Adoption Success Stories

Gracie and Molly

Saving Grace of Alberta is doing great!! She is thoroughly enjoying eating her three meals a day and bedtime snack and eating all the hay she wants with her two new friends. (Also rescue horses but not from Alberta).

She was seized from the SPCA in Alberta as she was so terribly thin and she had a foal at her side. They took her to the feedlot to fatten up. (Some rescue) Fortunately, Paul Mitchell of the Mitchell Rescue Centre in Vulcan, Alberta rescued her. He weaned the baby, but she was so thin, they were not sure she would make it. Well "Gracie" decided she was given a second chance to live, and she was going to take advantage of it. She was so loving, that when she was put with the other horses, the little weanlings started following her around, and nursing from her, and she didn't mind.

When she got off the truck from Alberta, we instantly knew she was the one that needed us the most. She was pregnant and thin, and so needed TLC.

She is thriving in her new home. She is very content and happy and thoroughly enjoys checking out the pasture. She nickers when she sees us, (even if it is excitement for her next meal/snack!) She is very gentle and enjoys being groomed by Courtenay.

She was also pregnant when Paul rescued her, and we are hoping for a safe and easy delivery for her in the spring. But, Gracie is loved and she knows it!

Rainbow

Hi! My name is "Rainbow" and I'm 4yrs old. I was born in Alberta and I once had a family that loved me very much. One day I met a very handsome Arabian Stallion and we played together for a while, but for some reason my owners were very upset. One day I heard them talking and they said that I was pregnant (whatever that means) and because there was such a shortage of hay they could no longer afford to keep me. They put me in a large box which they called a trailer and took me to the "Mitchell Horse Crisis Center." I don't know why because this guy already had hundreds of horses, why would he want me? I was scared! I was already in trouble for letting the Arabian get close to me. Anyway this place seemed to have lots of good food to eat so I started to muscle my way into these horses to get my share of the hay. I wasn't there too long when one day this huge trailer arrived and I was forced into it with seven adult horses and twenty newborn horses called weanlings, some of them didn't look too well and they all looked so sad and missed their mothers and I could see that they were very hungry. I wondered where we were all going so squashed up in this long box.

Finally after travelling for 23 hours the doors were opened and we all ran out into this lovely big paddock where there was lots of food and water. I didn't want to miss out on this food so I pushed and shoved my way through the rest of them so as to get my share before it was all gone, but I soon realised that there was lots of food here because as soon as we finished one bale of hay, another one soon appeared ,just like magic. I knew now that there was no need to be so aggressive any more. Just as I was getting used to everyone I was loaded into yet another box and this time with only one other horse....she was pregnant too (whatever that means). After about an hour of travelling, we stopped and the other horse was unloaded and shortly afterwards they unloaded me and tried to walk me up the ramp of a small bus. I thought "who're they kidding? Trailers are for horses.... buses are for people" so I just planted my feet and said "no way". They tried to bribe me with treats and it started to rain but I didn't care. These people sure looked funny pushing and pulling me all soaking wet. I realised that they were not going to give up and I could see that there was lots of nice hay in the bus so I decided I would go into the bus. It wasn't so bad and I was only in the bus about 15 minutes when I looked out of the window and saw a big sign that said "welcome to the Pony Dome". What the heck is a pony dome I said to myself? I truly did feel welcome.

When I got off the bus there were ponies everywhere. They were a "wimpy looking lot ". I thought.. But they all looked well fed and were eager to make friends. I knew from the past that this could spell trouble but I was introduced to them gradually and when we decided who was going to be boss they all became good friends, they were not such a bad bunch after all. My new owners Sue and Leon really love me and so do all the other animals (pigs, cats, dogs, and ducks). Everyone here gets along together real well. I've been here now for 6 weeks and I just know that this is where I want to be and don't want to go anywhere else. They keep telling me that I'm special, so, whenever they come into the barn, I walk over to the gate and say "Hi". I even give them kisses and quite often they reach into their pockets and give me a treat.

Every now and then I think of all my friends that are still in Alberta and hope that they too may have found a lovely home with lots of love and treats. I'm so lucky to live at the "Pony Dome"

Gratefully yours, RAINBOW

P.S. They even let me chose my own name ......but that's another story.

Sue and Leon Atkins

Eddy

Eddy came to live on our farm in October of 2002. The reason why he came to live with us was because there was a drought in Alberta. We found out from our cousins that the farm behind their house was the rescue centre. When we spoke to Mr. Brown he told us about Eddy, he told us he was injured. We told him we were looking for another horse as a friend for our other horse Mubo.

When we first came to see Eddy we immediately loved him. We fed Eddy carrots and groomed him. We were so excited we drove home and told our dad. My mom and dad picked up Eddy that week. Eddy is very good when you take his halter off in his stall. Eddy loves his new home. Eddy loves his new bedroom. He is a great joy in our family.

I like Eddy because he is very calm and quiet when you groom him. He is an Appaloosa/ Palamino. He is special and we love him very much. He is getting more and more used to our farm.

Nikki Bakker - 10 years old

General, Saphryn, and Arrow

My sister, Erin, and I have been interested in animals all of our life. About nine years ago, I developed a special liking for horses. As Erin got older, she caught the same passion for horses as I did. Since then we have been praying to Jesus, for a horse.

