A Message From Our President
URGENT message...the ILEHC is at present experiencing a funding shortfall and is in need of support from all its members, donors, volunteers, and supporters! Donations are critically needed to provide feed and care to the horses dependent upon us to meet their needs.
In August of 2011 the ILEHC took in 9 neglected Thoroughbreds - making a tremendous physical and financial effort to restore these... deserving horses to good health and to find them new homes. Though some funding was provided via available grant making organizations, the funds obtained were less than HALF that is needed to sustain these horses as they await adoption. Three of these horses are currently in foster care, however, 6 of the horses are older and/or have issues that make them more difficult to place. The ILEHC believes that each of these horses deserves a chance at a new life and does NOT want to consider euthanasia of healthy horses due to the current financial crunch. That said, horses do not live on air and the cost of feed and hay are at an all time high in our area. We need your support to help us continue to provide these horses with the care they need until new homes can be secured.
Please make a donation today and/or sign up to sponsor, foster, or adopt one of these deserving horses! We simply must reduce the size of our herd and generate some income if this organization is to continue on with its good work.
In August of 2011 the ILEHC took in 9 neglected Thoroughbreds - making a tremendous physical and financial effort to restore these... deserving horses to good health and to find them new homes. Though some funding was provided via available grant making organizations, the funds obtained were less than HALF that is needed to sustain these horses as they await adoption. Three of these horses are currently in foster care, however, 6 of the horses are older and/or have issues that make them more difficult to place. The ILEHC believes that each of these horses deserves a chance at a new life and does NOT want to consider euthanasia of healthy horses due to the current financial crunch. That said, horses do not live on air and the cost of feed and hay are at an all time high in our area. We need your support to help us continue to provide these horses with the care they need until new homes can be secured.
Please make a donation today and/or sign up to sponsor, foster, or adopt one of these deserving horses! We simply must reduce the size of our herd and generate some income if this organization is to continue on with its good work.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO WIN $250,000 FROM CHASE COMMUNITY GIVING
Area residents and horse lovers can make a huge impact by voting through the Chase Community Giving program.
The Illinois Equine Humane Center, a non-profit working to assist abused, neglected, and unwanted horses is competing with charities nationwide for donations ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 through the Chase Community Giving program. Folks can help ensure their this charity’s success by simply voting for the Illinois Equine Humane Center (ILEHC) through the Chase Community Giving program running on the Facebook platform.
Through the utilization of the social media networks, the Chase Community Giving program has already directed more than $15 million dollars toward charities nationwide, putting the power to bring positive change across the nation into the hands of those who need it most. Due to enthusiasm, the program is being continued into this fall - giving hundreds of additional charities, including the ILEHC, the opportunity to win much needed funding.
“A grant of this magnitude would be an incredible blessing to countless horses in Illinois that currently suffer from neglect or that are unwanted” said ILEHC President, Gail Vacca. “Every week we receive several calls from horse owners who have lost their home or job and can no longer afford to keep their horse. Limited by funding, we are often unable to help. Winning a Chase Community Giving grant would provide the ILEHC with the funds it needs to help more horses and their owners,” continued Vacca.
The fall 2011 round of the Chase Community Giving program is designed to benefit smaller and local charities by being limited to 501c3 charities with operating budgets under $1 million. The top eligible charity receives $250,000 and the remaining 99 top charities earn $25,000 through $100,000 awards. More than $3 million dollars will be distributed to top vote getters. Charities previously awarded grants through Chase Community Giving are not eligible for this round of competition.
The ILEHC is competing with thousands of charities across the country for awards from Chase. With the support of our volunteers, fans and local residents, the ILEHC has the opportunity to get much needed resources to implement big changes.
How You Can Help
You can help the ILEHC win up to $250,000 by simply “Liking” the Chase Community Giving program at: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/ . From the Chase Community Giving facebook page, enter Illinois Equine Humane Center into the “search” box and cast your vote for us! The contest ends November 22, 2011, so please cast your vote today and ask your friends and family to do the same.
