Friendships come in all shapes and sizes, between different ages, races, and genders, and – on one farm in Vermont – different species.
A very young, very sick horse, abandoned by her mother was, in essence, saved by a couple of barn-mates who were looking for friends.
When Tilley was born almost four months ago, she was frail, sick, and under-developed.
Jamie Fell\Fell-Vallee Equestrian Ctr. “She was teeny, teeny, teeny.”
Tilley, who weighed less than 50-pounds, was having seizures and was unconscious much of the time.
Her mother didn’t want her. And other adult horses on the farm didn’t seem to, either. And as much as Jamie fell, her daughter, Liz, and her mother, Joan Lavallee tried to care for her at the Fell-Vallee Equestrian Center in Hinesburg, Vermont-
There was only so much they could do.
Jamie “She wouldn’t eat, or do anything… she was just trying not to live.”
Lavallee\Fell-Vallee Equestrian Ctr. “We didn’t have really high hopes for her, but we were going to do our darndest to get her through it.”
Their ‘darndest’ came in the form of two goats, Kyra and Anke, who were young kids at the time themselves- 5 months old.
The family had gotten them as farm pets.
But as soon as they introduced them to Tilley, it was clear they would become much more.
Jamie “Right away- they wanted to be with her, sleep with her, cuddle with her- it was almost like they knew she was sick.”
The bond, Fell says, formed instantaneously. All of a sudden- Tilley, it seemed, had a reason – and a will – to live.
Jamie “As soon as the goats got involved, things got better really fast.”
This is Hannah, Tilley’s mother, and a 10 year-old mare. Tilley was her first fowl – and a very unhealthy one… so, it seems, her instinct was to reject her.
Joan “I really do think it was nature’s bid- telling the mare to get rid of the foal- this liability.”
Hannah and Tilley are now kept apart. Tilley lives instead with her new best friends.
Jamie “No matter what time of day you come, they’re always together.”
The three play together, though sometimes identities get intertwined. Tilley has picked up a habit of head-butting.
And Kyra and Anke are learning to jump. They exhibit canine tendencies as well. Breaking down whatever species barriers they can.
Clearly- it matters less to these three *what* they are than what they mean to each other.
Liz “If Tilley gets cold, the goats pile on top of her and keep each other warm.”
The friendship formed under dire circumstances, and grew out of loyalty and trust.
Jamie “I’m quite certain the only reason Tilley is alive is because of these two goats.”
Now- this trio’s bond, though unusual, is unmistakable, and quite enviable at that.
NECN’s Anya Huneke reports.
Four retired racehorses from Suffolk Downs have a new home, thanks to some inmates.
Some inmates from Plymouth County helped build stalls in a barn on the sheriff’s department farm. They will take care of up to 40 horses ad the program expands.
The track on Tuesday delivered four recently retired horses.
Suffolk Downs owner Richard Fields has pledged not to send any horses from the track to slaughter. He says once you make that promise, you have to back it up. The track worked with the Retired Thoroughbred Foundation and the sheriff’s department to set up the new barn.
Nevins Farm, already struggling to handle the animals in its care, is on course to receive a record number of horses this year. 37 have already been given to the MSPCA and the owners of eight others are scheduled to drop their horses off within the next few weeks.
Farm officials are scrambling to find foster or adoptive homes for the horses in this tough economy.
Click here to read more from The Boston Globe.
Shorty
Shorty
“Since Nevins Farm is the region’s only open admissions animal care and adoption center for farm animals and horses, we are experiencing a tremendous increase in surrendered horses due to the poor economy,” said Melissa Ghareeb, Manager of the Nevins Farm Equine & Farm Animal Adoption Center. “We spend months rehabilitating horses that arrive in all states of care, from healthy and strong to walking skeletons with a history of malnutrition. The growing number of horses in our care also strains our financial resources at an average of $320 every month to care for each horse.”
The surrendering of horses is a rising trend in Massachusetts evidenced by surrender of 21 horses to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in 2007 and 39 more equines in 2008. The surrendered horses are also added to the numerous equines that remain in the care of the MSPCA at Nevins Farm year to year as homes are sought. This trend is expected to continue as the MSPCA at Nevins Farm has received 35 surrendered horses in 2009.
As horses arrive at the MSPCA, they are evaluated for health and soundness, as well as a skill set, which enables the staff to match each horse with an adopter. Many of the horses require medical care to varying degrees, from simple vaccines to costly surgeries. The MSPCA is dependent on its equine medical fund, Ashton’s Hope Fund, to provide this care to the horses at the farm including Shorty, a two-year-old colt suffering from severe malnutrition. Scoring a 1 on the 9 point Henneke scale, (the lowest on the scale used to evaluate the body condition of horses), Shorty’s recovery and rehabilitation will be lengthy and expensive, including surgery which will cost approximately $2000.
Ghareeb said that she hopes more adopters will come forward in the next few weeks, and that individuals who may not be in a position to adopt may choose to donate funds for the medical care of animals in need. Ghareeb also invited horse owners to participate in the Equine Center’s fundraising events, including the upcoming Horses Helping Horses Beach Ride scheduled for October 4th. As a non-profit without any support from state or federal agencies, the MSPCA is dependent on donations from individuals and from special events to care for its animals.
For more information on the adoption process or to view available horses, visit www.mspca.org/nevins, or contact the Equine Center staff at (978) 687-7453 x6113. Contributions to Ashton’s Fund may be donated online at www.mspca.org/nevins or mailed to the MSPCA’s Equine Center, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844, attention Ashton’s Fund.
One of five MSPCA Animal Care and Adoption Centers statewide, the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen cared for more than 8,500 animals last year. The MSPCA does not receive state or federal funding and continues its work based solely on the generosity of its supporters. The MSPCA Equine Center at Nevins Farm is located at 400 Broadway, Rte. 28 in Methuen and is open to the public from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays – Fridays; 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. To contact the MSPCA Equine Center at Nevins Farm regarding adoptions and programs please call (978) 687-7453 x. 6113 or on the Web at: www.mspca.org/nevins.
Tourists enjoying the fabled and pastoral views of Israel’s northern Galilee region got more than they bargained for this week when horses galloped onto a highway and had a run-in with an oncoming car.
The video, filmed by the tourists and aired on Israel’s Channel 2, showed three horses galloping down the highway to the astonishment of passing motorists. As the horses neared an oncoming car, one of the animals leapt over the vehicle, crashing into the windscreen.
Channel 2 reported the car had stopped upon seeing the horses, lessening the impact of the crash. The driver was taken to a nearby emergency room with minor cuts. Channel 2 said the horse was also injured lightly.
