Lucky 48

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Molly
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Real Name (first and last name): Mary Raper
Location: Kentucky

Lucky 48

Post by Molly »

My project is about Speak Up for Horses, a rescue organization, located in Kentucky. This is an organization whose mission is to "speak up for horses bound for slaughter and those neglected, abused, or discarded by rescuing and rehoming these horses." They also "educate the public about horse slaughter, horse welfare laws, and what it means to be a responsible horse owner. Our work is driven by the belief that education seeds compassion, a life-long commitment to our horses and a respect for all life."

Back in November 2009 Speak Up for Horses took possession of 48 quarter horses as a result of a cruelty conviction against the owner/breeder. The owner/breeder had all the horses - mares with foals, stallions and geldings - running together as a herd. The mares were constantly getting pregnant. And, for two winters in a row the horses were starving and received no medical attention. A number of them died.

Since Speak Up for Horses has taken possession of these horses, 30 have been adopted and one of the mares who is blind was placed with a rescue that specializes in blind horses. Two of the stallions had to be euthanized due to injuries that had not been addressed/treated by the owner/breeder. A number of the mares have had foals. Sixteen horses and four foals are still being cared for by Speak Up for Horses and await adoption. Please visit their website www.speakupforhorses.org to see the horses that have been adopted, those awaiting adoption, and to find out more about the organization.

The resources needed in both dollars and manpower to take in 48 horses at one time is difficult to imagine, but Speak Up for Horses did it without hesitation. The dedication of the volunteers who take care of these horses - mucking stalls, grooming, and retraining - is extraordinary and their efforts to raise the needed funds are nothing short of heroic. After the initial rescue is accomplished, after the signs of malnourishment are gone, after the fear has subsided, the rescue effort continues until the last horse is placed in a loving home.

I was fortunate to be able to spend two Saturdays at Speak Up for Horses in July.

Pictured below is one of the stallions, now gelded, enjoying time out in the indoor arena and a nice roll in the sand.
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Molly
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Posts: 146
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:09 am
Real Name (first and last name): Mary Raper
Location: Kentucky

Re: Lucky 48

Post by Molly »

The blind mare who was placed in a rescue for blind horses is pictured here with another mare. As soon as these two mares were turned out together, they began the most vigorous mutual grooming I've ever witnessed.
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Molly
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Posts: 146
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:09 am
Real Name (first and last name): Mary Raper
Location: Kentucky

Re: Lucky 48

Post by Molly »

One of the mares and foals enjoying the salt block on a very hot and buggy day.
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Molly
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Posts: 146
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2005 10:09 am
Real Name (first and last name): Mary Raper
Location: Kentucky

Re: Lucky 48

Post by Molly »

One of the foals during turnout in the indoor arena.
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