What's Happening - IHR

• Our Director, Tony Caldwell and his wife Kelsey are involved in the Equine Industry Group.  This group consists of members from Indiana Horse Council, IN Board of Animal Health, Purdue University, several Veterinarians, horse organizations, equine rescues, and other equine interests members.  They are working on developing a bill for establishing standards of care for equine.  This will enable the entire state to have set guidelines and hopefully a better understanding of what neglect is.  We hope for great things from this group and wish them much success!

• IHR is now open in Pike County!  Thanks to a group of horse people who have already done their share of rescuing horses, they have now joined with IHR and will continue their work on a regular basis.  We are very happy to have them aboard and hope you will welcome them too. Check them out at http://www.ihrpike.com

• We have had a record number of neglect complaints coming in to the rescue.  We are asking for your help!  Often times a case comes up with no advance notice and we need people and horse trailers quickly, sign up to be an emergency horse transporter by clicking here.
  We are involved in many investigations.  These investigations are all across the State of Indiana - when Law Enforcement or Animal Control calls us needing help - we go.

• We need your help now!  As many of you are having hard times, so is the rescue, besides the number of neglect complaints, we are receiving record numbers of calls from people who have lost their job, their homes, etc and need to find homes for their horses.  We are having to look at facts, the fact is we can not save them all.  Where do they go next?  We are receiving calls from not just Indiana but other states that their rescues are full.  It takes a lot more room and feed to care for a horse vs. dogs and cats.  We are struggling to make ends meet to continue feeding the horses in our care - WE NEED YOUR HELP!  As we continue looking in the mail box, there is nothing coming in, we are hoping you can help us continue caring for the many horses in need.  We are working hard to apply for grants and funding, but it takes time.  Our farrier work and much of our veterinary work is done at no cost, but we pay for all the hay and grain needed to feed these horses.  Please consider making a tax deductible donation monthly.

• The animals in our care must come first, as always their health and well being is primary.  We will assist in advising anyone how to proceed when an animal is being neglected and in educating law enforcement or animal control on how the laws read and are able to be used.  We do train investigators, if you are interested, feel free to contact Tony Caldwell.

• Many law enforcement officers have been told that livestock is not entitled to medical care - this has been passed down for many years and many people just assume it is true.  THIS IS NOT TRUE!  IHR has been involved in many cases that have been prosecuted successfully and medical care, farrier care & housing along with food and water are all required!

•  IHR Central, IHR Pike, IHR Southwest and IHR South are currently housing and caring for 129 horses today (11/9/09) that number just keeps going up.

• Wild Horse Refuge - we are thrilled to announce the Wild Horse Refuge is up and ready - we have not had the funds to transport the mustangs that are located at IHR Central to IHR Southwest.  Are you willing and able to transport a few horses from Frankfort, IN to Owensville, IN?  We have 8 mustangs that have been waiting to come to IHR Southwest to live out their lives in a sanctuary setting.  The area will be enlarged next year to include the creek and island at the farm, but it is ready with an area as close to their wild west home as we could make it.  Lets bring them home! 

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