Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Memphis Horse Trailer/Truck Recommendations

I'm going to start shopping for my first horse trailer/truck soon....okay, so I'll need to first learn how to drive a rig... watch out Memphis! I'd appreciate some feedback from fellow horse enthusiasts who have a little "Know How" in this department! I'm leaning towards a three horse slant load goose neck. Don't need living quarters, but would like decent storage/tack area.

There are so many out there to choose from....Keifer, Sundowner, Exiss, Sooner. etc....anyone think one model is best? I've been checking online, but am already feeling overwhelmed with options!!! I'd like a new one, but will consider used one if not over 5 yrs old. Can anyone recommend a good Memphis or Midsouth area horse trailer/truck dealer with a website? What about truck models? Leaning towards Ford 250/350...any comments on this topic?

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

UPDATE: TB Dispersal Sale

Good news! Here' s an encouraging update on the TB Dispersal Sale that took place in IL this past weekend. Luckily, good Samaritans stepped up to help many TB's and they now have a chance to find loving homes! Please consider making a contribution to help these rescue organizations continue to support these horses, or consider adopting, sponsoring, or fostering one of these horses. Tis' the season for Memphis Horse lovers to help spread some holiday cheer to horses around the country!!!

Dear friends,

My apologies for the delay in getting this report out to everyone. It was a very long, exhausting, yet incredibly successful effort this past weekend.

Because of the incredible support of ILEHC members and horse lovers throughout the country, we were able to save several Thoroughbred horses at the STC Racing Dispersal Auction in Mount Vernon, IL. Offered for sale were 65 horses ranging in age from foals to aged broodmares and stallions. I found it incredibly sad that many of the horses who were perfectly healthy, sound, and useful, were sold for just peanuts.


In total, the ILEHC rescued 13 horses who were at risk. We also acted as agent in facilitating the purchase of the stallion, Company Approval, for a private party from Canada who asked us to purchase the horse on his behalf.


Those at risk who were rescued by the ILEHC are as follows:


#6 Xcellent Jazz
#8 Conte's Whirl
#12 Company One
#19 Sharp N Appealing
#24 Unnamed 2007 filly out of Litigant Cat
#25 Unnamed 2007 filly out of Rylee Belle
#33 Sunshine Dottie
#34 Unnamed 2008 filly out of Sunshine Dottie
#37 P.J.'s Play
#41 Sooner Defence
#51 Lady Garthorn
#55 Sharp N Lively
#61 Popsicue (last minute addition to the sale who was not included in the catalogue)


The total paid for horses was $4,475.00 or an average of approximately $355.00 per horse. During the bidding, we noticed at least 2 individuals who are well-known to purchase horses for slaughter often times were the only people bidding against us. Thankfully, the two men dropped out of the bidding once the prices reached $300- $400. It is very clear that had the ILEHC not been there to assist, any or all of these horses could have very well been sold to slaughter.


The ILEHC would like to express our deep appreciation to everyone who donated money, time, or resources to assist in this incredibly successful rescue effort. We would like to particularly thank the wonderful folks at Mid-America Horse Rescue (MAHR) for partnering with us in this effort. We are deeply grateful to MAHR and their incredible team of volunteers for all their help and support throughout this effort. Additionally, we'd like to thank MAHR for graciously offering to take Sunshine Dottie and her 2008 foal, and Sooner Defence into their program. Many thanks to MAHR, for helping to ease the burden this rescue places upon the ILEHC. Anyone interested in adopting either of these 3 particular horses, please contact Margo Sutter at MAHR 314-302-2216 or visit their website www.mahrnfp.org


The ILEHC would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Keith Caughran for offering to provide tranport and temporary foster care for many of the Mt. Vernon horses. Keith and his family endured a very long and freezing cold day at the auction, and at day's end, transported 4 of the horses to his facility where they will be cared for until arrangements can be made to transport them to the ILEHC. As if Keith's efforts were not already enough, he then made a second trip on Sunday morning to pick-up an additional 3 horses who is is also fostering at his farm! I simply do not have any idea what I would have done with all these horses had Keith not stepped up to help.


