Equine Rescue pairs with County services.
For some, one organizations’ results have been life-changing, and the impact they’ve had on both humans and horses has been incredible.
In less than three years, Equine Rescue of Aiken has been able to find nearly 200 horses new homes, giving the animals a second chance at finding a warm and nurturing environment and giving their owners a new family member.
Now, Equine Rescue has started to work closely with Aiken County Animal Control to help improve the lives of more horses.
“We’re moving forward with the County, we’re going to set up contracts so that I will be able to help if we do have a situation where the horse is in danger,” said Larkin Steele, Equine Rescue of Aiken. “If (the County is) going to seize it, it’ll be (the County’s) animal, and Dr. Lisa Handy (Carolina Equine Clinic) and I will take care of the horses. (The County has) to come up with a protocol for how long they’re going to keep a horse at Equine Rescue of Aiken and how they’re going to pay for it. And then, I think we’re going to need to reach out into the community to people who may have pastures available, so that when the horses get up to a good body weight, have had all their shots and are healthy, they’ll be able go there (to the pastures) as a standby until the County sets up their own adoption program for the horses. And if we can help, we will.”
An important part of the program is to see the horses move from Equine Rescue of Aiken to the transitional pasture areas, so the rescue will be able to help and accommodate more horses, Steele said.
“That way I won’t have to absorb every single horse that comes to me,” said Steele. “I still want to help the County, but I still have a lot of horses I’m trying to help. We have to set up a system to ensure that the horses are well taken care of after they leave our facility.” Full Story..
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Center for the Arts helping Equine Rescue of Aiken
Buy a painting; help a horse.
Two local artists have teamed up with Aiken Center for the Arts to help the efforts of Equine Rescue of Aiken by offering original works of art and donating the proceeds to the effort.
Carol Sue Roberts and Sharon Taylor Padgett paint on location throughout Aiken, and recently completed two small paintings at Equine Rescue of Aiken. The framed oil paintings are on display at the Art Center and they have decided to donate the full price back to the facility that helps rehabilitate abandoned and neglected horses.
“The rolling hills and beautiful setting of Equine Rescue of Aiken made a perfect setting for us to paint,” Padgett said. “Carol Sue chose to capture the reflections in a pond on the property, and I painted the rolling hills and a pasture.”
Equine Rescue of Aiken provides a haven for race horses, show horses, event horses, trail and draft horses, polo ponies, saddlebreds, barrel racers, broodmares and foals that were destined for slaughter. Safe now, thanks to owner Larkin Steele, these horses now have food and water and veterinary care on a beautiful 80-acre farm in Aiken.
“While painting on location, Sharon and I were both thinking the same thing; we wanted to donate the paintings back to this cause in some way,” said Roberts.
The two paintings are on display at Aiken Center for the Arts and the entire sale will go back to Equine Rescue of Aiken.
“We are very supportive of this partnership with the artists to support Equine Rescue of Aiken. Everyone will enjoy seeing the artist’s view of the Equine Rescue environment which provides an essential sanctuary for horses,” said Kristin Brown, executive director of the Aiken Center for the Arts.
Clinic to benefit Equine Rescue of Aiken
Equine Rescue of Aiken continues its quest to help horses, having found more than 150 horses new homes, many who were no longer wanted, were abused or were neglected.
The facility has filled a definite void within the equine community, and the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization has made a dramatic difference in the lives in the horses they’ve helped and in people.
The organization is here to stay, said Larkin Steele, Equine Rescue of Aiken.
On Saturday at Ash Stables, Andrea Hunt of Hunt Equestrian Services LLC will be conducting a ride-review clinic to help benefit Equine Rescue of Aiken.
The horsewoman has experience in a number of disciplines and will provide each rider who participates in the clinic with a written critique and discuss the ride and her observations. The rider will then be able to ride the test that they had previously done after the review. The cost per session is $45.
“It’s an opportunity for people to come out and support the rescue,” said Steele. “If people can’t come to participate in the clinic, they can send a check or donate money. We still need volunteers at the rescue, and we’re very appreciative of those people who donate their time. We stepped up to the plate, and we’d like to see more involvement within the community, not only through manpower but through donations, financial or otherwise, so we can make a difference in the lives of these horses.”
The facility has to meet a number of financial obligations, in addition to feeding the horses and providing veterinary care. Equine Rescue of Aiken also has a staff to pay.
“I want to thank Boots, Bridles and Britches for their continued support,” said Steele. “The Prime Steakhouse, a new restaurant in town, has made us their exclusive charity.”
There will be a tack barter-swap sale the day of the clinic, and, for a $10 donation to Equine Rescue of Aiken, people will be able to set up a table. The rain date for the clinic is Sunday.
For more information about Equine Rescue of Aiken, call 643-1850 or 617-8056, or visit www.aikenequinerescue.com.
Ash Stables @ White House Farm is located at 3936 Wagener Road. For more information, call 643-7006 or visit www.ashstables.com.
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Equine Rescue of Aiken has helped 150 horses.
Equine Rescue of Aiken has given hope to horses in need by providing them with a second chance.
In the last 1¬½ years, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, has seen approximately 150 horses find new homes after being rehabilitated; many of the horses had been neglected, abandoned and abused.
A Champagne and Ice Party was held at Bridle Creek Equestrian Community April 23, and Equine Rescue of Aiken’s Larkin Steele wanted to thank the community for its support.
The party is to be an annual event, she said. She appreciated the support and the passion the organizers and volunteers put into the event and their commitment to helping Equine Rescue of Aiken.
“It was really nice because Dineen Daniels is just an amazing woman,” said Steele. “We had a full house; we had a great group of people. Everyone really enjoyed the event and came out to help the rescue, and that really filled up my heart. There are very few people who would do what Dineen Daniels, Tracey Turner and Michael and Luke Tokaruk have done and for two years in a row. They’ve been staunch supporters of the rescue. They have no idea of how much of a difference they make.”
The facility is in need of continued financial support, and the community’s response to the event was heartwarming, said Steele.
“We’re pretty much on our own, and at some point I’d like to see the facility be self-sufficient through donations and government and federal grants,” said Steele. “The fact that so many people showed up meant a lot and that the event was at the last minute, the support from the community was really appreciated.”
The rescue is still in need of volunteers, she said.
For more information about Equine Rescue of Aiken, visit www.aikenequinerescue.com or call 643-1850.
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