Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue

Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue
Angel Acres Website

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Super National arrived in Colorado!

Super National AKA Natty has arrived in his new home with Sara in Colorado!

She thinks he is wonderful and was perfect gentleman getting off the truck in the wind with howling winds and flapping plastic!

We will post pics soon!

Become a Feed Angel Today!

Become an Angel Acres Feed Angel Today!
Click the Angel Horse Below!
You can also become a Shiloh Horse Rescue Feed Fairy too...just click the link and then click on Shiloh's Logo and help feed the Shiloh Horses Too!







Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Fugly Horse of the Day - Repost

Reposted here with permission...we don't normally repost other blogs, but when it comes to rescues we work with (as in we love Shiloh Horse Rescue, Mid Atlantic Horse Rescue, Cozee Vallee Horse Rescue, Forgotten Treasures, and several other fabulous rescues) and think incredibly highly of, we will repost and forward.

This post is from Fugly Horse of the Day Blog (who until recently we have only admired from afar lol now we are reposting with permission) and should be read by EVERYONE who has a horse, thought about having horse, may think about having a horse (you get the idea lol) its THAT important. Big Thanks to Fugly Blogger for the hard work and dedication it took to put this post together...many horses will benefit from it, I am sure!

Direct link to Fugly... http://www.fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/

"Monday, April 27, 2009

One down, way too many to go!
Back from the war, LOL...felt a bit like a war, anyway, with a small but mouthy opposition. ;-) I am sitting here worrying about our orphan colt, Drake. If anybody is still on site and wants to post a Drake report, please do so.So, the good news that has already been posted is that the AQHA took Cleve Wells' abuse of Slow Lopin Scotch seriously and smacked him with a one year suspension and a $10,000 fine. GO AQHA!

However, as always, we cannot rest on our laurels. There is still all too much abusive training out there and I've got a story for you today that is one of the most upsetting I have ever heard. To make things worse, it's local and I may have to walk by this man at a horseshow without performing any violence to him. Damn laws...Before I even begin, I want to say that I have talked to numerous individuals who witnessed his actions and I am 100% sure this took place, so if anybody wants to sue me, go for it. I know I have the facts and numerous people ready and willing to testify.

His name is Randy Byers.

Here is his web site. As you can see, he promotes himself as using John Lyons' methods. This is why a friend of mine took a horse to him last fall for some fine tuning. At their initial meeting, Randy rode the horse in a plain snaffle and used Lyons' techniques. While my friend did not care for the arrogance he displayed toward her, she believed he was a competent trainer and sent her horse there.

Two weeks later, she was smart enough to drop by for an unannounced visit - at which she found her horse in a twisted wire snaffle and running martingale, totally traumatized, dripping in sweat, and with a bloody mouth. Oh, and now he reared. My friend, being no wimp, ripped ol' Randy a new one and picked up her horse the next day. She then had to send him to Jon Ensign to fix all the Randy damage. Jon did a great job.

Meanwhile, Randy sent e-mail nastygrams to my friend and basically accused her of being a stupid female who knew nothing about training. Anyway, catastrophe narrowly averted - her horse survived.A little Arabian mare did not. She is buried on the property where she lived with her very young owner, who I am pretty sure is too young to be reading this blog or I would be hesitant to post it.

And there is a vet - not a good one - who said she died of a stroke.Here's the truth:A family bought an older Arabian mare - in her 20s - for their young daughter. The mare hadn't been ridden in several years and needed some tuning up so they took her to Randy.

Unlike my friend, they did not check on her, and her nightmare began."I always knew when Randy was riding," one source told me, "because all we could hear was the sound of the whip from the barn." It didn't matter which horse Randy rode - he was nothing if not consistent. Everything got ridden into a white sweat, beaten and spurred. Everything. When Randy was riding, horses who weren't even in training with him would stand in their stalls and tremble with fear.

If an owner came to watch, they were told ridiculous statements like "you need a curb bit to neck rein" and told that this kind of training was normal. Randy, like many NH snake oil salesmen, preyed on beginner horsepeople who did not know right from wrong. His macho, aggressive personality scared other boarders into silence. He went on trail rides with a local horseman's group where witnesses saw him ride horses until they collapsed and "race" other riders on exhausted horses but no one ever said a word because he scared them. "I am scared to talk against him," one witness told me. "He seems like the kind of guy you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley."

On January 19, 2009, Randy finally took his horse-beating style a little too far. He rode the little Arabian mare for several hours, until she fell to her knees. After she collapsed, he got off and kicked her, yelled at her, and whipped her. She somehow got into the aisleway at the barn where she died. Whip welts and a bloody girth gall were apparent on the body. A vet called Dr. Dugan was called, who pronounced her dead from a stroke.

