I am on the board of an online group, ForeverMorgans, that is devoted to rescuing Morgans who are headed for slaughter, one at a time.  We rescue Morgans from brokers that purchased them to ship to slaughter.  We're working on getting our non-profit status.  We function through a YahooGroups list.  When a Morgan is identified, we'll decide as a group about making the effort to rescue that particular one (we can't save them all), and everyone will chip in - $10, $20, $50, one astounding time, $500 as a gift to the person who has everything.  These funds are raised to pay the "bail" for the horse, its quarantine costs, and transport to its new home.  We locate forever homes for these horses (an application must be filled out and approved by anyone wishing to provide the forever home - rescues can take a lot more in terms of time and money to rehab and gain their trust, and some of them may never be more than pasture pets, and the home has to be able to deal with all of these issues).   Mostly, members volunteer to take these horses and give them the love and care they need. 

So, it's basically a lot of people who love horses, and Morgans in particular, coming together to do something about the problems that the horses are facing through no fault of their own, because of overbreeding, because of the economy, for many reasons. 

The good news is, by talking about this online, I've had people from various breeds contact me to ask how they can get something like this started for their breed, as well.  So seeds have been planted and more horses may be saved. If you love horses, and you'd like to get something started like this for your breed, please contact me and I'll give you an idea of what we've found works and what doesn't.   We can't depend on the government to fix everything, folks - a lot of it is going to be up to us. 

One of our members, Sherrel Stephenson, posted her story to the list, and it spoke to me of what we're about.  I got her permission to post it here. Pictures will be coming later.  So, without further ado:

Sherrel and Honey's Story.

I wanted to let everyone know that Honey is safely home here in northern N.H.!  Finally!!!  I cannot thank all of you enough for saving her from a terrible fate.  A special Thank You to Helga who QT'd Honey and Elyse who fostered her until I found her "again".  Again, you may say.  Yep, again.  Let me tell you "our' story. You have that right. I hope it makes you smile and realize what terrific folks you all are and I'm asking God for a special blessing upon each of you.

It's been a long, but inspiring event which started last December when I "happened" onto the Forever Morgans site.  I love horses, all horses, but having been fortunate to have been raised in Morgan country around some of the best known old Morgan breeders/owners of the day, the Morgan Horse is my all time favorite breed.  I personally owned several Morgan Horses through the years and every one of them was wonderful; even the golden one who never bore Morgan papers.

I am sixty years old and started with my own pony when I was five.  That pony was the first of many personal horses and ponies through the next 52 years.  In 2005 I laid my last two old horses to rest and went horseless until the summer of 2008.  Not having a horse to care for and love got the best of me; no chores; no whinnies; no hot breath nuzzles on a cold winter morning, no bareback rides through the pines on warm summer evenings..no nothing.  I was an unhappy camper to say the least but I didn't really realize it.  I had friend's horses I could ride and I had the show circuit to keep me busy. 

Last summer a friend who had sold her Paint mare to a forever home told me that the forever home wasn't working out.  I had ridden this mare and I liked her, so I bought her.  I felt it was time for a horse and I was also worried that the mare would fall into the wrong home. She was young, well trained for the ring and was great for the trails.  My best friend bought an elderly Morgan mare from another friend and we had a great summer.  As fall and winter rolled around, I realized with deep regret that my Paint mare was going to waste with me.  She needed a job and needed someone who would take her to her potential in the showring; this was where she belonged.  She needed to go where she could be used twelve months of the year and our northern N.H. winters don't allow for that.  I don't show anymore so I made the decision that if the right person came along, I would let her go. 

In the meantime, I planned to replace her with an older, more seasoned horse that rode and drove.  We trail ride in the warmer months and drive year around.  I don't want to train and school a horse anymore; I just wanted a barn pet that was equally happy in the barn, the field and occasionally under tack..a buddy.

This is when I came across Forever Morgans.  This is where I first saw Honey.  During some short correspondence with Helga, I learned that Honey was a driving mare (probably Amish trained) but that it wasn't known whether she was broke to ride.  Knowing that saddle training a horse would put me right where I didn't want to be, I passed on her; but never forgot her.  The holidays came and went, I got busy with work and didn't pay attention to things. I knew in my heart that the right horse would come along and if I were patient, I would find one. I still had to find the Paint mare a new home first and after a bunch of inquiries which I wasn't comfortable with, I finally found that home for her.  It took four/five weeks to get the right weather to transport her out of the mountains and to her new home, but it was done.  This was during all the snow storms and sub-zero temperatures we had.

Now enter Jasper, my QH gelding.  The same friend who used to own the Paint mare, had purchased a sixteen year old, totally broke Quarter Horse gelding for her granddaughter last summer.  As it turned out, the child was not the least bit interested in anything "horse" except to get on and ride (when she wasn't busy with video and TV) and this didn't cut the mustard with Grammie.  So within a short time, Jasper came to live at my barn and become my trail horse.  He's great, by the way, but doesn't drive.