Several months ago, Grandpa found out about the drought in Alberta and about how many horses were being slaughtered for meat. Then he heard about the Alberta Horse Rescue effort and made the initial call to Peter and Debbi Brown. Dad didn’t want a horse, but the rest of my family did. We all went to work to prepare the barn for the horse. Finally we got the job done and went to look at the horses. Jesus did a miracle in Dad’s heart, as he was really excited about being able to rescue a horse. He even started to say which ones he liked. We were all very surprised.

We picked out a horse named Biscuit. Erin didn’t like the name, so we changed it to General. General is a fifteen year old Registered Thoroughbred. He is sorrel and is an excellent riding horse. Surprisingly, Dad loved horses so much, that he wanted to get two weanlings. So a few weeks later we went to pick out our weanlings. Erin picked out a blue eyed, white with black Paint filly and named her Saphryn. I picked out a brown and white Paint colt and named him Arrow. All of his points are black, except for his tail, which is white. They both came from the same registered Paint farm and as far as we know, Arrow and Saphryn are the only matched pair , from the same farm that could continue the breeding heritage of this farm, as all of the adult Paint horses have been slaughtered.

Well, one week later we returned with the trailer to take our weanlings home. We had some trouble getting them to go into the trailer. But when we got home, Arrow let me lead him out like he’s been doing it all of his life. Erin’s filly loves Arrow and goes everywhere he goes. Now three months later, I pick their hooves, brush them, feed them, walk with them and love on them. When I whistle, they come to me.

In the spring, Dad wants to get an Appaloosa for himself. Go figure! Jesus answered this prayer beyond my expectations!

I really encourage you to support the Alberta Horse Rescue effort. Remember to keep the horses who have not found homes, in your prayers! Our horses are very healthy and are growing very fast.

Blessings in Christ Jesus!

Kelsey Budgell: Age 12

SAPHRYN

My name is Saphryn and I am a five month old, mostly white, Philly Paint Quarter horse, with a black belly. I have a black and white face and beautiful blue eyes. At least that’s what my Owner Erin says. She sometimes calls me Saphy.

I came from the Horse Rescue Center, in Flamborough and went to the Budgell home in November, with my Colt friend, Arrow. I met a new friend, his name is Bull’s-eye. I think he is a cross between a Fellabella and a Shetland pony. But I hear my owners call him a dog. I wonder what breed that is.

When I was at the Horse Rescue Centre, I was shy until I saw Erin. I liked her so much that I let her pet me for a long time. When she left for the day, I was sad. I don’t know if she was going to come back. The next day many people came and lots of them wanted me, but the people in charge said that I was already taken.

A couple of days later Erin took me home. I was so happy! They took my friend Arrow too. They even had an adult horse named General. Now my best friend is Erin. I lay with her. I run with her and I love her. I thank Jesus for giving me a wonderful home and placing me with this family.

Blessings in Christ Jesus!

Erin Budgell: Age 8

A Thank-You from the Bates Family

Dear Debbie, Peter and Courtney,

I just wanted to write you a quick note to extend out heartfelt thanks for all your help with Angus, Fergus, Gideon and Mo Chride. I am so glad that we made the phone call to you after seeing your story profiled on CH news.

As pet owners of other rescue horses it was heart breaking to imagine being faced with losing your horse because of your inability to afford to feed it. After going and viewing the first shipment of horses it unthinkable that anyone would slaughter these precious animals. One look into those frightened eyes made you want to promise that never again would their future hold such uncertainty.

Now our horses Mystic and Hummer and miniature donkey Lumpy have welcomed Fergus( a thoroughbred/Percheron cross) Angus the cute Welsh pony and the babies Gideon and Mo Chride(which means my heart in Gaelic, which is fitting as he has a heart shaped star on his forehead) both babies are quarter horses.

All four of new horses have settled in nicely. The horses really enjoy meal time! Angus was pretty shy at first. He definitely bonded with our children right away. It took longer for him to trust Ron and myself. The babies are very curious and enjoy watching Ron work on the barn around them. They come up behind him and snuffle him when he's working. Our son Thomas has been working with Fergus on the lead line and with grooming manners. Fergus waits at the gate for Thomas after school.

We really appreciate all your help with the horses. We are thankful that there are such caring people as yourselves in the world.

Please extend out thanks to Paul Mitchell and to the ladies at Cedar brook for all their loving care of our boys.

Thanks,

Liana, Ron and Family

Tank

I wanted to take a minute to thank the volunteers from HorseRescueOntario.org. I have been lucky enough to be part of placing a few of these horses. One of them is still with us and will be for a long time to come. His name is Tank and he is a 10 year old Quarter horse who picked us to look after him. He loves my daughters Erin(6 years old) and Alexandra (9 years old) and he has a truly loving personality to all people even if he really has no reason to trust anyone after what he has been through. If you have ever wonder if you should get one of these horse, I say YES!!!!!, you will need to invest the time to allow them to learn that they can trust people again but when they do it will pay back ten fold. The first time I tried to load Tank on to a horse trailer after he had been at our home for 4 months it took 4 hours of being patient, but now he loads with no problem because he knows he will come home again. He is truly a success story "from the slaughter horse to the horse show" yes that's right the horse show. My daughter Alexandra has been showing Tank at the Dunville saddle club and has won the first 3 shows at lead line and Tank and Alex also competed in the Paris Youth team tournament, not bad for a slaughter house horse. If you think you can help one of these horse then do it, helping does not always mean you have to take a horse it means you helped save a horse.

Roy, Alison, Alexandra and Erin of Smithville, Ontario

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