Happy New Year from DoubleHP Horses

Thank you to all who helped this year

May 2012 be the year that all horse owners breed responsibly.

(for most of us, that would mean not at all)

No more of these $5 or $50 or even $500 colts.

How in the world is there a profit at that sale price!

Oversupply, you say?

Well, um, pardon me, but horses don't just fall out of the sky.

Don't you think that if there were fewer foals born,

they would all be worth more money?

Please, breed responsibly.

If you truly love horses, you will do your part

to get the overpopulation problem under control.

NOT by slaughtering them.

But by breeding responsibly.

Thank you.

Minerva, our Warrior Horse Goddess

Usually this time of the year I can take the camera out and get some fantastic horses-in-the-snow photos.
Not this year!
Guess we're having a Brown Christmas this year, no matter how long and often we dream of a white one.
Nevertheless, out with the camera I did go.
Boooooooooring!
The horses were all napping (nestled in their beds is how the Xmas Song goes I think).
So, I decided to take some close up photos. haven't done that for a while. kind of like the action shots better. though I do like some of these close-ups I got today. I'll put a couple in here and try to add to it in the next few days. (remember the photos will enlarge when you click on them)

Here's the thing about our Minerva:

We rescued her from starvation as a yearling. Not long after that she and her mama Jasmine appeared as poster children for Unwanted Horses in a national "Unwanted Horse" conference in Washington, D.C., in June 2008. I suppose I somehow gave permission for the photo to be used, through a survey or membership or something. Though I don't remember specifically but I cannot say for sure that I did not either.

here's the link to the online document/presentation from this Forum.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/FTAAProceedings/unwantedhorseproceedings2008.pdf

On Page 85 you will find our poster children.

here is that photo I still have on my computer.

I took the photo, just a couple of days after we rescued this herd.

wow, they were pretty sad looking, weren't they!

I guess they really did look the part - unwanted.

funny thing is, they really weren't.

Turns out all of the horses from this herd are now excellent riding horses. Well, except for Mama Jasmine, who is now in horsey heaven. What a tough gal Jasmine was though. emaciated, broken hip, could barely walk partly due to no hoof care, her emaciated yearling Minerva right by her side and, in addition to all of this, Jasmine was 3 weeks away from giving birth to another foal, our Hero.

Because they are serioulsy neglected, does that mean necessarily that they also are unwanted?

I don't think so.

I think the term "unwanted" is unecessary.

These horses were neglected, to the point of inhumane treatment, which is a crime.

Seriously! Even in South Dakota, this is against the law.

Let's be placing the blame where it belongs: On the irresponsible owners.

"Unwanted" makes it sound as though it's the horse's fault.

But it's not! It's the owner's fault. And, in this case, as with most of them, the owner was also the breeder.

These were not "unwanted" horses.

They were neglected horses.

They were irresponsibly-bred horses.

That is human error.

Let's start putting these things in prespective.

Quit blaming it on the horses.

The fault lies with the breeder and/or owner.

In any case, we are so happy to have rescued this herd a few years ago. We answered the call for assistance from a nearby animal shelter that is no longer in existence. We were supposed to "assist" them but ended up doing the whole thing, including taking over responsibility for all expenses and placement of the horses. Fortunately, we had several other experienced horse people join us and were able to accomplish this unexpected mission.  

Minerva has grown up to be a fantastic riding horse, a natural "Western Pleasure" prospect who also has some pretty great "Reining Horse" moves. Don't laugh at me. I know some things about Reining, and I have had two trainers confirm this for me.

Well, anyway, we had snow last Christmas.

Here's Minerva a year ago.

Making Snow Angels I think!

You bet she's a poster child.

But it's not for Unwanted Horses anymore.

It's for Warrior Horse Goddesses.

in mythology, Minerva the Roman Goddess was born in an odd way. She burst from her father's brain, already fully grown and wearing warrior attire. In one legend, Minerva the Roman Goddess tells a competitor, "challenge your fellow-mortals as you will, but do NOT compete with a Goddess!

Dec. 13 is National Day of the Horse

In 2004, Congress recognized the first official
National Day of the Horse.

The text of the resolution states:

Encouraging citizens to be mindful of the contribution of horses to the economy, history, and character of the United States and expressing the sense of Congress that a National Day of the Horse should be established. Whereas the horse is a living link to the history of the United States; Whereas, without horses, the economy, history, and character of the United States would be profoundly different; Whereas horses continue to permeate the society of the United States, as witnessed on movie screens, on open land, and in our own backyards; Whereas horses are a vital part of the collective experience of the United States and deserve protection and compassion; Whereas, because of increasing pressure from modern society, wild and domestic horses rely on humans for adequate food, water, and shelter; and Whereas the Congressional Horse Caucus estimates that the horse industry contributes well over $100,000,000,000 each year to the economy of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress-- (1) encourages all citizens to be mindful of the contribution of horses to the economy, history, and character of the United States; (2) expresses its sense that a National Day of the Horse should be established in recognition of the importance of horses to the Nation's security, economy, recreation, and heritage; and (3) urges the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States and interested organizations to observe National Day of the Horse with appropriate programs and activities.

Perhaps if everyone would stop arguing about

whether horses should be classified as pets or livestock,

and just classify them as horses,

America would be a much better Horse Nation.

Horses are NOT PETS as our dogs and cats are.

and horses are NOT LIVESTOCK

the way that cows sheep and pigs are.

HORSES ARE HORSES.

Why is everyone trying so hard to crowd them

into another category where they don't fit.

Just put them in the Horses category.

And treat them right.

