We get asked many times, “How did you end up running a horse rescue?”…..
Approximately ten years ago I found myself in need of a second used saddle. I heard of a tack/horse auction happening in Quesnel so I decided to go. I bought a great saddle and having never been to a horse auction, I decided to stick around and watch the horses come through. I was shocked at the condition some of the horses were in. Many were very thin to emaciated, their feet were painfully long, bellies bloated with worms. There were some very nice, healthy looking horses going through as well. I noticed several horses going to some of the same bidders.
Being naïve to the whole auction experience, I commented to one of the people in the bleachers “Those guys must have a big ranch or something to need all those horses!” They quickly advised me that those bidders were the “meat buyers” and that most of those horses would be shipped to a feed lot and later sold for meat. I was absolutely appalled! As the auction continued, more and more of these wonderful horses filled the meat buyers holding pens. I grew more and more upset. Then one pretty little grey filly pranced through, tail and head almost defiantly high. There were no bidders but one. By this time I was more than upset, I was damn angry! I was determined they would not get her! Looking back I’m sure I would have mortgaged my home to prevent such an untimely demise for this beautiful filly. Luckily for me by the time the bidding was over I was only a few hundred dollars poorer than when I came. Little did I know that it was only the beginning. After only a few months I had “Shyanne” healthy and ready to start under saddle.
Meanwhile I couldn’t get the images of those terrified auction horses out of my mind. I found myself at another “meat sale” and came home with two, then three at the next auction, then as many as my trailer could fit. Soon word got out that there was this lady in Prince George that would take in unwanted horses. The horses started trickling in.
I quickly began to realize the lack of alternatives for unwanted horses in the North. I decided to start advertising and become an official rescue. It was as if I had opened the flood gates! PGER took on a life of its own. The response was incredible, the support from the community was wonderful. Close to 200 rescues later, we find ourselves expanded to a fabulous 160 acre property in Pineview and busier than ever.
Over the years we have accumulated our own menagerie of critters. Let us introduce them to you……
Pepsi Bar Cash
Registered Quarterhorse mare. 15.1hh. 33 years.
We have had Pepsi since she was 5 years old and she was a fierce gymkhana competitor till we put her into semi-retirement at age 32. She continues to be a valuable asset to our beginner programs at PGER. Despite her recent diagnosis of Cushings Disease, we credit Pepsi’s excellent health and longevity to nothing more than regular dental work (from a young age), worming, foot care and of course good quality feed!
(photo by Tasha Scott)
Patches
Shetland pony gelding. 12hh. 29 years
Patches has been in the family since he was 4 years old. I will never forget the day he was delivered to my parent’s place in the back of a pick up truck, head poking up over the cab! He has taught many children to ride over the years and is still being used by our own children and for the programs we run at PGER. He requires lots of year round TLC now but has been worth every extra penny and every sleepless night.
R.I.P. Patches. We miss you!
Rumour Has It
Registered Saddlebred/Quarterhorse mare. 16hh, 8 years.
We have had Rumour since the day she was born. She was brought into this world with the intention of competing in the jumping arena again. Unfortunately rescue work can take over your life and dreams of competing again have been put on the back burner. Rumour’s wonderful, affectionate temperament makes her a favorite of the volunteers at PGER.
Apple Sauce
Unknown mixed breed pony gelding, 13hh, 6 years.
Saucey was rescued from a “meat auction’ as a three year old. His exceptionally friendly, gentle personality shone through very early on and we knew he would be a great addition to our family. He is now our daughter’s main riding horse and used frequently for a little bit of everything out here.
Photo by Tasha Scott of Snap Show Photography
A Bit Too Badgered
Registered Quarterhorse gelding. 17+ h, 4 years
Duncan is the most recent addition to our permanent herd. He came to us in the summer of 2010 with various health issues. We were starting to look for another riding horse to replace Pepsi once she goes into semi-retirement. Duncan’s wonderful, easy going temperament won us over right away. Everything Duncan does seems to be in slow motion which makes him a great horse to learn on.
Romeo
Our very loving, very nosey llama. Approximately 7 years old, rescued from one of the local “meat auctions”.
