H.O.R.S.E. Rescue and Sanctuary

History of the Rescue

hris and Mike Dodge started H.O.R.S.E. Rescue and Sanctuary in 1993. At that time, they just took in one horse at a time and were self-funded. As time marched on and the demand to take in more horses grew, they decided to incorporate and file for their tax exempt status, which was granted by the IRS in September of 1997. With the help of many volunteers and public donations, the organization has saved nearly four hundred horses, placing most in good homes. Those horses that are deemed unplaceable due to age, health, or trauma from abuse will remain in Sanctuary for the remainder of their lives. Most of the horses are being cared for in the western New York facility but a few are in foster homes due to space limitations.

H.O.R.S.E. Rescue & Sanctuary

H.O.R.S.E.
(An acronym which stands for Help Our Rescue Save Equines)

he Rescue is a charitable, tax-exempt Humane Corporation based in Wyoming County, N.Y., about forty miles southwest of Rochester. The Rescue was incorporated on May 16, 1996, in order to prevent cruelty to equines of all breeds and ages. From its inception, the Rescue has carried forward programs designed to ease pain and suffering endured by many thousands of equines in a wide variety of circumstances.

he Rescue is active in many areas that encompass horse interests and fosters the humane ethic and philosophy through education, legislative, investigative, and legal activities.

Major Goals of H.O.R.S.E.

top cruelty and abuse in the transportation and killing of horses used for human consumption. More than four million American horses have been killed in order that rich Europeans could eat since 1987 when records were first started being kept.

liminate the use of pregnant mares(and the subsequent destruction of their foals)used in the manufacture of Premarin (and similar HRT drugs)by Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals.

top cruelty and abuse of horses used in sporting events such as racing and rodeos, where horses are often exposed to dangerous activities.

nvestigate complaints of horse abuse as outlined in the New York Meat and Agriculture Codes and to assist in the prosecution of those individuals or groups knowingly in violation of such codes.

arry forward a continuous program of fundamental, widespread education, aimed at adults and children, primarily to develop humane attitudes in children inside and outside the classroom in the hope of breaking the cycle of abuse.

onitor and assist in the development of improved anti-cruelty laws and their enforcement at all levels of government.

he Rescue's work is supported entirely by bequests, grants, and contributions. All income is used in accordance with the wishes of the donors and in effective efforts to fulfill the chartered purposes of the organization. There are no salaries paid.

Areas of Interest to the Rescue

SLAUGHTER

ore than four million horse have been killed in the United States since 1987 for human consumption in France, Belgium, and Japan. The Rescue would like all slaughter for meat consumption stopped. The kill plants are owned by foreign interests with the meat going to the rich in foreign countries.

PREMARIN

remarin, or Pregnant Mare Urine, is the most prescribed hormone therapy drug used today. Over 9 million American women take this drug to relieve symptoms of PMS or osteoporosis. An estimated 50,000 to 80,000 foals delivered by PMU mares are killed annually. This method of horses helping their female human counterparts is inhumane and needs to be stopped.

BREEDERS

any, if not most, breeders today keep trying for the perfect foal, the star, that will make the most money for them. The ones that don't reach star status are sold at auction. Auction can be and in many cases is another term for slaughter.

RACING

he Rescue has taken in quite a few horses off the track(both OTTB and Standardbred)most with track injuries. Lately, we have become more involved with OTTBs(off the track Thoroughbreds). Many of these horse are just not fast enough to earn money and rather than have them go to Canada for slaughter, we are networking with individuals and other rescues to get them placed in quality homes where they have an opportunity for a second career such as hunter/jumpers or trail horses.

EDUCATION

any children, especially those from broken or abusive homes, carry abuse into their adult lives. This vicious cycle can be broken by teaching the kids how others, horses or people, can recover from abuse and become loving wonderful companions. Horses are being used today in psychotherapy sessions with both troubled adults and children with astounding results that conventional therapy cannot do or cannot accomplish as quickly. We intend to target the urban areas where gangs and violence are common everyday occurrences. In addition, we have had our first horse donated specifically for use with physically and mentally challenged children.

he Rescue has had the opportunity to visit kids incarcerated in Central Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles. Juvi is the largest institution of it's kind in the U.S. with over seven hundred inmates ranging in age from eight to seventeen. We hope to break that cycle of violence so prevalent today by introducing the kids to abused horses. During these sessions the kids were having a great time just being kids. They were all polite and asked many questions during our visits.