And don't breed so many since,
according to everyone, there is already "oversupply."

And support this:

For the Horses.

the story of our Jack Frost, a little horse who died of starvation in South Dakota in 2005, when US horse slaughterhouses were still open

Six years ago? oh my, I've been doing this way way too long.
Six years ago, Dec. 6, 2005, which was also a Tuesday, we said good bye to Jack Frost. We could not save him. His neglect was too severe.
Notice the year: 2005.
US horse slaughterhouses were still going.
Why then, did this little horse starve to death?
And why were there no charges? The availability of horse slaughter does not decrease horse neglect.
South Dakota: let this be a warning. We have been involved in horse starvation and rescue for more than 10 years here. It's the same whether there is US slaughter or not. The only time there was a glimmer of hope was when our law enforcement was actually doing something about these cases. But now, with no enforcement of these laws, these neglectful horse owners are just making a joke of our laws. And they know they will not get in trouble. Bringing horse slaughter back will make things worse. There will be even more irresponsible breeding, there will be more horses not fewer. We do not need more horses! We need fewer foals to be born, not more.

JACK FROST

Sweet Dreams, Sweet Little Jack Frost.
I will smile now every time Jack Frost is nipping at my nose.

Here is the story of Jack Frost, who lives with our Sky Herd now. The story is told by a DoubleHP Volunteer.

For months, residents of a small SD community watched and talked about this situation, but did nothing to help this horse -- until it was too late. What is especially tragic about this story is that it happened right in town, not far from a feed elevator and a church. Residents talked to each other about the situation, and one person told us the Sheriff's Department “had been watching it too.”

Finally, when it was too late, DoubleHP was called. It was an all-too familiar situation. The landowner and another person were arguing over two little horses. Neither wanted to claim ownership. The landowner finally transferred ownership of the horses to DoubleHP. That doesn't make everything alright, but it did allow us to try to help the horses. We DO believe there should have been charges of inhumane treatment to animals. But we often are unsuccessful when we try to convince county officials to do that. Sometimes all we can do, as volunteers with no legal authority, is to help the horses and then make an educational point related to that case; hoping that, with each story we tell, we can touch at least one human heart & mind, and save at least one other horse from suffering this way.
In the case of this little colt, Jack Frost, while the horse owner is really the person to blame, what about the residents who knew and talked about the situation, but still didn't get help for the horse! And what about the Sheriff's Department who, we were told, had known about these horses for many months! (in fact, the sheriff showed up as we were carrying Jack to our trailer. We had to make slings and pretty much carry him to the trailer, because he was too weak to walk. The Sheriff did not offer to help; he just watched. We kept our mouths tightly shut, hoping he would not interfere with our rescue. He did not.)

Laws regarding horse neglect are tough to get enforced in our state; however, horse neglect IS against the law in our state. And when the situation is as obvious, visible, and severe as this one was, it still just seems unimaginable that not one person could or would help this horse. A month, maybe a week, would have made a difference for this little horse. But it was just too late; there just wasn't enough left of him.
When a life is at risk, even if it's just a skinny little horse, that is not the time to look the other way. That is not the time to mind your own business. And that is not the time to pretend something is right when you know it is not. What happened to Jack Frost was not right, and it was so preventable and so unnecessary. Jack Frost was a nice, flashy, straight-legged little colt that anyone should have been proud and happy to own.

We will tell you Jack Frost's story now, with the hope that we will touch at least one human heart & mind; thus, make life better for at least one other horse.

A woman called us on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. She told the story of two young horses across the street from her who were enclosed in a fenced area with no food, water, or shelter. And the storm was to hit that night. They had been there for many months, but she hadn't realized how skinny they had gotten because it was dark when she drove home at night. She said the story really began last summer, when the horses were running loose around town. So they were fenced in, and there they stayed. She said the Sheriff's Department knew about the situation even at that point. That was in June, nearly 6 months before Jack Frost died of starvation. And now, the woman said, there was no food, the water was frozen and, with the storm coming, she didn't think the young horses would survive much longer.
The woman who called us said that the landowner was willing to sign the horses over to her or to DoubleHP. There was a document that said the landowner was now the horse owner too. But we knew we could not get there in the middle of this storm. So we convinced her to get the horses into her barn for a few days until we could get there to pick them up.
The next morning, Monday, Nov. 28, they got the two horses into her barn. But the little horses had already spent a night out in the storm. And the whole community was without power. This was the storm that left thousands without power, and the county where this happened had been hit harder than most. But on Monday morning, they got the filly into a stall. The colt had a hard time making the journey; he was already so weak. They did get him into the barn, but he went down on the cement floor before they could get him to the stall. He could not get back up, and so there he lay until DoubleHP could get there.
The people who got the horses into their barn were able to get a nice layer of hay under the colt. And they kept him covered up as best they could. But he did want to get up, and so every time he thrashed around he would undo his bedding and blanket, and his little body was getting full of sores from lying down and from trying to get up. Still, he was hanging on. The woman would sit him up whenever she could. And he did have a good appetite and would drink the warm water that they warmed up for him on their gas stove. Even when he was lying flat on his side he would continue to eat the hay that he could reach around his head. But he still wasn't able to get up, and they didn't know how to help him get to his feet.
We maintained telephone contact with them whenever we could, whenever they could get a signal for their cell. phone. We didn't think we could get there before Thursday, according to the storm reports. But on Wednesday morning, when the colt still couldn't get up, and the reports called for the storm to start back up that afternoon, we knew that this was our best chance to beat the storm.

