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by: Nat Lauzon with Mike Grenier
Lately, Montreal Dog Weblog had the chance to tour the grounds of A Horse Story Rescue.
Located on 5 acres of land in Vaudreuil Dorion, A Horse Story Rescue (AHT) rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes horses in want. If the horse can’t discover placement in a loving residence, this rescue gives a secure haven for them for the remainder of their lives. However as MDB found, the rescue’s influence is far higher than that.
On a crisp April day, we head to Vaudreuil-Dorion to go to A Horse Story rescue. We’re welcomed by Mike Grenier, Government Director (and his spouse Sherry Gilmer, who can be a volunteer), Caroline Useful the Barn Supervisor and Lisa Maria the Fundraising Director.
From the moment we enter the tidy foremost barn, it’s clear it is a labour of affection.
Smiling volunteers buzz backwards and forwards, tending to their work. The barn itself has been thoughtfully repaired and rejuvenated lately to make it a heat, secure area for its equine occupants.
Head halters, grooming gear and blankets grasp neatly on the partitions – the hooks are labeled by identify – Blanco, Cheyenne, Smouch – one for every horse of their care. Towards the again of the barn are stacked hay bales, a weigh scale and a exact feeding schedule for every resident. The rescue goes by way of 60-70 bales of hay per week and 350 – 400 luggage of shavings per yr (that are used to line every stall).
There are 12 stalls and presently, 11 horses. The empty one is stored free for any “simply in case” situations. Like every respected rescue, AHT by no means takes on greater than they’ll deal with and in reality, has needed to flip away a couple of dozen circumstances this previous yr alone.
Every part contained in the barn is clearly labeled, in line with every horse’s wants. It has to be. Some horses have particular medical and bodily protocols – and with 50 common hands-on volunteers, it could in any other case be a problem to maintain issues organized amongst so many individuals.
VOLUNTEERS
Mike’s involvement with the rescue started 5 years in the past, after his spouse Sherry underwent a kidney transplant. After restoration, she wished to volunteer with horses and so they checked out an Open Home at AHT. With a background within the company world and none in any respect with horses – Mike rapidly found a brand new ardour. 5 years later, he’s the Government Director for AHT. And his spouse Sherry, is an energetic volunteer.
Lisa Maria is the Fundraising Director, and likewise an artisan and Reiki Practitioner by day. She lights up when speaking in regards to the rescue’s present herd. There’s a specific pleasure that the horses convey, clearly – however the kinship of different volunteers can be particular. She feels a novel help community at AHT. In fact, time spent with the horses is the antidote for any unhealthy day – and makes an already good day even higher.
Caroline is the Barn Supervisor. She is a nature lover at coronary heart, and an unbelievable freelance artist (horses are inspiring topics!). Caroline’s youngsters have particular wants – and somewhat than planting them in entrance of a display screen, she has nourished their relationships with the outside and the horses at AHT. Her children are bodily energetic right here, which helps to calm them. And so they’ve gained confidence in studying to take care of animals too.
In actual fact, AHT launched a particular program in 2017 (the AHT Expertise Program) geared particularly towards selling the optimistic results of being round horses. Extra on that later.
The individuality of this place is already evident. And we haven’t even met the horses but! It’s one of many first good days after a protracted winter and all of them are out having fun with the sunshine.
Click on right here to satisfy the present herd at AHT.
ULYSSES
Ulysses is as breathtaking as they arrive. A towering, white draft horse, he is without doubt one of the rescue’s star residents. At 22 years previous and about 2000 lbs, he’s additionally the most important. His imposing measurement is sufficient to make anybody a bit nervous – till this mild large nuzzles delicately for treats and pats on the nostril.
Ulysses spent most of his years engaged on a farm after which within the Montreal caleche trade. The rescue has taken in 6 retired caleche horses up to now. Ulysses’ working days are effectively behind him now. He’ll dwell out his retirement years within the consolation, security and love offered by AHT.
ROCKY
12 yr previous Rocky is a former harness racer. Sidelined by an ankle damage – he then turned a using horse and finally discovered his option to AHT. Extraordinarily social and nice with youngsters, he was inquisitive about us earlier than we even approached him. He was ready readily to greet us and snuffle our pockets for goodies.
Generally, the remnants of a horse’s former life will emerge. Rocky, as an example, will often again as much as a wheelbarrow within the yard, anticipating to be hitched up for the monitor. From a racing profession to residing the lifetime of leisure, Rocky has definitely lucked out at AHT.
