3. Table of Contents
Team Member Biographies
Meet the student advocates for Idaho Horse Rescue
Appendix Intro
Organization Information
Why we chose this organization
Strategic Research
Basic Needs and Costs—Alisa Eggimann
Challenges of abandoned and abused horses—Eve Galati
Law with Action—David Conlin
Abuse—Scott Butler
Equestrian Therapy—Aubrey Nielson
Care and Idaho Horse Rescue—Tara Banks
Reflection
What we learned
Team Member Tasks
How we contributed
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4. Biographies
Alisa Eggimann
is from Pocatello, Idaho. She is currently studying dance, ed-
ucation, and communications at BYU-Idaho. Alisa cheered for
years before she served an LDS mission in Latvia. Now Alisa
spends her time choreographing for show choirs andtheatre
productions. She is married to Tyler Eggimann and they plan
to run and own a Crossfit gym in the near future.
Eve Galati
is from Cary, North Carolina. She is graduating in July with
her bachelor’s in Communication with an Emphasis in Public
Relations and a module in Media Sales. After graduation she
and her husband are returnin to North Carolina where they
will soon be welcoming a new baby and settling down.
David Conlin
is from Bay Area, California. He is currently studying com-
munications with an emphasis in advertising at BYU-Idaho.
An ambitious artist David seeks to enter into the business
workforce adding to the wealth of ideas and innovation. His
mission in life is to make the world a more creative place.
4
5. Scott J Butler
is graduating with a communications degree in the an em-
phasis of public relations from BYU-Idaho. He has grown up in
several states across the country. He is the oldest of four sib-
lings. He is passionate about undertaking meaningful causes
to make the world a better place. Horseback riding is a hobby
for Scott, and this project has personal importance to him.
Aubrey Nielson
was raised in St. George, Utah. She is a communication ma-
jor at BYU-Idaho with a Public Relations emphasis. Aubrey is
hoping to work as a Public Relations agent for a company that
she is passionate about and can advocate for. She is looking
forward to working on and accomplishing her internship after
she graduates.
Tara Banks
is a senior from Corona, California. She is studying communi-
cation with an emphasis in advertising and a minor in media
sales. After graduation, she hopes to work for a sports adver-
tising agency, then later to work for a sports team in adver-
tising and event operations. She would also like to do work
for the United States Military for their advertising and events
operations.
5
6. Appendix Intro
Why did we select this organization?
Some of us have experiences with horses, but most likely all of us have experiences with animals. We have loved
an animal, and many of us have had to take care of an animal. Most of us couldn’t imagine our heartache if an
animal we cared about was suffering. We would do whatever we could to help. Well, there are animals who are
suffering from abandonment, neglect, and abuse. There are horses even within the Idaho area who have no place
to go. But there is something we can do to help, and there are people who are already helping.
Organizations like Idaho Horse Rescue are making a difference for horses who need to be loved and who need to
be saved. That is why we chose Idaho Horse Rescue.
What was the decision making process like?
We first chose BGB but then had some problem with contacting them. We later found out that they had shut down
two years ago. So we chose the next closer non-profit horse organization. We are grateful that Idaho Horse Rescue
was available.
Organization Information
Name: Idaho Horse Rescue
Location: 947 E. Winding Creek Drive, Eagle, ID 83616
Phone: (208) 941-4908
E-mail: robert@idahohorserescue.org
Web: www.idahohorserescue.org
If you would like to visit Idaho Horse Rescue please email or call to set up an appointment.
Mission: According to the Idaho Horse Council, Idaho’s current horse population is estimated to be over 200,000
not including wild horses. In today’s difficult economic environment many find it difficult to care for their horses
properly. The result is an increase in abused, abandoned and neglected horses.
Idaho Horse Rescue aims to rescue, rehabilitate and provide refuge for these animals. IHR further pledges to offer
educational information and services to help our community better care for their horses.
General Information: IHR is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Please make a tax
deductible donation today. Without your donations, our rescue and rehabilitation work would not be possible.
6
7. Long Description: Our Goals:
•To identify abuse by means of community participation and involvement
•To rescue horses from environments of neglect or abuse
•To rehabilitate rescued horses by providing training and veterinary care
•To coordinate “for life” adoption services into suitable and approved homes
•To offer equine education and training to horse owners in our community
•To give refuge: providing a peaceful, safe and loving home for horses in need
•To facilitate the surrender of horses by owners unable to adequately care for them and horses referred by
State Control Officers and agencies.