If you have questions, please contact the ILEHC at 815-761-4937 or info@ilehc.org
The Illinois Equine Humane Center, a non-profit working to assist abused, neglected, and unwanted horses is competing with charities nationwide for donations ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 through the Chase Community Giving program. Folks can help ensure their this charity’s success by simply voting for the Illinois Equine Humane Center (ILEHC) through the Chase Community Giving program running on the Facebook platform.
Through the utilization of the social media networks, the Chase Community Giving program has already directed more than $15 million dollars toward charities nationwide, putting the power to bring positive change across the nation into the hands of those who need it most. Due to enthusiasm, the program is being continued into this fall - giving hundreds of additional charities, including the ILEHC, the opportunity to win much needed funding.
“A grant of this magnitude would be an incredible blessing to countless horses in Illinois that currently suffer from neglect or that are unwanted” said ILEHC President, Gail Vacca. “Every week we receive several calls from horse owners who have lost their home or job and can no longer afford to keep their horse. Limited by funding, we are often unable to help. Winning a Chase Community Giving grant would provide the ILEHC with the funds it needs to help more horses and their owners,” continued Vacca.
The fall 2011 round of the Chase Community Giving program is designed to benefit smaller and local charities by being limited to 501c3 charities with operating budgets under $1 million. The top eligible charity receives $250,000 and the remaining 99 top charities earn $25,000 through $100,000 awards. More than $3 million dollars will be distributed to top vote getters. Charities previously awarded grants through Chase Community Giving are not eligible for this round of competition.
The ILEHC is competing with thousands of charities across the country for awards from Chase. With the support of our volunteers, fans and local residents, the ILEHC has the opportunity to get much needed resources to implement big changes.
How You Can Help
You can help the ILEHC win up to $250,000 by simply “Liking” the Chase Community Giving program at: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/ . From the Chase Community Giving facebook page, enter Illinois Equine Humane Center into the “search” box and cast your vote for us! The contest ends November 22, 2011, so please cast your vote today and ask your friends and family to do the same.
If you have questions, please contact the ILEHC at 815-761-4937 or info@ilehc.org
Horses In Distress Arrive At ILEHC
 Pass
Over the past several weeks the Illinois Equine Humane Center (ILEHC) has been working to rescue several horses from a downstate Illinois horse owner who has fallen upon hard times and was unable to provide adequate feed and care to his horses. In total, the former owner has voluntarily relinquished 11 Thoroughbreds to the ILEHC. Each of the horses are underweight with several of them being extremely thin having Henneke Body Count scores of 1.5 - 2.0. Each of the horses are in drastic need of veterinary, dental, and farrier care and are going to require an extensive period of rehabilitation in order to be restored to good health.
 Zingy
One of the mares - who is the weakest of the herd and is in the poorest overall condition, will likely need surgery to correct a throat issue which makes it difficult for her to properly breathe. While this is a routine surgery, it will be rather costly. (Zingy - prior to arrival at ILEHC. Needs surgery to correct breathing problem) The ILEHC has taken on an enormous challenge with such a large scale rescue, and we pledge to do everything within our power to restore each of these horses to good health. We ask that you will support us in our efforts to rehabilitate these horses in any way you can. The following are our most critical needs: 1) financial contributions -- for feed, hay, bedding etc. It is going to take an enormous amount of hay and feed to bring these horses back to ideal body weight. With the skyrocketing costs of hay and feed we are counting on you to help us meet these needs.
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 Lexi
Secure donations can be made online via our website www.ilehc.org or checks can be mailed to the ILEHC - 48W774 State Route 30 - Big Rock, IL 60511. 2) volunteer -- additional volunteers are needed to help provide love, care, and training in order to prepare the horses for new homes and careers. Volunteer applications are available on our website. 3) adopt or foster -- if you are able to provide a horse with a permanent or temporary (foster) home, please open your heart to do so. Adoption and foster applications are also available on our website. Many of these horses are sound and once restored to good health will make excellent pleasure or sport horse prospects. Each of the horses are kind, well-mannered, and are seemingly ever so grateful for the love and care they are now receiving. Please help us provide them with the second chance they so desperately need. Thank you so very much for your support!