Four of us left Sioux Falls at about 10:30 that morning. We didn't get too far north before we realized we really had not beaten the storm at all. It had started back up much sooner than the weather guys had predicted. Still, the truck & trailer seemed to be handling OK. And as long as we could keep going, we would. And we did. We made it to our destination around 1:30 p.m., and there were 3 people waiting to help us.

We got the filly safe in one section of the trailer. Then we made slings out of bed sheets for the little colt, and we got him safely into the trailer too. He wanted to stand up, so we let him. He didn't have very good control over his legs; afterall, he had been lying on them for two days. So we held him there for a while, but then he was able to stand on his own. For a little while. But we helped him back down for the long trailer ride. His will to stand and eat gave us new hope and enthusiasm.

We had called ahead to Dakota Large Animal Clinic near Harrisburg, SD. They are equine specialists, and their heated stall was waiting for us. They called us as we were driving home though and asked if there was any way we could overnight somewhere else and bring the colt in the morning. They said it was just storming too hard there for us to make it safely. We didn't think it could be any worse than what we were already driving through, and we didn't know if the colt could survive another night on his own. So the Clinic agreed that one of their Doctors who lives near the Clinic would meet us there when we called.

It was after supper when we got there. Dr. Jensen and a Tech from the Clinic helped us get the colt into the heated stall, took his vitals, and got him going on IV. There was plenty to be worried about. He was in serious shape. If the body condition score system included negative numbers, that's what the colt would be. But One is the lowest it goes. Below that is Death. The colt was somewhere in between. Still, his will to eat, drink and stand - his will to survive - gave us some hope. Still about 30 miles from home, with the storm getting worse, we needed to leave. He was warm, dry, had food, and a Doctor would be back in the morning. The filly was already eating non-stop in a different stall. While she too had a low body condition score, her vitals were not too far off and she seemed comfortable in her stall. We decided it would be better if she were not in with the colt, since he couldn't get up; and we didn't want her to step on him or get caught up in his IV.

We needed names to write on the horses' charts. Blizzard and Jack Frost seemed appropriate.

Eleven hours after we left Sioux Falls that morning, we were back home doing our own chores.

The next morning, Thursday, Dec. 1, Doctor Todd from the Clinic called. They had the results from the colt's bloodwork. White count four times as high as it should be. Protein, red count & calcium extremely low. The serious parasite infestation that was suspected would contribute to all of that; as would, of course, the starvation that this colt had suffered. His body temperature was holding at about 99. His heart rate was still high. They needed to start fighting parasites and infection if the colt were to have a chance.

On Friday, Dec. 2, the colt was still unable to get up. His temp. had dropped to 96. To get an accurate comparison, they didn't want to do bloodwork again until Monday, three long days away. He was still eating and drinking well. But the Doctors were getting very worried and had started to prepare us for euthanasia.

Saturday morning four DoubleHP helpers went to the Clinic to try to make the best decision for Jack Frost. He surprised us though. We got him up on his feet.

He was alert, his eyes were bright, he walked around on his own, he ate a lot, drank a lot, played in his water bucket, and did not seem to be in pain. He even took a playful bite at the sleeve of one of his helpers. We figured that was Jack Frost nipping at his nose, except a little off target.

Still plenty to worry about though. His heart rate was still very high. He had serious diarrhea. He had many body sores from lying down so much. His overall body condition score would still have been between One and Death. We made three trips to the Clinic that day, to get him on his feet and let him walk around and eat and drink standing up, like a horse. He wanted to be up. Sometimes we had to lay him back down. Sometimes he would lie back down by himself. His back legs were still so weak. We decided that, for now, we would just go session by session. Rely on the Clinic for meds., and rely on DoubleHP helpers to get the colt up on his feet. Science vs. emotions. A difficult challenge, but we were able to meet in the middle.

The next day, Sunday, we made three more trips to the Clinic to get Jack Frost on his feet. He was hanging on. No major changes, except he could not get rid of the diarrhea. We were anxious to hear the results of the bloodwork they would do the next day.

Monday morning, Dec. 5, his temp. was back up to 99, close to normal. The blood results were in. The white count had dropped considerably, but Dr. Todd warned it was possibly because he just wasn't able to produce any more, in his emaciated state. The rest stayed about the same. Which wasn't good. Still no protein. And a really big worry now: On the chemistry panel, the numbers now indicated the beginning of kidney failure. Slight, but the Doctor told us she feared that is where we were headed.

The filly Blizzard, in the mean time, was recovering nicely. As Jack Frost got weaker, she seemed to get stronger. As though Jack were giving his strength to his little friend Blizzard. She recovered so well we decided she was ready to leave the Clinic and go to her foster home. We got her moved that day, and then met back at the Clinic that afternoon to get Jack Frost up again. He walked around some and ate some, but his appetite wasn't as strong as it had been that morning. Monday evening his diarrhea was even worse. He still wanted to be up, but he wasn't as strong as he had been the day before. He didn't eat much. And his body sores were adding to our problems.

We made the decision that Jack Frost would go to heaven the next morning when the Doctor could meet us there. We would be there with him, and we would be there to thank the Doctor for her help.

When we left him that night, we gave him extra bedding, made sure he was completely warm and dry and that he had a good drink and had plenty of hay around his head.
We told him what a good horse he was and how beautiful he was. We thanked him for being our friend and for trusting us, even though it was humans who had done this to him. We told him how strong he was for never once complaining about the terrible hand he had been dealt. And we explained that even though this wasn't the excellent, permanent new home he was hoping we would find for him, we thought he would like it just fine once he got there.