BUDDY
After we first see Buddy, he’s mendacity on his aspect, napping comfortably within the heat April solar. He’s dreaming about one thing as a result of his legs are wheeling as if he’s operating. Buddy is A Horse Story’s very first rescue.
He was 14 when he arrived through one other horse rescue (Refuge RR) in 2013, having solely not too long ago been castrated. His stallion power and lack of socialization in his later years made his adjustment a problem – however the secure, loving area offered by AHT has helped him acclimate fantastically right into a candy, mild creature.
Caroline shares a touching anecdote a couple of father who introduced his son to satisfy Buddy. The kid had cerebral palsy. After sharing time with Buddy, his involuntary tremors momentarily subsided – shocking his dad, who had by no means seen this occur. In actual fact, youngsters affected by CP can profit from contact with horses – bettering cognitive capacity, neuromuscular issues and even bodily power.
AHT acknowledges that with so many fantastic herd members like Buddy, their potential to “give again” is immense.
THE AHT EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
The A Horse Story Expertise (AHTE) Program was created to present again to the group by sharing the pleasures and advantages of equine contact. This system gives a novel alternative for particular and particular wants teams to work together with the horses in a secure, nurturing and structured setting.
AHT Expertise gives guided small-group interactions with the rescued horses and the chance for guests to assist with numerous duties on the rescue. Every go to is rigorously deliberate with the visiting group’s coordinator.
The top expertise is one which is useful to each horse and human alike.
The Expertise Program is flourishing at AHT as extra group teams turn into conscious of it. In rescuing horses, the group has been capable of come full circle and provides again to the communities it serves. For extra on this system, click on right here.
EXPANSION PROJECT
Whereas AHT helps horses reconcile with typically difficult pasts, they need to additionally look to the longer term. There’s a true want for horse rescue. Given their measurement, longevity and care prices – many turn into in want of sanctuary as soon as their preliminary “goal” (working, racing, using) has been exhausted or their homeowners merely can’t carry the monetary burden.
Correctly, AHT is cautious to not overextend its attain. They’re dedicated to offering the easiest care to its prices and presently, they merely should not have the infrastructure to absorb extra animals.
Hopefully, that may change.
Mission Evolution was launched this yr to lift funds for the development of a brand new fashionable barn facility on an adjoining 100 acres (versus the present 5). This new barn would quadruple the present capability and be capable to comfortably home 40 horses.
It could additionally present year-round entry for the AHT Expertise Program, enable for wheelchair accessibility and make sure the rescue’s future sustainability. To be taught extra or to contribute to this thrilling mission, click on right here.
GET INVOLVED
AHT is a non-profit group and as such, receives no authorities funding. They rely fully on the general public to maintain going. Funds are derived from ongoing memberships (there are presently about 260 members), donations and particular occasions. For those who favor the hands-on method, you may volunteer bodily on the barn ( feeding, grooming, cleansing, upkeep). You possibly can even select to sponsor a particular horse! For extra info, click on right here.
You can too go to the rescue, which is open to the general public. They maintain an open home virtually each Saturday (2-4pm) from March 15 to November 15.
Lastly, there are at all times quite a lot of fundraising occasions within the works. The rescue’s present mission is a web based public sale, energetic till Might nineteenth! Click on right here – ask to affix and take a look at the unbelievable objects up for bids!
Plus they’ve a big fundraising BBQ “A Day In The Nation” with children video games, horse pics, hay rides, meals, and so forth. on Saturday, July twenty seventh from 11:00-4:00 – everyone seems to be welcome!
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The animal rescue world might be difficult. The plain emotional factor apart, the flexibility to do it correctly requires a stage of group, dedication and foresight to climate a bunch of potential issues – from financing to infrastructure and even interpersonal relationships. Like every profitable enterprise, it isn’t sufficient to easily have good intentions.
With out query, AHT is doing it proper. The horses of their care are thriving, wholesome and cherished – and the lives of their rescuers have been so profoundly affected by the expertise, that they’ve been impressed to present again much more. By way of training, outreach and a welcoming, open setting – they permit us one thing we’d in any other case not have. The chance to be within the presence of those stunning creatures too.
Our due to AHT for making time for our tour. And thanks for the whole lot you do.
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nat
2019-05-15 14:13:10
Source :https://www.montrealdogblog.com/22347/visit-to-a-horse-tale-rescue/