Due to preparations for round 2 of the Snowmeggedon adventure, I am delayed in posting the blog for tonight...the cost for the entire "rescue of a horse to adoptive home"....
Several people have emailed asking when it would be posted...I am thinking that during the additional two feet of snow that will be falling, I will have a few moments to post...in between mucking, feeding and haying and watering...all through what will be about 5 feet of snow before its over...the drifts are already that high...
It is REALLY difficult doing normal care during snow storms like the one we received over the weekend...ugh...but we made it through!!!
Have a great night everyone!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Angel Acres - Why Our Horses Aren't Free (Usually)
Well...since I am on a roll with yesterday's post...I figured I would go ahead and lay it all out there LOL!! Most of our emails are pleasant...but we get several a week that make me crazy!
This will be the first in several examples of emails I receive - tomorrow - the full list of what we pay to get a horse from kill pen to adoptive home! Same time, same channel!
Occasionally I get emails like this:
Prospective Adopter: "Hi, I would like to adopt horse, and I'd like it (ooohhhh LOVE that reference - actually it makes me cringe as they are not "its" to us...we refer to them as boys and girls, mares, geldings, him and her etc)...to walk, trot, canter and I do like to trail ride. What does it cost to adopt a horse?"
My reply: Hi...etc...we have so and so available, he's a very nice guy, sound, no bad habits (and I give a brief description)...adoption fee is $2400. Thank you for writing...etc"
Prospective Adopter: "WHAT?!?!" (all indigent like) I thought you were a rescue!!! Why would I have to pay for it? I am doing you a favor by taking it (notice in my initial response email how I referred to our available horses and this one in particular as "he") off your hands. I'd give it (cringe) a good home, but I ain't paying nothing for it." (yes, really those exact words)
My reply: "Really? I pulled him out of the kill pen, paid quarantine board (didn't just say I did and charged for it) for 2 months (yep two months we take no chances), paid the kill buyer for him, paid for transport, fed him, hayed him, gave him his shots, did his feet, dewormed him several times, did his teeth, paid for transport from quarantine to our training farm, had him trained for (at least) 60 days on the flat, etc., started him over fences AND I will guarantee him....and anytime after 30 days if you would like another horse, you are free to adopt almost anyone for $1, all with the same stuff as your first horse. Please tell me how "taking him off of my hands" is doing us a favor?"
Prospective Adopters...sometimes they understand, sometimes we never hear back, sometimes they like our program and decide to adopt and then...there are other times they will say they are going to get a horse from the auction...GOOD LUCK!! I have been doing this a long time and STILL am not sure of what I am doing 100% of the time. Also, do they have a quarantine farm? As lord only knows whats (illness such as strangles, or how about the lovely EHV-1 neurological form, etc) going through the auction on any given week!
How about a friend to bail them out (hugs to you Bev) when they have done an "oooppsss a daisy - too much horse for our adopters" rescue horse...
Tomorrow's blog...the ENTIRE LIST of costs to pull a horse and get him to, say the point of Tango or Preston...yikes!!!
This will be the first in several examples of emails I receive - tomorrow - the full list of what we pay to get a horse from kill pen to adoptive home! Same time, same channel!
Occasionally I get emails like this:
Prospective Adopter: "Hi, I would like to adopt horse, and I'd like it (ooohhhh LOVE that reference - actually it makes me cringe as they are not "its" to us...we refer to them as boys and girls, mares, geldings, him and her etc)...to walk, trot, canter and I do like to trail ride. What does it cost to adopt a horse?"
My reply: Hi...etc...we have so and so available, he's a very nice guy, sound, no bad habits (and I give a brief description)...adoption fee is $2400. Thank you for writing...etc"
Prospective Adopter: "WHAT?!?!" (all indigent like) I thought you were a rescue!!! Why would I have to pay for it? I am doing you a favor by taking it (notice in my initial response email how I referred to our available horses and this one in particular as "he") off your hands. I'd give it (cringe) a good home, but I ain't paying nothing for it." (yes, really those exact words)
My reply: "Really? I pulled him out of the kill pen, paid quarantine board (didn't just say I did and charged for it) for 2 months (yep two months we take no chances), paid the kill buyer for him, paid for transport, fed him, hayed him, gave him his shots, did his feet, dewormed him several times, did his teeth, paid for transport from quarantine to our training farm, had him trained for (at least) 60 days on the flat, etc., started him over fences AND I will guarantee him....and anytime after 30 days if you would like another horse, you are free to adopt almost anyone for $1, all with the same stuff as your first horse. Please tell me how "taking him off of my hands" is doing us a favor?"
