March 1 Is National Horse Protection Day

Thursday, February 28, 2013 - 2:00pm
Group of horses

Horses are frequently the victims of cruelty and neglect, but their suffering sometimes fails to grab headlines. In honor of National Horse Protection Day, we’d like to share just one horse rescue we’ve had the opportunity to support.

Last month, 13 emaciated horses were found living on a rural farm in Vermilion County, Illinois. The horses were all skin and bones. Two were blind, and a third was found deceased on the property.

Luckily, the Society for Hooved Animal Rescues and Emergencies (S.H.A.R.E) stepped in and began the long process of rehabilitating the horses. As soon the ASPCA heard about S.H.A.R.E’s incredible work, we gave the organization a $6,500 grant to help pay for veterinary care and food for the rescued equines.

We’re so glad to assist S.H.A.R.E in its efforts to help horses! Find out how you can get involved and be a hero for horses by reading our top 10 ways to help equines.

Have you stood up for horses? Tell us about it in the comments!

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Comments

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 09:47 — Susan Fanning (Visitor)
People should not be allowed to own horses if they cannot care for them. Neglecting them to the point of their death is just not acceptable. They should be brought up on criminal charges.

Sat, 03/16/2013 - 21:33 — catherine riedner (Visitor)
Why on earth would some one take on horses they can't afford to care for?

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 10:13 — andie (Visitor)
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO,(I SURE HOPE SO) about the possibility of the Secretary of Agriculture being in favor of building a HORSE SLAUGHTER PLANT IN NEW MEXICO? I'VE ALREADY SENT E MAILS AGAINST THIS TO SECRETARY VILSACK AND PRESIDENT OBAMA..THIS SHOULD BE AN SOS! PLEASE HELP, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO...

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 10:22 — Robin Lane (Visitor)
Please do NOT allow any horse slaughter as this are all G_D's creatures that have been left in our care! Thank you, Robin

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 10:27 — Joanne Feldman (Visitor)
This week I am going to have to euthanize my horse. My best friend of 25yrs. Why, because I am no longer able to afford the level of care that I both of us have enjoyed for the years past. She is blind, and is suffering from old age related problems. She is happy and plays when I have her out. We go for long walks and I drive to the stable were she is boarded twice a day. She is on a special diet due to her being borderline Insulin Resistant so I have to buy all of her feed myself. She gets several medications a day and without them she could not be happy and without pain. She was 3yrs old and 6mos pregant when I brought her home. She is now 28yrs old, ane has lived were she is for the entire time. Please say prays for both of us. I will be a basket case for at least a week as I will be loosing my best friend. Thanks for a place to express my self, Joanne

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 10:56 — Robin (Visitor)
God bless! You have been a great caretaker of your friend.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 11:13 — Tricia (Visitor)
I feel your pain Joanne. I had to put my mare down March 31 last year. She had a stoke and was unable to function or get up. My vet came out to check her, but there was nothing more he could do. I had to give the ok to put her to sleep and that was the hardist decision I had to make. I bought her when she was 8 and she would have turned 37 on June of this year. When she drew her last breath, her head was in my lap with me stroking her face. Her name was Missy and I miss her so much, but guess we have to realize, we love them so much that we do not want them to suffer. We thank God for letting them be apart of our lives. I will be thinking of you. Tricia

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 11:26 — Jaime Perez (Visitor)
I am so sorry to hear this. I know how bad it hurts to let your sweet pet cross over the rainbow bridge. You are in my prayers. Just know that you gave her many, many good and happy years! She won't forget you.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 11:35 — Cheri Thomas (Visitor)
I have a 27-year-old that I got when he was 6. He's holding up well, so far, although he has a special diet due to having lost many of his front teeth. It will leave a big hole in my heart when he goes, but I look back on decades of friendship, adventure, and life, and am grateful for them. Your horse has had a good and loving life with you. That's the best we can do for them.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 14:39 — Annabel (Visitor)
What a sad story i know how you are feeling i had a horse of 30yrs and in the end i had to have him euthanize his heart gave out bless him, so you gave your horse a fantastic life well done.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 14:53 — Coralie DeWald (Visitor)
Joanne, I am sending you hugs and best wishes as you do this last kind thing you can do for your mare. I have been there several times, truly, and know that if I love an animal in my life, that my love must include letting that lved part of my life, go, to a place of freedom from pain. Please know that you are doing the finest action of a true animal lover. You will always have the many memories of your lives together. She will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge, and she will be happy to see you. You are the kind of owner that horese deserve--not the kinds who turn their backs and let horses starve, die in pain, feeling abandoned. May my words give you comfort as you journey through a necessary but sad part of animal ownership. Bless you for your love and caring!

