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What's in a number? The story of Leo and Karma.
Sometimes life throws you a curve no matter how hard you work to plan, learn and try to be organized in your life. The last few months have certainly thrown me my share. The older I get, the more convinced I am that a power much larger then myself, God, has the grand plan and to a degree it's futile for us to get too far ahead of ourselves. So much has happened and turned out to not be what I thought at all. The bigger plan is that I exist to be an advocate for the horses that suffer at the hands of mankind. I am one of many, but take this responsibility with great reverence. The mission to save horses and speak up for the voiceless is stronger than ever. It may not look as I thought it would be, but alas it’s better! A true testament to the old adage, "never give up.” I am eternally grateful to each of you who stood by me during the rough waters day in and day out. We are stronger and better than before! Leo and Karma are living proof of that! And I emphasize LIVING! Now, on to their stories.
On Monday, June 1st, our day started at 4:30 am with a hope to beat the traffic. We made the coffee, fed the dogs and cats (a special thanks to Melissa, Heidi and Sam for tending to the horses for the day) and off we went. The trip to New Holland is 107 miles. The horse auction starts at 10:00 am. Parking a trailer there is a nightmare, so best better not be late. One last stop at Sheetz for more coffee and the restroom before we leave life as we know it to enter the underground culture of the Amish mafia at its worst. As Michael says "it’s a very disturbing place". On the surface it doesn't look so bad except for the neglected animals everywhere, but as you learn your way around and get to know the intentions of kill buyers, dealers and those who provide live kill to road side zoos, you begin to see humanity at its worst.
I had my mind set on a small horse and a pony for our purchases of the day. One must stay focused on the horses we save and try not to think about the ones we can't save. But, as we walked in we spotted a leopard Appaloosa shoved in a corner with his head tied to the wall. He was the most emaciated horse I've seen there. He had no interest and just stared blankly at the concrete in from of him. Not even a hip tag number to be run through the sale. Our hearts broke for this poor guy who was in the last days of his life. Long time neglect left him weak and hopeless. We also noticed a big chestnut Thoroughbred with a bad injury on his hind leg, an open gaping wound at the hock joint that was fresh, obviously from a battle with another horse which he lost.
As the bidding began, Michael was so bothered by the Appy with no number that he went to the auction vet and inquired. It was explained to him that the horse was too far gone to even be run through the sale that day. He pointed out the dealer who owned him and told us the dealer had already sold him for "lion food". We intervened and no doubt paid more than the horse was worth. Leo the Lion Hearted became our first purchase the day. To them he wasn't even worth a hip tag number. To us he was worth a decent shot at life. Even if he doesn't make it, he will die with love and compassion surrounding him was our thought. That's what this is all about, right?
A couple hours later, I won the bid on a large chestnut pony. #500. He had been jogged through not ridden. He was thin but with great potential. Once we won the bid, Michael went to pay for him, and I went to get on the list with the vet to get our coggins drawn and to check on Leo. The vet asked "Where is your pony?" I hadn’t found him yet but my name was on the list. I was off to find him in the sea of hiptags on several walls. I looked and looked and couldn't find him. Eventually I saw a pony similar to him with hip tag #495. But not #500. #500 was on the Thoroughbred with the injured leg. At first I couldn't believe I could have bid on the wrong animal, not even close and not seen the injured leg on the auction floor. I thought I'd lost my mind. But being what is was I now owned a big Thoroughbred that sold well below meat market price. I was dumbfounded to say the least. But this horse was now my responsibility. Something about him so touched my heart and we instantly bonded. He was scared, hurt and defeated. Michael stayed with Leo and I sat with Karma for hours. Once the place started to clear out we were able to be together as it was safe for Michael to move Leo to the other side to hang out with Karma and me while we waited for the vet to come. Finally, the vet came to clean and bandage Karma’s leg injury, give him a tetanus shot, and some strong antibiotics for the ride home. I kept a watch on the sky outside, the storms were coming and we had a long ride home. I worried that Leo wouldn't be able to stay up on his feet much longer. But, thankfully Leo was already brighter having had water and Michael talking and stroking him now for hours. A ray of hope was in his eyes. He tried to eat some hay but couldn’t. His missing or sharp teeth prevented him from proper chewing. But at least he was trying which was encouraging. Finally, we were able to get both horses on the trailer trusting us that life was about to get better. Now it was time to get on the road and of course hit afternoon traffic.
Once at our quarantine location, we were met by Chris and Sandy who had run around getting all the stuff we needed upon arrival. The horses settled into clean stalls with fresh water and an evening meal. Finally feeling safe, Leo perked up and was able to eat something. I think he's the happiest horse on earth, definitely the luckiest! Karma has gotten very attached to me and would scramble around his stall if I was out of his sight. I still had no idea how I ended up with this big horse when I'm sure I bid on a pony.
