Welcome to the Illinois Equine Humane Center!
ILEHC 9TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT ON JULY 15TH
WAS A LOT OF FUN!
The ILEHC is fortunate to have many fun volunteers and supporters. We also welcomed Author Randy Cochran and his spouse, Barbara, along with Chainsaw Artist Dave Watson (Watson's Woods). Two Boutiques in Bartlett (Urban Oasis and Little Shop on Oak) also attended and displayed their lovely goodies.
Young cow, Lucifer and Kelly were a BIG hit at the start of the event. Many of us had seen horses but a gentle, friendly cow was very cool.
Overall, it was a great event - good friends, BBQ items and unbelievably good weather!
Mark your Calendars for Saturday, October 21
ILEHC is planning something super special for that day! More to come as details develop.
Young cow, Lucifer and Kelly were a BIG hit at the start of the event. Many of us had seen horses but a gentle, friendly cow was very cool.
Overall, it was a great event - good friends, BBQ items and unbelievably good weather!
Mark your Calendars for Saturday, October 21
ILEHC is planning something super special for that day! More to come as details develop.
AETNA VOLUNTEER DAY A HUGE HELP
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Megan Howard, ILEHC Board Member working with Aetna's Volunteer Council "enlisted" the assistance of several Aetna employees to help with pasture work at the ILEHC barn in Maple Park on April 26th. Aetna allows and encourages employees to donate time time toward volunteerism and community support. ILEHC was the benefactor of Aetna's program. It was hard work but also appears that there might have been some fun in between the shoveling. Thank you Megan and the Aetna team - the spirit of Help a Horse Day continues!
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ASPCA HELP A HORSE DAY GIRL SCOUT CLINIC
SATURDAY, APRIL 22 A BIG WIN
SPRING FLING, TACK SALE, SPRING SCAVENGER HUNT
WHAT A DAY - Kids, Horses, Sunny Skies, Tack Items, Purses, Lunch and Sweets. WOW and WOW!
Thanks to all who took time from busy schedules to celebrate ASPCA's Help a Horse day with the ILEHC. We are so grateful for our volunteers, donors and followers. Helping a Horse doesn't end in April, it is every day at the ILEHC Facility.
Get more involved - volunteer, foster or sponsor a rescued horse, donate. All proceeds fund our horse care and rescue efforts.
Thanks to all who took time from busy schedules to celebrate ASPCA's Help a Horse day with the ILEHC. We are so grateful for our volunteers, donors and followers. Helping a Horse doesn't end in April, it is every day at the ILEHC Facility.
Get more involved - volunteer, foster or sponsor a rescued horse, donate. All proceeds fund our horse care and rescue efforts.
2nd Annual Cody the Reindeer Pony was a Winner on
December 3, 2016
Thank You to All who Attended and Enjoyed the Fun
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Taxi is Adopted - Miracle Horse...
Begins Training for 2nd Career
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Taxi and Alex (who adopted Taxi). The ILEHC is pleased for both.
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Thanks to All who Attended the July 16, 2016
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Thank you to the many who joined the ILEHC on Saturday, July 16th for a Tack Sale and 8th Anniversary Celebration. We met new people interested in volunteering or learning more about horse rescue and we had our loyal friends attend as well! Taxi was a horse of focus but the other ILEHC horses were equally pampered with carrots.
The article on this event as written by Journalist Chris Walker is below. It was published in the Elburn Herald on July 28, 2016. We are always looking for gently used tack along with Volunteers to help with morning and afternoon chores. Come by, learn more, see the horses and our passion for horse rescue. Please contact us at info@ilehc.org or call 815.761.4937. Thanks to all!
The article on this event as written by Journalist Chris Walker is below. It was published in the Elburn Herald on July 28, 2016. We are always looking for gently used tack along with Volunteers to help with morning and afternoon chores. Come by, learn more, see the horses and our passion for horse rescue. Please contact us at info@ilehc.org or call 815.761.4937. Thanks to all!
Thanks to All
ILEHC had a Successful Help a Horse Event - April 23, 2016
A DAY FILLED WITH MANY ACTIVITIES; TACK SALE, PONY RIDES, BOUNCY HORSE RACES CONCLUDING WITH A MOVIE EXTRAVAGANZA
BLACK BEAUTY (PG, 2015 VERSION) - POPCORN, CANDY AND A BEVERAGE,
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 Jennifer (Volunteer) and Family!
We thank everyone who took time from busy schedules and said hello on Saturday, April 23. The iLEHC support of ASPCA's Help a Horse Day was LOTS of fun for people of all ages!
