Rock County Horse Rescue Center Aiming To Help Horses, Owners
Center Opened In March
Updated: 8:37 pm CDT July 30, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- Horse lovers in Rock County have come together to form a new type of rescue, focusing on more than just the physical rehabilitation of the animals.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe Spirit Horse Equine Rescue and Education Center is putting an emphasis on education, as well as healing neglected animals.However, they're also finding that their services are needed during difficult economic times.In the early 1990s, a horse named Star lived up to his name on the race track.He's had a good life, but almost finished this race too early."He's a loved, loved horse. Its just, with my circumstances and my income, I couldn't afford to keep him anymore, " said an emotional Marcia Mielke as she prepared to hand her horse over to the rescue.Mielke lost her job, and her home is facing foreclosure.Star was scheduled to be euthanized, but instead, he's getting a second chance.Spirit Horse Equine Rescue and Education Center is stepping in to help.The organization said the cost to care for horses is too much for many to handle, making rescue situations more common.But not all rescues are victims of finance."He comes close enough so I can scratch him, right where he wants to be scratched," said Dee Dee Golberg, the rescue centers founder as she stood watching a mule on Wednesday.Tommy the mule is one of the first rescues taken in by rescue center. Golberg has worked hard to physically rehabilitate the animal, as well as heal his mind, WISC-TV reported."He has very little trust in humans. He hasn't had real good experiences but this is a natural horsemanship thing, they follow, they turn, they face," said Golberg while training Tommy.Spirit Horse Rescue aims to educate owners on care techniques to improve the health and behavior of the animals."Most people bought a horse because they loved them. If it's turned into a bit of a nightmare, they want to be able to get help to solve the problem," said Golberg. "And if we can help them solve that problem, maybe we can avoid a situation where a horse needs to be surrendered."In Mielke's case, giving Star up to the rescue center is bittersweet, but she knows it's what's best."He is my best friend, and I know he's a just animal, but I don't have any kids and I'm divorced, and he's my family," said Mielke.The Spirit Horse Equine Rescue Center is currently working on fundraising efforts, to help with costs associated with caring for animals that need a bit of extra care.Since starting in March, the rescue center has had more than 50 requests to take horses, tough they've been working with most of those owners to help them keep the animals.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe Spirit Horse Equine Rescue and Education Center is putting an emphasis on education, as well as healing neglected animals.However, they're also finding that their services are needed during difficult economic times.In the early 1990s, a horse named Star lived up to his name on the race track.He's had a good life, but almost finished this race too early."He's a loved, loved horse. Its just, with my circumstances and my income, I couldn't afford to keep him anymore, " said an emotional Marcia Mielke as she prepared to hand her horse over to the rescue.Mielke lost her job, and her home is facing foreclosure.Star was scheduled to be euthanized, but instead, he's getting a second chance.Spirit Horse Equine Rescue and Education Center is stepping in to help.The organization said the cost to care for horses is too much for many to handle, making rescue situations more common.But not all rescues are victims of finance."He comes close enough so I can scratch him, right where he wants to be scratched," said Dee Dee Golberg, the rescue centers founder as she stood watching a mule on Wednesday.Tommy the mule is one of the first rescues taken in by rescue center. Golberg has worked hard to physically rehabilitate the animal, as well as heal his mind, WISC-TV reported."He has very little trust in humans. He hasn't had real good experiences but this is a natural horsemanship thing, they follow, they turn, they face," said Golberg while training Tommy.Spirit Horse Rescue aims to educate owners on care techniques to improve the health and behavior of the animals."Most people bought a horse because they loved them. If it's turned into a bit of a nightmare, they want to be able to get help to solve the problem," said Golberg. "And if we can help them solve that problem, maybe we can avoid a situation where a horse needs to be surrendered."In Mielke's case, giving Star up to the rescue center is bittersweet, but she knows it's what's best."He is my best friend, and I know he's a just animal, but I don't have any kids and I'm divorced, and he's my family," said Mielke.The Spirit Horse Equine Rescue Center is currently working on fundraising efforts, to help with costs associated with caring for animals that need a bit of extra care.Since starting in March, the rescue center has had more than 50 requests to take horses, tough they've been working with most of those owners to help them keep the animals.Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