The following day, I had a long talk with someone who knows the dealers, and kill buyers well. As it turns out, we were duped! I had bought a pony and the tags were switched right before I located him. Since the European Union has stopped taking horse meat from the US via Mexico because of inhumane treatment, the laws on the Canadian border have tighten up (they don’t want to lose the business from the EU as well). Horses with serious injury are no longer allowed in Canada for slaughter. While we were paying for our "pony" the dealer who owned both the injured horse and the pony switched the tags (so we think). Apparently this is routinely done with people like us who are obviously there to save horses. Really I know the difference between a 13 hand pony and a 16.2 hand TB! This horse was sold to us for well below meat price. I can only believe that it was God's plan that that horse needed to be with us that day and God intervened and made it so! Good Karma is a sweet heart and deserves a chance.
So I guess the moral to the story is that things happen for a reason and the hand that guides us all is always there in our darkest hour.
Karma and Leo are doing well and hopefully will make a full recovery from the inhumanity of mankind to be symbols of what a handful of good hearted people can accomplish!
Leo, Karma and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your loyalty, and dedication to this life saving mission. Without you, we couldn't have done it!
GIFTED
They called him “682”, we called him Gifted. Gifted was said to have been a camp horse and after the summer of 2014 he was left at New Holland livestock auction. The children had all gone home. His future was bleak as he stood emaciated, wounded and scared in the line of slaughter bound horses. Thanks to the caring equine community, his life was spared. Today, he lives in the lap of luxury with his adopted mom, Dawn.
Would you like to be part of a heartwarming success story like this? Do you want to help save the life of a slaughter bound horse?
Every year over 140,000 American horses will stand in this line and others like it unknowingly waiting to be shipped to Canada and Mexico to be brutally murdered and shipped abroad as food.
Horses have served mankind well throughout history in battle, farming, transportation, and even the pony express. Today, they continue to serve us well as companions, teachers of life lessons, therapeutic assistants for everyone from those with special needs to wounded vets as well as law enforcement partners, and world class athletes. Yet, so many are discarded in this horrific manner!
Although the initial purchase price at auction is based on meat prices, the additional expenses come from quarantine, veterinary, dental and farrier care. Once the rescued horse has all those things tended to, has gained weight and fully recovered, the training or re-training begins and so does the search for the perfect forever home.
Until the SAFE Act is passed in Washington (for more details visit The Humane Society of the United States at https://goo.gl/7mr4zK) to stop the transport of American horses across the boarders for slaughter, the best we can do is rescue all the horses we can.
Please help Tina Christensen Snyder and The Equine Warriors get back to New Holland and save another life!
Once our goal is met, we will invite you to follow us on Facebook throughout our new horse's journey from the kill pen through rehab and on to a new forever home.
Sometimes life throws you a curve no matter how hard you work to plan, learn and try to be organized in your life. The last few months have certainly thrown me my share. The older I get, the more convinced I am that a power much larger then myself, God, has the grand plan and to a degree it's futile for us to get too far ahead of ourselves. So much has happened and turned out to not be what I thought at all. The bigger plan is that I exist to be an advocate for the horses that suffer at the hands of mankind. I am one of many, but take this responsibility with great reverence. The mission to save horses and speak up for the voiceless is stronger than ever. It may not look as I thought it would be, but alas it’s better! A true testament to the old adage, "never give up.” I am eternally grateful to each of you who stood by me during the rough waters day in and day out. We are stronger and better than before! Leo and Karma are living proof of that! And I emphasize LIVING! Now, on to their stories.
On Monday, June 1st, our day started at 4:30 am with a hope to beat the traffic. We made the coffee, fed the dogs and cats (a special thanks to Melissa, Heidi and Sam for tending to the horses for the day) and off we went. The trip to New Holland is 107 miles. The horse auction starts at 10:00 am. Parking a trailer there is a nightmare, so best better not be late. One last stop at Sheetz for more coffee and the restroom before we leave life as we know it to enter the underground culture of the Amish mafia at its worst. As Michael says "it’s a very disturbing place". On the surface it doesn't look so bad except for the neglected animals everywhere, but as you learn your way around and get to know the intentions of kill buyers, dealers and those who provide live kill to road side zoos, you begin to see humanity at its worst.
I had my mind set on a small horse and a pony for our purchases of the day. One must stay focused on the horses we save and try not to think about the ones we can't save. But, as we walked in we spotted a leopard Appaloosa shoved in a corner with his head tied to the wall. He was the most emaciated horse I've seen there. He had no interest and just stared blankly at the concrete in from of him. Not even a hip tag number to be run through the sale. Our hearts broke for this poor guy who was in the last days of his life. Long time neglect left him weak and hopeless. We also noticed a big chestnut Thoroughbred with a bad injury on his hind leg, an open gaping wound at the hock joint that was fresh, obviously from a battle with another horse which he lost.
As the bidding began, Michael was so bothered by the Appy with no number that he went to the auction vet and inquired. It was explained to him that the horse was too far gone to even be run through the sale that day. He pointed out the dealer who owned him and told us the dealer had already sold him for "lion food". We intervened and no doubt paid more than the horse was worth. Leo the Lion Hearted became our first purchase the day. To them he wasn't even worth a hip tag number. To us he was worth a decent shot at life. Even if he doesn't make it, he will die with love and compassion surrounding him was our thought. That's what this is all about, right?
