Colorado Thoroughbred Rescue
From AlexBrownRacing
Contents |
Basics
Web Address: Colorado TB Rescue
E-mail: Margaret@ColoradoTBrescue.org
Paypal address: Paypal@ColoradoTBrescue.org CTR is a non-profit 501c3 organization.
Fundraising Drives on TWR: Purchase price for Luna Joe and John the Artist [1] partial purchase price for Crystal.
Auction rescue of 7 horses, including 2 mare/foal pairs on 6/6/07 [2][3] [4]
Auction rescue of foundered pony and Arabian gelding on 6/20/07 [5] [6]
Auction rescue of 2 old broodmares (shipped to "the Best Little Horse House" and unraced TB gelding on 7/25/07 adopted by FOB http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=alexbrown&msg=12696.1 http://forums.prospero.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=12774.1
Media Links: Sheriff’s Office seizes 27 animals http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071229/NEWS01/71229021/1002/CUSTOMERSERVICE02
Animals seized from rescue ranch http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/dec/29/about-20-animals-seized-rescue-ranch/
Description of Rescue
Colorado TB Rescue buys horses at auctions and occasionally feedlots, rehabs the horses, and places them into qualified, lifelong homes. CTR often buys horses at Centennial Livestock Auction in Fort Collins, CO [7] which can be viewed online after registering at [8]. This weekly auction, which sells horses on Wednesday afternoons, usually offers a variety of horses which are primarily purchased by horse dealer Charlie Carter, who is one of the largest suppliers of horses for slaughter in the country. CTR usually takes only one or two horses at a time, to ensure that each horse receives the proper care and attention they deserve. CTR focuses on quality, not quantity, and strives to make a difference, one horse at a time.
All horses, except those critically injured, are quarantined for a minimum of two weeks at a seperate facility. Horses are then examined by a vet for soundness, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, and hooves cared for, and accessed under saddle before adoption. Minimum adoption fees remain low, usually around $600- $800 for riding horses. All adopters must pass a rigorous screening process, and abide by a 2 page placement contract which mandates lifetime follow up by the rescue. Full ownership is never transfered through the brand inspection, therefore, adopters are unable to ever sell their adopted horse without CTR permission.
CTR own a 16.5 acre facility in Wellington, CO and visitors are welcome. CTR's facility has a large 5 stall barn and 3 rail wooden fencing. In the future, CTR hopes to build more paddocks and shelters to accomodate more horses. CTR utilizes a nearby boarding facility when absoltely needed. CTR's quarantine facility is a 35 acre farm in Loveland, Colorado with a run-in shed and metal panel fencing. Riding at CTR:
CTR is a 100% volunteer based organization and no member receives a salary for their commitment.
Colorado TB Rescue's mission is, through education and awareness, demonstrate how TB horses that were discarded in the past can go on to excel in hunter, jumpers, dressage, eventing, pleasure riding, or as pasture companions. CTR research the horse's tattoo and contact the previous owner or trainer to alert them where there once-prized horse has traveled to. CTR's goal is to educate the public and equine professionals about the gross number of sound, riding broke, young horses that are sold for slaughter each year.
Years of Operations: The DeSarno family has been involved with horse rescue since 2001, prior to moving to Colorado in 2006. CTR was established in November 2006 and received 501c3 status in December of 2007.
Type of Rescue: Rehab and Adoption;
Fostering procedures: Most horses kept on CTR property and approved foster homes, some horses are boarded at a local trainer and a local boarding facility when CTR facilities are full. All horses have an individualized diet, their own stall, and daily turnout.
Adoption policies: Rigorous Screening Process,[9] and 2 page Placement Contract [10] Full ownership is NEVER transferred through the brand inspection.
Source of Horses: Primarily at auctions, or through private parties who can not longer care for their horse and feel the next resort is sending the horse to the auction. In the past we have purchased horses from the feedlot, but no longer do so due to the high profits the kill buyer makes on horses we purchase.
Operating procedures: Visitors are welcome anytime by appointment. CTR has a very dedicated group of diverse volunteers. Some research horse’s tattoo's and race history, some help with farm duties and riding, while others help maintain the website. CTR has given talks at Colorado State University and continues to develop an education and awareness campaign which will be widely distributed through northern Colorado.
