Horse Play News Mar-Apr 10

The Running Horse
A Bi-monthly Newsletter from Horse Play
Issue March - April 2010
Horse Play
EIN: 05-0506340
Website: www.hptrc.org
Email: horseplayri@msn.com

Message from Aidan – the Alpha Mare
I really think the rodent got it wrong this year! It feels like spring is on its way and I know I can see buds on the trees. I do like snow – ALOT – but that warm spring sun sure feels good at nap time!


Aidan is a 23 year old Thoroughbred mare, rescued almost 18 years ago and a “co-founder” of Horse Play. Fresh off the track, she was loaded with baggage (she lived up to her registered name “Slightly Nasty”) and a severe hoof injury. Her strong, dominant persona made things very difficult at first – but over the years and with proper teaching, she has become an incredible partner, teacher and friend. Almost adopted several times, her “alpha” nature proved her undoing and she found a permanent home here at Horse Play. She is the alpha mare of the big herd here. She will also contribute her opinions and stories on the herd’s blog at http://herdwhispers.blogspot.com/ The blog will have stories and observations by all the horses and a couple of humans of Horse Play.

A Message from Deidre

First, thank-yous are in order – Allie’s Tack and Feed, TJ Hay & Grain, David Burnham, Fran Hamilton, The RISPCA and Dr. Finocchio, Sheila Ryan, Sue Healey, John Dellena, Laurie Sturdevant, Donna Percivalle, Mandy, Garry, Deb, Frank, Chris, Kim W, Kim M, Vivian and her dad, Jan Gregory, Holly Foley and family, and everyone who has been helping Horse Play this winter – Y’all are AWESOME!

As you know, Horse Play has been full for several months, yet we have been able to continue to help horses in need because of wonderful, dedicated folks who offer time, space, as well as love and care by providing a foster place. Another horse has joined the gang in foster care – Phoenix – His situation was dire and we are so grateful we were able to help. His story is below.

***Also and update on Montenapoleone (Pepper) *** - On February 22, Pepper moved from Donna’s farm to the same facility where Phoenix lives. It’s a lot closer to Horse Play and hopefully he and Phoenix will become pasture pals. Both of these horses require extra everything, so as always, we are asking for donations – they’re tax-deductible and any amount helps! Also we have several horses available for adoption and if you can’t adopt, please consider sponsoring – the horses will thank-you.


Phoenix Rising
January 27th started out ordinary enough – then a call came in – an urgent plea to take another horse. A young man phoned in tears, desperately seeking a home for his horse. The barn owners were going to turn the horse loose in his yard if he didn’t move it that day. They were upset because people were complaining about the skinny condition the horse was in and the guy had lost his job, etc. The horse is an 18 yr old Quarterhorse gelding who the guy had “saved” a couple of months back. However, he didn’t realize he might have to feed it – he thought the horse would be ok just turned out in a field. We’re not here to judge and the guy did eventually do the right thing by calling - so – seeing as how we are full to the limit, I made my own urgent call to a friend, Sue Healey, who had offered to foster previously. She was also looking for a horse who might be suitable for her teenage son. She agreed, without too much persuasion, to take the horse. I also spoke with the barn owner and told them that Horse Play would be taking the horse but we couldn’t move him until the 29th. They said that would be ok.

On Friday, January 29th, Sheila Ryan and I headed over to pick him up, only knowing that he was skinny. We arrived at the farm and the barn owner’s daughter and Sheila loaded the horse while I had the horse’s owner sign the necessary surrender release. I didn’t really get a good look at the horse who loaded like a dream, burying his nose in the hay bag we had for him. When we arrived at his new home, I went in to unload him – I almost fainted – he was literally a hide draped over a skeleton. He didn’t want to leave his hay, so I gathered a bunch under my arm and backed him out of the trailer. There was a welcoming committee of several young girls, Sue, John Dellena (the barn owner), Cathy (who lives on the farm), a couple of donkeys and a dog. We all looked in disbelief at the pitiful site before us – still very happily munching hay! I have never seen such a skinny horse that was still upright and let alone alive. We got a couple of blankets on him and soon had him settled in a quarantine stall. Sheila and I headed home, feeling happy yet angry at the same time. I still don’t understand how this can happen – why didn’t someone call for help sooner?

