I decided I wanted to help and that is what I will be doing. You have done a great thing with your blankets, Martha. Trish

[Jenna Z]

Good thinking donating them to Equine Advocates, Betsy, it is a truly wonderful place!

[Margie]

That cute pony probably is a pony that bites---he has that "I dare you" look of a horse that didn't give in or up. It is nice two horses were named for Willie Nelson as he is a strong passionate supporter of horse welfare.
The pressure on Equine Advocates has just begun.

[Susan Thixton]

Martha,
I watch you every day in Tampa, Fl - knowing you are an animal lover - I'm hopeful that you'll take interest and provide some support for pet owners all over the US. The FDA is planning a spring meeting for input from 'stakeholder groups' to ensure the safety of pet food. There is no bigger stakeholder group than US pet owners. I am leading a group effort for the representation of pet owners at that meeting and for pet owners to have a voice. Currently pet food manufacturers sit on the advisory boards to AAFCO - the rule makers of the industry. In other words - the fox is guarding the hen house. Please help us! Your compassion for animals and your personal integrity could make a huge difference for pet owners.
We are hoping to pull together a US Pet Owners for Pet Food Safety e-March (electronic march) to the FDA meeting. For more information you can visit www.truthaboutpetfood.com/emarch.html
Here's hoping you can help.
Susan Thixton

[Mandy]

Martha,
Bravo to Betsy for her compassionate way of thinking.

Everyone can do something kind for organizations that take care of animals. Whether it be a specific organization such as Equine Advocates or a Wild Life Rescue or even a local Humane Society.

Each year, the week after New Years, I replace my hand and bath towels; it's a treat for me to get nice new cozy towels (and they're usually on sale that time of year) and a treat for the animals at the local Humane Society were I take my gently used towels for the cats and dogs to sleep on. It'll warm your heart!

[Janet]

Thank you for making people aware of the horses in Canada being slaughtered and/or sent to European meat markets. As a horse owner and a Canadian, these practices have upset me for many years and hopefully can one day soon be stopped.

[JoAnn]

I believe that not many Americans are aware that our horses are cruely transported and inhumanely slaughtered for human consumption abroad. Thank you so much for having Susan from Equine Advocates on your show. Hopefully, the bills before Congress will pass very soon. And thank you for donating your blankets.

[Jennie]

Martha

Wonderful idea for the blankets. There are many rescue organizations across the country that blankets can be donated to.

In addition to educating the general population about the issues of horse slaugter, overbreeding, the throw away mentality of many horse industries, there is a need for rescue organizations.

These organizations provide a humane alternative for horses when they find themselves in a bad situation with no where to go.

Thanks for having Susan on your show. And thanks again to Susan and to others like her.

[Keirstie R. Carducci]

I am a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator in the state of Michigan. I have also been a foster person for several Humane organizations for the past 25 years. I am interested in helping as many animals as I can in my lifetime -- it's why I was put on earth. I came across a story one night that Debora Norville did on "Inside Edition" about horse slaughter. I was HORRIFIED at what I saw. I cried for days and told everyone I could about what was going on. I was so happy to see this story on your show today because it is SO important that this information gets out and people are aware of what is happening to these beautiful, innocent animals! There is NO WAY I, myself, could reach so many people with this kind of story -- thank you so much for bringing it to peoples' attention!
Sincerely,
Keirstie Carducci
Out-Back Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Ottawa Lake, MI

[Susan S]

My heart is always filled with the greatest sorrow mixed with joy when I read about people like Susan Wagner who devote their lives for the love and protection of the ones who "have no voice and no choice." It is the saddest statement of our species that these conditions exist.

Our children and animals deserve the utmost care!

[Barb AZ]

Thank you so much for having Equine Advocates on your show. SO many people don't know about horse slaughter and that our horses are being served up on dinner plates overseas. I hope people will call their congressmen and ask them to pass the American Horse Slaughter Protection Act, Senate bill S311 and house bill HR 503.