 Shy |
ILEHC Joins Festivities for Big Rock Plowing Match
The ILEHC will have a table set up during the Big Rock Plowing Match and festivities the weekend of September 17th and 18th. The Plowing Match is an annual event that features a horse show, art competitions, tractor pulls, and lots of food and fun!!! Come visit us and have a blast!!!
ILEHC Awarded Grant From Thoroughbred Charities of America
July 1, 2011
The Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP (ILEHC) is pleased and honored to announce that it has been awarded a grant from Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA). “We are deeply grateful to TCA for the generous grant awarded to the ILEHC and for their longstanding work in providing financial support to Thoroughbreds once their careers at the track have ended. This grant will enable us to enhance our efforts in providing quality care, rehabilitation, and retraining to the over two dozen former racehorses that are currently in our care,” said ILEHC President, Gail Vacca. Thoroughbred Charities of America grants funds each year to charitable organizations nationwide in the Thoroughbred industry which uphold the mission of TCA to “provide a better life for Thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers by supporting retirement, rescue and research and by helping the people who work with | Its sole purpose is to raise funds for distribution to organizations involved in Thoroughbred rescue and retraining, equine research, education and scholarships, jockey and backstretch programs, and therapeutic riding programs. TCA is the largest non-profit organization of the Thoroughbred industry, and has granted more than $17 million to more than 200 organizations over the past 20 years.
The Illinois Equine Humane Center, NFP is an Illinois based 501 (c)(3) non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to provide humane treatment and shelter while working as a clearinghouse to seek adoptive homes for all of Illinois’ unwanted equines, regardless of breed, and to educate the public and raise awareness for responsible equine ownership so that fewer horses end up in crisis. To learn more about TCA and its longstanding record of benevolence within the Thoroughbred industry, please visit www.tca.org. |
ILEHC Sets Up At Big Rock Zip Code Day!
The ILEHC was invited to participate in the fun and festivities that were held in honor of Big Rock Zip Code Day - 60511 (June 5, 2011)!!! The community spared no expense as there was plenty of food and barbeque, a car and tractor show, train rides, an art show, and various other booths set up by local organizations. We were honored that we were asked to participate and had a great time getting to know the Big Rock community! Thanks for making the ILEHC a part of the celebration!
ILEHC Spring Open House Featured in Midwest Thoroughbred Magazine
Illinois Equine Humane Center holds open house at new location - Midwest Thoroughbred, May/June issue...
First Annual Open House A Success!
The ILEHC held the first annual Open House on Sunday, May 1st, and the turnout was more than we even had hoped for!!!! The event, which ran from 10am to 3pm, featured a raffle, a unique "Giving Tree", and lots of up close and personal time with all of the horses. A HUGE thanks to all of our outstanding volunteers for pulling this together and make it such a great day for all.
Stay tuned for details on a Fall Open House.....
Click on photos to enlarge....
And visit our Photo Gallery for more photos from Open House Day!!!
Stay tuned for details on a Fall Open House.....
Click on photos to enlarge....
And visit our Photo Gallery for more photos from Open House Day!!!
12 year-old girl donates birthday proceeds to ILEHC horses!February 2010 - The ILEHC would like to express its sincere appreciation to Annabel Koures for the incredibly generous and selfless donation she made today to help support the rescue horses in our care.
Annabel decided that for her 12th birthday rather than receive presents for herself, she'd prefer that her friends make a donation to the ILEHC to help support horses in need. Annabel then donated the entire $285 that she collected in lieu of birthday presents! Annabel... you are simply an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G young lady! Both the horses and ILEHC are blown away by your selflessness and generosity. On behalf of the horses...thank you so VERY much! |  Annabel and her friends. |
Equine America Makes Large Donation
December 2010 - The ILEHC recently received a very generous and very large donation of fly masks and fly spray from Equine America. We cannot thank them enough for these much needed supplies! And the same from all of the horses at ILEHC! It will be a fly-free summer this year!