Company Overview: Idaho Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, providing rescue and
rehabilitation facilities for abused, neglected or injured horses. Additionally we accept animals, when space
allows, surrendered by private owners or through state animal control facilities. IHR is funded through individual
donations and grants.
Short Description: Help Us Help Them http://idahohorserescue.org/
Idaho Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, providing rescue and rehabilitation facilities for
abused, neglected or injured horses.
7
8. Strategic Research
Basic Needs and Costs
Alisa Eggimann
Source One: About.com article “What are the basic needs of a horse?” http://horses.about.com/od/buyingyourfirst-
horse/f/basicneeds.html
Their website is from actual experts on certain issues. In this case, horses.
Source Two: About.com article “What does it cost to take care of a horse?”
http://horses.about.com/od/buyingyourfirsthorse/f/horsekeeping.htm
Their motto is: We’re the largest source of expert content on the Internet. We help millions of users answer questions,
solve problems, learn something new or find inspiration.
Source Three: Idaho Horse Rescue
http://idahohorserescue.org/
Idaho Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, providing rescue and rehabilitation facilities for abused,
neglected or injured horses.
Source Four: Humane Society http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/horses/tips/rules_horse_feeding.html
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest and most effective animal protection organization.
Source Five: America’s Horse Daily
http://americashorsedaily.com/what-is-colic/#.VZrC0hNViko
“America’s Horse Daily is your premier educational resource for all of your horse-related interests and activities… With
daily updates on important topics such as health, breeding, showing, training, racing, recreational riding and tack,
America’s Horse Daily has something for every level of horse involvement.”
Source Six: Simply Psychology
http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Simply Psychology is a website that has psychological articles and resources. I used this
website to find Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and to apply it to horses.
Source Seven: American Horse Council
http://www.horsecouncil.org/national-economic-impact-us-horse-industry
The American Horse Council was organized in 1969 to represent the horse industry in
Washington before Congress and the federal regulatory agencies. It is a non-profit
corporation that represents all segments of the equine industry.
8
9. Key Facts:
1. Basic Needs of a horse include: a) pasture free from hazards such as holes, rusty farm b) machinery and loose wire
fences c) safe fencing such as wooden, plastic, or vinyl. d) rails, or mesh wire fencing e) Grass for grazing or equivalent
amount of good quality hay f) Unlimited supply of fresh clean water, heated if necessary in sub-freezing temperatures
g) Unlimited access to minerals and salt. h) Shelter from wet or wintry weather and shade in summer i) A dry clean area
to lie down j) Daily monitoring for injury or illness k) Companionship, either with another horse, donkey, mule or pony or
another animal such as a sheep or goat (source one).
2. Basic costs vary because the horse may have other expenses because of a) dental work b) vaccinations c) veterinarian
bills, such as colic surgeries d) shoes, competing e) breeding f) rising fuel price (source 2).
3. But other than the varied expenses, here are the other costs:
· one half bale of hay $2.00 per day
· Six month supply of loose mineral supplement $30.00 or 0.17 per day
· Salt block $14.00 or $0.04 per day
· Two two cup servings of inexpensive concentrate per day $1.00
· Farrier every six week at $35 per trim or $0.83 day
· Dewormer every 3 months $0.20 per day
· Dentistry once a year at $125 or $0.35 per day
· Annual basic core vaccinations of rabies, tetanus, equine influenza, and other routine vaccines at $95.00
or $0.27 per day (source 2).
4. Minimum cost per day to keep one horse is $5.01 per day or $1828.65 per year (source 2).
5. Feed according to the horse’s needs. Two major factors for deciding how much your horse needs to eat are her size and
the amount of work she does (source 4).
6. Another basic need is to remember to stick to a routine. If this need isn’t met then it may prompt a colic episode.
“Horses thrive on routine and their amazingly accurate internal clocks make them much better timekeepers than their
human
caretakers. Horses should be kept on a consistent feeding schedule, with meals arriving at the same time each day. Most
horses aren’t harmed by an abrupt change in schedule, but for horses who are prone to colic, a sudden change in routine
can be more than an annoyance and might be enough to trigger a colic episode” (source 4).
