AHP Newsgroup: Rescue Horses Now Warm & Toasty, Compliments of Zephyr’s Garden
Zephyr’s Garden aids Shari Frederick’s Happy Horse Haven Rescue with winter horse blankets
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Georgette Topakas
Zephyr’s Garden, LLC
(805) 969-7059
SANTA BARBARA, CA –March, 2010 – When unseasonably cold winter weather gripped Texas and Shari Frederick told her friends on Facebook that her horses at Happy Horse Haven Rescue, a 501c3 Non Profit, needed warmth, Zephyr’s Garden took her request to heart and shipped them over 75 lbs of blankets and tack.
Snow was falling again and the horses, many elderly and in poor weight, did not have the thick waterproof blankets that most outdoor horses wear in such cold weather. Like most horse rescues, budgets are small, work is endless, horses in need are plentiful and Happy Horse Haven Rescue is no exception. Founded over five years ago in Goldwaithe, Texas, by Shari Frederick, well known as an expert and author on natural horse care, her 148 acre ranch offers comfort to an average of fifty rescued horses. Actively adopting out an estimated thirty horses in 2008, interest in horses, especially the seniors, came to a halt forcing a sanctuary setting for the older and distressed equines.
“I’m proud to say that so far we have never turned away any horse in need. We offer rehabilitation and TLC, while focusing on nutritional support to emaciated, sick, and senior equines. We also offer basic skills to foals and yearlings and work on “bomb proofing” and refreshers to maximize the adoptability for all horses who arrive,” states Ms. Frederick. “This winter took us by surprise with plummeting temperatures and repeated days of icy rain and snow. The horses in good health had strong winter coats to keep them warm, but too many are still underweight and could not generate enough body heat. We operate on a very slim budget and ordering blankets for all the horses was not an option. The Zephyr’s Garden blankets arrived in the nick of time and the horses literally lined up one behind the other to get blanketed! The Zephyr’s Garden shipment really helped, but we’re still in need of additional blankets and shelters in every pasture.”
Georgette Topakas, founder and owner of Zephyr’s Garden was happy to help her friend and fellow horse woman Shari Frederick. “Over the years I’ve accumulated blankets that were being stored in the garage or tack trunks. In addition, I contacted my horse owning friends and found they, too, had blankets to spare. Who better to donate your blanket to than a rescue horse in dire need of warmth. I was happy to pack up the blankets, plus saddle pads, halters and leadlines, and ship to Texas just when another snow storm was building. To see the thin rescue horses in blankets that once fit Zephyr, a robust 17.1 hand Belgian Warmblood, is both funny and heartwarming. In the past, we have sent Happy Horse Haven Rescue Zephyr’s Garden products, but helping a rescue horse stay warm in the snow is the best feeling.”
Helping horses in need is at the core of Zephyr’s Garden business philosophy as they donate to equine rescues throughout the country. They don’t donate a percent of profits, they just give as the need arises and funds can support. Happy Horse Haven Rescue was created when Ms. Frederick became the sudden owner of a herd of emaciated and unwanted horses. The fifty+ horses were slowly dying off from starvation and neglect and when Ms. Frederick repeatedly protested their poor treatment, she was told, “You care so much, they’re yours!” Within months, twenty-seven more horses were rescued from a “kill buyer.” Fortunately, half of those were adopted right away! Ms. Frederick had to learn the ins and out of rehabilitation, horse adoption, and fund raising overnight. Never an easy task and one always short of funds, Happy Horse Haven actively seeks volunteers, donations of money and materials (used or new).
For more information on Happy Horse Haven Rescue visit www.HappyHorseHaven.com, Shari Frederick on Facebook, or email Shari Frederick at shari@centex.net.
If you’d like high def photos of the rescue horses in blankets, please contact Georgette Topakas.
For more information on Zephyr’s Garden visit www.ZephyrsGarden.com, email Georgette Topakas at gtopakas@zephyrsgarden.com, or call 805-969-7059. We also can be viewed on Facebook .