Her body was loaded into the bed of a pickup and taken back to her owners' farm for burial. The incident was reported to the Thurston County Sheriff, who investigated, but with the body gone and the vet report, nothing could be done.Well, Randy, you think you're so slick, don't you? But people talk - and some clueless livestock vet being in your pocket doesn't save you from everything.

I decided to do a little research with a REAL vet (an expert in pathology) about what it would take to accurately diagnose a stroke. I am told there is no way at all to verify a stroke without examining the brain in a necropsy. That mare went to her grave whole. Now, I'm not saying she didn't have a stroke after the hours of being worked and beaten but it cannot be proven as the cause of death. A heart attack is just as likely as is a head injury from flipping over or striking her head when she fell.

But hey, we had to get that body into the ground in a hurry before anybody took a picture of all the whip welts and girth galls, didn't we? Priorities!

I mentioned Randy on my blog in January. He e-mailed me the following response "Move me up to #2 please...I love that picture of me on the half linger, we look good together. He is one of the sweetest horses I have worked with. Could you please move me up under Cleve's #1.
I think that I deserve the #2 spot instead of #6. If I give you some reall good dirt on me can I be move to #1? Randy

"Yes, Randy! YOU WIN! You are NUMBER ONE! Cleve at least didn't KILL the horse. Again, this is RANDY BYERS who is currently holding clinics at the Triple H Arena in Chehalis, Washington and the Hart Ranch and Arena in Yakima, WA.

He has something going on at the Ride the West event in Spokane, WA. He is currently training out of Carbon Stables, 15340 133rd Ave SE, Yelm, WA 98597 (this is the fourth facility in about a year or so...he got kicked out of the facility he beat the mare to death at and he got kicked out the facility before that, too) Randy's website says (illiterate moron) "Some people succeed because they are destined too" Randy, you're not gonna succeed with that poor little mare's blood on your hands. Not if I have anything to say about it.

You disgusting, pathetic loser. Please, DO feel free to x-post everywhere. Don't let that poor little mare's death be in vain.And if you have a horse in training, GO AND CHECK ON HIM! Do NOT leave your horse with a trainer who tells you WHEN you can come to the barn (within reason, normal barn hours are to be respected). Use your head and don't let this happen to you or your horse. "

From http://www.fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/

Monday, April 27, 2009

Completely off topic - Susan Boyle

Well, since I don't watch tv and get my news from the internet, I saw this photo of Susan Boyle and wondered what the hype was all about...well...the hype is apparently more than justified. I got goose bumps from listening to her beautiful voice...fabulous way to start of a new week.

Below is the video link from you tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OcQ9A-5noM

Jo

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Mattie - 1996 - 2009

I do not want to dwell on what we went through this weekend, his life here was one of love, compassion and kindness. So, we will dwell on that, instead.

But, we lost Mattie yesterday at about 7pm.

He will be very, very missed and he was extremely well-loved. We did not have time to tell everyone and give them a chance to say goodbye before we lost him, but he was surrounded by his "human family" who held him and loved him right through to the end. Greg, Patty, Jo, Chuck, and Trevor were all here for him.

I was really attached to that horse and boy, could he work me for the treats and carrots! He impacted each and every person who ever met him. He was always the first to nicker at me in the morning and almost always whinnied or nickered when he saw me (maybe it was the bag of treats or the carrots he knew were in my pocket!) and made me feel like he was happy to be here.

He was a shining star for Angel Acres and he served a purpose no one could have seen when we saved him...raising awareness about slaughter bound horses. While his previous owners used him and then threw him away, he found a new loving family here. One that looked beyond the founder, looked beyond his inability to be ridden, and just loved him because he was Mattie.

He was kind and gentle and knew just how much he could work you before you were like, "hey, he's working me here". lol He had fans and supporters from around the nation and many who made the long drive just to meet him. Mattie was Angel Acres own mascot for all slaughter bound horses...

He helped us tell people that horses are not useless, they are not throw-aways, that there really is a person for each homeless horse...homeless horses are not unwanted, someone wanted them when they bred him or her...they are simply homeless, having outgrown his or her intended purpose for his or her owner or breeder. (forgive me if I am grammitcally incorrect, my head is throbbing and I should be going to lay down, but feel I need to write this asap)

This horse was used up and thrown away by the people that were supposed to care for him! He had the worst case of founder anyone we knew (including vets and farriers) had ever seen. Yet through it all, he was stoic and yet playfull, who'll ever forget Mattie snagging a big ole mouthful of hay while someone was walking by, then look away like "wasn't me!"...he'd poke his head out to playfully nip at Dr. Wells, not to be mean, but for attention!