7. Sickness in abused and abandoned horses is common. But “Colic remains a major cause of sickness and death in horses”
(source 5).
8. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has five stages that can be divided into basic needs. The first three are 1. Biological and
Physiological needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep. 2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security,
order, law, stability, freedom from fear. 3. Love and belongingness needs - friendship, intimacy, affection and love, - from
work group, family, friends, romantic relationships. For a horse, the first basic needs involve air, food, and shelter. If the
horse doesn’t have this, then his basic needs aren’t being met (source 6).
9. 2 million people own horses. There are 9.2 million horses in the United States. Approximately 34% of horse owners
have a household income of less than $50,000 and 28% have an annual income of over $100,000. 46% of horse owners
have an income of between $25,000 to $75,000 (source 7).
10. Idaho Horse Rescue is actively fundraising for the following much needed items: Hay ($85/ton), High volume stock
waterer ($1,000), 50’ Round corral ($1,400), 10-Stall horse barn ($20,000) (source three).
9
10. Strategic Research
Challenges
Eve Galati
Source One: Defined by the AAEP in 2005 and since adopted by the UHC: “Horses which are no longer wanted by their
current owner because they are old, injured, sick, unmanageable, fail to meet their owner’s expectations
(e.g., performance, color or breeding), or their owner can no longer afford them.”
Reasons horses become unwanted:
“Economics (affordability) is the most commonly cited reason
for why a horse becomes unwanted
Old age/injury of the horse
Loss of owner interest/use for the horse
Unmanageability of the horse
Change in owner employment status”
“Most Horse Owners reported they have been faced with the decision of selling, donating or euthanasia. Only 12% of
Horse Owners indicated they have not yet experienced having to make one of these choices.”
http://www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org/resources/UHC_Survey_07Jul09b.pdf
Source Two: http://www.thehorse.com/topics/welfare-and-industry/equine-rights-welfare/abuse-neglect-news
Source Three: http://www.horsewelfare.ca/horse-welfare-resources/205-the-unwanted-horse-in-the-united-states-
international-implications
Source Four: The dominant factor the analysis produced in every state was the price of hay. “My assumption was always
that unemployment was the dominant factor”, admitted EWA
president John Holland. “In fact, the analysis showed that the rate of unemployment in the state was the least important
predictor of the level of abuse and neglect.”
http://www.habitatforhorses.org/study-of-equine-abuse-and-neglect-patterns-produces-surprising-findings/
Source Five: The average lifespan of a horse is 30 years. For a healthy animal, it costs approximately $1,825 annually(2)
to provide basic care for a horse, not including veterinary medical or farrier (hoof) care, or about $54,750 over the life of
the animal.
A 2010 University of California-Davis report noted that 144 registered non-profit horse rescues responding (out of 326
contacted) spent an average $3,648/horse/year. The study suggests an average annual cost of $50 million for 13,700
animals in registered non-profit care facilities. And, more horses need rescue care every year.
10
11. Some owners opt to have their animals put down. The average fee(4) for a veterinarian to chemically euthanize a
horse by intravenous injection is $66, which does not include carcass disposal. According to the Unwanted Horse
Coalition’s 2009 survey, the average cost of euthanasia and carcass disposal (as reported by horse owners) is $385
per horse.
Thousands more are starving at the hands of animal hoarders and well-meaning but naive individuals. They are
neglected and in need of food, water, veterinary, hoof and dental care.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), an agency of the US Dept. of Agriculture, reports 130,900
horses were shipped outside the U.S. for immediate slaughter in 2011: 62,500 to Canada; 68,400 to Mexico.
Additionally, 2,590 head went to Canada as feeders. (Caring for these horses in rescues would cost approximately
$480 million annually.)
http://amillionhorses.com/
Source Six: Our current facilities are full! Each week we receive calls from within our
community - asking for help with abused or neglected horses. A new barn will allow us to
shelter additional horses and offer a better quality of care for those needing specialized
medical treatment or dietary needs. Please contact us to make a direct barn donation, or make your monetary
donation below. Together we can make a difference for so many more.
http://www.idahohorserescue.org/default.asp
Key Facts:
1. Horses are expensive to maintain ($1,825 annually, $54,750 lifespan)
2. Economics, old age/injury, loss of owner interest/use in horse, unmanageability of horse, and change in owner
employment status are main reasons horses become unwanted.