The next day, I checked in with Sue and she told me he was doing fine – had eaten almost an entire bale of hay overnight. She also told me they wanted to call him Phoenix – a great name, very appropriate. I stopped by on Sunday, January 31 with friend and photographer, Laurie Sturdevant, and shot these pix.

Phoenix is an incredibly resilient soul. He has had his teeth floated and the dentist agrees he is 18ish. He also mentioned that it appeared he’d been eating dirt/rocks from the look of things. He is now surrounded by all the hay he can eat, fresh water and also some Sentinel Performance, not to mention tons of care, love, human and equine friends. He still has a long road ahead and it’s looking like Sue may take the plunge and adopt him. In the meantime, as always, we are seeking donations towards his (and all the Horse Play horses) care. Please contact Horse Play at (401)294-3565 or email horseplayri@msn.com – you can also donate on line via PayPal on our website – www.hptrc.org

Phoenix is rising and hopefully will soar into a new life of trust, respect and compassion.


“They too, are created by the same loving hand of God which created us...It is our duty to protect them and to promote their well-being.”— Mother Teresa





Who We Are
Horse Play is a Rhode Island based non-profit equine rescue and sanctuary. We provide rescue, rehabilitation and sanctuary for abused neglected & unwanted horses.We provide adoption services for horses deemed adoptable those that are not have a home here for the rest of their lives.
It is our intent:
• To provide rescue, rehabilitation, and sanctuary services for abused, neglected, and/or unwanted horses.
• To provide placement & follow-up services for rehabilitated horses and permanent sanctuary for horses that cannot be placed.
• To increase public awareness through community outreach.
• To develop and present educational programs and printed media, clinics and seminars on the responsible care and training of horses
We are a 501© 3 tax-exempt organization supported solely by public donations and grants.
If you’d like to stop by for a visit, please give us a call first. We love visitors but want to make sure someone will be available to show you around.

Follow our blogs at http://herdwhispers.blogspot.com/ and http://sagemare.blogspot.com – we’re also on Facebook – www.facebook.com/horseplayri

New Horses


Phoenix and friend, Rachel



Phoenix


TEACHING

Evolutionary Horsemanship
What is it? It is a way of keeping and working with horses that considers the “whole” horse – diet/nutrition, health (physical, mental and emotional), hoof care, age, conformation, as well as stable management practices. It incorporates many methods and variations of Natural Horsemanship – but- it is not just another Natural Horsemanship method, it’s not just “round penning” and it’s not your grandfather’s way of horse training. Why evolutionary? Because we’ve hopefully evolved to more humane, communication-oriented methods of horse teaching and moved away from the more dominant, aggressive methods of whips, chains, tie-downs and punishment. Evolutionary Horsemanship encompasses much more than basic groundwork and riding skills. It’s about building a relationship, developing a partnership and strengthening a bond. It encompasses all that is “horse” with an emphasis on natural. Join us for free workshops, demos, and clinics – dates to be posted soon!

Horse Play offers riding instruction, horse training and farrier service. Coming in March “Horses and Heroes” - a program for veterans, Kids After School Literacy Program and some Equine Experiential Learning workshops – contact us for more info.

Horse Play is happy to announce the opening of our Used and Consignment Tack Shop – right here at the farm – come browse or sell your “stuff”. Our commission rates are great – 10% for saddles and 15% for everything else. Feel free to contact us for more info. Hours: Usually Monday – Friday Noon – 6:00p.m Saturday 9:30a.m. – 3:30p.m. and Sunday Noon – 3:00p.m. Please give us a call or email if you need something in particular.



