DAYS END FARM HORSE RESCUE - DEFHR

Days End Farm Horse Rescue is the realization of a dream of its founders Kathleen and Allan Schwartz. Through the support of hundreds of people - volunteers, staff, friends, and donors - it operates as the first all-breed horse rescue in the State of Maryland. Days End Farm, a non-profit, volunteer based animal welfare organization, came into existence in 1989 as a haven to treat injured, ill or neglected horses. From its beginning, the Schwartzes have been leaders and models in the fields of equine rescue and rehabilitation, educational programs, community outreach, and animal disaster recovery. Through their efforts, it is estimated that the lives of over 1,300 horses have been helped in Maryland and across the United States.

Rescue and Rehabilitation
The stories of the abused and neglected horses at Days End Farm are frequently sad and heart-wrenching, but always filled with hope, good deeds, and often triumph. Take the case of Scrapper, a 17-year-old buckskin Quarterhorse. Nearly starved to death, the horse had been unable to stand on her own for almost 36 hours. Dehydrated and needing protein to stay alive, the horse’s muscles had been burned away, and she was immobile.

Through the efforts of a dozen firemen and Days End Farm volunteers, the mare was lifted to her feet. In a desperate attempt to return circulation to the horse’s limbs, those present began to rub her body furiously. To make matters worse, the trip to Days End was two hours away.

Although loading the horse onto the trailer went smoothly, the mare collapsed on the trip back to the farm. Despite difficulties unloading the horse at Days End - local firemen and volunteers again needed to lift the horse - she was given an immediate examination by the veterinarian. Nineteen liters of intravenous fluids were administered to address the mare’s dehydration, medication was applied to her bleeding sores, and hot compresses were used to soothe her swollen eyes.

“She was named ‘Scrapper’ because this was undoubtedly the fight of her life,” Kathleen recalled. When she first arrived, Scrapper was fed a small handful of feed every two hours that was soaked in water and given all the hay she could eat, which the horse consumed continually. The mare spent nearly 7 weeks on 24 hour care. Scrapper was held up by a sling because she did not have the strength to stand or raise herself when she fell, or lay down from exhaustion. After time, the horse regained enough muscle mass to stand on her own.

Nine months of daily exercise, proper care, and the attention of those caring for her led to a remarkable recovery. The mare was eventually turned out into a small paddock and placed under saddle. Scrapper later went on to win quite a few ribbons and “hearts” at local horse shows, where all who knew her admired her courage and resolve.

The rehabilitation of horses like Scrapper often involves intensive and extended care that is costly. To help defray those high expenses, innovative programs like foster care and Save Our Seniors (S.O.S.), a program to help fund the geriatric or medically challenged equine, are offered to the public. The ultimate goal for all of the rehabilitated horses, however, is adoption. All horses adopted are current with their shots, Coggins, trimming, worming and have been vetted. The staff of Days End Farm conducts potential adoptee farm inspections and makes follow-up visits for three years.

The rescue and rehabilitation of abused and neglected horses, as well as their adoption, is only one important element of a vision that the Schwartzes had when they first became involved with mistreated horses. In fact, it is the vision – one that creates a symbiotic relationship between abused and neglected horses and caring human beings - which has evolved over the years that sets Days End Farm Horse Rescue apart from others.

On Site and off Site Educational Programs
Early on it became apparent that those responsible for the mistreatment of horses must be held accountable. The Schwartzes understood that to do so, the law and its full enforcement by the authorities must be pursued vigorously. To that end, Days End Farm has actively supported cruelty investigations and local prosecutions, requiring them to work closely with local county animal control bureaus and veterinarians; the latter have a critical role as they must document the animal’s mistreatment and may be asked to testify in court. To ensure that aggressive action is taken in accordance with state statutes, the education of those involved in cruelty investigation cases is a continuing effort and a high priority.

In fact, since Days End Farm’s inception, the ongoing need to educate the community - veterinarians, prosecutors, animal control officers and the general public – on the prevalence of horse abuse and neglect has been part of its vision. Today, it is a leader in educational programs, focusing on two critical subjects: first, educating the general public and animal control investigators about equine abuse and neglect, and second, informing the public about the importance of proper care and treatment of animals. In addition, educational efforts stressing a link between animal abuse and violence against people are emphasized.

There are many innovative programs conducted on-site. They include “hands on” instruction and seminars for Brownies and Girl Scouts (participants can earn their “Horse Lovers Badge), school children ranging from pre-schoolers to high school including disabled and underprivileged children, and animal control officers, veterinarians, and humane officials. A program called “If Only Love Was Enough” offers two levels of full day classes on the proper care for first time horse owners.