Prospective Adopters...sometimes they understand, sometimes we never hear back, sometimes they like our program and decide to adopt and then...there are other times they will say they are going to get a horse from the auction...GOOD LUCK!! I have been doing this a long time and STILL am not sure of what I am doing 100% of the time. Also, do they have a quarantine farm? As lord only knows whats (illness such as strangles, or how about the lovely EHV-1 neurological form, etc) going through the auction on any given week!
How about a friend to bail them out (hugs to you Bev) when they have done an "oooppsss a daisy - too much horse for our adopters" rescue horse...
Tomorrow's blog...the ENTIRE LIST of costs to pull a horse and get him to, say the point of Tango or Preston...yikes!!!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
For The Record - Angel Acres is ANTI-SLAUGHTER!
FOR THE RECORD...ANGEL ACRES HORSE HAVEN RESCUE IS ANTI-SLAUGHTER!
If ANYONE has ANY questions about our stand on horse slaughter, we are AGAINST HORSE SLAUGHTER, please contact me, Jo Deibel 717-965-7901 DIRECTLY.
Myself, all of my board members, my volunteers, the rescues I work with, and people I work with are ANTI-SLAUGHTER.
We fired our last hauler because we found out he took horses to Canada for slaughter when he needed money. We fired our previous vet because we found out that he believed that slaughter was a "necessary evil"...we never used a farrier again because he thought some horses deserved it...
I am seething right now and probably should not be writing this, but when my integrity is drawn into question, I get angry.
So...one more time...Jo Deibel and the ENTIRE Angel Acres gang is...say it with me...ANTI SLAUGHTER!
If ANYONE has ANY questions about our stand on horse slaughter, we are AGAINST HORSE SLAUGHTER, please contact me, Jo Deibel 717-965-7901 DIRECTLY.
Myself, all of my board members, my volunteers, the rescues I work with, and people I work with are ANTI-SLAUGHTER.
We fired our last hauler because we found out he took horses to Canada for slaughter when he needed money. We fired our previous vet because we found out that he believed that slaughter was a "necessary evil"...we never used a farrier again because he thought some horses deserved it...
I am seething right now and probably should not be writing this, but when my integrity is drawn into question, I get angry.
So...one more time...Jo Deibel and the ENTIRE Angel Acres gang is...say it with me...ANTI SLAUGHTER!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Butterfinger Baby - Fabulous, Sound, Gorgeous - Free To Forever Home
Butterfinger Baby is available for adoption!
Sweet, sound, adorable, gorgeous tb mare is available (free to forever home) due to neglect/abuse case needing to come in (we need her spot) -
She stands just about 15.3 hands, is 5 years old and as brave as can be - no issues, no vices, no bad habits!
She is very kind, good natured and ready to be finished! Will post new pictures asap...please write or call 717-965-7901 for more info.
Sweet, sound, adorable, gorgeous tb mare is available (free to forever home) due to neglect/abuse case needing to come in (we need her spot) -
She stands just about 15.3 hands, is 5 years old and as brave as can be - no issues, no vices, no bad habits!
She is very kind, good natured and ready to be finished! Will post new pictures asap...please write or call 717-965-7901 for more info.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Mattie's Legacy Fund - 3 Years Ago Today...
It was 3 years ago today that we rescued Mattie from the kill pen...many of you know Mattie from day one, others have learned about him through Matties Legacy Fund...what an honor and privilege it was to be a part of his life.
His legacy helps horse owners and horses in need through the generosity of those who can help......read more about Mattie today...boy...we lost him in April 2009 and truly, a day doesn't go by that I don't miss him...
Mattie's Legacy Fund
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Angel Acres Adoption Program -GFAS Accredited Facility
Angel Acres provides an excellent adoption program that benefits both horse and adopter!
A brief description of our program is below.
A horse, usually a Thoroughbred, is purchased from the kill buyer, a Coggins test is immediately pulled at the sale.
The horse is then transported to a quarantine facility that we use in Maryland,
where he or she is boarded for minimum of 30 days. He or she is then transported to a training facility we have been generously granted use of.
