Indiana Horse Rescue
From AlexBrownRacing
Contents |
Basics
Indiana Horse Rescue
Equine Division of Animal Protection Coalition, Inc.
a 501 (c)3 non profit organization dedicated to animal welfare
10254 West 800 South Owensville, Indiana 47665-9717
Web address Indiana Horse Rescue
Telephone (812) 729-7697
Fax (206) 338-5604
E-mail Kelsey Cook - kelsey@indianahorserescue.com or Kathryn - kathryn@indianahorserescue.com
Fundraising Drives on TWR: Indiana horse neglect case - 40 horses needing help
Media stories: (link to stories about rescue)
Description of Rescue
Indiana Horse Rescue is to date, Indiana's largest equine rescue operation. IHR has five full time rescue facilities that operate 24/7 to help horses in need. We pride ourselves in providing quality care for horses that have been abused, neglected, abandoned, are at risk of going to slaughter, and/or are just in need of a permanent home! We are continuing to grow and continue to help improve equine welfare in Indiana.
Visit our website and see how we have grown since the beginning. http://www.indianahorserescue.com
Our Mission is to provide a caring, positive environment to those horses that have been either neglected, abused, abandoned and/or are at risk of going to slaughter. We will place these horses in a loving atmosphere that benefits both the horse and the adoptive family.
IHR now has 5 Divisions in the State of Indiana.
>>IHR Central (Frankort, IN) http://www.ihrcentral.com
>>IHR Central West (West Lafayette, IN) http://www.ihrcentralwest.com
>>IHR East (Farmland, IN) http://www.ihreast.com
>>IHR South (New Salisbury, IN) http://www.ihrsouth.com
>>IHR Southwest (Owensville, IN) http://www.ihrsouthwest.com
History of Indiana Horse Rescue
Indiana Horse Rescue was established in 1998 as an equine rescue organization dedicated to preventing unnecessary slaughter, abuse, and neglect of horses. Indiana Horse Rescue joined forces with Animal Protection Coalition, Inc. in 2002 becoming their equine division. Indiana Horse Rescue was founded by four equine enthusiasts, Anthony Caldwell, Kathryn Caldwell, Philip Collins, and Jason Jenkins. Indiana Horse Rescue is dedicated to a very special Arabian horse that was bought by Anthony and Kathryn Caldwell, CRJ Orlando Sudan. His story is what sparked their interest in rescuing horses. It was through this group's hard work, dedication, and compassion for horses, that the concept of Indiana Horse Rescue was developed and put into action. This group of horse lovers originally began by taking in people's misfit/unwanted/problem horses and by purchasing horses from "kill sales" at auction houses. The first rescue horses that they purchased to save from slaughter was a beautiful Belgian mare that they affectionately called Precious and a Thoroughbred named Forever Icy.
Indiana Horse Rescue started by leasing approximately 35 stalls at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. A few years after, the founders of IHR decided it was time for a move. Indiana Horse Rescue was built with love in rural Frankfort, just outside the city limits. The original facility is still functioning today, as IHR Central. In the last couple of years, Indiana Horse Rescue has experienced substantial growth as a powerful advocate for equine welfare in the State of Indiana. In 2006 Indiana Horse Rescue expanded, introducing IHR East in Farmland, IHR North in Demotte, and IHR South in New Salisbury. Sadly, in early 2007 IHR North facility closed due to personal circumstances. Later in 2007 Indiana Horse Rescue was proud to announce that IHR Central West in West Lafayette and IHR Southwest in Owensville joined the crew.
Horses that are donated to Indiana Horse Rescue are placed in our adoption program. Indiana Horse Rescue adopts out approximately 100 to 300 horses per year. Indiana Horse Rescue accepts horses of all breeds and ages. Some horses come to Indiana Horse Rescue with permanent injury or medical problems, but most are donated by caring owners who for one reason or another just can't keep their horse any longer. Indiana Horse Rescue also works very closely with law enforcement officers and will house and care for horses that have been impounded, at no cost to the county, animal control, or sheriffs department. It is not uncommon for Indiana Horse Rescue to be caring for 150-500 horses, at any given time.