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Easter Egg Hunt, Special Bunny Find, 2016 - Kids Loved it!
Picking up the Eggs (and Candy)!
The kids loved the Easter Egg Hunt and the adults enjoyed watching the kids pick up the nearly 1,000 eggs filled with candy, stickers and small toys. We thank all who braved the blustery weather and attended this event. It is always great to see our loyal donors and volunteers.
ILEHC Says Good-Bye to Iggy Way too Soon
Esther Egg (Iggy)
It is with great shock and sadness that we share the news that our beloved Iggy passed away suddenly Saturday evening. Iggy was the absolute picture of health and has never been sick a day in his life since coming to the ILEHC over 7 years ago. His sudden and unexpected passing has been unsettling and in an effort to find some closure, we sent his body for necropsy exam; inconclusive. At only 21 years of age and in seemingly perfect health, it makes one wonder just what toll the 11 years of racing and drugs might have cost him.
Iggy was the first horse the ILEHC accepted into the organization when we started on this journey in 2008. At that time, Iggy was 13 years old and was still racing in bottom level claiming races. Having 123 starts and nearly $500,000 in earnings, this poor old war horse had finished last in several races and it was clear that he was fast headed to the slaughter pipeline like so many others who are no longer successful on the track. The ILEHC could not and would not let that happen, so a deal was brokered for Iggy to be relinquished to us where he would be afforded the safe and happy retirement he so richly deserved - which he earned and enjoyed. Our Champion Iggy will be sorely missed. Thank you.
The full story of Iggy's retirement can be read at the ILEHC website, http://www.ilehc.org/esther-egg.html
Iggy was the first horse the ILEHC accepted into the organization when we started on this journey in 2008. At that time, Iggy was 13 years old and was still racing in bottom level claiming races. Having 123 starts and nearly $500,000 in earnings, this poor old war horse had finished last in several races and it was clear that he was fast headed to the slaughter pipeline like so many others who are no longer successful on the track. The ILEHC could not and would not let that happen, so a deal was brokered for Iggy to be relinquished to us where he would be afforded the safe and happy retirement he so richly deserved - which he earned and enjoyed. Our Champion Iggy will be sorely missed. Thank you.
The full story of Iggy's retirement can be read at the ILEHC website, http://www.ilehc.org/esther-egg.html
It is ALWAYS Hay Time!
Amo
The Illinois Equine Humane Center (ILEHC) is always in need of hay - so let's gallop into action to raise the funds we need to purchase hay for the year. Hard to believe that the cold winter weather is nearly here. Please help us increase our financial funds so that we may stock up on this much needed and consumed item.
The ILEHC current hay price is $5-$6 a bale (March 2017), we are in critical need of your financial support to help us continue to provide a safety net for the horses in our care and for the horses we will be called upon to assist throughout the year. You can help ensure that ILEHC can meet these essential needs by donating to our HAY FUND today.
To make a secure online donation, click on the “Donate” link above. To mail your donation, please send to: ILEHC, P.O. Box 337, Big Rock, IL 60511. On behalf of the horses, we thank you very much for your kindness and generosity!
The ILEHC current hay price is $5-$6 a bale (March 2017), we are in critical need of your financial support to help us continue to provide a safety net for the horses in our care and for the horses we will be called upon to assist throughout the year. You can help ensure that ILEHC can meet these essential needs by donating to our HAY FUND today.
To make a secure online donation, click on the “Donate” link above. To mail your donation, please send to: ILEHC, P.O. Box 337, Big Rock, IL 60511. On behalf of the horses, we thank you very much for your kindness and generosity!
December 2015 Holiday Fun with Cody Pony -
Ready to Please!
Gail Vacca, President and Cody
ILEHC Fall Farm Festival and Tack Sale October 3, 2015
A Success!
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ILEHC Celebrated 7 Years on July 11, 2015
ILEHC Spring Open House - April 2015
Taxi owners, Charlie, Christine, Cynthia & Gail
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Cody the Pony was a hit with the kids!
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A happy birthday to Iggy!
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A rainy and chilly Saturday did not deter the many ILEHC supporters and volunteers. Pictures to the left are just a few of the many we are thankful to and for. We are so fortunate to have such a passionate team of supporters and volunteers. The ILEHC is grateful to all of you, as together we can continue the ILEHC mission of horse rescue, rehabilitation, adoption and education.
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ILEHC “Barn-Raising"
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Breeze (now adopted) trotting toward the ILEHC barn raising goal.
