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Illinois Equine Humane Center

ILEHC saves horses from dispersal sale

Company One, now named Ruby, surveys her new home.

Because of the incredible support of ILEHC members, supporters, and horse lovers throughout the country, we were able to save several Thoroughbred horses at the STC Racing Dispersal Auction in Mount Vernon, IL. Offered for sale were 65 horses ranging in age from foals to aged broodmares and stallions. Many of the horses who were perfectly healthy, sound, and useful, were sold for just peanuts.

In total, the ILEHC rescued 13 horses who were at risk. Gail Vacca also (personally) acted as agent in facilitating the purchase of the stallion, Company Approval, for a private party from Canada.

Those at risk who were rescued by the ILEHC are as follows:

#6 Xcellent Jazz
#8 Conte's Whirl
#12 Company One
#19 Sharp N Appealing
#24 Unnamed 2007 filly out of Litigant Cat
#25 Unnamed 2007 filly out of Rylee Belle
#33 Sunshine Dottie
#34 Unnamed 2008 filly out of Sunshine Dottie
#37 P.J.'s Play
#41 Sooner Defence
#51 Lady Garthorn
#55 Sharp N Lively

#61 Popsicue (last minute addition to the sale who was not included in the catalogue)

The total paid for horses was $4,475.00 or an average of approximately $355.00 per horse. During the bidding, there were at least 2 individuals who are well-known to purchase horses for slaughter; often times were the only people bidding against us. Thankfully, the two men dropped out of the bidding once the prices reached $300-$375. It is very clear that had the ILEHC not been there to assist, any or all of these horses could have very well been sold to slaughter.

The ILEHC would like to express our deep appreciation to everyone who donated money, time, or resources to assist in this incredibly successful rescue effort. We would like to particularly thank the wonderful folks at Mid-America Horse Rescue (MAHR) for partnering with us in this effort. We are deeply grateful to MAHR and their incredible team of volunteers for all their help and support throughout this effort. Additionally, we'd like to thank MAHR for graciously offering to reimburse our expenses for Sunshine Dottie and her 2008 foal, and Sooner Defence and for taking them into their program as well! Many thanks to MAHR, for helping to significantly ease the burden this rescue placed upon the ILEHC. Anyone interested in adopting either of these three particular horses, please contact Margo Sutter at MAHR 314-302-2216 or visit their website: http://www.mahrnfp.org/

The ILEHC would also like to express our gratitude to Keith Caughran for offering to provide tranport and temporary foster care for many of the Mt. Vernon horses. Keith and his family endured a very long and freezing cold day at the auction, and at day's end, transported four of the horses to his facility where they will be cared for until arrangements can be made to transport them to the ILEHC. As if Keith's efforts were not already enough, he then made a second trip on Sunday morning to pick-up an additional three horses who he is also fostering at his farm!

Now for the really good news....several of the horses have already been spoken for or have found new homes! Company One is already at home with her new (and very much elated!) owner in Wisconsin. Sharp N Lively has been rehomed with a couple who have agreed to provide her with much needed and costly eye removal surgery once her 2009 foal is born. We have adoptions pending on at least two or three other horses. We also have potential foster home offers for four-five horses. Needless to say, the support of the IL equine community has been nothing short of incredible.

In the coming weeks we will be assessing each of the horses for soundness, temperment, and suitability. Once we get everything sorted out, we will post detailed information and photographs of the horses available for adoption on our website. Please make sure to check here for updates on the horses and their availability. If anyone is interested in adopting a horse, please be sure to ask us to send you an adoption application!

The easy part of this rescue is now over and thus begins the more difficult and costly aspect of rehoming each of these wonderful horses. Please consider adopting a horse if you are able, or please consider making a donation to help us provide for the ongoing care and support of the horses until they can be successfully rehomed. Online donations can be made by clicking on the Paypal link on this page or by mailing checks payable to: ILEHC, NFP, 9N673 Kendall Road, Elgin, IL 60123.

Once again, our deepest heartfelt gratitude to all who helped to safeguard the lives and well-being of these magnificent Thoroughbreds. This truly was an amazing team effort and without each of you who stepped up to help, none of this would have been possible. Well done everyone!