At the training farm each horse receives his or her vetting, shots, teeth exam and floating if needed.
The horse is then visited by our Blacksmith for his or her tootsie check, and then its off to the main farm.
Each horse then receives a minimum 60 days training (usually 90 days) in addition to ground work, and their prior track training, etc.
Our prices average from $1800 to $3500.
Each horse is brought up to date on teeth, feet, shots, deworming, etc.
We run the rescue like a business, we need to be solvent in order to save more horses.
We run an above board, transparent rescue and pride ourselves on our honesty and integrity.
We do not pull horses from the sale and make them available the next day...our program is thorough, we pay attention to detail, pay attention to the horses behavior, handling, riding and other details that help us make a great match for both horse and adopter.
We do NOT deal with broker horses, we feel this blurs the line between horses truly in need of assistance and those horses being sold for a commission to the seller/web site hoster.
We write for grants, hold fundraisers, and have adoption fees, etc.
Additionally, our adoption fees include the price to save another horse from the kill buyer/slaughter house.
The main difference between adopting (with a transfer of ownership in most cases) an Angel Acres rescue horse and purchasing from a horse dealer is that you have our personal guarantee on each and every horse.
We strive to ensure an excellent match between horse and adopter. We also offer after adoption support for the new horse owner.
Please write or call if you have any questions about our program.
The Thoroughbred:Your Next Sport Horse!
A brief description of our program is below.
A horse, usually a Thoroughbred, is purchased from the kill buyer, a Coggins test is immediately pulled at the sale.
The horse is then transported to a quarantine facility that we use in Maryland,
where he or she is boarded for minimum of 30 days. He or she is then transported to a training facility we have been generously granted use of.
At the training farm each horse receives his or her vetting, shots, teeth exam and floating if needed.
The horse is then visited by our Blacksmith for his or her tootsie check, and then its off to the main farm.
Each horse then receives a minimum 60 days training (usually 90 days) in addition to ground work, and their prior track training, etc.
Our prices average from $1800 to $3500.
Each horse is brought up to date on teeth, feet, shots, deworming, etc.
We run the rescue like a business, we need to be solvent in order to save more horses.
We run an above board, transparent rescue and pride ourselves on our honesty and integrity.
We do not pull horses from the sale and make them available the next day...our program is thorough, we pay attention to detail, pay attention to the horses behavior, handling, riding and other details that help us make a great match for both horse and adopter.
We do NOT deal with broker horses, we feel this blurs the line between horses truly in need of assistance and those horses being sold for a commission to the seller/web site hoster.
We write for grants, hold fundraisers, and have adoption fees, etc.
Additionally, our adoption fees include the price to save another horse from the kill buyer/slaughter house.
The main difference between adopting (with a transfer of ownership in most cases) an Angel Acres rescue horse and purchasing from a horse dealer is that you have our personal guarantee on each and every horse.
We strive to ensure an excellent match between horse and adopter. We also offer after adoption support for the new horse owner.
Please write or call if you have any questions about our program.
The Thoroughbred:Your Next Sport Horse!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Thoroughbred: Your Next Sport Horse!
Ahhhh....my reply to the most recent Angel Acres email....Angel Acres believes wholeheartedly that rescue horses CAN have a fantastic second career!
Not all rescue horses are crippled and old with one hoof on a banana peel!
We, Angel Acres, rescue horses that are sound, sane and healthy with tons of potential, and most are pulled from the kill pen. We are working hard to dispel the currently, more often than not, believed myth that "there must be something wrong if he/she was in the kill pen"...usually the reason is they are not fast enough to earn their keep in the racing world.
Take a look at Preston, Tango (shown at left), Cuddles...all were in a heap of trouble i.e. kill pen or on the way there without swift intervention...all sane, sound and extremely ridable! Preston is a 1st level dressage horse, Tango is simply gorgeous and amazing!
Check out Markie on this blog...pulled from the kill pen for $325 now a $30,000+ show horse (with a fantastically wonderful family who loves her to pieces) on the A-Circuit in New Jersey...I could show you example after example.
We (as many of you know) concentrate on OTTB's and we feel that the majority of them can go onto wonderful, fantastic second careers!
So please stop by our site, check out our program page, and help spread the word:
The Thoroughbred: CAN be YOUR next sport horse!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
