Announcing Brennan Equine Welfare Fund's

2016 Grant Recipients

Thirteen exceptional equine rescue, rehabilitation, retirement, retraining and/or placement facilities across the USA have been awarded grants in 2016.

Thoroughbred-focused grant recipients include: 

Bright Future’s Farm, Cochranton, PA

CANTER Kentucky

Equine Encore Foundation, Tucson, AZ

Friends of Ferdinand, Indianapolis, IN

Glen Ellen Vocational Academy, Sonoma Valley, CA

ReRun Inc., East Greenbush, NY

The Exceller Fund, Lexington, KY

Non-breed-specific grant recipients include:

Brook Hill Retirement Center, Forest, VA

Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, Longmont, CO

Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Woodbine, MD

Kentucky Equine Humane Center, Nicholasville, KY

Peaceful Acres Horses, Pattersonville, NY

ONE SUCCESS STORY

Duchess Sanctuary and “Birdie” and “Dorita”

Duchess Sanctuary was awarded a grant to assist with the care of two horses, Birdie and Dorita, two mares who were seized by authorities due to neglect. They arrived at Duchess Sanctuary severely emaciated, with overgrown hooves and a painful skin condition called rain rot which produced oozing sores. Duchess Sanctuary began a re-feeding program for the mares and had them wormed and vaccinated. They had therapeutic baths to treat the rain rot, had their teeth floated and their hooves trimmed. Once rehabilitated, they were turned out with a herd of other horses, even though they remain close to each other. An update from Jennifer Kunz, Director of Operations at Duchess Sanctuary:

"What a difference a year can make! It's been just over a year since mares Birdie and Dorita arrived at the sanctuary. Rescued with our local Animal Control, they were in deplorable condition. Both covered in rain rot, full of parasites, and desperately lacking any evidence of real food or care for months. Birdie in particular was seriously underweight, and her bony frame was even further compromised by oozing, painful sores from the rain rot. She had sore feet and had recently blown an abscess in one hoof, and was miserable in body and spirit. One year later, and their transformations have been extraordinary. Thanks to good feed, veterinary, farrier, and chiropractic care, parasite control, and a huge effort by the whole team of staff and volunteers, both mares are thriving. Many weeks of rehab returned them to good health. As the days passed, we watched the stress and worry melt away from their expressions as they came to understand they'd never go hungry or be neglected again. Dorita made friends in our "Misfit" herd this fall and spends her days eating and relaxing in a small winter pasture designated for that herd. After the summer and part of the fall on pasture, Birdie has moved into the barn for the winter, she loves her roomy, dry stall with all of the alfalfa mush she can eat. She also loves playing in the round pen, and thoroughly enjoyed rolling in the snow a few days ago."

Duchess Sanctuary and “Birdie” and “Dorita”

Duchess Sanctuary

1515 Shady Oaks Ln, Oakland, OR 97462

Phone: (541) 459-9914

Email: jkunz@fundforanimals.org