Rescue Network
List of other rescues this rescue has worked with.
Colorado Horse Rescue
Southern CA TB Rescue
Saving Horses, Inc.
The Best Little Horse Horse
After the Finish Line
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
Standardbred Retirement Foundation
The Exceller Fund
Rocky Mountain Horse Rescue
Horse Protection League
Shiloh Acres
Front Range Equine Rescue
Member of the Colorado Horse Rescue Coalition, and maintains contact with all other horse rescues within the state of Colorado
Horses
Link's Ruler, a 1989 bay TB stallion (Linkage x Dame Armour). Initially bred by the famous Lin-Drake Farm, Links Ruler never raced. He is a brother to Blacktype Winner: Learn by Heart, 1985 c by Linkage. 
Links was initially purchased by Fair Dinkum Farm at the Centennial Livestock Auction. CTR arranged quarantine boarding at a local farm. Shown here with Margaret at a QT facility which accepted stallions:
Catherine then moved and let CTR know she had no intentions of taking Link's Ruler with her! This very nicely mannered gelding was in desperate need of farrier and dentistry care. FOB Karen found an amazing local retirement home for Links and helped ensure he will forever receive the care he so deserves. His new nickname is Joe! Look at him now! 
Fritz, an aged chestnut mare that Margaret watched as the elderly owners dropped off one night at the livestock auction.
Emaciated, the mare's fate would have surely been tradgic. The owners had raised Fritz from a baby. Fritz had taught their grandchildren to ride. They had been working with a vet but could not get weight on Fritz. They were moving and had been unable to sell her. After talking with Margaret, they agreed to pull the mare out of the auction and sell her to CTR for $50.
Fritz was quickly adopted by FOB Debbie in Trinidad, Colorado, where she gained hundreds of pounds.
(Fritz shown with Dr. Bluhm, getting her teeth fixed):
Rufus, a teenaged TB gelding.
This horse was named so because of his kind puppy dog personality. Rufus and a horse that looked like his brother were dropped off at the auction. Margaret spoke with the owner and her teenage son who led the horses in. She urged them not to sell the horses at auction. They drove a big, expensive truck and had the resources to provide a better ending than slaughter for these horses. The owner began screaming at Margaret, saying she didn't care if her horses wandered the streets of Mexico awaiting slaughter. Margaret was bidding on other horses and somewhat mistakingly big on Rufus. The only other bidder was the kill buyer. Rufus was saved for pennies on the pound. He had a history of being a chariot racing horse. He had been drugged for the sale and was quite lame the day afterwards. Radiographs showed that Rufus had foundered and also fractured his knee in his past. He was rehabilitated and adopted to FOB Debbie in Trinidad, CO.
Prince William, a 2006 chestnut gelding.
"Willy" was CTR's first auction rescue. His mom was put on a truck to slaughter by the kill buyer, and, at only 6
weeks old, Willy was shipped to the auction house. When the bidding went as low as $25 and no one bid, one of
CTR's founders stuck up a hand. Willy came home for $55. Much too young, scared and injured, it quickly
became evident that the colt had been well- handled and well-bred. His neck showed a patch of clipped hair-
where he had been treated by a veterinarian when he was fist born, and he was a quick learner. Unfortunately, we
will never know why Willy and his mom were sold to the killer buyer.
Willy was quickly adopted to a loving home. He was returned to the rescue the following year, due to an unforeseeable divorce. Will was placed in foster care, however, Willy again returned to CTR due to no fault of his own.
Willy is an extremely talented and smart young horse. A small and plain colored colt, Willy should mature only to
be a large pony in the 13-14 hand range. He requires constant handling and a very experienced trainer. Only
experienced trainers, who agree to our no-sale placement contract, should apply to adopt Willy. Willy will remain at
CTR as a mascot until the perfect home could be found for him.
He is currently sponsored by a wonderful FOB. Look at him now at 2 years old!
Noah, 1991 bay TB ex-racehorse gelding. 
Noah was purchased by one of our founders directly from a kill auction for pennies on the dollar. He is well broke and was used as a kid's horse in the past. Noah was fostered at a private farm in Ft Collins, CO. Noah has been adopted to a wonderful local home!