And then the next morning, Tuesday, Dec. 6, we said good-bye to Jack Frost.
His euthanasia was completely calm and peaceful. And it was the right decision.

Sweet Dreams, Sweet Little Jack Frost.
I will smile now every time Jack Frost is nipping at my nose.

Please No not the S word

Updates on Shadow and Bella - Link here - Please No not the S word

Happy Thanksgiving and Thank You who help

thanks to everyone who helps. Happy Thanksgiving.

case of equine white line disease

update on Baylee's white line disease

One-of-a-kind Xmas gifts. halters, breast collar, dog collar

LINK HERE beautiful one-on-a-kind xmas gifts donated by South Grove Tack

Sherry Steineke of South Grove Tack, Hartford, SD, donated several one-of-a-kind halters, a dog collar, and a bright beautiful blingy breast collar, to raise money for our rescued horses. We have them listed in our ebay account. one of the halters already sold for $65. So, don't wait! These will be beautiful, cherished gifts. for yourself, your horse, or for someone else. go to the link and you will see the items and many more photos of them. here's a sample to get you started. but right now the only way to get them is from our ebay account. link above.

Fall Vet Day & Globe University Vet Tech Students at New Hope Horse Shelter

First I have to say that we are so blessed to have excellent equine Veterinarians in our area.
Who are dedicated to caring for our horses but also dedicated to teaching others about horse care. Thank you Sioux Falls area equine Veterinarians.

Today was Fall Vet Day at New Hope Horse Shelter. Volunteer Jeremy and pt employee Ashley arrived around 8 a.m. and we put hay out in the horse yard by the barns. Jeremy put water in the stalls in the main barn, and Ashley put hay in. Then we brought about half the herd in. We brought Jet in with the first group. Jet is the only rescued horse of ours who has not been able to completely overcome his human-trust issues. We have had him running around the riding arena with a needle sticking out of his neck before, a few years ago, when he was still totally terrified of vet stuff. He's better now, but he can still go into escape mode very quickly. This morning, we put him in a stall and brushed him and spent some time with him. We wanted to get done with him before the other people arrived. The Globe University Equine Class Vet Tech Students with Dr. Jim were coming again! Around 9 a.m. Dr. Michelle Jensen and Vet Tech Loretta from Dakota Large Animal Clinic arrived. Aside from snorting very loudly, Jet was a very good boy for his flu-rhino shot! The best he's ever done! No prob. at all. then he got dewormed and got turned back out with the herd for good behavior. The most stressful patient was already done! Volunteer Heidi showed up to help too. She is also a Globe student but isn't in this class yet.

The whole day went very smoothly. All 17 horses got a flu-rhino shot and de-wormed for bots. Six of them had their teeth floated. Butterscotch age 10, Prince age 10, Bella age 3, Minerva age 5, Hero age 4, Jewel age 7. All pretty young, huh? Young horses need their teeth checked and floated often. A lot of people think dental work for horses is only for old horses. If you wait until they are old to start on their dental checks, you have waited too long. Our old guys, ages 30, 28, and 20, all have "beautiful teeth" according to Dr. Jensen. It is because their teeth are checked twice a year, and any little thing that needs to be fixed, smoothed, lined up, etc., gets done right away.

We had Dr. Jensen check a few horses for special issues. Baylee, who has been recovering from white line disease and related problems since Feb. Baylee is not a rescued horse. she lives here though. Baylee is doing great, considering all she has gone through with this foot. We are going to X-ray that foot one more time and then hopefully in a couple of months or so she can go back out and run with the herd!
Star, also not a rescued horses, probably has arthritis or something like that going on in her knees. She hasn't really been lame, but some soft swollen looking areas have appeared and her flexibility has decreased. Dr. Jensen wants to X-ray her legs.
And beautiful Bella. Who is definitely a rescued horses. and only 3 years old. She came with a huge scar/old injury area on her shoulder. And we need to open it up a bit and look in there and sew it back up. there is a big flap/ball of skin there and so Dr. Jensen thinks she can do some reconstructive work and hopefully the flies won't be all over it as bad next year. That will require about 2 weeks stall rest. never fun, but necessary.
So, next week, we will take Baylee, Star and Bella in to the clinic.
Spirit, I rode Spirit a couple of days ago and he was acting a little odd with his face/mouth. I looked, and found some weird sores inside his lips. nothing major. just something we hadn't dealt with before. guess what it's from! we got some late-season grass hay with some foxtails in it. and it's from the foxtails. good thing we didn't get a bunch of that hay. we'll most likely re-sell it to someone for their cows. MY PERSONAL NEW-EDUCATION TYPE LESSON OF THE DAY: foxtails really are harmful in hay, and they bother some horses a lot more than other horses.
And the only other out of the normal issue was in HotShot, our 20 year old OTTB. Dr. Jensen noticed just a little tearing (crying, weeping) on his right eye. There is a scratch so we have some salve that we put in it 4-6 times a day now and then he should be fine.
Little Shadow does have wolf teeth that we will have removed next spring before we introduce him to a bit.
Oh yeah, one more special issue. King. also not a rescued horse. he's 28. a Tennessee Walking Horse who has Cushings. We've had him on pergalide for a few years and he really does fine. But this summer he did not shed out all the way. We might do the blood tests again next spring (evidently this fall/winter time of year is not the best time for accurate results in these tests). But for sure we are going to switch meds. There is a new FDA drug coming out soon. this month. And we're going to try it.
30 year old Moonshine continues to be one of the healthiest horses here. and he is still the herd boss. Flicka had no issues. Princess and Lily also had no issues. Though Princess does have navicular issues. Her condition has not changed for several years. She runs and plays (and limps a little) and has excellent quality of life.

