I was more than a little excited about the prospect of having no foster horses at my farm. I had just delivered Gypsy, a 22-year-old mustang mare I had been fostering since June, to her new foster home. And, after having Boone return, I was successful in getting him adopted almost immediately and he was to be picked up the following week. I was so close and suddenly everything changed with one phone call.
The Georgia Equine Rescue League (GERL) recently worked with law enforcement to seize a large number of horses (more than ten) involved in a starvation situation. The owner refused to release any of the horses which means that they are now evidence in court. So, while they are in our care, they cannot be altered (castrated) or adopted out. In addition, GERL cannot publish photos and information on social media until the case goes to court.
This puts us in a bit of a pickle. This is our slowest time of the year with regard to donations flowing in. We already have financial commitments to veteran related non-profit organizations whose horses we are feeding. Taking on a large number of horses that we will have to hold for an unknown period of time is scary, but not enough to make us baulk. I know that horse people have HUGE hearts and as news of this dribbles out, I’m sure the donations will come to help us take care of them.
Taking care of a large number of horses is very labor intense without help every day. Just feeding that many can be exhausting and by the time you are finished it is time for the second feeding. (They are being fed three times a day.) If you’re involved in horses, you already know how much work is involved, especially if they also need to be doctored or groomed. Despite the work, it is a very rewarding task to watch them settle in and get comfortable with their new surroundings. I am excited to see how good they will look when they start gaining weight.
The largest number of horses are currently being fostered by one person. We will be looking for separate foster homes for these horses which include babies, stallions, mares and geldings of all ages and condition. We have a few considered “critical care” and they will remain in their current foster homes until they are well enough to go elsewhere, if necessary. And let me say this about that…our role right now is actually doing what we do best…rehabilitation!
If you are interested in fostering one of these horses, please contact CeCe Calli at foster@gerlltd.org to request a foster application.
