A Second Take for Rescue Horses
In 1978 he defeated Seattle Slew and Affirmed in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. A savage pace led to an epic performance as Exceller, 22 lengths behind, rallied to beat Seattle Slew by a nose. In 1978 he won 7 stakes races, including the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Hollywood Gold Cup and Sunset Handicap. In 1997, he was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame. That very same year Exceller died in a foreign slaughterhouse. It is said that he had no health or fertility problems to speak of. Instead, it was his owner’s bankruptcy that ended his life. With many years of life left to give, this famous thoroughbred was discarded amongst many. Every year, tens of thousands of equines in the United States are sent to slaughter. Auction houses across the country parade these horses through to their death every day. Battling these statistics are equine rescues like Project Sage Horse Rescue of Northport, NY. Started in 2007, by then-16 year-old Brittany Rostron, the rescue has saved over ninety horses to date. Without efforts from local rescues, these horses are sold for as little as fifteen dollars only to be inhumanely transported and slaughtered, their meat being shipped for human consumption to countries like France and Japan.
Anyone who has adopted a slaughter bound horse knows that these are not all old and broken mounts. According to 2001 field studies conducted by Temple Grandin, 70% of all horses at the slaughter plant were in good, fat, or obese condition; 72% were considered to be “sound” of limb; 84% were of average age; and 96% had no behavioral issues. These are riding horses, children’s ponies, camp mounts and racehorses. Luckily, Project Sage knows just how amazing these discarded horses can be. Starting in summer of 2011, in conjunction with Two Cousins’ Farm in Northport, NY, rescued equines can have a new light on life. Two Cousins’ Farm will be featuring a day camp using solely slaughter bound horses in its riding program. Program Director Lauren Thomas has created a unique summer program aimed at creating well balanced riders with compassion for their mounts using Humane Education. This type of learning teaches compassion, empathy and respect for animals as well as people and is becoming a growing field in schools. What better way of teaching children the fundamentals of good character than with one of their all-time favorite topics: animals? When it comes to teaching core skills and core values, humane-themed lessons can capture a child’s attention, imagination, and heart in ways that other subject matter may not. With Humane Education as a part of the curriculum, campers will learn more than grooming and games. It allows children to become better aware of the world around them and the impacts of their choices on themselves, other people, animals and the earth. Campers will enjoy a full day of horsey activities with an emphasis on riding, horse care, and how it relates to Humane Education. With weekly speakers from different types of animal rescues and equine experts, every week at Two Cousins’ camp will offer unique learning opportunities. All curriculums are provided by the ASPCA.
At the close of the camp season, all of the rescued horses will be adopted out to their forever homes, while proceeds from the camp will help Project Sage continue its work throughout the year. Horses like Exceller deserve a better ending. Today’s youth could be that better ending. Humane education can provide them the knowledge and tools to put these values into action in meaningful, far-reaching ways. What better way to do this than a partnership with a rescued equine.
For more information on Two Cousins’ Farm Summer Camp, please visit http://www.twocousinsfarm.com/ or call Lauren Thomas at 631-533-3103. Horse adoption information can be found at http://www.projectsagehorserescue.org/ or by reaching 631-239-1784.
Written by Lauren Thomas
Katie and Brody
Cadie and RJ
Brittany and Louie
