1/4/2010

Stefanie Hargreaves

Join us on February 14, 2010 for the second session in our winter show series. Classes include both english and western with prizes awarded for 1st place and ribbons for 1st - 3rd.

Class prices have remained the same: $7 for pre-entry and $9 the day of the show.  We have plenty of stalls available in case of inclement weather; the cost is $25 for the day and includes bedding and water.  We also offer an all-day pass with unlimited classes, plus stall for $125.

Concessions will be available on-site. All proceeds go to benefit People Helping Horses.

12/1/2009

Stefanie Hargreaves

PHH is proud to be the charity of choice for Joanie Cowden, whose Christmas Break Barrel Racing Clinic will take place December 28 - 30th, 2009 at Fox Fire Farm in Snohomish, Washington. 20% of the proceeds from the clinic will go directly to PHH.

Clinic highlights will include one-on-one instruction with Joadie, barrels and pole bending, learning Joanie's four Cs of horsemanship, and lots more.

The cost for the three day clinic is $295. There are overnight stalls available and concessions on-site.

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to learn from a master. As a fourth generation rancher and horse trainer raised on large ranches in Wyoming and Montana, Joanie has a unique perspective on horse training. There are many names these days like horse handlers, whisperers, and naturalists, but simply put Joanie is a professional horse woman. Joanie has been training horses for forty-five years and is a gold cardholder in the Women's Professional Rodeo Association, competing in professional rodeos for 36 years. She has done it all and won it all.

For more information on this amazing event, please visit Joadie's site:
http://www.cowdenhorses.comOr call 208-720-0086 for full details.

11/9/2009

Stefanie Hargreaves

Seized by the county when her owner was accused of abuse and neglect, Dahlia the adorable dappled grey pony came into People Helping Horses care in August 2009. Little was known about the 20-year-old's background, though scars on her withers seem to indicate that she was used for cart work at some point in her mysterious past.

The pint-sized mare had little use for humans when she first arrived, the lack of love evident in her shying away from attention whenever someone was near. "She wasn't aggressive, just not interested," commented Meghan Valenti, PHH trainer. "I can't say that I blamed her."

All of that changed when it was discovered one morning that Dahlia was colicking. The vet was called immediately. Gretchen Salstrom, PHH Founder and Executive Director, recounts the difficult 24 hours following. "As with most colic cases, it's a game of wait and see. We made her as comfortable as possible and checked on her every two hours throughout the night." When the mare had failed to pass anything, the vet was summoned again the next morning, this time giving Dahlia a healthy does of mineral oil and suggesting IV fluids.

"The fluids and oil seemed to do the trick and within 24 hours we had poop--which, as any horse person will tell you, is a good thing!" Salstrom added. Dahlia's eyes brightened and her demeanor indicated that she was feeling much better, though the most remarkable aspect of all was her attitude towards those who had helped her through the difficult time. "She clearly now understands that humans can do good--not just bad. She's slowly but surely coming around, which is wonderful to see."

Apparently, you can teach an old pony new tricks.

11/6/2009

Stefanie Hargreaves

People Helping Horses Founder and Executive Director Gretchen Salstrom is pleased to announce that the organization's cause page on the social networking site Facebook has reached 1,000 members. "It's thrilling to know that our message is reaching 1,000--and hopefully even more as those who have joined the cause spread the PHH mission to friends, family, co-workers, and beyond."

Used by countless organizations as a way to raise awareness and funding, Facebook is a valuable tool in today's world where time and money are at a premium. "As a non-profit," Salstrom continued, "we must be mindful of every dollar we spend. Facebook is not only a quick, easy way to update our supporters on what's happening, but it's free."

The challenge now, as Salstrom sees it, is growing the PHH cause page and encouraging those members to join the fan page where daily updates our made concerning horses, events, and organizational needs. "More members joining our cause and fan pages means more people hearing our message--and, more importantly, more horses being saved."

Please join the People Helping Horses Facebook fan page here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/People-Helping-Horses/118134535763?ref=ts

9/14/2009

Stefanie Hargreaves

Leg Up for Kids Therapeutic Riding, a service program operated by Arlington, WA based nonprofit organization People Helping Horses, is proud to welcome Emily Boirum! A North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) certified instructor, Emily joins the team after logging many hours as a faithful volunteer and intern. She’ll join head instructor Laurie Grow in teaching nearly XX riders with varying disabilities from across Western Washington.

Said Leg Up Volunteer Coordinator Melissa Anderson, “Emily’s enthusiasm, positive can-do attitude, and bright smile are inspiring.  She is a valuable asset to our organization and we are lucky to have her.  Simply put, we could not do what we do without her.”

Boirum also recently won the Volunteer of the Year award for her region through NARHA. She is now qualified to compete in November for the National Volunteer of the Year honor which will be awarded in Fort Worth, Texas at the NARHA National conference.