Anyway two weeks ago, I happened to be home for an entire day and sat down to the computer to "visit" Forever Morgans again.  The Good Lord must of put my finger to the "pc mouse" that day because it was one I shall never forget.  I was so stunned at the time that I "can't" (LOL) remember just how I came across the particular post, but I found that Honey was no longer in QT but was in foster with Elyse.  I thought she had been re-homed long before this and nearly dropped. I didn't need her to be broke to ride now; I had Jasper!!  I was so excited that I had a hard time to keep the ole fingers quiet enough to email Helga. 

I had excellent communications with Helga and Elyse and I realized that Elyse was in Massachusetts so I could pick Honey up myself.  I had to make arrangements to borrow a truck and trailer as my trailer is in the shop until spring and my truck isn't set up for a gooseneck (which is what I had available to use).  So I got this all arranged and like usual, there's always a glitch...........the damned weather up here.  I was supposed to travel to MA on Wednesday but we got hit hard by an ice storm and anyone who has been up here north of Mt. Washington knows that the only way out of Gorham is through a mountain pass or "notch".  The tractor trailer trucks were all parked on either side waiting for the ice to be cleared.  So, I let Elyse know it would be Thursday before I could head down.

We left Lancaster (where the truck and trailer were) early on Thursday morning.  It was very foggy all the way down I-91 until we got below the higher terrain.  We arrived at Elyse's around noonish and there was my gorgeous girl, prancing around with an equally gorgeous bay mare with an incredibly thick, wavy black mane and tail...Yep, I guess you know who that was...Angel.

Honey was a bit elusive to catch (she knew exactly what was coming, another trailer ride), but eventually Elyse was able to halter her and wal-lah a different horse.  Totally calm, willing and loaded right onto the trailer without a second look.  Lord, how trusting horses are even after what some of them have been through.  Elyse had an appointment elsewhere and we had a long trip home, so quick good byes and on the road we went.

The trip was uneventful for awhile.  Honey rode like she did it every day.  A couple of stops to offer water and make trailer checks and we were on our way.  We got to the end of I-91 and headed cross country to the opposite side of the state to home.  We ran into rain but the temps were in the forties so it was ok traveling.  Of course, then the mountains popped up.  Temps dropped, rain froze and speed diminished.  By the time we got to the mountain pass, we were just ahead of the rain changing-to-snow storm.  We got over the pass and arrived at the barn around seven PM.  She unloaded quietly off the trailer, gave the old gelding a secondary look, glanced at the Morgan mare and walked right into her stall like she had always been there.  I removed the halter and the first thing she did was lie down and roll; one side then the other.  She checked out her water buckets, took a mouthfull of hay and looked up as if to say "Ok, what's next?"  She got a small token amount of grain (as did the other two) and settled right in.  My best friend April who owns the other Morgan mare and is animal lover extraordinaire, stayed at the barn whilst this writer headed back out to return the truck and trailer.  I think she just wanted her own time to hang on the stall door and sweet talk to Honey. The roads by now were terrible but we made it, got the trailer unhooked and truck parked and I got back over the "hill" and home.  April called and said all was quiet and well at the barn, so I hit the hay, thankful for an almost #10 day.

This morning dawned bright and clear and the temps weren't bad.  I got to the barn and the first horse to whinny and say good morning was Honey.  She has made friends with the other Morgan mare, is eating well
and doesn't appear to give a damned about anything.  She is still aloof towards "Mr. QH" but then again, he is a "man" and therefore, not of much importance to her.  Both mares were turned out (she let me walk right up and put her new halter on) and walked side by side to the hay.  After a time, I took Mr. QH out on a lead and let him eat near them until it was obvious that Honey thought he wasn't worth the time of day and vice versa.  I hung around for quite awhile doing stalls and keeping an eye, but it wasn't necessary.  The three of them are like they've always been there together.  For once the pecking order hasn't changed and Mr. Q is still on the bottom of the list. LOL

More great happenings: Today I got word that the woodshop at the local State Prison has taken my Meadowbrook cart in for total refurbishing.  These men completely remodeled our Town Hall and also do furniture refinishing.  They do excellent work.  I have asked the foreman to replace some of the body parts with a lighter weight wood because Honey is not a big horse.  So in a month or so, her new cart will be ready. 

I have both a breastplate and collar type harnesses to use until I decide which Honey will like the most.  Then she'll get one all of her own.  In the meantime, we'll spend time on "bonding" and let her come into it at her own speed.  She does not know that she will never, ever leave, but I promise you all, I will do everything I need to do to give her the best remaining years I can give. 

I am going to get pictures of her and I may drive you bonkers with them, but hey; she's your's as much as she is mine.  I truly believe that. I hope that some of you will "vacation" in this neck of the woods and will please come and visit.  The coffee pot will always be on.

With love to all of you.
Sherrel