We have witnessed really sad stories... please adopt so we can save more slaughter-bound horses; before they face an extremely horrific and inhumane death.
Journal
We Will Continue To Do Our Part...
July 23, 2010 9:40 PM
We have adopted out 9 equines already this month; all the way from Colorado to Kansas. Blue Ridge had 7000 views at our rescue photos! PLEASE keep forwarding their faces. Thank you everyone helping find these rescues lifelong homes!
July 05, 2010 6:30 PM
We went to a slaughter sale yesterday thinking of only rescuing 4 - well we ended up with 24!!! If you can help us please we are appreciative of anything you send and we can use round bales delivered. We had to make 2 trips to get them home. We need any help we can get. If you can donate we can use any amount. We rescued minis from slaughter - very small baby minis, ponies, 2 mules, a draft baby, tall ponies, four hackney ponies, a nice big palomino gelding, a mare in foal (due anytime), a mare and her new born baby - and at the end we rescued OFF the kill truck 4 weanlings that were going to be trampled and the kill buyer let us purchase them as they ripped them away from their mommies... in that group of weanlings is a Mustang John Mule (he is gorgeous and sweet).We rescued a very small mini mom and her new born baby off of the same kill truck BOUND FOR MEXICO!Yes the MEXICO KILL BUYERS were there. We talked to one of them who gave us a very distinct realization of what he does and what goes on. I won't go into detail but it is sickening! He even mentioned he doesn't think he can do it much longer. There were approximately 700 plus kill horses (that is a low estimate). I will be sending out photos all this week so please be patient with me and hopefully I do not bog down anyones computer. Thank you again for everyone's support!!!!!Everything we rescued is SWEET AND GENTLE - not deserving of being there. If you can donate please go to our donate page: http://www.blueridgerescue.org/DonateFinal.html
or send check to PO BOX 203 Blue Grass Iowa 52726
February 29, 2010 1:38 PM
Blue Ridge has already placed 12 equines this year! Thunder and Queenie have gained a few hundered pounds back. We have 19 still up for adoption. Previously abused pony Molly has found a home. Molly & CC - clydesdales will be residing in Pennsylvania at their new home after their family returns from Germany. Troy & Tony found homes right away! We are anxious for spring; it has been a long and cold winter. We look forward to riding this year. The 2nd Annual Benefit for Blue Ridge was a successful night with lots of fun. We are excited to start our shelter project this spring; adding several shelters and numerous stalls. Thank you to everyone that has donated to our shelter project!
January 15, 2010 2:05 PM
Blue Ridge has 2 new arrivals. Thunder and Queenie....
Thunder is an approximately 3 year old Black and White Paint soon to be gelding and Queenie is a 6 month old Palomino Paint filly. They were finally surrendered over to a Sheriff's department in Iowa after very long efforts by Blue Ridge pushing to save them... we got these two rescued however 3 others died; a full term expecting mare with a 3 month old nursing foal and a yearling colt. These two are alive, fed, and warm now at Blue Ridge. We drove 2 hours to save these horses from dying of starvation and dehydration. They had no food and no water anywhere on the property. They were in a small lot standing in 5 foot snow drifts on top of a fallen down barn!
January 08, 2010 11:14 PM
Its a New Year! Blue Ridge placed approximately 75 equines last year in 09'. At the start of 2010 Jake was Adopted! We rescued 2 starving horses named Queenie and Thunder today. They are now fed and warm in the barn. We have 15 rescues waiting for their lifelong owners. A big thank you to the donators and supporters over the year we appreciate you!
November 18, 2009 11:52 PM
Where has the year gone? Blue Ridge has rescued 124 equines. We have placed 109 equines... almost 75 just in 2009! Almost all of our rescues have been adopted with only 15 left to place. Help us find these few homes before Christmas. Lets start 2010 out fresh with all new rescues! Thank you to all those that adopted this year! On a more sad note our boy Guernsey had to be put to rest after an unknown accident that shattered his front leg. It was truly a tragedy to see such a sweet colt that was here for so long waiting that went through so much to have his life ended by a fatal accident. He was truly one of the smartest weanlings we have ever met. It was a privilege to have him here at our rescue but a shame that he was unwanted mostly due to superficial reasons and even though it was a very sad moment for him to be put down he was able to go through it humanely in peace rather than on his way to the slaughter plant... he would had never deserved to die at slaughter... he was only 3 months old when he arrived here in July.
