There's no place like home. . .
A miniature horse
This is the story of a Miniature Horse Holiday Miracle for two miniature horses appropriately named Angel and Snowflake.
© 2009 by Jean
Two miniature horses received the greatest gift of all during the holidays - a new home - when Gleneayre Equestrian Program partnered with the EQUUS Foundation and Artemis Farm Rescue.
The story began when Ellen Healey, Founder and Executive Director of Gleneayre Equestrian Program, an EQUUS Foundation Guardian, reached out to the EQUUS Foundation to assist in their search for two miniature horses. Healey said, "Knowing that the EQUUS Foundation would only connect us with organizations in which they had trust allowed us to move forward confidently with the adoption process."
EQUUS Foundation Guardians are charities that demonstrate a commitment to public transparency by their willingness to publish and share extensive data about their programs, horse care practices, and governance. Only Guardians are eligible to receive financial support from the EQUUS Foundation. Among the other benefits for Gleneayre as a Guardian was the opportunity to publicize their interest in adopting minis as part of the EQUUS Foundation's Next Chapters program.
Gleneayre Equestrian Program, a non-profit organization based in Lumberton, New Jersey, specializing in equine assisted activities and therapies, was looking for miniature horses who were calm, gentle, patient, and good with children. Quite a tall order for a couple of little horses!
The search led Gleneayre two hundred miles away to Artemis Farm Rescue in Ancramdale, New York, a non-profit organization specializing in the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement of miniature horses and donkeys. "Snowflake had the sweetest personality," said Artemis Founder, Cornelia Guest, "and Angel, who had been rescued from her previous life as pit-bull bait, still saw the best in everyone she met."
After spending time getting to know the horses at Artemis Farm, Gleneayre's staff members, Alison Johnson and Jeannie Mattioni, knew that Angel and Snowflake would be the perfect fit and began preparations for their new arrivals.
A few weeks later, Angel and Snowflake said goodbye to their Artemis Farm family and embarked on their journey to their forever home.
It was a dark and cold December night when they arrived. Hesitant at first, the two stuck close together as they explored their new home with gentle curiosity. But with new cozy stalls and a play-area all their own, they soon settled down. By the end of the week Snowflake could be found enjoying an afternoon snack and Angel rolling with glee.
Angel and Snowflake now have the opportunity to become teachers and counselors, and will receive all the love, care, and medical support they need for the rest of their lives.
About Gleneayre Equestrian Program
Gleneayre Equestrian Program offers three equine assisted programs:
- Working Student program- pairing students with their own project horse while learning all aspects of horsemanship;
- Equine Facilitated Mental Health (EFMH) program - offering a dynamic therapeutic approach where clients learn about themselves and others through horses, and;
Learn more about Gleneayre Equestrian Program here.
Donate to Gleneayre Equestrian Program here.
"The Gleneayre Equestrian Program not only provides services to the community, but also offers a safe home and new life purpose to horses in transition who may otherwise become victims of abuse and neglect," said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President. "We were thrilled to assist in the search to find these two sweet horses their next chapter."
Angel and Snowflake's story has a happy ending. The EQUUS Foundation is committed to putting an end to the abuse and neglect of America's horses by providing more opportunities for horses to thrive. Horses thrill us as athletes, but they are also amazing teachers, companions and healers.
America's horses who experience abuse and cruel and premature deaths could, instead, be elevating the lives of people with and without special needs.
Press release provided by EQUUS Foundation