DAYS END FARM HORSE RESCUE - DEFHR

I was struck by the article Barbaro by Vonda Sines because in it she made a point about how Americans really connect emotionally with the under dogs. I have found that there are horses that fight against the odds, and in doing so they capture my heart. Seabiscuit, Hidalgo, Barbaro, and the horse I’d like to introduce to you today.

I was watching the race when Barbaro suffered his tragic injury and have followed his progress avidly ever since, as have all of us. Another horse I’ve followed since the beginning of his journey towards recovery is not a famous and expensive race horse, but rather a seemingly unimportant farm horse who barely stood a chance when he was rescued.

Meet Baker Bean, one of nine horses brought into the Days End Farm Horse Rescue center in Lisbon, Maryland. He arrived after Animal Control personnel got his former, neglectful owner to sign over custody of all his horses rather than face criminal charges. The man got away scott-free, but the horses have a new lease on life. For Baker Bean, help came not a moment too soon.

When he arrived Baker Bean was ranked as a one on the Henneke scale which measures the physical condition of the horse. One is the lowest you can get and Baker Bean was in bad shape; bones clearly visible and barely able to stand. In fact, when he first arrived he was unable to get up on his own and had to be helped to his feet after 30 minutes of resting because he was so exhausted. Only now after 3 weeks of constant free-choice hay and daily feedings is he able to stand up on his own. At first there was concern that he may also be lame but inspection revealed he actually had a nail imbedded in the sole of his foot.

Here is an exerpt from a blog written by Kathy Schwartz, DE's president and will soon be posted on the Day’s End website: “Baker Bean – Baker is the star as he was so very near death when he arrived. Barely putting one foot in front of the other, he would walk over to you for attention. At least once daily Baker would have to be lifted to an upright position at feeding time as he was unable to get up on his own. He was being fed six meals a day of ½ lb of soaked pellets (Legends 12 maturity and High Fat feed). He loves his food and if in a prone position made every available effort to try to help himself get up when he saw us approach, sometimes he was able to get up and amble over, other times he waited for our assistance.

In the beginning 5 of the nine horses that were of the poorest condition were housed on one side of the arena and the others on the other side with portable corral panels between them. Hay was always available yet you saw a constant battle of the bully’s as the leader of each herd would move the others from one pat of hay to another in search of the “best and tastiest” pat of hay!! Invariably, Baker Bean was at the bottom of the Barrel. Most times Avery’s Alibi, the large Bay Mare was doing the pushing but Zippo, the small appy stallion sometimes took over the duty.

When it was time for Bakers meals, I came into the arena via the outside door. We had cornered off another section where Baker would be fed his meals separate from the pack. Baker always saw me out of the corner of his eye and would stroll carefully towards the gate so as not to cause any of the other horses to notice he was headed to the gate to get feed. Most times he made it to the gate before they surrounded him but at other times I had to scoot in there quickly to get him so the other horses didn’t get in our way. …On Saturday, Baker Bean had been getting up and down on his own for two days and he was switched to the same feeding schedule as the others.”

Baker Bean, and the other horses that arrived with him will receive expert care at Days End until they are ready to be adopted into loving, approved homes. Days End has grown from a small rehab facility to a well-respected rescue center that has helped over 1,000 horses since its beginning and has an average of 50-60 on the property at any given time. Once they are healthy and ready for adoption they are available for consideration to approved homes in Maryland. However, you don’t have to adopt a horse to help out. The need for help of all kinds is constant.

Visit their website at http://www.defhr.org where you can view the “wishlist” to see horse, office and other supplies needed; find out how to become a volunteer, participate in one of the education programs, or make a donation. Recently awarded “Best in America” seal of approval by Independent Charities of America watch dog group you can be confident that whatever you do to help the horses at Days End your efforts will go to the best possible use. At Day’s End Farm Horse Rescue Center their mission is “Fostering compassion and responsibility for horses through intervention, education, and outreach.” and I’m just glad they were there for the latest equine love of my heart, Baker Bean.

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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