Kristin Como

Mrs. Debock
English 4 Honors
10 November 2016

Service Research Paper

When someone thinks of rescue animals, they probably think of animals that have been
bounced around in shelters all their lives. That, and that they are there for a reason. Most of the
time, those reasons come with negative connotations. Whether it be that they hurt someone, or
are ugly and unwanted, all of the reasons have been heard. However, what you should
consider is that while most of the time an animal is the one that needs saving, sometimes they
can save you. Rescue horses are often used in therapy to help create bonds and heal people, and
often times, it works both ways.

(Navarra) Chris and Robbin Watson had had horses together when they first met.
However, after multiple trips overseas while serving in the Army National Guard Reserves, Chris
returned battling PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). While visiting Horse Feathers Equine
Rescue, Chris met a 7 year old gelding named Skipper, whom he instantly fell in love with.
After adopting him, the two began working together, healing each other. Chriss wife
commented that Skipper was the best thing that has ever happened to him. Not only was Chris
healing Skipper, but Skipper was healing Chris. The two of them worked together to overcome
their own issues and form bonds and regain trust. Just a short month after the couple began
volunteering, Robbin was introduced to a mare named Matina. She had been owned by an
elderly woman who had passed on, and previously not worked with Matina. Along with her

husband, Robbin adopted the mare. When asked, the couple said that the horses have brought
them together and that every night that they went to the barn together was just like a date night.
This goes to show that horses who come from damaged backgrounds can often heal people as
well.

Rescuing a horse can outweigh the benefits of buying a new horse outright. Not only are
you saving a life and giving someone a second chance, but you are also giving yourself a chance
to create an unforgettable bond. Most of the times at rescues, you are finding horses who are
either not wanted anymore, or cannot be cared for anymore. Either way, they need a second
chance and by adopting, you can provide this. One of the largest adoption services in the world
deals with what are called OTTBs, or off track thoroughbreds. Once these horses are raced and
retired at a young age of 3 or 4, they are usually crippled from old injuries in their legs. Because
of this, the horses are not wanted by anyone, as they cannot be ridden hard or competed with, so
they usually end up at either actions (from then the go to slaughterhouses), or rescues. However,
adopting a horse is much more work than outright buying one, so if unsure of how to deal with
needy horses, research should ensue. (Atkinson) But, if you do decide to go through with it, it
will be not only a rewarding experience for you, but your new lifelong friend, too.

However, sometimes when riding horses, emergency situations can happen on a whim. If
something were to happen on your ride, you should take the proper precautions and keep your
horse calm, as often times they can panic if you do. Horses feed directly off of your feelings, so
if you feel as if you have something to be nervous about, they will to. This is important when
something bad happens, since they can sense when you are upset about something. Another way
to keep your horse calm, especially if they are not used to the type of work since you are putting

them to since they are rescues is to let them lead the way. A horse that is at the front of the group
feels less anxious about being left behind again (Thorson). By allowing them to walk in front,
they feel like they have some control, and ultimately calm down and trust you.

A rescue in Ontario, Canada "Open house at Flamborough horse rescue June 4-5. holds
an open house event for the horses every year. This event includes a BBQ, raffle tickets, face
painting, board games, activities for families, and pony rides. Along with this, it allows the
public to interact with rescue horses. Because of this, people start having their eyes opened to the
joys of rescue horses and realize that sometimes all they need is a helping hand and a second
chance. The result of this Open House is typically more horses being adopted and being shown a
new beginning. Currently, the rescue is home to 19 horses, a donkey, ducks, and two baby goats,
all of which have been rescued and are on their road to being rehabilitated.

Not only are horses abused because of their situation, like those on the production line of
premarin, but some are also neglected at home. If you were to come across a horse or horses that
appear to be in bad health at someone's home, you should take action (Hayes). Although it can
be a tricky situation, there are measures that you can go to in order to save them. In order to do
so, you must make sure to not break any law, such as trespassing to get pictures of the horses,
however, any information about them will do. Because this is not the same kind of abuse that
horses endure when they are at PMU farms, it might be harder to get sorted out, but by doing so,
you are helping an animal get a second chance at life. Whether is it because the owners simply
do not care, or they are not capable of taking care of the horses, it is not fair and should
immediately be intervened with.

Additionally, horses that arrive at Second Chance Ranch and Rescue (Harbour) are often
fresh off of trailers that came from auction lots. They are in round pens here, with stickers on
their sides with their sale numbers. Often times, they escaped the fate of slaughter by a very
close call, as these stickers are usually permission to go to a kill lot. When these horses are first
brought to the rescue, they are often terrified of humans and in terrible shape. However, now in
the good hands of the father and daughter duo, Gene and Felecia Preston, the horses are well on
their way to a loving home and speedy recovery. Who knows, some of the horses from the kill
lot could have been on their way out from a PMU farm.

Ultimately, rescuing a horse can not only improve their life, but impact the lives of the
rescuers and adopters in ways that they may have not imagined. Creating a bond with an animal
allows people to go back down to their roots and know what trust really is. This is because we
do not speak the same language, so in order to work together, you have to understand each other.
Whether you get a horse from an auction lot that was from a PMU farm, to a horse that came off
of the racetrack, or even one that was just neglected and mistreated at home, you are giving them
a second chance at life, and who knows, you might even find yourself within them as well.