And lordy when Chuck pulled up, he was a different horse, worried yet willing...would this be Chuck working for 4 hours or just a quick check? Either way, Mattie was great through it all. I have pics of Mattie and Chuck together, it was truly amazing, the way they connected. Chuck gave his heart and soul for Matties care...and we are forever grateful to him.

Mattie touched so many lives all around the country. He helped bring awareness to greater issues in the horse world. I will post more later...a newsletter will be going out as well.

Thank you to all who have supported him and loved him from afar...he will never truly be gone, he will be in our hearts forever.

Jo

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Ernie Paragallo's Seized Horses Need Help!

Hi Everyone,

If you can offer a home to one of these poor guys and gals in need...please visit the link below...

http://www.cghs.org/horses.htm

What a crying shame...we just wanted to get the word out and try to help these guys...we will also include info in our newsletter...

Thanks for reading!

Jo

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Freedom aka Hotell Notel - 1989 - 2009

It is with a heavy heart that I post the news below...for many that new him, Hotell Notel, was a sweet wonderful guy! The post below is directly from his family...




Freedom has passed on and will never be forgotten. He is missed by his family and friends, both human and equine. We know that he is watching over his herd and will be their guardian angel. Farewell Freedom, Until we meet again....

Freedom – 1989 – 2009
Majestic….. Fearful….. Trusting…..Protective….Loving

The above words may not mean too much to anyone but to me my husband and the Freedom Horse family it described a horse named Freedom.

I run a Therapeutic Riding facility and Freedom was one of our family members that worked with us. He was adopted thru Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue and was a horse in need. Freedom was an ex-race horse/ steeplechase horse. Freedom was our spokes horse for understanding that rescues are necessary; to help that horse that no longer had a home or a horse that could no longer race, or that couldn’t race at all. The economy has also caused people to lose their beloved horse. Rescues save them from an uncertain fate. This is20why we try to adopt most of the horses we use in our program.

Freedom had a purpose; maybe in the beginning it was racing or steeple chasing, but our purpose for him was to just be a horse first. This is what we allowed him to do. He was the protector of his herd. The last to go into the stall at night making sure everyone was safe. He also had a girlfriend, a 12 hand pony also adopted thru Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue. They bonded instantly, it seemed that they knew they had been slated for the same fate but was rescued and now safe.

Of course he took some time on figuring out that we were the good guys. Once he did he respected us as part of the herd. Sometimes at night when he was still checking to make sure everyone was in, and I was getting impatient, I would go behind him and use all my strength to push him on his butt to get him moving. He would turn his head and look at me as if saying… do you think you really can move me….but he would move his skinny legs and go into his stall.

We didn’t ride him for the first 6 months we had him. We wanted him just to be a horse. So when we tried the first time he gave it his all and listened and tried hard to please us. When he was ready we would use him in lessons and he had the slowest trot in the world. Just would meander along but during the lesson you would always here me clapping and cheering that he was doing a good job and he was a good boy. Freedom needed the encouragement from me, as his instructor and encouragement his rider. I don’t think you will ever see a trainer and rider screaming in a ring “good boy”, “you go Freedom” and “Whoo Hoo” as you were trotting and cantering. The louder you got the happier he was. My neighbors must have thought we were nuts! And I am sure that instructors would be appalled at my behavior, but he needed to know verbally that he was doing the right thing. If you were quite, he was scared. He taught me to listen and he would tell me what to do and how to do it. In life you don’t teach or work with everyone the same way and neither should you do this with horses. Sometimes you just need to shut up and listen….

Unfortunately, we lost our friend our teacher and protector. We were blessed to have him for two years, smarter for what he taught us and angry that he was taken away from us so soon Freedom made a big difference in all our lives and he will never be forgotten.

Freedom, we promise that we will see you again… once our work here is done.

Liz and Mike Carlson
Freedom - Thoroughbred Horse- In Loving Memory - 1989 - 2009 - "May you gallop freely forever"

Monday, April 20, 2009

GREAT WEEKEND....

What a teaser...I know...but we are just getting back into the groove after several successful meetings in Las Vegas...then a weekend in Harrisburg.

Natty Boh AKA Super National is getting ready for his trip to Colorado. We have horses coming and going and its a bit crazy here!

We will post more updates tomorrow...a bunch of them...stay tuned!