There are 17 horses here total. there are also 17 cats. 7 of the cats are fall-shot cats. the other 10 get their shots in the spring.  they all get rabies and the other one. ??? and they also get profender for tapeworm at least twice a year, and revolution at least twice a year too. expensive for sure. But we also do not have a mouse problem in our barns. and our kitties are very healthy. And all spayed and neutered, of course! We love our kitties here. Barn cats have really great and unique personalities.

now for the photos:

here's Butterscotch's dental appointment today.

Butterscotch, getting sleepy from her tranq. getting ready to have her teeth floated.
Vet Tech Loretta from Dakota Large Animal Clinic helping her out.

Butterscotch. Dr. Michelle Jensen applying the speculum. Vet Tech Loretta assisting.

Dr. Jensen, making sure the speculum is in place, and raising Butterscotch's head for accurate visibility/dental work.

The Globe University-Sioux Falls Vet Tech students got to feel sharp points.

Globe Vet Tech Student gets a good look with the light.

Another Globe student feels the sharp points.

Dr. Jensen and Vet Tech Loretta float Butterscotch's teeth.

Dr. Jensen checks her work.

I have to say, I know a lot of Vets and Equine Dental specialists still use manual files for dental work. I'm sure they do an excellent job. But, you know what? with the power floats, it's faster, it's easier to watch (I used to have to leave the barn), it just seems easier on everybody. horse, vet, tech, owner. Zero drops of blood today, and 6 floats.
Highly recommend equine dental work with power floats!

Here's photos from little Shadow's dental appointment. Even though he was severely malnourishished most of the first 2 years of his life, his teeth look ok and age-appropriate.

He does have Wolf teeth which we will have removed next spring before we start using a bit. He did not have to have his teeth floated today. He's good.

Dr. Jensen checking Shadow's teeth

Dr. Jensen showing the Globe students Shadow's teeth

 

The Globe University students getting a good look at Shadow's surprisingly normal looking 2-year-old teeth
including Wolf teeth present.

 Before today, the Globe Students with Dr. Jim came here a couple of times and practiced a wide variety of procedures such as drawing blood, wrapping tails and legs, haltering and leading and handling, setting up for X-rays, etc. Our beautiful rescued Paint Prince usually ends up being everyone's favorite. Prince is an amazing horse. Unfortunately, he has severe arthritis in his hocks. not sure why. malnutrition? genetics? untreated injury as a baby? we will never know. But it showed up when Prince was 3. So he is limited to very light riding.

DoubleHP Volunteer/Director Heidi helps with Globe Students practicing day here.
Heidi is also a Globe Student, but she isn't in this particular class right now.



In Honor of Stormy, and his adopters Wendy & Matt, who gave Stormy a second life. An excellent life.

 

Stormy, 1994 to 2011

here's a link to Stormy's story. Including a beautiful video created by his adopter, Wendy.

http://newhopehorseshelter.blogspot.com/search/label/Stormy

 

Pam & Mae Rummage Sales done for 2011, but they're already collecting items for next year

Pam and Mae Rummage Sales for DoubleHP are done for this year. They raised nearly $2,000 for our rescued horses. That will pretty much take care of one of our rescued horses for a year. Thank you so much Pam and Mae, everyone who donated and everyone who rummaged with us. Pam says they sold so much stuff they need to start collecting again for next spring sales. Their sales are in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They collect stuff for us all year long, so you may donate it any time. and they'll put it on the next sale. They sell a lot of kids clothes, books, small to medium size furniture like chairs and patio furniture, etc. and of course horse stuff. and garden stuff. and tons and tons of Xmas stuff. So these are always good items to donate and shop for. along with much much more. We are 501c3, so donations are tax deductible. To donate stuff, call Darci at DoubleHP 605 359-0961 or Pam at 605 310-2094. Donate horsey stuff, household, garden, flower bulbs, silent auction items, gift certificates, just about anything! Donate items all year long. Just call Pam. Thanks!

ATTENTION HORSE RESCUERS & Horse Rescue Wannabes near Minnehaha County, South Dakota: if we want law enforcement to be able to even consider Rescue instead of Salebarn/Feedlot for seized and/or neglected horses, we need to have always-available rescue facilities, and that's just the way it is. It's up to us. It shouldn't be, but it is. We need to respect the procedure in our County; and if we want some of these horses to have even a chance to go to a rescue facility, it is up to us to have that rescue facility available for consideration.

Yesterday two of our DoubleHP directors participated in the 2nd Sioux Falls Area Horse Welfare group discussion. We joined representatives from the Sioux Falls Aea Humane Society, Minnehaha County State's Attorney's and Sheriff's offices, Dakota Large Animal Clinic, and South Dakota Animal Industry Board/State Veterinarian's Office.

Much of the discussion was about procedure for responding to reports of possible horse neglect in Minnehaha County.
In a way, we are fortunate because there are a couple of different ways these reports can be handled. Either on a County level or through the South Dakota Animal Industry Board.
In Minnehaha County, for example, the Minnehaha County Animal Control Ordinance gives authority to an Animal Control Officer to handle these reports. To seize and impound horses, and to dispose of them in any humane means. (of course there is a lot of other stuff that can happen during the case, but ACOs in our county DO have a lot of authority where horses are concerned.)