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For Immediate Release:
Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP
The Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP (ILEHC) located in Maple Park, Illinois is excited to announce that after several years of housing their horse rescue operations out of leased facilities, the not-for-profit organization recently secured a permanent home for their operations and continued horse rescue mission.
“Everyone here at ILEHC is incredibly excited and relieved to finally have a permanent place to call home,” said the organization’s president, Gail Vacca. “Due to our previous leased properties having been sold or returned to farmland, we have had to move a few times since first opening our doors in 2008, which has been both financially and physically difficult for the organization. To finally have a permanent home, is truly a dream come true.” continued Vacca.
The 15 acre property has a small existing barn and is partially fenced, however, the ILEHC will need to secure funding to build an additional 16 stall barn and to extend the existing fencing. To that end, the group has mounted a capital “barn-raising” campaign to help generate the $175,000 needed for construction.
To kick off the fundraising efforts,a donor wishing confidentiality has pledged to "match" donations up to $50,000. She is quoted as saying,“ I am passionate about the great work being done by the ILEHC to help horses, and it is my fervent hope that this contribution will inspire others to have the confidence and passion to also donate to this truly deserving cause.”
The ILEHC will recognize larger donations with commemmorative plaques erected in the new barn and other means, the details of which are outlined on its website www.ILEHC.org
Those wishing to donate to the ILEHC’s barn-raising campaign can do so by mail to :
ILEHC P.O. Box 337 Big Rock, IL 60511 or online via www.ILEHC.org.
For more information, please call 815-761-4937
The ILEHC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. The ILEHC is a Guidestar Gold Star member committed to transparancy and is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP
The Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP (ILEHC) located in Maple Park, Illinois is excited to announce that after several years of housing their horse rescue operations out of leased facilities, the not-for-profit organization recently secured a permanent home for their operations and continued horse rescue mission.
“Everyone here at ILEHC is incredibly excited and relieved to finally have a permanent place to call home,” said the organization’s president, Gail Vacca. “Due to our previous leased properties having been sold or returned to farmland, we have had to move a few times since first opening our doors in 2008, which has been both financially and physically difficult for the organization. To finally have a permanent home, is truly a dream come true.” continued Vacca.
The 15 acre property has a small existing barn and is partially fenced, however, the ILEHC will need to secure funding to build an additional 16 stall barn and to extend the existing fencing. To that end, the group has mounted a capital “barn-raising” campaign to help generate the $175,000 needed for construction.
To kick off the fundraising efforts,a donor wishing confidentiality has pledged to "match" donations up to $50,000. She is quoted as saying,“ I am passionate about the great work being done by the ILEHC to help horses, and it is my fervent hope that this contribution will inspire others to have the confidence and passion to also donate to this truly deserving cause.”
The ILEHC will recognize larger donations with commemmorative plaques erected in the new barn and other means, the details of which are outlined on its website www.ILEHC.org
Those wishing to donate to the ILEHC’s barn-raising campaign can do so by mail to :
ILEHC P.O. Box 337 Big Rock, IL 60511 or online via www.ILEHC.org.
For more information, please call 815-761-4937
The ILEHC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. The ILEHC is a Guidestar Gold Star member committed to transparancy and is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
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Donations of $100 or greater will receive a special acknowledgement. The donation levels and acknowledgements are presented in the Barn Raising Donation form, click on the pdf to the right.
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ILEHC and Founder Gail Vacca Featured in America's Best Racing
Conte's Whirl soon after coming to the ILEHC
After showing horses as a child and later transitioning into becoming a racehorse trainer, Gail Vacca had a strong background with horses before starting the Illinois Equine Humane Center (ILEHC) in 2008. As a teenager, Vacca spent summers at Rockingham Park cooling out racehorses to earn extra money so she could afford to show her horses in top level hunter and jumper shows. That experience found her spending more time at the track as the years went on. “I just fell in love with the horses; the beauty and the athleticism of the racehorses. It’s an addiction,” Vacca said. “I did that during summers when I was a kid then when I got out of high school, I kind of spent a little more time at the track. I was a groom for a couple years and then that evolved into me getting my trainer’s license when I was 24.”