3. Horses are expensive to put down if they are sick or injured ($385 per horse)
4. Hay is expensive.
5. Some horses have owners who are animal hoarders, who neglect to feed or take care of them.
6. Horses are getting shipped outside of the U.S. for slaughter (130,900 in 2011)
7. Horses are expensive to rehabilitate.
8. Though there are some rehabilitation facilities for horses, many of those facilities are full or over capacity.
(source 6)
9. Horses that are up for adoption don’t always get adopted, so they stay at facilities longer. (source 6)
10. It can be hard for rehabilitation facilities to keep up with the demand for abandoned and neglected horses.
(source 6)
11
12. Strategic Research
Law and Action
David Conlin
Source One: Humanesociety.org, title “Report Animal Cruelty.”
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/abuse_neglect/tips/cruelty_action.html
The Humane Society is the nation’s largest and most effective animal protection organization. They provide
hands-on care and services to more than 100,000 animals each year.
Source Two: Petfinder.com come article, “What constitutes animal cruelty”
https://www.petfinder.com/helping-pets/animal-cruelty/aspca-animal-cruelty-fact/
Petfinder is an online, searchable database of animals who need homes. On their site they provide much information
specific to pets and animals.
Source Three: thehorse.com article “Animal Abuse Laws—the Best and the Worst”
http://cs.thehorse.com/blogs/horses-and-the-law/archive/2009/08/25/animal-abuse-laws-the-best-and-the-worst.
aspx
According to the website, “provides health information for horses of all breeds and disciplines and offers cutting-edge
knowledge to veterinarians, owners and managers who care for their horses.” Not only this, but also provides extra
information on a variety of topics such as legal action in pertinence to horses.
Source Four: igha.org Article title “When is it horse abuse?”
http://www.igha.org/abuse.html
IGHA stands for International Generic Horse Association, its the world’s largest all-breeds
registry, provides much information about horses.
Source Five: Equusmagazine.com article “Neglected abuse abandoned horse: How to help.
http://equusmagazine.com/article/neglected-abandoned-abused-horses-25992
According to their website EQUUS is committed to helping horse owners achieve a better
understanding and appreciation of the nature and needs of the horse.
12
13. Key Facts:
1. Enforcement of animal cruelty laws can be carried out by local police or by humane or municipal agencies that are
granted power from the state or local government.(source 2)
2. 33 states currently have laws that make intentional cruelty a felony charge, while the remaining states treat
animal cruelty as a misdemeanor. (source 2)
3. Animal cruelty and legal action falls under the Constitution, specifically the Bill of Rights which defines the limits of
state action and restrictions of what officers can legally do.
Requirement for a warrant is essential for the search and seizure of an individual’s property. Animals of Abuse and
neglect must proceed in line with the fourth and fifth Amendment, due process of law prior to forfeiture of an
individual’s animal property.(source 3)
4. Some States have specific strict regulations, for example in response to the cruel treatment of horse in Tennessee
Congress passed the Horse Protection Act (HPA) The intent of the law was to ban “soring”—the intentional infliction of
pain to a horse’s limbs to produce an exaggerated, artificial gait prized by some shows and judges. (source 1)
5. Steps to follow when discovering an abused an abandon horse according to igha:
First, find out who is the “official” animal abuse investigative entity for your city or county.
Next, contact them by phone and give an accurate description of the abuse you are reporting. If no action is taken,
write a very detailed (and non-emotional) letter stating ONLY the facts as you know them. Send it by certified mail to
the person at the investigative entity you talked to (you did get their name and title, right?).
Follow up in a few days with another telephone call. If you still don’t get any satisfaction, call them again within a
few days. Always remember to remain unemotional and non-insulting. State only the facts as you personally know
them, and make them aware again of the urgency of the situation. (source 4)
6. Once called an officer and his assistants catch the horse or horses, photograph each one as well as the conditions
in which they were living, and then trailer them to a holding facility. A veterinarian or welfare professional may meet
the officer either at the property or at the facility, and once the horses are at their destination, a complete veterinary
examination may be conducted, including bloodwork, fecal exams and other tests, to assess and document their
current condition. (source 5)
7. Prepare to testify, while most jurisdictions will accept an anonymous report of animal
cruelty, the likelihood of a successful prosecution greatly increases with a witness who is willing to testify. Most cases
never make it to trial, but if you want to ensure justice for the abused, you should be willing to give your testimony in
court in order to bolster the case.(source 3)
8. After hearing the testimony and reviewing the evidence, the judge or JP will decide
whether the horses were neglected or abused. If the ruling is in the owner’s favor, the horses may be returned.