Sabastian
2 year old male alpaca. Rescued from one of the local “meat auctions”. He was wild and fearful at first but is now friendly, curious and one of the first up to the fence for a treat. Loves bananas.
Sarah
8 yr.old llama. (Romeo’s girl!) Came into the rescue as her horse companion had passed away and she had been living alone for a few years. They did not want to aquire any more animals and thought she needed a less solitary life. Sarah will be expecting her first baby in late Spring!
Bailey
? yr. old llama. Part of an SPCA seizure. Came into the rescue underweight, feet painfully long and twisted. Her ears had recieved frost bite at some point in her life and are much shorter now than they should be. Bailey is quite friendly, nosey like Romeo and enjoys any type of horse treat you may have to offer!
Eeore
13 year old mixed breed wether. Brought to us by a friend who couldn’t stand the thought of him being eaten. When we tether him out he does a great job of mowing the weeds! Eeore has been with us for over ten years now, we wish we could have him for ten more.
*We had to say goodbye to Eeore this fall. We will miss him very much. He was one of our first rescues over ten years ago.
Willy
2 year old Nigerian Dwarf. We bought Willy when he was just a kid as a companion for Eeore when Eeore’s companion Gracey passed away. Willy has a ton of personality and always keeps us laughing with his antics.
Joe-Joe
? year old miniature goat. Joe-Joe needed a new home in a hurry so…….. He is very friendly, loves to be petted. Trys to pick a fight with Angus when ever there is a fence between them!
Jasper
8 year old Shitzu. Snores like crazy and loves the horse pooh!
Duke
5 year old Corgi cross ????, an SPCA rescue. Has a big bark but is one of the sweetest dogs you will ever meet. Loves to run beside the quad, catch grouse and carry things (especially shoes) in his mouth when he’s happy.
Angus
6 year old Labrador/Husky. After we had to put down the last of our three Dalmatians (Marty) this past winter we found ourselves looking for a another large dog. A friend of ours thought that their dog might be a good match. Living in a small back yard with minimal exercise, he had become quite obese and had taken to digging large holes to relieve his boredom. They knew he would be happier in a home where he could burn off that energy running, swimming and playing. Angus took to country life immediately! He found doggy paradise! We enrolled him in the “Biggest Loser” weight reduction contest at Murdoch’s Vet Clinic. He went from just over 100 lbs to a lean, athletic weight of 76 lbs!
Pickle
6 year old mixed breed barn cat. When our wonderful old barn cat of almost ten years had to be put down due to Diabetes, we acquired Pickle from a friend who had a litter of kittens to give away. A few people have thought Pickle is pregnant but no, HE is just a great hunter and a well fed, slightly spoiled neutered male.
Bill
3 year old mixed breed barn cat. Bill came to us through Robyn from “Crooked Leg Ranch”. Great with the kids (when they can catch him!) as he has been packed around upside down since he was a kitten. Amazing mouser, slightly crazy.
Alvin
1 yr old mixd breed barn cat. Another rescue of course. He loves being packed around in our jackets. Has been known to make himself at home in everyone’s vehicles and has made the occasional trip to town as a result!
Blitz (aka Stripey-cat)
1 yr old mixed breed barn cat. Since he has seven toes on each paw we figured he would fit in perfectly with the rest of the misfits out here!
Rosie
1 yr old Pot Belly. Rosie is becoming well socialized and already knows some tricks! She LOVES scratches, tummy rubs and comes running when she’s called. She has her own pen and heated “pig house” but prefers to hang out with the goats, llamas and alpacas or follow us around the property.
Twixie
Twixie came into the rescue in the summer of 2011. Although she is from the same litter as Rosie, she is much larger. Her family was instructed by the breeder to feed her dog food (a big no no for pot bellies!). Twixie has lost all of her excess weight now and is happy and healthy out here at the farm with Rosie. Her old family visits her regularily.
Moo Cow
1.5 year old Black Angus hefer. Moo Cow was an SPCA seizure this Spring. She came into the rescue a pathetic little mess. She was very thin, riddled with ring worm amongst other ailments. In just a few months we had her healthy, happy, halter broke and very social! And no, she will never end up on a dinner plate!
When she first arrived at PGER.
This is Moo Cow several months later.
Just a couple cool pics of some of the bridges on our property……