We would also like to thank Shiloh Horse Rescue for their wonderful idea and blessing with our newest project...The Feed Angels...based wholly on their Feed Fairies project. Many of you know that we are all about working together (and well, we just plain love Shiloh Horse Rescue, the best in the West!) and helping raise awareness about horse rescue and the need for owner and breeder responsibility.

We are working on a feed fairy/feed angel promotion...to help us help our supporters help the horses!! More details...sssooonnnn... I know, I know...I am making you wait...Sorry!! LOL!

Have a happy day everyone!

Jo :o)

Thursday, April 16, 2009

WJZ & Angel Acres For Zootoo.com!

WJZ TV from Baltimore, MD came out to visit us today and did a story on Angel Acres about the zootoo.com contest! Big thanks to WJZ!!

Click here to see the news story!

Thank you to everyone who is helping us in the contest!

Click here to help us earn the shelter makeover zootoo.com/vote

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Award Winning Humorist Writes & Sings For Angel Acres

Wow...check this out...we can't express how thrilled we are with Mr. Mike Ball's song about the plight of horses in the USA...

I have sent it on to several of our supporters and they have said its really beautiful and several of them were crying...

http://www.whativelearnedsofar.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=234&Itemid=51

Thanks from all of us at Angel Acres!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Voting Has BEGUN For Angel Acres!

Sign up and vote for Angel Acres in the Zootoo.com $1 million dollar makeover contest!

Click here www.zootoo.com/vote and register to vote!

Thank you for all of us at Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue!

Jo

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Once Slaughter Bound - Now Champion!


From Kathy about Remarkably aka Markie!

Markie was the #1 horse in Pre-Children's Hunter Horse Division at today's A-Rated show. She got Champion for the division with 18 horses/riders in the Over Fence classes and 15 (Maybe more?) in the Under Saddle Class.

Check out Z2 (zootoo.com) for more info, pix & vids.Kathy

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Successful Meetings!

What a great week we had here in Las Vegas, NV!

We had the Animal Care Expo event and then the Homes For Horses Coalition conferences...we got to meet a ton of great people and many speakers were full of valuable information.

Big thanks to the HSUS and AWI for hosting the event!

Stay Tuned for more updates soon...

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

From R.T. Fitch - Thank you...

Congrats Angel Acres
Please see below our Habitat for Horses perspective on our direction as posted to our boards.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Journey through ZooTooPhew...it's been a long a dusty ride; it's rained, there's been hail, the wind has blown and I even lost my hat but we never wavered, we stuck together and we are getting ever closer to our destination.

Boy; we have had a few laughs, shared some interesting stories around the campfire, taken goofy pictures and built relationships that will last a life time. The best trail ride I have ever been on. We have seen people ride up out of the posse and take the lead, folks we never thought of as trail bosses, before, but they were there, right up front leading us onward with their steely gaze forever fixed on the future and their reins firmly grasped within their hands.

It was a metamorphosis that was a wonder to behold, even the horses took note.But we are at a fork in the trail, we thought we were supposed to go one way, but through several twists and turns we now know the exact direction that we must go...and in making that turn, we further help the horses.

The direction that we are heading is towards Angel Acres Horse Haven, they need our help and we promised to give it to them. They pledged their loyalty to us, and we now return the favor and head off down the trail to help them. We do it because we are one in our mission, our call and our love.

We pick up the speed of our ride as the horses feel the thrill, the excitement of being recognized, of being in the lime light, of having hope.As we near Angel Acres ranch, we brandish our cell phones in one hand while we clutch our reins in the other...it's time for the Habitat for Horses Posse to call for help, we need to bring in the troops, we must circle the wagons.

Only as a unified team can we ensure that Angel Acres reaches out and grasps that ZooToo golden equine ring of hope and as lovers of the horse's spirit we will bear them on our backs to ensure that they win because that, my friends, is what selfless rescue is all about...and "that" is what we are all about."GO ANGEL ACRES!"...we will help you make it so!

Giddy-up and ride hard, my friends, the horses are depending on us!!!!R.T.

R.T. FitchAuthor -
"Straight from the Horse's Heart"
The Force of the Horse®, LLC
1-800-974-FOTH
www.rtfitch.com
www.habitatforhorses.org
www.equinewelfarealliance.org

From one of our supporters...

From Sue:

Congratulations!

The awareness part is exactly what Kristina is doing by walking across the US. She's finally getting some attention too, NY Times has an article about horse slaughter again, hope this time it's a good one.

I am thrilled that AA has won this huge honor and hope that you raise tons of dough so you can keep doing more good work, just don't let it go to your head, LOL. The horses and I love you for all you do for them. I hope from now on, every year a horse rescue makes the top ten and some attention is always given to the plight of the American horse. We must stop the bad guys for all animals, it's got to be known even more that animals are seriously mistreated in this country and there's no excuse. There must be laws enforced and prosecuted that prevent cruelty and protect animals from abusers.