Sometimes the judge may order the officer to conduct follow-up visits to ensure that the horses continue to receive the
care they need. (source 5)
9. If found guilty, the owner faces fines, restitution (payment to cover the cost of caring for the animals) and possibly
time in jail. The owner can appeal a conviction, and sometimes these cases may drag on through the courts for years.
(5)
10. Governmental humane societies are usually the only agencies empowered with any legal authority to take a
horse away from an abusive owner. (source 4)
13
15. Key Facts:
1. The Henneke System, developed in 1983, is used to assess the level of abuse of a horse and determine treatment for
animal.
2. The chart covers six major parts of the horse: neck, withers (where the neck ends and the back begins), the shoulder
area, ribs, loins, and the tail head area.
3. Horses are rated from 1 to 9, with 1 being very thin or in poor condition, and 9 being obese. 5 is considered ideal on
average. A score between 4 and 7 is considered ideal.
4. The exact ideal number for each horse depends on its age, breed, and occupation.
5. The Henneke Scale can assess the health of an abused horse through the use of only sight and feeling with the
hands.
6. Mares with a score of less than five can often have reproductive problems and difficulty nursing their young. This can
result from abuse.
7. Having a score too high is unhealthy for the horse and can be considered a lack of proper care of the horse.
8. In cold winter conditions, it is especially hard for a horse to maintain sufficient body fat and so it must be cared for
properly by its owner.
9. Some common forms of horse abuse, beside malnutrition or neglect include:
• Soring, the driving of nails into the horse’s frog making it painful for the horse to bear much weight on its
foot, to alter the horse’s gait
• Wearing chains, wires, or beads on the hoof to alter the horse’s gait
• Trussing horses in restrictive harnessing to change the horse’s gait.
• Hanging heavy weights on a horse’s neck to lower the head for competition (Western Pleasure classes)
• Tail blocking, injecting rubbing alcohol in the tail or surgically altering the tail, to keep the horse’s tail down
• Bestiality
• Mule Diving, forcing animals to jump off high planks into small pools of water
• Abuse by neglect
• Intentional abuse
10. Horses can often end up homeless. This may result from one of several factors:
• Owners die
• Horses have a lifespan of up to 30 years, and many people are not prepared to care for an animal that long
• Being lame or unrideable
• Competitive horses stop winning
15
16. Strategic Research
Equestrian Therapy
Aubrey Nielsen
Source One: BGB Horse Service and Rescue Blog: http://bgbhorseserviceandrescue.blogspot.com/
Here was my main source of how I found out that BGB works with special needs children and integrates that service into
their horse rescue mission. What I mostly got from this was their love and passion for helping children through their own
love of horses.
Source Two: Equestrian Therapy:
http://www.equestriantherapy.com/
This website focuses on horse therapy for children & adults with special needs. I found a lot of useful information on this
site, especially with the history and therapeutic benefits of equestrian therapy. It has a lot of good information.
Source Three: Equine Therapy
http://www.equine-therapy-programs.com/disabled.html
This site really helped point out the difference between normal horseback riding and equestrian therapy. It also made me
aware of the differences in therapy provided from Asperger’s and Autism to disabled children.
Source Four: Pressconnects.org
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/feb/26/horses-therapists-stress-autism-addiction
this source focuses on the psychiatric help that equestrian therapy brings to patients. Psychologists recognize now that it
works with autistic children, young people with behavioural problems, adults with depression or celebrities with
addictions.
Source Five: National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy
http://nceft.org/
This was a really good site to find a lot of different information on equestrian therapy. It is the National Center, so it has
all the information that all other equestrian therapy’s in the nation would follow.
