 |
|
The Mississippi Animal Rescue League’s Dream for a New Horse Facility Now a Reality
Billy Barr enters the 30 acres of rolling pasture through an electric gate at the new Jeffrey Fowler Hudson Horse Facility. He honks his horn as several eager horses, burros and goats hurry to greet him. Most of these animals have been abandoned, starved, and cruelly mistreated by humans. Billy has been involved with the Mississippi Animal Rescue League (MARL) in one way or another for 25 years. He feeds and takes care of the animals everyday. It’s not just a job for Billy but a mission. “I was put on the earth to do this, it’s a mission. My goal is to save as many horses as I can and put them in good homes. That’s my reward.” states Billy.
In the spring of 2007, Mississippi’s oldest and largest full service rescue society moved into it’s $2.5 million shelter and horse facility. The pasture has plenty of shade trees, a pond and two barns that provide a nice sanctuary for the horses. MARL has been receiving more abused and neglected horses in the recent past, so the new facility and additional acreage couldn’t have come at a better time. MARL rescued 31 horses last year and has had as many as 35 at one time. Most of these horses are adopted, a few will be permanent residents, and sadly a few have had to be humanely euthanized.
Billy has numerous stories to tell of the abuse, neglect and sometimes outright cruelty inflicted on these animals. Many of his past cases are too shocking for most people to even imagine. “These horses have saved my sanity.” states Billy. “There have been days when it’s been more than I wanted to see. I come out here and watch the horses.” continues Billy. “Watching the horses progress in their trust of humans, their weight gain and overall health helps to keep me going. When you do something for an animal they never forget.” To learn more about MARL’s adoption program you can contact:
Billy Barr
MARL
5221 Greenway Drive Ext.
Jackson, MS 39204
(601) 969-1631
|
|
Jingle and Bell are two Burros MARL adopted from the Bureau of Land Management. On December 8, 2004, President Bush signed a bill lifting the over 34 years of protection for the wild horse and burro herds, allowing them to be sold for slaughter.
 "I was put on this earth to do this... save as many horses as I can and put them in good homes." –Billy Barr
|
|
|
|
Thoroughbreds are Given Second Chance at Life
At Brandywine Farms in Madison you can watch the Thoroughbreds as they are turned out to pasture for their morning exercise. It’s an awesome sight to watch these magnificent animals frolic and play, as they kick up their heels with the sheer exuberance of living. Sam and Cody, once race horses, seem to know how lucky they are to be alive. Hundreds of Thoroughbreds just like them aren’t so lucky. When they stop winning on the race track they lose their value to their owners and trainers, and are at a high risk of being sold for slaughter. Since the closing of the three slaughter houses in the United States, the horses are often inhumanely transported hundreds of miles to Mexico or Canada where they are brutally slaughtered in unregulated plants. Their meat is then sold in Europe and Japan for human consumption.
Cupid’s Story
Mendahart is a prime example of how a horse ends up at the slaughter plant. Bred to race, he sold for $75,000 as a yearling. He was a money winner on the track until he became what is called a "bleeder" in the racing industry. Race horses are given lasix to allow them to run faster but sometimes will cause their blood to become so thin they have constant nose bleeds. No longer wanted at the track, Mendahart, was turned out to pasture at only four years of age. This is a horse that was used to being kept in a stall with constant care, regular feedings and exercise to keep him in shape for the race track. As with other unsuccessful race horses, he had a hard time adjusting to just being turned out to pasture. After just 6 months of neglect his health had diminished to the point that he was no longer a candidate for purchase by the average horse owner. Although 200 pounds underweight, he was still a big horse that might bring a couple of hundred dollars at the slaughterhouse. Faced with the prospect of having to spend more money to restore the horse’s health, the owner of Mendahart told one of his employees to get rid of him. He found someone who took the horse off his hands. This man knew of Melissa Stierle, the owner and trainer at Brandywine Farms in Madison, Mississippi. Melissa had rescued other Thoroughbreds, and he was hopeful that she’d take this one. Otherwise, he would be sent to an auction where dozens of unwanted Thoroughbreds are sold weekly. Unfortunately too many horses and not enough buyers make it plausible for well trained and well bred horses to end up in the kill pen. Melissa saw something in this poor emaciated animal that tugged at her heart, and she quickly raised $500 to save the horse from slaughter. Since he arrived at the farm on Valentines Day, he was instantly renamed Cupid. His hooves were in horrible shape, causing him pain when he walked, and the skin on his back was exposed to the elements due to rain rot. His muscles had atrophied from lack of nutrition and activity, but Melissa could tell that he had a good heart and was eager to please. It will take work, time, and tender loving care to bring him back to health, but Cupid has been given another chance for a good life. In time, he promises to become a fox hunter, show jumper, trail horse, or just someone’s loving pet.