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 15:38 — Debbie (Visitor)
Dear Joanne, I know this is a tough decision for you, but it will be peaceful and your best friend does understand. She will be running in green meadows and will be waiting for you when it is your time to go home. Take care and cherish all the wonderful memories the past 25 years have given the two of you.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 15:43 — Dennie (Visitor)
God bless you for taking such good care of her. My heart & thoughts are with you. I have a 13 year old rescued Chow that we will lose in the not so long future. I will give him a hug for you & your sweet horse. Thanks for doing the responsible thing for her in the end.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 16:52 — michelle (Visitor)
just recently I put my 13 year old dog to sleep, so I feel your distress. What has helped me through that is knowing he was given a good life with alot of fun activities and that he was loved and well taken care of. Just revisit the good times and good things you have done for this horse, it will help a bit. I also have a horse too, and hope If the time comes I will have the strength to do the right thing.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 17:15 — Geri Mellgren-Kerwin (Visitor)
I can tell you love your horse; I loved my dog. I got him from the local rescue and had to medicate him for 8 years. He didn't like my treating him and would resist, sometimes by biting. When he was diagnosed with diabetes, I knew he wouldn't let me inject him with insulin, and I didn't think anybody would want to care for a dog that bites, so I had him put down humanely by a vet. Was I wrong to do that? I don't think so--I gave it my best, but it was hard to forgive myself for putting him down. I was finally able to do so. You did your best too.

Tue, 03/05/2013 - 17:49 — karen (Visitor)
I hope that you can find peace in the choice you are making. Your selflessness is the kindness that your beloved horse has known in her lifetime. Your decision is a difficult one that NO animal owner never wants to face, although we all must at some point. God bless and I hope your heart heals quickly.

Tue, 03/05/2013 - 20:47 — Susan Love (Visitor)
Maybe you can get another horse, a rescue? I know that one animal cannot replace another, but I feel it is honoring your animal friends when you save another like them. It does help heal the wounds of losing a beloved animal. God bless you, you will be in my prayers.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 10:48 — Kim (Visitor)
It will happen-- and the conditions will be far more horrific when they are being transported across borders-- and Mexico isn't known for its "kindness" to animals. An animal will face less horror here in the states than below the Rio Grande. I hate the thought of horse slaughter--but I also hate the thought of a horse with a broken leg enduring a long truck haul to Mexico-- where the inhumane treatment will only escalate.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 13:12 — Val Blakely (Visitor)
I couldn't agree more. While we all protest the USA having slaughter houses for horses, they are being transported to Mexico for such... sick, broken legs.. packed into trailers.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 11:02 — jeannie parisi (Visitor)
No No NO HORSE SLAUGHTER, they are our companions we do not eat horses

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 11:15 — karen vinson (Visitor)
Lived in the country for awhile. Used to ride my bike around some of the country roads. Saw a horse in a cramped stall with his head out of the opening. Went over to investigate and he had ran(into what looks like barbed wire. His fore leg on top was stitched up. What bothered me there was no dressing on it, the stall was filthy, the horse had no food at all and the water he had was dirty. Went by for 3 days, no food and still dirty water, went home called DNR, they refered to another state agency. Called them, let them know about situation and said was going to keep calling until something was done. They went out to access the situation and found out who owner was and let them know this was unacceptable and owner came and got the horse. So,the TAIL to this story is be persistent and be a bit#*

