Gerda's Equine Rescue: REDI Implementation Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

Through the REDI grant, we were able to create a Seniors for Seniors program partnering senior horses with seniors (for the purpose of this grant, people age 50+).

Funds from this grant covered our senior horses' adoption fees AND money towards any medication, boots, and treatments they may need to get them started in their new homes.

We have had so much success with this program so far and have already placed eight seniors horses into loving homes (some of them had been at the rescue for two years looking for homes)! Many of these senior horses helped fill a void that was left in many of their new owners' hearts and barns when they lost their beloved horse of many years.

We still have seven more senior horses whom we are still working on placing, but we are confident their new homes will come in the next few weeks.

Because of this grant, we are now able to rescue eight more horses, doubling the impact. Below are the stores and pictures of the horses helped by this grant. None of these happy endings would have been possible without your support! THANK YOU!!!

How many pets did this grant help?

16

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Nell (first photo): Mary had to put her older horse down in February and had been looking for a calm companion to keep her other horse company since then. Nell caught her eye; she looked like a horse Mary had had before, so came to meet her. N

ell, who is a very well-mannered but not snuggly horse, seemed to know that Mary was going to be her person. She instantly poked her head out of the stall and into Mary’s hands, where she soaked up all the love she could get while Mary quietly whispered to her that she would give her the retirement she so deserved and expect nothing of her other than love and companionship.

Charmey & MaMa Caas (second photo): Not only did the Seniors for Seniors program help us find our seniors horses great homes with seniors, it also brought the spotlight to them, and some even found homes with non-seniors’ families! And since their owners paid their adoption fees, we were able to keep the program going and help more senior horses.

From the moment Megan saw Charmey’s adoption post, she knew Charmey needed to come home with her — she was the spitting image of a horse Megan had had growing up. While at the rescue, Charmey had gotten close to another senior horse, MaMa Caas, and Megan could tell Charmey was missing her buddy.

A few days later, we highlighted MaMa Cass in our Seniors for Seniors program — she had been at the rescue for two years waiting for a home of her own. Megan called back and said she would love to adopt MaMa Cass as well! The photo shows their loving embrace when they were reunited in their new home after being separated for two weeks. Now they can enjoy their retirement together, being loved and spoiled by their new mom and girl!

Harlow (third photo): Gina called us hoping to find a companion for her 28-year-old mare who is blind in one eye. She was getting picked on by Gina’s other, younger horse and was needing a calm, docile partner to enjoy her time with. Harlow was the perfect fit!

The best part was that our amazing barefoot trimmer/teacher/mentor, Chris Kruger, worked with Gina’s trimmer, who was familiar with horses who had foundered before. The two spent time going over Harlow’s x-rays and coming up with a plan so that Gina’s trimmer could continue to fix her severely neglected feet and bring her home right away.

Funds from this grant covered Harlow’s adoption fee as well as the biweekly trims and x-rays needed to get her hooves back into shape. Without these funds, Harlow would have stayed at GER for several more months before her hooves were in better shape and she was ready for adoption.

Daisy (fourth photo) originally came to GER in 2010 as an owner-surrender from a neglect case. She had awful slipper feet and, after months of corrective trimming, she was finally ready for a home. She was adopted as a companion for a gypsy vanner who had lost her mini companion suddenly and was hopeless without another horse. The two grew very close and lived happily together for 12 years, until their owners got divorced and could no longer afford to keep Daisy, so she was returned to us a few months ago. Then we got a call that Joan was looking for a devoted companion for her 30-year-old mini, and Daisy fit the bill perfectly!

Buddy (fifth photo) had originally come to GER as a seizure case. For over 10 years, he had lived in awful conditions, being beaten daily by his owner. When he arrived, his eye was swollen shut and he had been locked in a small stall with his friend, who had died of neglect just before Buddy was rescued.

Buddy was rehabilitated and adopted out to a loving family that, after a few years of owning him, needed to move south and was unable to take their horses with them. So he was returned to us at GER. Karren and Karrah had just moved from Massachusetts to Connecticut and, with more space, they were looking to expand their herd. Buddy’s good looks caught their eye, but it was his charm and that won over their hearts!

Benjamin (sixth photo) came to GER almost a year ago as an owner-surrender. Benjamin was in his 20s and, although he was healthy, he had lived as a companion his whole life — he was never given a formal riding education.

Sandra was looking for a companion for her horse Stella, who was living at their farm alone. The family came to visit Benjamin to be sure it would be a good fit, and his puppy dog personality won them over right away! Now he’s enjoying the good life with his new best friend, Stella!

Dashing Brilliance came to GER in 2020 from a kill pen. He had been a cart-racing horse who transitioned to an Amish buggy horse when he couldn’t hack it on the track. He had been worked hard — his legs showed scars from pin firing and he had degenerative dropped suspensories.

Through it all, this stoic standardbred managed to keep a hold of his gentle, loving personality. This gentle giant went to a foster home for the summer, where he loved looking over and snuggling with the foster’s minis. He quickly became a foster fail and was adopted. He will enjoy the rest of his days being spoiled and loved!