As part of Days End’s off site educational program, the “Share a Heart’ learning program sends volunteers to Maryland schools, civic organizations, and clubs to discuss what the farm is doing to help abused and neglected horses. In addition, a Lecture Series program is offered to the public on a variety of equine topics.

Days End Farm also successfully established ‘The Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation Information Network,’ which permits the farm to provide a quick response at times of disaster and to offer training. It also took the initiative to create a program called “Help Our Proud Equines (H.O.P.E.); among its goals was the establishment of a database of equine veterinarians willing to do cruelty investigations in the State of Maryland.

Community Outreach
Days End Farm’s commitment to educating people about the abuse and neglect of horses and their proper care and training is demonstrated in a comprehensive community outreach program. Farm tours are available to the general public daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In addition, there are summer and fall events on the farm, staffed information booths at major horse events, and other community-based activities. A wide-range of volunteer opportunities from barn maintenance to office work available to the public contributes to the support and maintenance of the farm’s daily operations.

Always at the leading edge of innovation in the field of equine rescue, Days End Farm was the first to offer “Large Animal Rescue Training” in Maryland and one of the few to do so in the United States. The program offers horse owners, Fire and Rescue Personnel, Animal Control, Police, EMTs, Veterinarians, and the general public training on this critical subject. Topics include transporting a horse to a clinic as a result of a trailer accident, responding to a downed horse, and moving the animal in and out of a horse transport.

In a ground-breaking effort to help others around the nation start a horse rescue, Kathy Schwartz wrote the first extensive manual of its kind titled “Guidelines for Establishing a Non Profit Horse Rescue Facility.” Based on their years of experience at Days End Farm, the primer is the most informative publication available on the subject. As a result of the manual, and direct consultations with the Schwartzes, more than 99 Horse Rescues in at least 28 states have been established.

Another example of Days End Farm’s continuing leadership in equine rescue is their active involvement in saving animals at times of major disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and fires. The farm partners with Code 3 Associates and other national organizations in this important effort. In 2004, Days End personnel traveled to hurricane-ravaged Florida. Working under very difficult conditions, staff helped numerous animals by providing shelter, delivering water and feed, assisting with medical aid, and rescuing horses standing in deep water or suffering extreme heat stroke.

The Future
Looking back at her experiences with abused and neglected horses, Kathy Schwartz – Howe recently wrote:
As I wander through the stable I see the deeply bedded stalls, ice free water available to all, free choice hay and an atmosphere of loving, caring people to watch out over all our charges. I look at the poor souls who have just arrived, weak, frightened and worst of all some no longer caring what happens to them as they had given up hope many days ago. After 20 years, I continue to try to make sense of it all. I still continue to ask why it happens . . . .

What will the future bring? Days End Farm has given numerous mistreated horses a second chance, and it will work hard to continue to do so. The farm has also provided countless children and adults the opportunity to experience life – both the bad side and the good side – and to find a personal sense of commitment, satisfaction, and self-assurance. These benefits will continue for those that want to work and support these unfortunate creatures, as they struggle to regain both their physical and emotional health.

In the years to come, Days End will continue to champion the rights of abused and neglected horses and to rescue and rehabilitate them. New and creative approaches will continue to evolve as in the case of Scrapper who, immobile for 36 hours and on the verge of death due to starvation, was given a new lease on life.

With the growth of Days End Farm from a small non-profit operation sheltering only a few horses to a major horse rescue housing an average of 50 to 60 horses at any given time, the time had come to purchase a new facility. In 2004, a New Farm Campaign was launched to raise funds to purchase a property that will ensure that the vision of The Schwartzes can continue for years to come. Since that time, Days End Farm has found and moved on to a 58 acre farm they intend on purchasing when their lease expires in 2015. Fund raising efforts are continuing today to make the New Farm a permanent reality for the horses.

The support of volunteers, staff, donors, and the general public is very extremely important to ensure that neglected and abused horses are given a new beginning. To learn more about Days End Farm Horse Rescue, please continue to browse the website or visit the farm. Kathy Schwartz- Howe or one of the staff would love to show you the farm and horses!.

For more information call:
301/854-5037 or 410/442-1564
E-Mail: info@defhr.org

Physical Address:
1372 Woodbine Road
Woodbine, MD 21797

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 309
Lisbon, Maryland 21765

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