Peg Leg, 2007 bay filly. 
"Peggy" is one lucky girl. Peg and her mom were
purchased at a livestock auction when Peg was
only three months old. Peg has always been an
extremely kind, willing, and smart filly. Somehow,
despite careful screening and the safeguard of a
placement contract, Peggy was stolen from the
rescue (which maintains lifelong ownership for the
safety of all of our horses). Dedicated volunteers
spent days searching three counties for Peggy,
and eventually reclaimed the kind filly. Peg had
already suffered from malnutrition and contracted
tendons, also caused by malnutrition. CTR would
especially like to thank the El Paso County Sheriffs
for their dedication in quickly and safely recovering
Peggy. Criminal charges were filed.
Peg has been examined by two vets, including Dr. Miller from Littleton Large Animal Hospital (thanks for the kindness of the FOB's). Both vets agree that Peg will make a full recovery with proper nutrition. Peg's personality is still as kind and gentle as the first day. This wonderful baby never lost her trust in people.
Peggy has fully recovered and is available for adoption. She is currently the highlight of our youth program. Look at her now!
FOB Beyonce, 1990 sorrel pony mare. 
Beyonce was purchased after the 6/20/2007 Centennial Livestock Auction [11] for $120. Beyonce's hooves were in horrible condition and curled up when she was first rescued. Her feet are back to normal, and Beyonce is a well broke riding pony. She is currently a babysitter for Peggy, a rescued baby named Peggy. Look at her now! Beyonce was adopted as a light riding pony but she is not interested in being ridden. She has been returned to CTR and is awaiting a home as a companion pony.
Keara, middle aged bay TB x mare and her 2-4 week old filly, Riley were purchased though the 6/6/2007 Centennial Livestock Auction [12] for $460, as a pair.
Riley had suffered an extremely deep laceration before the sale and was lucky to be alive. Thanks to the diligent veterinary care, Riley is on the way to making a complete recovery. Keara, the name of a Saint, is an incredibly kind mare who patiently trusts her to care for her injured filly. Keara is a pleasure to handle and will make a great family horse. Both Keara and Riley were adopted to a loving family and share a 300 acre ranch with two older horses. Look at them now!
Columbine, 2005 bay unregistered QHx filly was purchased at the 6/6/2007 Centennial Livestock Auction [13] for 0.45 cents a pound. 
If CTR did not bid on Columbine, she surely would have gone to slaughter. She had a tight halter digging into her feet and had never been handled. Her feet had never been trimmed! Columbine was placed with a professional trainer, where she quickly learned to lead, pick up all four feet, etc. This beautiful filly is very willing and tries hard to please. She is nicknamed Ally. Ally is in a foster home in Parker, CO and is is slowly learning about riding.Just look at her now! She has been adopted by her foster family in Parker and is undergoing professional training to be a riding horse!
Shebaileys Omar, 2003 grey registered 1/2 Arabian gelding, purchased at the 6/6/2007 Centennial Livestock Auction [14] for approx. 0.53 cents a pound. 
If CTR did not bid on Omar he probably would have gone to slaughter. Omar is incredibly kind and well started. CTR has continued his training under saddle, and he is a pleasure to work with. There isn't a quieter 4 yr old horse than Omar. Omar has been adopted to a lovely home in Hudson, CO as a future dressage horse. Update: Sadly, Omar was euthanized in April, 2008 due to several fractures in his leg as a result of an accident, which guarded an extremely guarded prognosis, even with surgery.
Shebaileys Haddiah, 2000 grey registered 1/2 Arabian mare, purchased at the 6/6/2007 Centennial Livestock Auction [15] for 0.49 cents a pound. 
CTR outbid the kill buyer in Haddiah. Haddiah is extremly well broke under saddle and is very willing. She has an even going temperment and is simply a dream. After a scare when a vet said Haddiah was not sound, a thorough second opinion from another vet (thanks FOB's!) proved that all Haddiah needed was front shoes to remain sound. She has been adopted to Austin, TX with plans of becoming a competitive trail riding mount.
Cinnabun middle aged horse with her approx. 3 month old bay TBx filly (Peggy) were purchased at the 6/6/2007 Centennial Livestock Auction [16] for $525 as a pair. 