UPCOMING EVENTS

March 20, 2010 – 9:00am – 1:00pm – North Kingstown Environmental Fair, North Kingstown High School

March 28, 2010 – 9:00am – 3:00pm - RI Federation of Riding Clubs Horseman’s Bazaar and Indoor Flea Market – Metcalfe Elementary School, Nooseneck Hill Rd (Rte. 3), West Greenwich RI

Workshops, clinics and a “party” will be scheduled in the next week or so. Check our website or give a call


NEEDS AND WANTS

***URGENT*** Looking for Round Pen Panels – 10 or 12 footers - any color or finish, as many as you want to sell or give away. Also we really need a horse trailer! Two–or-more horse, in good condition and inspected - Contact Deidre (401)294-3565 or email horseplayri@msn.com

Horse Play is also currently seeking donations of tack – Western saddles, rope halters, saddle pads/blankets, bareback pads, bitless bridles – sidepulls, hackamores or the Bitless Bridle, helmets, anti-sweat sheets/coolers, and as always – cash donations. Remember, we are a non-profit organization and any donation is tax deductible.

Horse Play always needs volunteers! From cleaning paddocks, to grooming and exercising horses, mailing letters to planning fundraisers and annual campaigns, the horses depend on you. Also you don’t have to be an equine expert — if you’re interested in working directly with the horses, you can sign up for our Safe & Humane Horse Handling/Intro to Evolutionary Horsemanship Class. Just contact Horse Play and say you want to volunteer—the horses will thank-you for it!


“Past the seeker as he prayed came the crippled and the beggar and the beaten. And seeing them...he cried, "Great God, how is it that a loving creator can see such things and yet do nothing about them?"...God said, "I did do something. I made you."
- Sufi Teaching



How Your Contributions Help Horses at Horse Play

Your donations, memberships, sponsorships, service and merchandise fees go directly to the care and support of the horses at Horse Play.

Annual expenses for one horse (approximate)

Feed $1850.00

Routine Vet Care (no emergencies) $210.00

Hoof Care $450.00

Routine Dental Care $75.00

Total for 1 horse $2585.00


****Please note we currently have 26 horses ****

This is just for basic horse care. No training, equipment (saddles, bridles etc), emergencies, utilities, rent, maintenance or administrative expenses. Also, Horse Play is staffed entirely by volunteers – no paid employees.







To Sponsor a Horse or To Make a Donation
Horse Play is staffed entirely by volunteers. Every donation goes directly to supporting the horses. All of our funding depends on your generosity. A $15 dollar donation buys a bag of grain. A $35 dollar donation buys dewormer for 10 horses. 50 people donating $1 each buys 6 bales of hay. You can make a difference.
Horse Play has several ways for you to make that difference. Sponsor a horse of your choice. We have several options for sponsorship. This also makes a great gift!
We can help you find out which way is best for you. Please Contact:
Deidre Sharp
Horse Play
PO Box 660
Exeter, RI 02822
Phone (401)294-3565 or (401)864-2943
Email horseplayri@msn.com
Website: www.hptrc.org

The Running Horse is published bi-monthly by Horse Play.
Issue March - April 2010 is copy write ©2010 by Horse Play and Deidre Sharp,
P.O. Box 660, Exeter RI 02822, Phone (401)294-3565, Email: horseplayri@msn.com,
www.hptrc.org
Trust, Respect, Compassion

Phoenix Rising

January 27th started out ordinary enough – then a call came in – an urgent plea to take another horse. A young man phoned in tears, desperately seeking a home for his horse. The barn owners were going to turn the horse loose in his yard if he didn’t move it that day. They were upset because people were complaining about the skinny condition the horse was in and the guy had lost his job, etc. The horse is an 18 yr old Quarterhorse gelding who the guy had “saved” a couple of months back. However, he didn’t realize he might have to feed it – he thought the horse would be ok just turned out in a field. We’re not here to judge and the guy did eventually do the right thing by calling - so – seeing as how we are full to the limit, I made my own urgent call to a friend, Sue Healey, who had offered to foster previously. She was also looking for a horse who might be suitable for her teenage son. She agreed, without too much persuasion, to take the horse. I also spoke with the barn owner and told them that Horse Play would be taking the horse but we couldn’t move him until the 29th. They said that would be ok.