However, during our discussion yesterday, we learned that Minnehaha County feels that the South Dakota Animal Industry Board can handle these reports of possible horse neglect much better than the County can. (INTERPRETATION: the County does not want to deal with it, so they hand it over to the State Vet's office)

At this time, without a County horse shelter, without permanent, constant & consistent horse rescue resources available in our County or available to us, starving horses will get no help around here. They will continue to starve, or they will be sent to loose horse sale or slaughter feedlot.

Attention Horse Rescuers and Horse Rescue Wannabes: the ball is part-way in our court, so to speak.
Unless we are Animal Control Officers, we do not have any legal authority where the horses are concerned. But if we truly want to help these horses, we need to join together and find a way to have always-available places to shelter seized/impounded horses, we need to be able to make good on our offer to help, and we need to be able to accept responsibility for these horses if a transfer of ownership becomes available.

Without consistent rescue resources available, law enforcement needs some other place to go with these horses. And the easiest, least expensive thing for them to do, is to take the horses to a livestock salebarn or feedlot. The horses do not necessarily get veterinary attention in those cases. The goal is to sell them fast. Or feed them to gain weight and then sell them. And yes, many, probably most, of these horses will go to slaughter.

So, those of you who would like to prevent some of these neglected and/or seized horses from entering the "slaughter pipeline," you need to let us know that you want to help. It doesn't really matter what county you are in, though if you are near Minnehaha County it would make things easier in emergencies. But even if you are farther away, we could transport horses to you later, with proper permission or if they are signed over to a rescue group.

So, bottom line: Rescuers & Rescue Wannabes: Unless we are ready to join together to develop a plan for a Community horse shelter with corporate sponsorships and grants and on and on. Or at the very least (this would still be good), come up with a network of experienced horse owner type foster homes, who will leave their facilities open for emergency cases of starvation and neglect. To be always-available horse shelters, so that law enforcement has somewhere GOOD to go with these horses. Instead of sticking them in the "slaughter pipeline."

The ball's part way in our court, so to speak. Let us know if you want to get involved in a real horse rescue network in our area. It will only be for cases where law enforcement is involved. At least there is a chance then that the cycle would end. Not saying it's a guarantee. but there is a chance, if law enforcement is involved.

We are interested in looking at the big picture. We are interested in truly being able to help the people who have the authority to get the horses out of a bad situation. But we have to be able to offer them the good situation then.

It's up to us. It shouldn't be, but it is. That's just the way it is.
Do you want to help?

Call us 605 359-0961 or email doublehphorses@alliancecom.net

Update on Shadow and Bella

http://newhopehorseshelter.blogspot.com/2011/09/dont-ever-let-them-take-you-to-second.html

use that link for an update on Shadow and Bella.

beautiful custom tack items by Sherry Steineke, www.southgrovetack.com, for sale this weekend, to benefit our rescued horses

Many beautiful brand new custom halters, a headstall, breastcollar, etc., donated by Sherry Steineke, South Grove Tack, Hartford, South Dakota. www.southgrovetack.com
This is for sale at our event this weekend in Sioux Falls. Friday Saturday Aug 26-27, 8 to 5 both days. Sale at 2517 S Main, Sioux Falls. For info or to donate items, call Pam 605 310-2094.

Also for sale are 3 saddles, horse blanket, other halters and bridles and other horse tack. lots and lots of xmas stuff, old tools, 12 gallon red wing crock, huge old beveled mirror, books, on and on and on.

another rummage sale by Pam & Mae, for our horses, Aug 26-27, in Sioux Falls

rummage sale Aug. 26-27 Friday and Saturday in Sioux Falls to benefit our rescued horses.
to donate items, call Pam 605 310-2094.
sale items include saddles, lenox xmas stoneware, lots of nice little kids clothes, tools, an old amunition can/box, books, some smaller furniture/stands, garden items, a 12 Redwing crock, and much much more. Location at 2517 S. Main, Sioux Falls, Fri & Sat 8 to 5

the dates were given to us wrong. we thought it was this weekend, but it's not. It's next weekend. It's Friday and Saturday Aug 26-27. Thats good! that gives you a whole week to get items lined up to donate!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