We miss you Guernsey!!!
July 11, 2009 12:49 PM
The slaughter sale was awful. They were loading small tiny minis on the slaughter trucks with belgians. The mini's were being trampled. We were able to save 13 wonderful yearlings, ponies, minis, small horses, a miniature donkey, and more.... They need lifelong homes. If you are looking to adopt please consider one of these rescues ALL OF THEM are EXTREMELY GENTLE and have WONDERFUL DISPOSITIONS. REMARKABLE HORSES HERE THAT NEED A CHANCE! Blue Ridge Rescue has 17 horses up for adoption. Over 500 equines went to slaughter last night - if was a sad site. This time many of them went to MEXICO. Also we have a pony that was dropped off because of an eye injury. If you can help with vet bills - please consider donating... every bit helps... and you get a tax deductible receipt. If you are looking for a pony - she may have lost her eye but she is SO sweet and broke. . There are 5 horses that stand out in my mind that went slaughter... so sad.
June 21, 2009 12:40 AM
Imola, Dakota, Alec, & Phoebe have all been adopted yesterday! We are brining in slaughter-bound horses in July!
May 27, 2009 3:56 PM
Violet and baby are both adopted now! Violet will be able to leave in several weeks. Missy will now reside with Violet. Their new owner is a Veterinarian. We still have Alec, Phoebe, Imola, & Dakota up for adoption... waiting for a forever home.
April 14, 2009 8:56 AM
THE STORY OF CRUISE
Cruise is a 15 year old Standard Bred that was saved from slaughter - This is a story of FATE - He was marked to our number in error and as a rule of Blue Ridge Rescue - We never leave any Equine behind. We take responsibility for all equines that are marked to us whether they are sound or not. Cruise was lame and stiff in his back knees and right rear pastern and he would only be a pasture companion doing only light work. Cruise was here at Blue Ridge for several months waiting and waiting for someone to take him in. We get a call one afternoon from a very kind lady who cried because she saw Cruise on our site and noticed how sad he was. She decided to adopt Cruise; she was clear across Iowa into Missouri. Cruise now resides at her home. Cruise was freeze branded - after doing lots of research we were unable to find the history of his freeze brand however Cruise's new owner did! Cruise originated in Wisconsin - the same town as her; his new owner!
Here is what she found out: The stiffness is coming out of his leg, but only slightly. I looked up his freeze brand on the net and spoke with his original owner who owned him until 2008. I actually know this gentleman and I found out part of Cruise's problem. He and his brother are Mennonite, in fact they own a sale barn in WI. He owned Cruise and raced him on a track that is just behind the sale barn, he stumbled and sprained his leg. They kept using him until he came up lame. He then sold him without telling the new owner of the condition and Cruise not being of any use was more or less left to go down hill. It is unknown how many times he was sold but the Amish usually do not feed or care for anything that can not be used. Cruise and I work around the lot every day and he is slowly putting on weight. He is the king of the pasture, the first for food and the first for attention. People always feel that the Amish and Mennonite are good people but they are not all good. Cruise's original owner is one of those who would rather poke a horse then pet him. He thought it was ironic that Cruise would end up with me. He thought he had seen the last of me when I left Wisconsin. I have taken several of his horses, rehabbed them and let them out to good homes. Thank you for all the work you do.