A great number of people believe that because our name is Indiana Horse Rescue we receive government funding, which we do not. Caring for horses can be financially taxing and we are always in need of funding for feed, medical, farrier care, supplies, services, and facility improvements. Indiana Horse Rescue is funded by private donations and fundraisers. We could not exist nor function without the support of amazing donors and volunteers.
'Mission Statement'
To provide a caring, positive environment for those horses that have either been neglected, abused, abandoned, and/or are at risk of going to slaughter. We will place these horses in an environment that benefits both the horse and the adoptive family.
Sudan's Story
Animal Protection Coalition - Equine Division is dedicated to CRJ Orlando Sudan. Sudan was the very first horse, of course we had no idea that he had been abused, even though he broke two young girls arms when we first looked at him. When we brought him home and he successfully bucked his rider off, well that was quite an experience! Many people called him "Satan" and advised us to sell him before he killed someone, but it was not to be. A lot of time was spent talking to him and lunging him in the round pen, trying to teach him to trust. Finally deciding if he could not ride Sudan, he would have to be put down. Sudan would not be abused or allowed to hurt anyone. He was a VERY smart horse and must have realized that we really cared. That day was the beginning of a relationship like no other. Very few people ever get to experience the love he had to give, he was very special. Sudan would be ridden almost everyday, he would be saddled up and ready to go, and they were off like a shot! It didn't matter what the weather was, rain, cold, the only thing that stopped them were sub zero temperatures and the ever dreaded ice. They were meant for each other. You could tell Sudan that "daddy" was coming, and he always knew what we meant. Sudan had a problem with women riding him, we tried to lease him out before we totally understood his problem, and he bucked this young girl off 6 out of 7 times. It was quite a reward after 2 years when he allowed me (a woman) to ride him. Sudan was a dream! He was like riding the clouds, that is the best way I can describe it.
Then that phone call on March 1, 1999. I will never forget it. I don't remember getting dressed or how we got to the farm, but we were too late. Sudan had a heart attack during morning feeding. He was watching Bill put hay out and patiently waiting his turn. There was a crash and he went down. Bill had to open the gate so he didn't choke as he fell against it. He was gone.
Sudan taught us so much. How to love a horse, to talk to them and how to listen. Yes, people thought we were a little nuts, what did we know? But Dr. Hope knew. He knew the first time he worked on Sudan he broke a set of cross ties and got away from him and another man. He didn't want that strange man working on him. He had to be tranquilized. The next year Dr. Hope had the tranquilizer ready, when asked what "that" was for. We walked into Sudan's stall and put his arm around him and told Doc to go ahead. It took no tranquilizers, no halter, just a lot of love from someone special. From that day on Dr. Hope always referred to the owner as "daddy" when working on Sudan.
Because of Sudan we learned of other "crazy" horses. We learned about kill sales and horses being slaughtered - Indiana Horse Rescue was started. We now teach the new horses how to trust, how to love again.
But, there will never be another Sudan.
Kathryn Caldwell One of the founder of Indiana Horse Rescue
Rescue Network
List of other rescues this rescue works with.
Blackford County Animal Control http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/IN173.html
Clay County Humane Society http://www.clayhumane.com/index.htm
Gibson County Animal Services http://www.gcasonline.org/
Indiana Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation http://www.trfinc.org/farms/farms.php?id=10
Indiana Haven http://www.inhaven.org/
MoonWind Stables - Rescue and Stable http://www.moonwindsrescue.com/
Martin County Humane Society http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/IN356.html
Perry County Humane Society
Putnam and Starke County Animal Control http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/IN92.html
Tippecanoe County Animal Control http://www.tippecanoe.in.gov/sheriff/division.asp?fDD=22-229
Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue http://www.turningpointedonkeyrescue.com/
There are so many more and the list keeps growing, please let us know if we forgot you, we want to add everyone possible to our list!
FOB Horses
Add updates of horses rescued with FOB fundraising money. Keep a running total on the number of successful FOB rescues ... all helps build a reputation with FOBs.
Mercedes
Feedback from FOBs
From volunteers who have visited the rescue etc which may include relevant links to the discussion board about the visit.
Questions from FOBs
This this space available for FOBs to ask questions. Answers can then be worked into the above content if appropriate.