get involved locally, and invite others to do the same

this is regarding the posts about the 52 TBs in Ohio that are going to slaughter if no one rescues them. This is not true. We believe it WAS true. Many months ago. but now this same post is showing up all over facebook again, so it makes a guy wonder. and it makes a guy wonder if other cries for help are true. In the last 5 days we have deleted this post many times from our fb page. People from all across America and other countries are posting it to any facebook pages that allow outside posters, as ours does.
We have even received reports from people in our Sioux Falls area who are concerned. Can we help these 52 TBs in another state please.
A couple of things: It is always good and right to notice these cries for help and find out if they are true and try to get help. So thank you to all who are concerned and put forth effort to find out and find help.
What we highly recommend, no matter what state or county you are in, is to find a good, legitimate horse rescue group in your area. and get involved locally. Even if your involvement is to help that organization spread the word about what they are doing, what they need, what is going on with horses in your own area, that would be helpful. Most of the legitimate horse rescue orgs, even the really small ones like ours, work on the big picture (what is happening with horses in our country) as well as the little picture (feeding and cleaning stalls for the horses we have actually saved from slaughter and starvation right here close to home). We network with the big national orgs to try to stay educated on whats going on. There are all kinds of clinics, seminars, conventions, etc., for horse rescuers to attend. Though DoubleHP has never been represented there, mainly because there is so much daily work to be done at the shelter here that it's just too hard to get away.
This may surprise some of you, and I hope it makes you mad, but in our state, South Dakota, one option authorities have in cases of horse seizures is to send the horses to slaughter. Without even trying to find them good homes. The previous State Vet, Sam Holland, told us thats what they usually did. Ten years ago, he told us that. He said they usually just take them to Musicks (a slaughter holding facility in Mitchell, SD; currently, when they get a load, they ship the horses to Mexico for slaughter). And we learned in court the other day, this was Plan A for our Shadow, Bella, Apache, those horses. We were told that Plan A was to take the horses to Musicks. But the person who was to take them there, Rhonda Loges, said they were too light (meaning there wasnt much money involved because the horses had been starved and so they were very underweight; wouldnt have brought much at the per pound of meat amount.)
So if 52 TBs possibly going to slaughter in another state bothers you, imagine how we felt when horses that we had already helped care for once (they were given back to owners who starved them again, duh), imagine how we felt when some of those horses did actually go to slaughter. and the ones we were able to save we had to pay a feedlot guy $406 for each horse. Horses we had already invested a lot of time, money, and emotions in.
So, have things changed in our area these past 10 years as far as how starved horses are treated by authorities?
Guess not.
But they would, if more people would get involved on a local level. And voice your concerns and opinions.
Why is it that it is so easy to voice opinions about things so far away. But when it's happening right here, when it involves your own community or state or officials or media, it's mouth shut. dont talk about it. dont ask questions. dont stir things up. dont get invovled. let someone else do it.
We invite you to get involved. Get involved with your local horse rescue org. Make sure its a legitimate one, because some are not. And even if all you have time for is to become aware, find out what they need, what they do, what they have done, what they would like to do, what happens to neglected horses in your own area, and make the decision to TALK ABOUT IT, SPREAD THE WORD, ASK QUESTIONS, VOICE YOUR CONCERNS AND OPINIONS.
Not saying you shouldnt help spread the word about horses needing help in other states. But, in addition, please get involved locally. Or at least become aware and invite others to do the same.
thanks.

so, to finish the point: A couple of people from our state of South Dakota were upset that our little tiny rescue couldn't help the 52 TBs in Ohio. (many months ago, when it was posted on facebook the first time). So we had to break some ne.ws to them: we have hundreds of horses every single month going to slaughter from our own state. babies, yearlings, beautiful, mostly just untrained, they go through our sale barns here in Mitchell and Corsica and St Onge and Sisseton and Worthing, etc. they go through those salebarns or they go directly to a place like Musicks in Mitchell which is like a feedlot or holding facility and then when they get a load (40 horses or so) they ship them to Mexico for slaughter. We just dont have the resources to save them. Not the 200 or so that go through as loose horses every month at Corsica SD, and not the 52 TBs in Ohio. But if we could, we would probably stay in state first. and then after we saved all of the thousands here in South Dakota, then we could start going farther away.
There are still soooooooooooo many people who dont know what's going on here.
Its not just about the 52 TBs. Its about the thousands of foals born every year that are not worth $5, because there are so many of them being produced. It's about the breeding. the overbreeding, the stupid breeding. And the breeders who dont understand that if it costs $1000 to care for the mare, you dont have a business if you sell the foal for $5. change the numbers up how ever you want. Spend $10 on mare care? still no profit if you sell the baby for $5. South Dakotans, we are smart, caring people.you just need to know that these 52 TBs would only be a little piece of the pie at some of our monthly sales here. all goes back to the beginning.

Become Aware Locally.

Its happening right in front of you.

No need to strain your eyes.

Its right here in plain sight.

It's about the irresponsible breeding.

Always has been, always will be.

Many Thanks.

http://nhhsthanks.blogspot.com/

thank you page updated.
A big super thanks to long-time supporter Hazel Schjodt. She is a Super Sponsor every year!

also thanks for Calendar help, rummage sales, volunteer chore helpers, hay guys Tom Steve & Greg, and visitors/sponsors Polly & Don Mosey and Melissa Lauren and Ryan.

more info at the thank you link above. and photos too.

I'm sure we miss some thank yous when we get really busy. Please let us know if we missed you. We want to thank you, and if we left you out we are so sorry. It is not intentional. just let us know. Be proud of helping the horses. They appreciate it very much!

trial today for Apache's herd (our Shadow and Bella)

Today there was a trial regarding the herd of Apache, Shadow, Bella, those horses.
It was not a criminal trial (even though several horses died); it was a civil trial.
The judge ruled that the guy who leased the land and gave permission for others to bring their horses there, Bert Reif, needs to pay the bill that Jeremy McGregor submitted for the time the horses were kept in his feedlot near Montrose. The County does not have to pay the bill, Bert Reif does.
And that was the purpose of the trial: Money. The Judge suggested to Bert that he try to get some money back from the other horse owners involved.

Rosey Quinn, who was recently fired from Second Chance Rescue Center, was there in support of her friend Bert. They gathered together with Bert's attorney and some of the other horse owners involved, in what sounded like a strategy discussion with topics of court orders and whether someone's credibility might be questioned if that person testified.
Bert participated in (actually we were told he helped Rosey organize, but we don't know that for sure so we'll just say he participated in) one of Second Chance's final fundraisers: a ranch rodeo at the fairgrounds in Sioux Falls.

Some of the horses in this case, actually many of them, went back to the owners again. 7 of them were run through the loose horse sale at Mitchell in March. We know at least 2 of those and probably more went to slaughter buyers, including Apache.
Related to Apache, we found who raised Apache! We weren't even looking, it just kind of fell in our lap. He was very well cared for as a baby and was a valuable registered Paint. Bert bought him when Apache was a weanling or yearling, not sure on that age. Funny (not really) a lot of the trial time was taken up by whether Bert owned Apache or not. Why couldn't he just show the registration papers with his name on it? or proof of purchase?