OTTB Graduates Shine at Local Horse Show
Jazz (in middle) and Linn after winning blue in Hunter Hack.
On Sunday, October 17, three of the Illinois Equine Humane Center's former adoptive horses took to the show ring to strut their stuff at the Contento Farms/Escapar Farms schooling show.
Former racers six-year-old Conte's Whirl (Conte Di Savoya x Whirlybird), 11-year-old El Condor (Birdonthewire x A Lady With Appeal), and seven-year-old Xcellent Jazz (The Deputy x Diamond Jasmine) took to the show ring as if they had been doing this all their lives. For Conte's Whril and El Condor, the event was their "maiden" venture in the world of horse showing with only Xcellent Jazz having had a show or two already under his belt.
Xcellent Jazz (new show name All Jazzed Up) received first place in the Hunter Hack class. Jazz was rescued by the ILEHC in December of 2008 at a dispersal auction in Mt. Vernon, IL. The ILEHC outbid a kill-buyer for Jazz and following a few months of rehab and retraining, he was adopted by Linn in May of 2009. You can read about the Mt. Vernon rescue on our website here Rescue Report.
Former racers six-year-old Conte's Whirl (Conte Di Savoya x Whirlybird), 11-year-old El Condor (Birdonthewire x A Lady With Appeal), and seven-year-old Xcellent Jazz (The Deputy x Diamond Jasmine) took to the show ring as if they had been doing this all their lives. For Conte's Whril and El Condor, the event was their "maiden" venture in the world of horse showing with only Xcellent Jazz having had a show or two already under his belt.
Xcellent Jazz (new show name All Jazzed Up) received first place in the Hunter Hack class. Jazz was rescued by the ILEHC in December of 2008 at a dispersal auction in Mt. Vernon, IL. The ILEHC outbid a kill-buyer for Jazz and following a few months of rehab and retraining, he was adopted by Linn in May of 2009. You can read about the Mt. Vernon rescue on our website here Rescue Report.
Conte's Whirl with trainer Roberto.
Conte's Whirl (new show name Micklovin) was also a part of the Mt. Vernon auction rescue and was adopted by Sarah in April 2010.
"The horses all were wonderfully behaved and truly served as a terrific representation of just how much these thoroughbreds excel in other equestrian disciplines once they move on from the track," said ILEHC president Gail Vacca. "We are incredibly proud of both the horses and their new connections."
El Condor and April were in the ribbons as well. Condor was retired by his former trainer (along with the assistance of a generous racing fan) to the ILEHC in July of 2009 and adopted by April only weeks later.
"The horses all were wonderfully behaved and truly served as a terrific representation of just how much these thoroughbreds excel in other equestrian disciplines once they move on from the track," said ILEHC president Gail Vacca. "We are incredibly proud of both the horses and their new connections."
El Condor and April were in the ribbons as well. Condor was retired by his former trainer (along with the assistance of a generous racing fan) to the ILEHC in July of 2009 and adopted by April only weeks later.
Condor and April receiving their ribbon.
The ILEHC would like to thank Contento Farms and Escapar Farms for welcoming our former adoptive horses to the show and for their dedication in helping us to promote just how much these former racehorses have to offer once they've left the track.
The ILEHC would also like to thank Linn, April, and Sarah for providing these horses with such wonderful care, boat-loads of love, and for their efforts to further provide the horses with the education and retraining necessary to shine in their new vocation.
The ILEHC is incredibly proud of our former adoptees and we know that you will be, too!
If you'd like to help the ILEHC continue its work to transition these deserving horses into new homes and vocations, please look on this website for information on how to adopt, foster, or volunteer.
The ILEHC would also like to thank Linn, April, and Sarah for providing these horses with such wonderful care, boat-loads of love, and for their efforts to further provide the horses with the education and retraining necessary to shine in their new vocation.
The ILEHC is incredibly proud of our former adoptees and we know that you will be, too!
If you'd like to help the ILEHC continue its work to transition these deserving horses into new homes and vocations, please look on this website for information on how to adopt, foster, or volunteer.