 Cupid's Update May 20, 2008
Heather Hays warming up Cupid before their lesson at Brandywine.
Cupid has come a long way in a short amount of time. He has put on nearly 200 pounds, and the rain rot that had infected his back from being turned out to pasture has completely cleared up. A wonderful horse that wouldn’t have been given a second glance is now a beautiful young gelding and a favorite at Brandywine stables. Head held high and coat glistening, the big chestnut effortlessly canters around the obstacles that he will soon be taught to jump. There is no evidence of the soreness he suffered upon his arrival at Brandywine, and he is no longer on pain medication or anti-inflammatory supplements. He is a very lucky horse and seems to know it from his gentle disposition and eagerness to please his young new rider. Yes, Cupid’s story is one that is headed for a happy ending, and we’re glad to have him in a good place.
Having the Blood of Champions Running Through Their Veins Offers No Guarantee From Slaughter
Northern Dancer, who won the first two legs of racing’s Triple Crown in 1964, is generally considered to be the greatest sire in Thoroughbred history, producing horses that represent millions of dollars in winnings. Secretariat, the 1972 Triple Crown winner that is perhaps the greatest racehorse of all time, was also a prodigious sire. Melissa has rescued a grandson of each of these legendary horses. Ferdinand, the 1986 Kentucky Derby winner, was slaughtered for his meat in Japan at age 19. No horse, regardless of his bloodline or record of success, is ever safe from slaughter. It affects all breeds, from purebred Arabians to ponies to Clydesdales, but the horses that most often end up at the slaughterhouse are the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred. To its credit, the Thoroughbred Industry supports many organizations to help find good homes for the retired or unsuccessful race horse. To learn more about these organizations dedicated to saving Thoroughbreds visit the web sites listed on this page. However, there are many good horses that continue to fall through the cracks. Thoroughbred geldings just like Cupid sometimes go directly to the auction house from the race track while others are left in pastures, neglected and forgotten while their health declines and their value as a sport or riding horse diminishes. There are many trainers like Melissa Stierle that workers from the track will call when they know a horse may be headed to slaughter. Indeed, Melissa gets several calls a month regarding a finished race horse needing a home. Sadly, there is no way to save them all and many fine animals with excellent potential go to a fate that they don’t deserve.
Thoroughbred Industry horse rescue information and resources.
|
|
Saved From Slaughter
Melissa Stierle, trainer at Brandywine Farm, works with Sam over the fences.
Cupid gets his first treatment for rain rot which has caused hair loss over most of his body. Rain rot sometimes called rain scald occurs when a horse in poor condition is exposed to wet muddy conditions.
(See large image)
Heather Hays recently won the reserved championship on Sam for the Mississippi Hunter Jumper Association.
Hannah Corson rides Cody during a Canton Fox Hunt. Cody’s new occupation will be a field master horse for the hunt.
|
|
Comanche, a 14 to 15 year old gelding, rests his eyes as he soaks up the sunshine. He was found abandoned in Hinds County.
Choctaw is an 18 to 24 month old quarter horse gelding. He and two other horses were found by a concerned citizen starving and emaciated in someone's pasture. The owner willingly gave up the horses to save their lives. 
Flicka, is a six year old mare. Her growth was stunted due to lack of nutrition at an early age. 