On Friday, January 29th, Sheila Ryan and I headed over to pick him up, only knowing that he was skinny. We arrived at the farm and the barn owner’s daughter and Sheila loaded the horse while I had the horse’s owner sign the necessary surrender release. I didn’t really get a good look at the horse who loaded like a dream, burying his nose in the hay bag we had for him. When we arrived at his new home, I went in to unload him – I almost fainted – he was literally a hide draped over a skeleton. He didn’t want to leave his hay, so I gathered a bunch under my arm and backed him out of the trailer. There was a welcoming committee of several young girls, Sue, John Dellena (the barn owner), Cathy (who lives on the farm), a couple of donkeys and a dog. We all looked in disbelief at the pitiful site before us – still very happily munching hay! I have never seen such a skinny horse that was still upright and let alone alive. We got a couple of blankets on him and soon had him settled in a quarantine stall. Sheila and I headed home, feeling happy yet angry at the same time. I still don’t understand how this can happen – why didn’t someone call for help sooner?

The next day, I checked in with Sue and she told me he was doing fine – had eaten almost an entire bale of hay overnight. She also told me they wanted to call him Phoenix – a great name, very appropriate. I stopped by on Sunday, January 31 with friend and photographer, Laurie Sturdevant, and shot these pix.










Phoenix is an incredibly resilient soul. He has had his teeth floated and the dentist agrees he is 18ish. He also mentioned that it appeared he’d been eating dirt/rocks from the look of things. He is now surrounded by all the hay he can eat, fresh water and also some Sentinel Performance, not to mention tons of care, love, human and equine friends. He still has a long road ahead and it’s looking like Sue may take the plunge and adopt him. In the meantime, as always, we are seeking donations towards his (and all the Horse Play horses) care. Please contact Horse Play at (401)294-3565 or email horseplayri@msn.com – you can also donate on line via PayPal on our website – www.hptrc.org

Phoenix is rising and hopefully will soar into a new life of trust, respect and compassion.

An Appeal to President Obama

Dear Mr. President,

My name is Deidre Sharp. It is my hope that this letter finds its way to your desk, your eyes, and most importantly, your heart. I am writing with the same hope for change that was in my heart when I voted for you a little more than a year ago. I’m not writing about joblessness -although I’ve been unemployed - or healthcare - even though I don’t have health insurance, or even the mortgage crisis – don’t have one of those either – I am writing to you on behalf of America’s Wild Horses – the American Mustang. Please Mr. President, I’m asking you to take a look at the Bureau of Land Management and the inhumane and unnecessary round ups which are occurring right now with total disregard to the welfare of the horses they are supposed to protect. This agency appears to have its own agenda – eradicate the mustangs. They also seem to be above the law which is apparent in many of their actions. The 1971 Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act is supposed to preserve wild horses and burros in more than 300 areas of publicly owned rangeland in the west. It forbids their exploitation, harassment and removal. Now only 30 million acres remain of the 54 million acres designated primarily for wild horse use in 1971. Over 100 herds have been completely removed by the BLM and many remaining herds are too small to insure their long-term survival. The BLM's current policy of eradicating these herds is also completely against the wishes of the American public. It’s all about cattle grazing (private stock on public land?) and special interest groups. The horses not facing any imminent threat to their well-being such as drought, wild fires or illness – the only threat is that from the hands of humans. The most recent and ongoing “gather” of the Calico Herd Management horses has resulted in 43 deaths – all inhumane and unnecessary. While a few of the horses were much older and thin, several died or were euthanized from issues resulting from feed change, 20 mares aborted foals, a direct result of this “gather”. It is noted that most are “in good flesh”. However, the most horrific is the account of the foal who had to be euthanized because he was losing his hooves. This colt died needlessly and with great suffering. Please take the time to read the accompanying Veterinarian Report and essay.