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 11:51 — michele (Visitor)
yes joann, it is always hard to loose ones we love. I had to put my beloved horse down 2 years ago because of 2 spinal strokes. He was a prince and I miss him everyday. He was a ranch horse who was past his usefulness there but we shared many pleasent rides together after I aquired him. I extened his life in comfort for 6 more years and we had many great times to remember. In time the hurt is less but the memories will always relmain.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 12:45 — William G. Gonzalez (Visitor)
I am so impressed on how the horses are mistreated and abuse in the Occidental hemisphere. Why then, both perivate ad public organization do not donate a horse for a farming family in the developing countries.Government and private sectors should make a closer look on this particular issue, and find a reasonable resolution rather than a drastic decision.As a matter of fact, it has sense for me.Thank you.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 12:48 — Joan (Visitor)
These animals are beautiful. Please i don't want them to be harm buy people that neglect them. I lie going to stables near me and pet them and sometimes giving them a carrot or two. This is not right. They should not be eaten.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 13:19 — mel (Visitor)
I'm a horse lover from way back. I have also done some traveling around the world. In many countries, France included, horse is treated no differently from beef. In France, however (and most of Europe) most animals are treated humanely prior to slaughter. In the US and Mexico there are few laws to protect them, so the conditions are truly appalling. Not eating horse is cultural (the British don't eat it either) If we really want to save some suffering, we need to institute domestic laws to protect these wonderful animals. Has ANYONE ever read "The Jungle"? (Sinclair Lewis, I think?) This book changed the meat packing industry - made it more humane for animals and safer for humans! Don't base all humanitarian decisions on your own cultural outlook - especially when it comes to food! While there are some people starving in this country, its hard to pass judgment on people until you are hungry enough to break food taboos! Mel

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 13:26 — Anne (Visitor)
GOD Bless you for saving these horses! I rescue horses myself & have seen firsthand the horrors of abuse & neglect. I pray each & everyone of GODs beautiful horses finds a loving,caring home.....

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 14:13 — Eva (Visitor)
As an ardent animal lover, I am quite chagrined that horses have to be transported to Canada and Mexico for slaughter . Horses will continue to be slaughtered as long as there is a market. We should have continued to allow that in this country, where there are laws and regulations and it is done much more humanely than in Mexico. Anyone who doesn't believe that, just check out You Tube. The horse industry is partially to blame by breeding and breeding and then discarding them when they no longer win or need extra care etc. There are only so many rescue organizations and they can't take them all. We owe horses a good life but when it has to end it shouldn't be in a Mexican slaughter house!

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 14:26 — Priscilla (Visitor)
So I read in the news that both New Mexico and Oklahoma are preparing to open facilities to process horse for European consumption. This is morally wrong - I don't care how "Horse friendly" they make the slaughter plants. Horses are not food! Mr. Obama has signed the bill to allow this to happen! Next will will find out that horse meat is in our burgers, etc just like it is in Europe. Say no to horse slaughter!

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 15:01 — dennis buhrmester (Visitor)
Last year I lost both my horses, the first in April to cancer. We got Major from a friend who did not use him. Then in December I had to put my horse down with severe colic. We had owned both of them for 20 yrs, the one was 28 and the other 26 so last year was really rough. However on the plus side we got Major who is now 20 and we adopted BO from SHARE at the end of December. I have to say that while it is really tough saying goodby the two new horses have helped ease the pain. I am glad to see SHARE receive the grant they are great people and really deserve it. If you ever need a horse to give a good forever home to please visit them. Bo was a rescue who had been starved and did not even know what a treat, an apple or carrot was. He is now spoiled and is a welcome addition to our family and has found his forever home with Major.

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 15:59 — Martha Ingram (Visitor)
A huge thank you to S.H.A.R.E. and "Linda" the lady that owns and oversees all the activities. I had the pleasure of many wonderful afternoons at the S.H.A.R.E. farm when I lived in Illinois. The animals are well taken care, loved, rehabilitated, worked with. Watching the transformation of an abused, neglected horse is an incredible thing. I know...I adopted 3 from there and they are wonderful family pets now.

Tue, 03/05/2013 - 12:16 — noelle (Visitor)
horses are innocent animals who have done nothing wrong so, WHY ABUSE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thu, 03/07/2013 - 18:29 — Patrick Oliver (Visitor)
Happy Horse Protection Day!

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 15:14 — samantha (Visitor)
that is super kool man my friend would think thats kool

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