March 02, 2009 8:36 PM
This sale was sickening. They sold 5 pregnant mares that were due in just a few weeks to the meat buyers. You could see the babies moving in their stomachs. We were out of room... WE NEED A BIGGER TRAILER!!!! If you can help please email or call. We were able to fit only 1 of these mama's on the trailer. She is due anytime. If you can adopt her and/or her baby please contact us. They are also using a hydraulic shoot door that was smashing horses; breaking ribs and smashing their heads. Over 300 horses went kill at this sale. The market was up and the meat buyers were setting the kill prices higher to get private buyers out of there. The horses were going to Canada and the Canadian buyers were laughing and making jokes about these poor horses. 99.9% of these horse were nice horses, many having papers, and many riders. People are getting lazy and greedy and the horses are paying for it. It make us sick!!!! Three and four month old babies being sold to the meat buyers. Tell everyone you know DO NOT TAKE YOUR HORSES TO AUCTION - If you care you will not. It is horrible, brutal, and disgusting what these horses are going through. THESE ARE GOOD HORSES AND BEING SOLD FOR THEIR MEAT - because someone took them to auction and many picked up by traders at these smaller auctions... now they will be slaughtered after a very very very inhumane trip there. Those mama's will have their babies ripped from their stomachs - What do you suppose will happen to those unborn babies - they will be dead before ever born.
February 21, 2009 12:15 PM
The QC Hearts For Horses benefit was a success. Please see our Photo Gallery for pictures. Also we have had 8 horses adopted out this month already. Cagney had to be put to rest due to an injury to a vertebrae - she had little or no control over the back part of her body. She was in pain and very frustrated. She also seemed very sad inside. Ethically we could not let her suffer another day. Cagney was able to go peacefully rather than being loaded up on a slaughter bound truck. She most likely would not had survived the trip to the slaughter house, she would had been trampled before getting there.
February 04, 2009 2:00 PM
Blue Ridge has 19 horses up for adoption; 17 were rescued this month from the meat buyers. Please if you can adopt they are all sweet, healthy, and sound. Please consider one from Blue Ridge. Also the at the meat sale the horses that were being ran into the ring were falling and tripping on the steps and slick pavement; horses falling on their backs and sliding across the floor while the barn owner and meat buyers were laughing. The horses were gasping for air as they had the wind knocked out of them; all while being whipped. They were also running them into doors and slamming doors on their legs, heads, and tails because the workers were in a hurry to go home. Horses very inhumanely treated. -Blue Ridge Rescue-
January 25, 2009 10:14 PM
Blue Ridge has just been told that there will be a benefit on behalf of the horses here at Blue Ridge and one other animal rescue. If you are not doing anything on Valentines please join us for a fundraiser event to benefit horses. Go to www.QCHeartsForHorses.com and find out more details. Help Blue Ridge and other horse rescues save more horses. -Blue Ridge Rescue-
December 30, 2008 6:14 PM
Jackie and Red were both adopted today! Red has been here for 3 YEARS and today he was adopted by a very wonderful family who will provide a loving and LIFELONG home for him. For those of you that do not know Red - he was a working horse for 10 years in Oklahoma; then fell into the trading/auction system making his way to Iowa... He was rescued by us from slaughter in 2006. He was over 400 lbs. underweight and his hooves needed immediate care.
