Phoenix Equine Rescue

                                    Is still ON!!!                                        Project: New Holland with P.E.R

My first trip to New Holland was an eye opening one. We first went down because my parents were trailering horses for AC4H and we were meeting them at New Holland Auction House. It was a Monday , rainy and cold. We left Maine around 11 pm on Sunday and arrived at the auction house around 7am. Just as the tack venders show up to set up their booths, and the food venders start serving coffee. There are already livestock in the auction house, as well as some horses. 

We walked through.. it’s a sudden sadness. it’s the look in the eyes of the horses who are not feeling well, the ones who are cold, and the ones who are lost souls… The sound of bellowing cows to the young calf’s, and the return screams for their mothers…

There is a section of the auction house for sheep, goats and a bigger section for pigs. Their screams and the sound of electric prods’ will haunt anyone.

Once the horses start to arrive it’s a sight to be seen. They arrive in big rigs, with 10-20 of them, or private owners with just 1 or 2, and the Amish come with their buggies and a horse running beside them. I have even seen a "rescue" trailer pull up and unload a few horses..

Then you see the private trailers show up, people looking to buy a horse or two… some looking to buy a few horses and make a few bucks at another auction.. Some looking for personal use.

The rescue groups show up shortly after, you can almost always pick them out. I’ve met a lot of them, some looking for just a certain breed, a certain quality, some just looking to save a few lives. I even met a lady who just goes to buy the sickest, and give them a peaceful end.

The auction moves fast, sometimes to fast. You can pick the kill buyers out, some even have their own shirts! ( trust me it was a sight..) Its hard.. To see them run horses through that shouldn’t be run through… some with broken legs and some so pregnant they cant MOVE. It only takes one auction before you wish you were a millionaire and have 1000’s of acres of land. I’ve been brought to tears because I just didn’t have enough money or enough space to pull them all…

So I’m starting a mission called Project : New Holland . Myself, and a few members of New England Equine Rescue are planning a “Pull” from New Holland in April. We hope to travel down with a few trailers and cars in efforts to purchase and “ Pull ” a few horses.

                                                       The Break Down

We are planning the trip for April 27^th-28^th . We would head down ( and meet up with people along the way) on the 28^th. We will be staying the night at the Holiday Inn that’s a BLOCK from the auction house… scary huh? Its 60$ for a room with two queen size beds. Maybe people can double up? $30 each?

Food in that area is very cheap, so don’t plan on much. There’s an Amish breakfast place where you can get a big breakfast, for about $3.00.

We’ll head to the auction around 7am to give the people who have never been, time to look around, take pictures, and become vegetarians… I’m serious, after this trip, you will be…..

We will then walk through the barn, looking at everything! Looking over everyone… I will most likely be caring hay around with me, giving it to those who can reach theirs or don’t have any. I also usually go with POCKETS full of sugar cubes… one little second of happiness for those who didn’t have such a good life.. Or may not get a good end.

The ONE good thing about New Holland, is that there are venders who park outside the auction and sell, tack, and misc barn goods for VERY , VERY cheap prices ( $1.50 swat), so if you need anything, bring a little extra for that.

Food all day ( if you have a stomach to eat) will be very cheap… $10 might get you through the whole day.

We’ll go get our bidding numbers in the office, which might I say, is a WHOLE NEW world. The auction is dirty, noisy, smelly, awful, dark.. The office is BRAND new CLEAN, bright, cheery, colorful, flowers, elevator music and all….its un-real….

The sale starts at 10am - Pleasure horses( the one they can ride though) first, then drafts, ponies, minis, donkeys, and then the ones who they can ride… ether cause they are not trained or because … well sick, old, unwanted…

The auction takes cash, check if your FROM PA, and credit card…. I don’t suggest bringing one if you don’t want to max it.

If you get a horse ( or something  ) The vet is right there to do a coggins, health certificate and any shots you may want for them. The coggins is $20 and the health certificate is $50 , any shots you may want ( rabies- 5in1- Equine. - Rhino) are like $10-15 each, so plan for that too. The coggins test take 2 hours… which is FAST so, as soon as you get a purchase, and there’s a biding break, go and get them going on the horse. So your not sitting there till midnight waiting.. ( they’ve got 300 horses to process, it can be long.)

We’ll leave after that the vetting is all settled and the auction is over, we’ll head out. We’ll have a pre-mapped out route of which way were getting back to New England.

If you are interested in getting a horse of your own, you need to get in touch with me a head of time , I need to plan out the route back according to which state we hit first.

It will be a great experience for anyone involved in rescue, and something I think everyone should see for them selves, at least once.

If you want to go down WITH us and pull a horse of your own, we can quote you on what the shipping will be ( we MAY have enough funds left to help) or you can bring your own trailer ( and possibly off set gas prices by bringing someone else’s horse back for them) Yet the auction prices is up to you, since your going to pull a horse of your own.

If you would like a pull of your own, but cant make the trip, contact me and we can work something out. They normally have about 300 horses come through each Monday, so you may be able to set a Small standard. Example , if you want a mini only, or a draft mare only, a TB only etc etc. What you need to understand though, is my information is limited, I only know about the horse is what they , at the auction tells me, and what I can see for my own eyes. Email me privately for details.

If you just want to come with us, you may do so, you are in charge of your own expenses food and hotel. If you should drive yourself, I will provide you with a map and a list of cell phone numbers for everyone going. You can meet up with us on our way down , or you can catch a ride. If you should carpool please be considerate and donate some gas money J Thank you.

If you should JUST want to FOSTER, Please contact me also, there is an application process with Phoenix!

 PLEASE see fund raising page for current fund raising projects!! Thank you!!!

The list of people going on the trip is as follows:

* Myself - maybe pulling- depending on the barn situation

* Jill’s Barn Manager Deb( Just willing to foster / not going) -

* Bonnie- Pulling one and for her own enlightenment J

* Cassie has a 6 horse shes willing to be used, but doesnt have a truck that can pull it... Gooseneck :)

* Lisa Morril - Nasuha , NH (Going and willing to pull a horse for a rescue!!) THANK YOU!!!!!

* Shady oak Stables - Cape Elizabeth Maine - Doing a pull of there own!

** All money will go towards vetting, doing pulls for rescues, and shipping :)

Donations

* I have a few items for sale on the fundraising page for this trip*

  - $150 from Brenda Lee's purchase of donated items! Thank you!!

- $52.00 from the Stained Glass auction!!! Thanks Renee!!

Total:

$150 - donated items purchase

$ 53.00 Stained Glass Auction