Now for the really good news....several of the horses have already been spoken for or have found new homes! Company One is already at home with her new (and very much elated!) owner in Wisconsin. Sharp N Lively has been rehomed with a couple who have agreed to provide her with much needed and costly eye removal surgery once her 2009 foal is born. We have adoptions pending on at least 2 or 3 other horses. We also have potential foster home offers for 4-5 horses. Needless to say, the support of the IL equine community has been nothing short of incredible. I am humbled and overwhelmed by the number of people who have stepped up to ensure the safety of these horses.


In the coming week we will be assessing each of the horses for soundness, temperment, and suitability. Once we get everything sorted out, we will post detailed information and photographs of the horses available for adoption on our website. Please make sure to check our website for updates on the horses and their availability. If anyone is interested in adopting a horse, please be sure to ask us to send you an adoption application!


The easy part of this rescue is now over and thus begins the more difficult and costly aspect of rehoming each of these wonderful horses. Please consider adopting a horse if you are able, or please consider making a donation to help us provide for the ongoing care and support of the horses until they can be successfully rehomed. Online donations can be made at our website www.ilehc.org or checks payable to: ILEHC, NFP can be mailed to: ILEHC - P.O.Box 4203 - Rockford, IL 61110.


Once again -- our deepest heartfelt gratitude to all who helped to safeguard the lives and well-being of these magnificent Thoroughbreds. This truly was an amazing team effort and without each of you who stepped up to help, none of this would have been possible. Well done everyone!!!


Kind regards to all...

Gail Vacca, President
Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP
19501 West Ballou Road
Wilmington, IL 60481
Tel:815-476-5257
Email: info@ilehc.org
Website: http://www.ilehc.org

Every horse has an owner. Every owner has a responsibility.

Friday, December 05, 2008

UPDATE TB's at Risk: Donate Now to save

UPDATE: AT RISK TB horses: Hammond Auction:
The Illinois Equine Humane Center is taking donations to apply toward the most at risk horses in the Illinois TB dispersal auction. PLEASE GO TO THIS SITE AND CLICK THE DONATION button in the top right corner- it will help save a horse from slaughter! Pass along to your "horsey" contacts.

Gail Vacca, President of the Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP is going personally to this auction and will use these donations to save the most at risk. She is also taking donations from private buyers. Please contact her if interested in being a private buyer or know someone who is, or can foster a horse.

Gail Vacca, President
Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP
19501 West Ballou Road
Wilmington, IL 60481
Tel:815-476-5257
Email: info@ilehc.org
Website: http://www.ilehc.org

Thursday, December 04, 2008

URGENT: TB dispersal auction in Illinois- horses at Risk

There is a huge TB dispersal sale this coming Saturday (Dec. 6) in downstate Mt. Vernon.

The entire farm (property, machinery, tack, horses, etc) is being auctioned starting at 9:30
http://www.blogger.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ehammondauction%2Einfo%2FHome_Page%2Ephp&urlhash=_esl&_t=disc_detail_link

Word from my very reliable sources is that the farm owners have notified the local MEATMEN who intend to be present to bid on the horses. There are 17 mares with babies (some mares are carrying 2009 foals), 18 yearlings and 2-yr olds, 11 horses of racing age, and 3 stallions - total 49 horses. One of the stallions is absolutely gorgeous. Some of the mares are older and would likely end up at slaughter.

I am trying to arrange it so that I can attend the sale. The auction is a total dispersal of farm equipment tack, and horses. PLEASE PLEASE consider going there to purchase a horse and save a life. Many of the horses are younger and gorgeous. If you click on the website above, be sure to click on 'horse info" Send this email out to all your horse contacts.

At this time, Illinois Equine Humane Center is not set up to purchase horses and we don't yet have a facility for them (we need money, hint, hint). Perhaps one or more of you who get this with impeccable credentials would consider purchasing a horse and fostering it while ILEHC assists in placing it in a permanent home??? If so, I will do whatever I can to facilitate that.

If you can't take a horse, PLEASE forward this to all your horse contacts. Maybe some eventers out there are looking for a new prospect and this is just the place to find one. Thanks for your help and please don't hesitate to contact me with ideas on how to help.


Christine E. Righeimer
CERigheimer@ rtbizlaw.com