People like Jeremy McGregor and Rhonda Loges who was a partner with Jeremy McGregor's dad Jim (according to Jeremy) in this horse herd, testified that the 3 Paints Diamond, Apache and Tory were not owned by Bert and so they would not let Bert take them when he came with the trailers. Those 3 Paints went to the MItchell loose horse sale (Rhonda manages that sale) under the ownership of McGregor. We are quite positive that Apache and Tory were both bought by kill buyers. Bert bought Diamond back for $500. Or someone bought him for Bert, as Bert was not allowed to bid at the auction. Anyway, the reason we did not end up with Apache along with Shadow and Bella is because Rhonda told us that Bert owned Apache and Bert wanted all of his horses back. And she was to let us know if for some reason Apache became available.
So which is it Rhonda, did Bert own Apache or not? You told us he did, and that's why we couldn't buy him. You told the Judge Bert did not own Apache, so you could justify why you and Jeremy didn't put him on Bert's trailer when Bert came to get him.
So Apache, a beautiful nice registered Paint went to slaughter instead of coming to DoubleHP. 
There is no need for things like this to happen.
People who mistreat the horses in the first place are of course the ones who start the horses on the death road. But when other people are given control of the horses, people with no experience or interest in horse rescue whatsoever, and send them to slaughter instead of to a legitimate horse rescue/adoption program, well, that's just mean.
Wouldn't it be nice if Jeremy McGregor would give us our $800 and some dollars back?
Perhaps as a memorial to Apache and the other horses that he sold to kill buyers. And he says he rescued them. Any way you spin that one I don't think you can get rescue out of it.
the bill he submitted includes rescue costs. He said he had to pay other people out of pocket to haul the horses. But we learned later in the trial that it was acutally Jeremy and his dad that hauled them. anyway, this was no rescue. let us all be clear on that. and for a guy like McGregor to think he has the right to use that word associated with his actions, well, ... this was no rescue. that's the best way to say it.

We do have a Sioux Falls area horse welfare group started, and one of the things we are going to try to do is to not dwell on these cases in the past. But to work together to find a better way to deal with these cases in the future.

but yesterday was very disturbing, some of the new information that we learned about how these horses were treated, what the initial plan for them was. (initially, according to Rhonda, she was to go pick them up and take them directly to Musicks in Mitchell, which is a slaughter holding facility that ships the horses directly to Mexico for slaughter). But, she said, they were too light. (meaning Musicks wouldn't have paid her much for them).  So they held on to them for approx. 40 days, just in time for Rhondas next sale! What a coincidence! And never ever in those 40 days did anyone ever think to ask us, DoubleHP, who had already nursed some of these horses back to health once, no one ever called us to ask if we wanted any of them or if we wanted to help with them.

Well, okay. I'm not going to dwell on the past. just a few minutes there. that's not dwelling, is it? Let us hope that we do indeed find a better way to help these horses, these victims. Slaughter should never be an option for rescued horses. Not a true rescue anyway. And to think that was the initial plan, the preferred option, well, ok, no more dwelling.

On a bright note, it is always a good feeling to be the good guy. The guy who is there for the true welfare of the horses.

rummage sale report

sorry. my bloggin' has been sufferin'. So many people (more than three thousand) have found us on facebook, that's kind of my quick post place these days. Our volunteers and sponsors and friends have a facebook page and it's quite active I must say.

A report from Pam & Mae's spring rummage sales/silent auction to benefit our rescued horses. They handed us more than $700! thanks ladies! most of the bigger items on silent auction did not sell. the saddles, the Xmas stoneware, etc.

And since the spring rummages, more items have been donated. Yes, Pam & Mae collect stuff for us all year long. So anyway, they are planning another rummage / silent auction in the fall, maybe August. We'll let you know when we have the dates.

Sale still going on

Pam & Mae are running the sale again this Friday and Saturday. not going as well as last year. The nice used saddles are still available.

Annual Rummage & Silent Auction Today & Tomorrow

Pam & Mae, for the 4th year, are hosting our annual rummage and silent auction at 2517 S. Main in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It starts TODAY! The silent auction ends Saturday, June 11, at 3 p.m. but the rummage will go 8 to 5 both days, Friday and Saturday.

Last year Pam & Mae raised more than $1,500 for our rescued horses. So you can be assured, there's a lot of good stuff at our event!

If you have questions about items or if you want to donate items for rummage or silent auction, you may call Pam (605) 310-2094 or email doublehphorses@alliancecom.net
Pam & Mae collect items for us all year long, so if you miss this year, just call them later and donate for next year's sale. There is a chance they will have a second sale this year for us too. They are very ambitious!
This is a fun fundraiser for our horses that have been rescued from starvation. Horse Help Providers, Inc. (DoubleHP) is 501c3; donations are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.

here are some of our silent auction items:

older Western saddle

excellent western saddle, very excellent condition

this is a very nice Bighorn cordura 15 inch #187 trail saddle. there is a matching riding pad too.

very nice used saddle

brand new stirrups with price tag still attached. auction starts at about 1/2 price.

Lenox Xmas stoneware. rustic berry and rustic pine. 8 dinner plates, 8 salad plates, 8 mugs, 2 bowls. All in boxes. Like new! auction starts at about 1/2 price!

Other auction / rummage sale items include several horse riding pads & saddle blankets, a beautiful wood saddle rack that looks brand new, fly masks, bridle, bridle bag, other tack; lots and lots of little kids clothes nearly new, all sizes jeans, much more.