Vet Report
January 22, 2010

Black Rock East

History and Report on Sloughed Hoof Foal

This foal was received at the Indian Lakes contract holding facility from the Calico
Complex gather around 1/6/2010. He was fed and watered for a day and when noticed to be lame was removed from the general population and placed in a hospital pen. On 1/8/2010 this horse was treated with phenylbutazone (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and penicillin (an antibiotic) for presumptive sole bruising and abscesses. No abscesses were noted at this time but there was some foot swelling suggesting hoof trauma. During the next 5 days the colt which was nine months old was fed and watered in the hospital pen and observed for body condition and lameness. He was retreated on 1/13/2010 with phenylbutazoneand penicillin.
Sole abscesses and potential hoof sloughs were noted. Both hind feet were flushed with
betadine (an antiseptic) and bandaged with gauze, antibiotic ointment and tape. The colt was slightly improved after treatment but over the next couple of days spent more and more time lying down. On 1/18/2010 the 2 hind feet were examined again. Multiple hoof sloughs were noted and the foal was euthanized for humane reasons. The cause of these hoof abscesses/sloughs was most likely hoof trauma from the gather operations.

Richard Sanford DVM

NV #565


Essay

The Death of the Calico Colt
An Essay by Ginger Kathrens

He was wild and free, roaming the vast expanses of the rugged Calico Mountains with his mother and father and the other members of his family. This would be his first winter, a time when life slowed down for all the wild ones—the elegant pronghorn he watched on the distant horizon, the tiny pygmy rabbits that foraged in the sage brush undergrowth and darted into their dens when he tried to touch them, the fat sage grouse that were some of his favorites.

When he was just days old, he heard their strange, booming sounds and saw the males strutting and displaying for a mate. When he wandered toward them, it was his father who gently guided him home. His mother softly nickered to him. She smelled of sweet sage and invited him to nurse.

Then, one day while his mother and father and the others in his family were quietly foraging, conserving their energy in the growing cold, he saw his father jerk his head up. Ears forward, the stallion watched and listened and the colt did too, mimicking his father. The colt could hear a rumbling drone. In the distance, he could see something flying toward them. It was even bigger than the majestic golden eagles that soared over his home. It came closer and closer, dropping low over the sage. The drone grew into an ear shattering roar. His family began to run and he followed, galloping beside his mother where he would be safe. Mile after mile the menacing, giant bird chased them. His legs ached and he wanted to rest, but he could not leave his mother. He kept running, struggling to keep up. Fear gripped the Calico colt.

Then he saw a horse in front of his father and it too began to run. Safety must be ahead. His family followed the stranger and suddenly they were trapped inside walls of steel. His father tried to jump over the wall but it was too high. There were two legged animals running at them with long sticks and something white that fluttered madly. Suddenly, he was separated from his mother when a two-legged moved between them, striking out at him with the frightening stick and the fluttering bag. He was driven into another corral. When he whinnied for his mother, she answered. He raced around the corral calling for her, but found his feet were too sore to run anymore and he stopped. He could hear his father calling and he knew the proud stallion had been separated too. The colt answered him. He could see his mother through the bars of his cage and this gave him strength and hope.

Days passed. It was cold and there was no place to get out of the wind. In his home, his mother would have led the band below a rocky outcrop that blocked the wind. The colt began to fear he would never again smell the sweet sage of her breath or taste the warm milk she offered to him. His feet, so sore, became worse. Shooting pains darted through his whole body when he tried to walk so he moved as little as possible, hobbling a few steps to eat the plants the two-leggeds had thrown on the ground for them. One frigid morning, the two leggeds came and drove him into a truck with others that were his age. The pain was constant now and when the truck moved out, he stayed on his feet but the pain riveted him with every jolt and bump. He called for his mother, but there was no answer. Would he ever see his parents again? Hours passed and the truck moved onto smoother ground and it turned into a place where he could hear the calls of his kind. He whinnied as loud as he could, but the answering voices were unfamiliar. The two-leggeds drove the colt from the truck into a bigger cage and he struggled to keep up with the other foals. Some of them were limping too. His eyes scanned the horizon, looking for something familiar but the flat horizon looked nothing like the land of his birth.