Red will reside in Iowa. Jackie found a home with a wonderful new owner who we think will fall even more in love with her when she arrives to her new home. -Blue Ridge Rescue-
December 24, 2008 8:19 PM
Flash and Forest have found new owners. They are Christmas presents for two little girls; seven and eight years old. Flash was only 2 months old when rescued from slaughter. Forest has had a rough last few months since he was rescued from slaughter; but he will be a happy boy being smothered in love from his new owners. -Blue Ridge Rescue-
November 05, 2008 4:15 PM
The slaughter sale was this month and we saved six horses. One belgian baby - she's are first and was adopted right away! One baby was ran by Amish workers into a gate latch that ripped open the young colt's shoulder and caused severe swelling in his from right leg. He is now on the road to recovery thanks to us who saved him. Three of the babies we rescued were sold to the meat buyer and we bought them and saved their lives. We have three wonderful mares that will make great riders or companions. Please if you are reading this and can adopt - help us place these horses. Winter is the worse time of year and if we can open their spot here at BRR we can place new arrivals that may be going hungry due to not being fed. -Blue Ridge Rescue-
Tuesday, October 07, 2008 3:38 PM
The slaughter sale yesterday was another sad one. Many babies being sold to the meat buyers. Babies only 5 months old severely underweight. We desperately need a stock trailer so we can safely transport babies and draft horses. If anyone is willing to adopt a draft please contact us.... there are SO many sweet drafts going kill due to their size; the same with babies due to their age. A Vet from the Sale Barn that was mistreating horses by lifting them with fork trucks and shooting them has been forced to quit. Also one of the biggest sale barns in Iowa is now chaining the kill horses in pens making it harder for the rescues to save them and causing not only a HUGE fire hazard for the horses but also for the people there. -Blue Ridge Rescue-
Sunday, October 05, 2008 3:15 PM
Shelby (the blind horse) was adopted today by a wonderful family in Kansas City, MO who will be able to provide a wonderful and loving environment for her. They have also planned to get Shelby's eye fixed. -Blue Ridge Rescue-
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 2:25 AM
Hello there BRR Supporters! We have a TON of updates and things to tell you about. First, I just want you all to know that we just found homes for 4 of our ADOPTEES, Tank, Doc, Dakota and Ava. Best of wishes at your new homes with your new families! Now, on to the serious stuff. We recently went to a horse sale in Iowa where we witnessed some of the most horrific things ever. I have seen them in videos and on web sites, but never thought I'd see them with my own two eyes. While at the horse sale we witnessed LIVE horses being struck by fork lifts, forced to run on slick pavement, shot because they broke there legs from running on the pavement and seen some 1,000+ horses go to slaughter. Horses dying of dehydration and heat stroke. It was a sad scene and it makes us sick! So I ask you all, LETS TAKE ACTION! 90% of all the horses there were sound and in really good condition. Mostly brood mares and babies, several hundred mules. Lots of the babies, ponies and minis are going kill too. Many babies being loaded up with their mothers being sold kill as a package deal. Almost all horses were under the age of about 8 years. Sad! Lets take a stand! -Blue Ridge Rescue-
Friday, June 27, 2008 12:00 AM
Hello, we just wanted to let you all know that we have added a couple of pictures to the "Alumni" page. We wanted to thank all of you in support of what we do here at Blue Ridge Rescue and what we stand for. -Blue Ridge Rescue-
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:17 PM
Hello BRR SUPPORTERS! We have several new updates! Scarlet found a new home with her buddies Sady and Jack. Lucky found a new home in Iowa - all great homes for a lifetime!!!
-Blue Ridge Rescue-
Friday, April 18, 2008 7:19 PM
Barbaro and Hoppett - now known as Jack and Sady are enjoying there new home in Illinois!
Simon was rescued from a bad home and within two days was adopted out to a great home in Illinois! Congratulations new horse owners! -Blue Ridge Rescue-
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 11:55 PM
We have just updated our site, adding photos to majority of the horses on our "Horses" page. Please go check it out, and if possible... Adopt one today! Thank you.
-Blue Ridge Rescue-
Friday, March 7, 2008 1:13 PM
We have 6 new arrivals! A gentle gelding approximately 3 years old and 5 babies all rescued by outbidding the Meat Man. These precious babies need homes fast if you have room for a baby contact us about adopting one. We need donations to help save more horses if you can donate please help save a horse by donating to our organization.
-Blue Ridge Rescue-
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:14 AM
Hello Blue Ridge Rescue supporters! I again want to thank you for your continuous support in rescuing slaughter-bound horses. This is indeed our second journal entry since the launch of our site. We have officially submitted our first horse up for adoption. All you need to do is visit our "Horses" page today. For now that is all, however you can always get in contact with us if you have any questions. Just visit our contacts page. Thank You! -Blue Ridge Rescue-
Friday, January 18, 2008 7:12 PM
So far Blue Ridge Rescue has rescued several horses over the last year. We are in the process of moving to a larger facility in order to save more horses each year. We are giving up our home and being close to our families in order to pursue our mission to save slaughter-bound horses. Please think of us and we appreciate all of the support. -Blue Ridge Rescue-
Please forward our web site to everyone you know. Each equine adopted opens a new spot for another equine to be saved.