A couple hours later, I won the bid on a large chestnut pony. #500. He had been jogged through not ridden. He was thin but with great potential. Once we won the bid, Michael went to pay for him, and I went to get on the list with the vet to get our coggins drawn and to check on Leo. The vet asked "Where is your pony?" I hadn’t found him yet but my name was on the list. I was off to find him in the sea of hiptags on several walls. I looked and looked and couldn't find him. Eventually I saw a pony similar to him with hip tag #495. But not #500. #500 was on the Thoroughbred with the injured leg. At first I couldn't believe I could have bid on the wrong animal, not even close and not seen the injured leg on the auction floor. I thought I'd lost my mind. But being what is was I now owned a big Thoroughbred that sold well below meat market price. I was dumbfounded to say the least. But this horse was now my responsibility. Something about him so touched my heart and we instantly bonded. He was scared, hurt and defeated. Michael stayed with Leo and I sat with Karma for hours. Once the place started to clear out we were able to be together as it was safe for Michael to move Leo to the other side to hang out with Karma and me while we waited for the vet to come. Finally, the vet came to clean and bandage Karma’s leg injury, give him a tetanus shot, and some strong antibiotics for the ride home. I kept a watch on the sky outside, the storms were coming and we had a long ride home. I worried that Leo wouldn't be able to stay up on his feet much longer. But, thankfully Leo was already brighter having had water and Michael talking and stroking him now for hours. A ray of hope was in his eyes. He tried to eat some hay but couldn’t. His missing or sharp teeth prevented him from proper chewing. But at least he was trying which was encouraging. Finally, we were able to get both horses on the trailer trusting us that life was about to get better. Now it was time to get on the road and of course hit afternoon traffic.
Once at our quarantine location, we were met by Chris and Sandy who had run around getting all the stuff we needed upon arrival. The horses settled into clean stalls with fresh water and an evening meal. Finally feeling safe, Leo perked up and was able to eat something. I think he's the happiest horse on earth, definitely the luckiest! Karma has gotten very attached to me and would scramble around his stall if I was out of his sight. I still had no idea how I ended up with this big horse when I'm sure I bid on a pony.
The following day, I had a long talk with someone who knows the dealers, and kill buyers well. As it turns out, we were duped! I had bought a pony and the tags were switched right before I located him. Since the European Union has stopped taking horse meat from the US via Mexico because of inhumane treatment, the laws on the Canadian border have tighten up (they don’t want to lose the business from the EU as well). Horses with serious injury are no longer allowed in Canada for slaughter. While we were paying for our "pony" the dealer who owned both the injured horse and the pony switched the tags (so we think). Apparently this is routinely done with people like us who are obviously there to save horses. Really I know the difference between a 13 hand pony and a 16.2 hand TB! This horse was sold to us for well below meat price. I can only believe that it was God's plan that that horse needed to be with us that day and God intervened and made it so! Good Karma is a sweet heart and deserves a chance.
So I guess the moral to the story is that things happen for a reason and the hand that guides us all is always there in our darkest hour.
Karma and Leo are doing well and hopefully will make a full recovery from the inhumanity of mankind to be symbols of what a handful of good hearted people can accomplish!
Leo, Karma and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your loyalty, and dedication to this life saving mission. Without you, we couldn't have done it!
GIFTED
They called him “682”, we called him Gifted. Gifted was said to have been a camp horse and after the summer of 2014 he was left at New Holland livestock auction. The children had all gone home. His future was bleak as he stood emaciated, wounded and scared in the line of slaughter bound horses. Thanks to the caring equine community, his life was spared. Today, he lives in the lap of luxury with his adopted mom, Dawn.
Would you like to be part of a heartwarming success story like this? Do you want to help save the life of a slaughter bound horse?
Every year over 140,000 American horses will stand in this line and others like it unknowingly waiting to be shipped to Canada and Mexico to be brutally murdered and shipped abroad as food.
Horses have served mankind well throughout history in battle, farming, transportation, and even the pony express. Today, they continue to serve us well as companions, teachers of life lessons, therapeutic assistants for everyone from those with special needs to wounded vets as well as law enforcement partners, and world class athletes. Yet, so many are discarded in this horrific manner!
Although the initial purchase price at auction is based on meat prices, the additional expenses come from quarantine, veterinary, dental and farrier care. Once the rescued horse has all those things tended to, has gained weight and fully recovered, the training or re-training begins and so does the search for the perfect forever home.
Until the SAFE Act is passed in Washington (for more details visit The Humane Society of the United States at https://goo.gl/7mr4zK) to stop the transport of American horses across the boarders for slaughter, the best we can do is rescue all the horses we can.
Please help Tina Christensen Snyder and The Equine Warriors get back to New Holland and save another life!
Once our goal is met, we will invite you to follow us on Facebook throughout our new horse's journey from the kill pen through rehab and on to a new forever home.