[Barbara Warner]

Thank you so much for having Susan on and telling about horse slaughter. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, H.R. 503/S.311, needs to be passed immediately.
Also the Burns amendment needs to be resended in order to stop the selling of our wild horses by the passage of H.R. 249.

[Carol Nichols]

Hi Martha,

Thank you so very much for doing the story on rescue. More people should be made aware of the inhumane way our horses are being slaughtered. Maybe you story will help save some poor horse.

Once again I thank you.

Carol Nichols
Monessen, Pa

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, What a heartwarming blog! It is so comforting to know there are places like Safe Home Equine Rescue and Sanctuary in your area. We have a place called Pasado's Safe Haven here in the Seattle area. It was started by Susan Michaels and named for a beautiful donkey who was beaten to death by a couple of teen agers. They take in all kinds of animals. Thank you so much for sharing amd making others aware of sanctuaries like these. Jan

[Jane Fieberts]

Dear Martha,
Thank you so much for raising awareness about horse slaughter and the wonderful work of people such as Susan Wagner. It is vital that the American people pressure their Congressmen and women to pass S311 and HR503 to stop the transport of our beautiful horses via cruelly inhumane conditions to meet a horrific end. Horses settled this country. As their human caretakers, we owe them a peaceful, noble end. And thank you for donating the blankets!

[Kathy]

Martha,
Thanks for having the information about Equine Advocates and the rescue of these animals on your show and pointing out the information on your blog. I have already called and written the members of the House and Senate in my state.
I am also glad to hear about the pet food safety e-march.
Kathy

[Lynette, IL]

Thank you Martha for getting the story of horse slaughter out there to the public. We really need everyone to come out now and help pass the American Horse Slaughter Provention Act, S311 and HR503, to save our American horses from a cruel death at foreign slaughter houses.

[Tstockam]

Thank you for having Susan of Equine Advocates on your program. Please support your horse/animal rescues and please contact your Representatives and Senators to ask them to cosponsor the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act S311/H.R.503.

[Dee Mirich]

Martha

For Your Caring About This So Very Important Issue About Our Horses. For Reaching Out.

Martha You And Susan From Equine
Adovcates Are Angels On This Earth.

Many Blessings To You.

Dee Mirich

[Lorri Roush Shaver]

Martha, thank you so much for airing this piece. So many American's have no idea our horses are being slaughtered for overseas human consumption. And while there are currently no slaughter houses operating in the US, they are not yet illegal and we are still allowing the transport of our horses into Canada and Mexico for slaughter.

If your doctor has you on Premarin, WHOA! Do some research on it...you don't want to take it for several reasons.

Please join a state action team and fight to pass the American Horse Slaughter Protection Amendment. The Amendment will end slaughter of horses in American for human consumption and stop the export of them into Mexico and Canada for slaughter.

For more information on how to get involved go to http://www.alexbrownracing.com/wiki/index.php/Horse_slaughter#Current_Strategy. Scroll down to "Current Strategy" and look for "join a state group."

Anyone who tells you that this amendment is a disservice to the horses is wrong and pro-slaughter. We are fighting a tough lobby. The Cattleman's Association, among others, have deep pockets and have profited off the deaths of American Horses for many years. They don't want to see the end of this gravy train.

Please, contact your legislators in DC!!! Please be a voice for the horses who cannot speak for themselves!

[Mary]

Dear Martha:

I, too, can't possibly thank you enough for featuring Equine Advocates and the issues of horse rescue and horse slaughter on your show. You are doing these wonderful creatures an incredible service by getting this information out in the public sphere.

Perhaps because of what you did today, the bills to ban the transportation of horses to slaughter in the U.S. will finally, finally become law.

Best Wishes!

[adrienne]

Martha,
Thank you for having susan wagner on your show today. Hopefully everyone will call their members of congress and senators to have them get hr503 and s311 passed.

[Wendy]

Susan was terrific on your show. Horse Slaughter must be stopped. Thanks Equine Advocates for what you do.