8/21/2009

Stefanie Hargreaves

Christopher Driver has been intrigued by the military his entire life. He joined the army at 17 with the dream of becoming an Army Ranger. His first tour in 2008 lasted 18 months where he ran convoys between Kuwait and Mazzule—one of the most dangerous routes a soldier can travel. Although his parents, Tim and Becky Pursley, are extremely proud of him, they spent his entire tour on pins and needles, the current situation in the Middle East making the wait that much more agonizing.

He returned unharmed and his family breathed a tremendous sigh of relief. Then, in January 2009, Christopher received word that he would be deployed to Afghanistan for a second tour of duty in August.

Stationed in Fort Carson Colorado for the interim, Christopher was granted a 10 day leave to return home to Washington State. As Chris and his mom Becky discussed the upcoming trip, Becky asked him what he wanted to do when he came home. His response surprised her: “Mom, I would really just like to spend some time with my family, visit with my friends and maybe go check out that horse rescue that you and Dad are always talking about.”

“I was shocked at first to learn that he was even listening to us as we rambled on about People Helping Horses,” Becky explained, “and I was excited that it peaked his interest enough to want to check it out while he was home." After Becky hung up, she sent an email to Gretchen Salstrom, Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit horse rescue organization, asking if it would be possible for Christopher to tour the facility and spend some time with the rescue horses. Gretchen responded immediately, inviting Christopher out to PHH for the day for some quality time at the barn.

When Christopher and his parents arrived at PHH the following week, “everyone-- including staff that we didn’t even know that well--went out of their way to meet and talk with Christopher and answer all of his questions,” Becky recalls with gratitude. “After we had been there about 45 minutes, I realized that Christopher had become so fascinated with the horses he had wandered off by himself and was soon in his own world, as if nothing existed around him. For a short time he had no fears, no concerns--it was just him and the horses. We spent hours at the rescue that day, walking and talking to the horses. I have to say that was probably the best time we spent together in years.”

Becky added, “Christopher’s grandfather was a true cowboy in every sense of the word and they were very close. He passed away several years ago, and it has been very hard for Christopher to no longer have his grandfather around to talk to about his problems or even just have the opportunity to see what he has done with his life. I truly believe that Christopher feels closest to his grandfather when he is around the horses. I know if his grandfather could see him now he would be very proud of the man he has become. Words can never express how thankful his father and I are for PHH, Gretchen, Laura Laney, the Adoption Coordinator, and all the staff that worked so hard to welcome Christopher, our son and soldier, into the PHH family on that beautiful day.”

“Christopher’s story is a testament to the power that horses can have in our lives,” Gretchen added. “I know that now, as he faces the battle field, he carries with him the connection he formed with the PHH horses when he visited—a connection that will live on in his heart and soul and give him strength as he serves his country. Open your heart to a horse, and you open yourself to the possibility that lies in each and every one of us to do great things.”

People Helping Horses is a locally based, nationally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the horse-to-human relationship through education, rehabilitation, and support for the equine community. Additional information can be found at www.peoplehelpinghorses.org, www.facebook.com/peoplehelpinghorsess, and www.twitter.com/HelpAHorse.

8/7/2009

Stefanie Hargreaves

It was a drizzly, dark October day in 2007 when People Helping Horses Founder and Executive Director Gretchen Salstrom received the call from Pasado’s Safe Haven. The large rescue organization had been asked by the King County Sheriff to assist in caring for 24 severely neglected and abused animals. Chickens, pigs, goats, geese, cows, a llama, and horses were among those in the Covington herd, emaciated and covered in feces and mud. Would PHH be willing to step in and help out with the horses, the Pasado’s representative asked. By the next morning all three of the equines were tucked into dry, warm stalls in the PHH rescue barn, their new names being Coda, Howdy, and Lilly.

Prosecution of Jake Rider, the man responsible for all 24 of the animals, was a slow and painstaking process for all involved. Salstrom finally had the opportunity to speak up for the horses in July 2009 when King County Prosecuting Attorney Zach Elsner requested that she testify in the case against Rider. Salstrom heartily agreed and went on to spend a draining day in the courtroom, sharing with the judge and jury all of the facts pertaining to the three equines.

Within days a ruling was handed down, finding Jake Rider guilty of 11 counts of animal cruelty. He will be sentenced on August 14, 2009, with substantial monetary fines and jail time as possible penalties.

“The Rider case is a victory not only for the abused animals involved, but for the individuals who came to their rescue,” commented Salstrom, adding “and also for the millions of individuals across the planet who are committed to speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. If there was ever proof that patience and diligence is worth one’s while, the Rider case is it.”

Today, both Howdy and Lilly have found their forever homes. Sadly, due to an injury that affected both quality of life and adoptability, Coda was euthanized, though not before spending a wonderful spring and summer at PHH, surrounded by volunteers who loved him and staff who treated him with the respect he so richly deserved.

“Every single hour of blood, sweat, and tears is worth it in the end,” Salstrom confirmed. “To see Howdy and Lilly in their new homes, safe and happy after their harrowing experience, underscores the fact that we’re making a difference.”