UPDATE: All of SCTR’s horses have homes! You can read our post here!
When Hanaeleh first shared the post that the Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue was closing, one kind family let us know that they had five acres up in Washington state, and that they would like to help. Knowing that the two bonded mares Sassy and Belle would be the most difficult to place, we asked them if they would be willing to take both girls, and they said yes!
At that point, we had to try to find a way to get the girls UP to Washington state! It’s a difficult time of year to transport, and several of the haulers we called were unable to help. Finally, we went to the Fleet of Angels website and contacted anyone who was within 50 miles of the girls. Of the dozen or more people we contacted, only Tania Bennett responded, and thankfully she said that she would help! Tania had worked with us in the past, so it was lovely to know someone who was also a rescuer was helping us!
Tania was great with giving us a “rescue” discount, but even with that, it was over $3,000 to take the girls up to their new home. We should note that this is a HUGE discount, especially given the time of year, and we are very thankful to Tania for all of her support. We had been told that SCTR would help pay for the hauler, but when we contacted them, we were told that they were now unable to put any money aside for that. We knew that we were going to start our winter fundraiser, so with no other options available for the girls, we decided that we would pay the entire hauling fee.
With the hauler set, we also had to get the health certificate completed. SCTR was at least able to have the vet come out and do a Coggins test, which is required when horses are going across state lines. The manager at the facility where the girls were kept had to find a vet who could come out on such short notice, and finally was able to find a vet who would come out at 6:30am on that Monday! Both the manager and the vet were amazing to make that work! It was a lot of back-and-forth to solidify a date, but we were able to get everything coordinated, and the girls were cleared for transport.
We also had to make sure that both Sassy and Belle were safe and warm on their way up to Washington- Tania offered to bring blankets, but we knew that they would need blankets up in their new home, so we ordered new winter blankets for both of them.
Tania picked up the girls a few days before they went up to Washington and brought them to her ranch. They both trailered well, and a few days later they started the first leg of their journey up to Oregon, where they spent the evening. The girls thankfully had each other, so while they were in a new place with new people, they were able to stick together. The next day was clear, but the roads were icy and it took several hours longer than anticipated to get them to their new home. Once they were delivered, however, they seemed to settle right in! They have five acres to wander around and explore (they do have shelter!). Their new owners are animal lovers and have owned horses in the past, so Sassy and Belle are in great hands!
Sassy and Belle’s rescue was indeed a Christmas miracle- all of the stars and events lined up in order to allow us to make their rescue possible. If not for the vet who came out in time to complete the health certificate, if not for Tania who was able to take them, if not that we knew we would have our fundraiser and would have some money to pay for the hauler, then this rescue could not have taken place. We are so thankful to everyone involved who helped make this rescue possible.
Sassy and Belle’s trip to Washington!
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- Sassy and Belle leaving SCTR
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- Ready to go to their new home!
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- Sassy and Belle at Tania’s
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- Sassy and Belle looking around.
On the Road… through Oregon
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- On the road…
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- In the trailer…
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- Up to Washington.
Overnighting in Oregon
Sassy and Belle in their New Home!
Many thanks to Tania for taking all of these pictures!
Can We Ask for Another Miracle?
We were so very lucky with Sassy and Belle that we know we are asking a lot when we are pleading for another Christmas miracle, but we don’t have a lot of options. There are two more horses at SCTR who only have a few more days until they will be put down. We are hoping that there will be some kind soul who will be able to help either or both of these two boys who were supposed to be rescued and live out their lives in safety, but who now are in danger of being euthanized.
If you can help either of these boys, please contact Elizabeth: elizabeth@hanaeleh.org or via phone: (949) 842-7408 and we can help to facilitate their adoption and get them safe!
Thor (Registered Name: Kim’s Leading Man)
Kim’s Leading Man (2004 Gelding) Rescued in 2014, with a stable name of Thor, he is an easy keeper, barefoot and good for the farrier. (Sanctuary)
Victory
Victory Design (IRE) (2002 Gelding) Rescued from auction in 2008, Victory has an old hip injury which doesn’t trouble him, but does make him unrideable. He is good for the farrier, good with other horses and thrives in a pasture setting. (Sanctuary)