Days went by and he spent hours laying in the dirt, the pain growing. He could feel something happening to his feet. His once strong, dark hooves were beginning to separate from the bone designed to hold them fast. He laid flat and closed his eyes, imagining the home and family he feared he would never see again. The two leggeds walked toward him. He wanted to jump up and dash away but he could not. Over the next few days he grew too tired to move at all. The wind howled and as it began to snow, he closed his eyes for the last time and dreamed of his family. Then two leggeds came again and killed the Calico Colt.

In death, the lively spirit of the Calico Colt was released to roam free once more. He has
returned home to his family and the land of his dreams. He is not just a statistic. Neither
he nor what he symbolizes will ever be forgotten.

(Ginger Kathrens is a filmmaker, author, and founder of The Cloud Foundation, dedicated to preserving our mustangs on public lands. The Foundation is calling for a stop to the roundups that are robbing public lands of our legendary, native wild equids—the very embodiment of freedom for many Americans. The Calico colt is only one of many who have died as a result of the ongoing roundups this year alone.)
*Actually, as of today, February 2, 2010, a second foal had to be euthanized for the same injury/trauma.

Now, Mr. President, if a regular citizen had done such a thing to a horse, they hopefully would be caught and sent to jail. Are these the actions of an Agency whose duty it is to protect these horses? This appears to be a blatant disregard of the 1971 Wild Horse and Burro Protection Act at the very least, if not just sickening cruelty and disregard for the animals’ welfare. In these round ups, the horses are “driven” for miles by a helicopter. In the past 2 years, at least 205 horses have lost their lives as a direct result of these “gathers”.

I am not just another “horse hugger” (although that’s not a bad thing), I am an equine behaviorist, educator and the founder and president of Horse Play. Horse Play is a non-profit equine rescue and sanctuary located in Saunderstown, RI. We even have several mustangs here. We clean up the mess the BLM creates when they adopt out wild horses to totally clueless individuals. Most importantly I am a human with a heart and conscience. While Ginger Kathren’s essay may seem to some as a bit anthropomorphic, I assure you it isn’t. Horses are incredibly sentient, intelligent and social beings. The herd is the family. Family means everything to them – to all horses actually. Existence depends on the herd. The round ups and holdings create incredible, unimaginable amounts of stress on these animals and it really is inhumane and unnecessary.

I realize this isn’t on the scale with healthcare reform or the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but it does impact the economy and the American taxpayer’s wallet. At present, more than 33,000 wild horses are in government holding facilities. The cost to taxpayers is $100,000 a day. The scheduled removal of 2,500 from Nevada will bring that total to more than 35,000 and the cost will rise. Again, please look at the number of horses in the holding facilities. As more are “gathered”, more will end up in one of these facilities. It is delusional of the BLM to think that many of the horses gathered will be adopted. Our farm is full to the limit with many well-trained, younger horses available for adoption – but I can’t adopt out if no one wants a horse. There are ads in papers and websites offering horses for free – again, young, well-trained, great horses. No one is adopting anything right now – it is highly unlikely that folks will adopt the “wild “ones. Please take another look at the number of mustangs who weren’t adopted – the ones in the holding facilities. Then take a look at the BLM and its current agenda. All unnecessary.

So, Mr. President, I hope you have taken a moment to read this. I hope you will take some action and fully investigate the BLM. Civilizations were built from the backs of horses. The American Mustang is an icon of freedom. If the BLM continues this decimation of the American herds, the wild horse in America will become extinct – and extinction is forever. Please help prevent this.
If you would like more information, please feel free to contact me. Also visit the following websites
www.equinewelfarealliance.org
www.thecloudfoundation.org
http://rtfitch.wordpress.com

Thank-you for your time and consideration.
Peace all ways
Deidre Sharp, Founder & President
Horse Play
www.hptrc.org
horseplayri@msn.com