Momma has very little, if any, prevous handling and was very afraid of people. Her big brave filly enjoys being scratched and has wonderful movement. Momma found a home but baby Peggy came back to the rescue after being illegally sold. Cinnabun has found a loving home in Eastern Colorado, which is training her to be ridden.
Luna Joe,[17] 1998 dark bay or brown TB gelding, by In Excess (IRE) o/o Rulinjo, by Raise an Orphan
Purchased from the feedlot [18] for $450 in Feb. 2007 with the generosity of FOB's. He had previously injured his right front ankle.
Luna Joe sire won in excess of $1.7 million on the racetrack, and Luna Joe also had a successful race career.
Like many good racehorses, Luna Joe finished his racing career in 7th place at a $2500 claiming race in 2005.
LUNA JOE'S RACE RECORD North America/USA
YEAR AGE STARTS 1ST 2ND 3RD USA$
------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 4 7 1 0 1 40,675
2003 5 12 1 0 2 13,775
2004 6 7 3 2 1 35,810
2005 7 5 2 0 1 7,568
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS 31 7 2 5 97,828
Luna Joe overcame strangles, and gained several hundred pounds. Joe was well trained under saddle, but nervous. Luna Joe went for 3 months of professional training by his adopter, and is a trail riding mount for one of CTR's volunteer's parents in Nevada. Very sadly, Luna Joe was euthanized due to a tradgic case of colic on Easter Sunday, 2008. Even the vet remarked at how stoic, kind, and gentle Luna Joe was, even in his last moments. He will be remembered forever as the local gelding who was so glad to have a second chance. Pictured: Luna Joe at the Celebration of Life Party,April 29, 2007: 
Shown with his adopter, Aubree:
John the Artist[19], 1996 dark bay or brown TB gelding, by Stop the Music, o/o Scott's Caitlin, by First Albert
John the Artist at the feedlot: 
John the Artist was purchased from the feedlot [20] for $425 in Feb. 2007 with the support of FOB's.
John had sustained a severe laceration to his front leg, which was deep and infected.
John the Artist's sire is one of the only horses that beat Secretariat. John the Artist has a less successful race history. Like Luna Joe, his last race was 18 lengths behind the winner at a $2500 claiming race in 2002.
JOHN THE ARTIST'S RACE RECORD North America/USA
YEAR AGE STARTS 1ST 2ND 3RD USA$
------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 3 14 0 1 2 2,235
2000 4 13 0 3 4 4,257
2001 5 10 1 3 3 7,714
2002 6 12 0 1 2 2,822
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS 49 1 8 11 17,028
John the Artist happily allowed us to work on his injured leg. John is a kind horse and very cute, and it's amazing that he wound up where he did. He was quickly adopted by FOB Karen in Colorado, who continued to tend to his wound and give John the proper groceries he needed (pictured): 
Crystal a middle-aged tattooed TB mare who's tattoo was unreadable. Crystal at the feedlot: 
Crystal was incredibly kind and willing. She is a tall, wide-bodied mare that probably was a racehorse and then a hunter-jumper. After a vet's evaluation, it was determined that Crystal has a fused right front ankle and had previously torn a ligament in her left rear stifle, and should not be ridden. Crystal at CTR: 
Crystal is now living on a 10,000 acre ranch in OK, thanks to the TRF.
Feedback from FOBs
From volunteers who have visited the rescue etc which may include relevant links to the discussion board about the visit.
Barbaro Celebration of Life Party at CTR, April 29, 2007:
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[21]
Questions from FOBs
I added John The Artist and Luna Joe to http://www.timwoolleyracing.com/wiki/index.php/Rescued
can you ad to their pages etc w/ pics and follow up.
6/26/07- Thanks for adding them- I added some photos and their race histroy (Margaret)
7/25/07 - Margaret, it's wonderful to read about all the horses you have saved from your local feedlot. Their pictures are beautiful! I'll never understand how people can throw these horses away knowing their fate. Thank goodness for HONEST rescues like yours. I would never hesistate making a donation to you since I know you manage the FOB donations properly and are appreciative of their support. All the Best!! Dawn