Sue

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

TOP 10 IN ZOOTOO.COM CONTEST!

WOW!!!

I am thrilled to announce that Angel Acres has made it into the Top 10 for the zootoo.com makeover contest!!

We are thrilled to have this opportunity and we are the only horse rescue in the Top 10. We feel it is our responsibility to use this opportunity to help raise awareness about the need for horse rescue in this country!

Be sure to visit www.zootoo.com/makeover and sign up today and be ready to vote on April 13, through 19th...

http://www.zootoo.com/americavotes/intro

The link above will tell you how to vote in the contest...its fast, easy, free and its all happening on a super pet-friendly web site!!

Biggest thanks ever to all the folks at zootoo.com for making this possible!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Great Day at Shiloh!

I had a great day visiting Shiloh Horse Rescue! I got to see my most favorite Shiloh horse, Chico!

I will be posting some pictures that Jill took of me and him today!

Getting ready for the Animal Care Expo being held this evening at the Bally's in Las Vegas!

Pics to be posted soon...

AND...we will be linking a great blog from Shiloh about the Wild Mustang, Iceman. Featuring and detailing the daily happenings of another great program implemented by Shiloh!

Jo

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Parelli - Fast Approaching!

The Parelli Event is fast approaching! Check out the link below for more info!

Check out the Story here!

We are all thrilled about the upcoming event! We hope we will see you there!!

Have a happy Monday everyone!!

:o)

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Pet-a-palooza!

What a great day! I was able to attend the Pet-a-palooza event in Las Vegas with Shiloh Horse Rescue! Met a lot of great people and few from PA! Am looking forward to the upcoming conferences, Animal Care Expo and the Homes For Horses Conference!

Pics will be posted later!

Have a great night everyone!

Jo

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Alysheba Memorial from friends blog...

Received this today...wanted to share...

http://ourbelovedangels2.blogspot.com/2009/04/majestic-king-memorial-for-alysheba-by.html

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Press Release Zootoo.com & Angel Acres

Zootoo.com’s $1 Million
Shelter Makeover Contest
Shines Spotlight on the
Plight of Homeless Horses


Glenville, PA -- Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue has made it to the “Top 20” in a $1 million shelter makeover contest sponsored by Zootoo.com, a web site for animal and pet lovers.

“The Zootoo.com contest has made more people aware that American horses are ending up on dinner plates in European and Asian restaurants and that homeless horses are suffering terrible treatment and a horrifying death,” says Jo Deibel, founder of Angel Acres. “We just finished a new video to help educate more people so they take action to help stop this practice.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kctnqRBBd4s&feature=channel_page

Says Deibel, “We’ve had media outlets all over the world from New Zealand to Japan cover this so whatever happens with the contest, Zootoo is helping to stop horse slaughter. We’re grateful to Zootoo.com’s founder, Richard Thompson, for helping to shine a light on the issue of horse abandonment and horse slaughter,” says Deibel. “With the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes fast approaching it’s a great time for people to discuss this further.”

The Zootoo team traveled to all Top 20 shelters in March including Angel Acres, to assess needs, community support and best practices. The next step will be at the April 7th Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Animal Care Expo in Las Vegas when the Zootoo team will name the top 10 shelters for public voting April 13-19.

“Then, if we’re selected, it’s all up to America to vote for Angel Acres from these top 10 and decide who will win the million dollar makeover,” says Deibel. “Angel Acres has a unique spot, just two horse rescue shelters made it to the Top 20; good Lord willing, we make it all the way. I know if the horses could vote they most certainly would…their lives depend on it.”

About Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue
Angel Acres Horse Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit rescue dedicated to saving horses bound for slaughter for human consumption. Angel Acres also assists in cases of neglect and abuse. Thoroughbreds are rescued from kill pens and adopted into loving forever homes. All adoption applicants and horses up for adoption are screened thoroughly.

For more information on the Zootoo.com $1 Million Makeover please go to www.zootoo.com/makeover or go to www.saveahorsenow.org

About Zootoo.com
Zootoo.com is the leading online resource center powered by pet lovers.
Zootoo.com also produces national and local original pet news as part of its
mission to help pet lovers become more informed pet owners. Zootoo.com is based in Secaucus, New Jersey.

-END-

To arrange an interview with Jo Deibel please contact Scott Lorenz, Westwind Communications Office: 734-667-2090, Cell: 248-705-2214, scottlorenz@westwindcos.com
www.westwindcos.com