During her time as a trainer, people would come to Vacca with horses who needed to be rehabilitated or rehomed. That eventually turned into Vacca rescuing retired racehorses and finding them new homes before starting ILEHC seven years ago. “It was just kind of a natural progression of things with me for being involved and advocating for racehorse welfare while racing and after racing for all those years just kind of evolved into me ultimately opening my own facility,” said Vacca. ILEHC gets horses from both the track and neglect cases, so depending on the situation horses can go through the program in only a few weeks or they can stay for the rest of their lives. Horses who can’t be ridden generally go on ILEHC’s permanent resident list but in some cases those horses will be adopted out if the right non-riding home comes along. However, if the horse is healthy, it will be ridden a few times to figure out what it is best suited for. See more at:
http://www.americasbestracing.net/en/the-latest/aftercare/2015/2/18/program-spotlight-illinois-equine-humane-center/#sthash.I62HNHY6.dpuf
During her time as a trainer, people would come to Vacca with horses who needed to be rehabilitated or rehomed. That eventually turned into Vacca rescuing retired racehorses and finding them new homes before starting ILEHC seven years ago. “It was just kind of a natural progression of things with me for being involved and advocating for racehorse welfare while racing and after racing for all those years just kind of evolved into me ultimately opening my own facility,” said Vacca. ILEHC gets horses from both the track and neglect cases, so depending on the situation horses can go through the program in only a few weeks or they can stay for the rest of their lives. Horses who can’t be ridden generally go on ILEHC’s permanent resident list but in some cases those horses will be adopted out if the right non-riding home comes along. However, if the horse is healthy, it will be ridden a few times to figure out what it is best suited for. See more at:
http://www.americasbestracing.net/en/the-latest/aftercare/2015/2/18/program-spotlight-illinois-equine-humane-center/#sthash.I62HNHY6.dpuf
VOLUNTEERING - GOOD FOR THE SOUL
Thanks to all who commit their time to the ILEHC and assist in morning (starting at 8:30am) and afternoon (starting at 3:30 to 4pm) chores along with those who tend to the grounds. We are always looking for volunteers, so if you have time and would like to work with a GREAT group of individuals, please email Megan or Jessica at volunteerilehc@gmail.com. Thank you!!
ILEHC RECEIVES RE-ACCREDITATION FROM
THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE (TAA)
The ILEHC is proud and honored to announce that we have officially been
awarded accreditation from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The
ILEHC is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of care for its horses
and we are grateful to the TAA for including us among their roster of
upstanding organizations and a generous grant. The ILEHC serves in part to provide rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, adoption and sanctuary for Thoroughbreds whose career on the racetrack has ended. For more information on TAA, please visit, www.ThoroughbredAftercare.org.
ILEHC FALL FARM FESTIVAL - ANOTHER SUCCESS THANKS TO THOSE WHO ATTENDED AND OUR VOLUNTEERS!
The Illinois Equine Fall Farm Festival was a success, thanks to all who ventured out in less than pleasant weather and stopped by to visit. The pony rides were a great hit with the kids; thanks to volunteers Monica and Lauren along with ponies Codi and Jenga. Alana did a great job of face painting and pumpkin painting. We have some of Alana's artwork on pumpkins still in front of our barn. We are blessed to have such committed volunteers, loyal financial supporters and patrons who truly care about the welfare of horses. Thank you all again and again.
A special thank you to all of the ILEHC friends who came out on July 19th, said hello and visited with us. The weather was beautiful, the horses behaved (maybe it was the carrots) and we are once again truly appreciative of the interest and passion that so many have for the ILEHC mission and cause.
This is the type of event that enriches the heart and we appreciate each and every one of you! |
Breeze ready for a Celebration
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Visitors Welcome!45W050 Beith Road
Maple Park, IL 60151 Please call to make an appointment. We are located on the grounds of Promise Equestrian Center. |
Be sure to tell all of your friends!
ILEHC rescues, rehabilitates and then places horses in proper homes. Please see horses available for adoption, fostering or sponsoring at this website.
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Thank You!!! Thank You!!!
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ILEHC's Gail Vacca Featured In Tribune
Illinois Equine Humane Center Founder and President Gail Vacca was featured in the Chicago Tribune as part of their "Remarkable Women" series. Congratulations Gail! And thanks for your undying dedication to the horses. Please read the article below.
| gailvaccatribunearticle.pdf |
Update On Maple Park Neglect Case
Maple Park/Hampshire Woman Abused and Neglected Animals Including Horses.
From the Kane County Chronicle...
One Man's Trash - Taxi's Story
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Gail's article about the rescue of Taxi and his "momma" from the kill-pens at Shipshewana has been published by Midwest Thoroughbred Magazine! Click here to read their incredible story "One Man's Trash" by Gail Vacca!
You can also read about Taxi on his own website - http://www.magnafortuna.weebly.com Or on Facebook at Taxi - THE MIRACLE HORSE |
Lulu (dam) and Taxi.
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