16
17. Key Facts:
1. BGB really cares for their horses and uses them to help with children special needs.(1)
2. “We work with special needs children and adults and give them opportunity to love and grow both with their physical
and mental needs.” (1)
3. Equestrian therapy is particularly applied to patients with ADD, anxiety, autism, dementia, delay in mental
development, down syndrome and other genetic syndromes, depression, trauma and brain injuries, behavior and abuse
issues and other mental health issues. (2)
4. In the process, equestrian or equine therapy aims for its patients or students to: build sense of self-worth,
self-concept, improve communication, build trust and self-efficiency, develop socialization skills and decrease isolation,
learn impulse control and emotional management, set perspective, learn their limits or boundaries.(2)
5. Besides the physical benefits derived from therapeutic riding, the contact with the animal is a powerful experience,
and the strong bond that is sometimes experienced often has a profound, uplifting effect on people who are troubled or
suffering. (3)
6. This type of therapy can improve balance, posture, mobility, reactive time, as well as improve problems such as
emotional, cognitive, behavioral, communicative, and social malfunction. (3)
7. It has been clinically documented that just being around horses changes human brainwave patterns. We calm down
and become more centered and focused when we are with horses. (4)
8. One of the reasons why equine-assisted therapies work so well is that everyone has a reaction to horses; nobody is
indifferent. People either love them or fear them, so that’s two big emotions that immediately reflect what most of life’s
issues revolve around. If you can work with an animal like this and overcome the fear, then it isn’t a bad starting point.
(4)
9. These are different therapies that are offered: hippotherapy, adaptive riding, adaptive carriage driving, Veterans
programs, school programs and a number of other equine-assisted therapies for children, adults and military Veterans
with a variety of physical and mental disabilities.(5)
10.Each equestrian organization takes very good care of their horses and gives them each a good amount of attention
and care. (5)
17
18. Strategic Research
Care and Idaho Horse Rescue Help
Tara Banks
Source One: Horse Net Horse Rescue http://www.horsenethorserescue.org/docs/Caring%20for%20the%20Abused%20
or%20Neglected%20Horse.pdf
This paper was written because they feel, “There are books on basic horse keeping, keeping a horse in your backyard,
different riding disciplines, but nothing on rehabilitating a horse in distress. Many times you will just need to put
yourself in the horse’s place and your initial instinct will let you know how to proceed..”
Source Two: Horse Channel
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-keeping/can-abused-horse-be-saved.aspx
This website address the all needs to caring for an abused horse. They include the many ways to bring the horse back
to health. They also address that the abused horse need to have stable home. They also need to have owners who have
experience with horses and needed to be emotionally stable as well.
Source Three: Horsetopia
http://www.horsetopia.com/articles/basics-of-ownership/rescuing-abused-or-neglected-horses---what-you-need-to-know.
html
This website addresses some factors in identifying abused horses. They help us to be able to better understand what are
the main abuses horses fall into. They also remind us that when taking care of a horse, we cannot be amateur and when
taken in abused horse we need skillful knowledge.
Source Four: Horses and Horse Information
http://www.horses-and-horse-information.com/articles/0701abused.shtml
This website provides many instructions on how to care for horses in abused and non-abused. This article specifically
focuses on how to properly feed a malnourished horse. They also provide facts on what malnourishment does to a horse.
Source Five: American Humane
http://www.americanhumane.org/assets/pdfs/animals/operational-guides/op-guide-horsecareinvestigation.pdf
This article provides many and most of the needs of a horse and how to treat a sick or abused horse. They provide details
in how to tell when a horse is in bad condition.
18
19. Key Facts:
1.A horse requires: Food: Roughage in the form of grass and/or hay and grain
(if necessary) Water: Clean and fresh available 24 hours a day. Shelter: A three-sided structure to shelter them
from in climate weather
2.A horse coming back from passive abuse only knows that it is hungry and does place blame to any one person
while a horse recovering from aggressive abuse doesn’t trust people.
3.“Abuse often is displayed with spookiness,” Mark Rashid says, “but mostly it’s seen as a lack of trust, which can
show up in a whole bunch of different ways.” Horses also may display their fear in ways that may be incorrectly
labeled as aggressive or dominant behaviors.
4.When rehabilitating an abused horse, the physical issues must be addressed before any training can begin.
Neglected and abused horses benefit from equine dentistry, farrier care, chiropractic adjustments and other health
care to become comfortable again. But they will often require frequent sessions performed gently to bring them
back to health.
5.It is important to increase the horse’s feed intake gradually. Providing plenty of good quality hay or pasture and
fresh water is the first step in rehabilitating a horse.
6.Most rescued horses have serious problems with their hooves due to a lack of farrier care. At the minimum, a
rescued horse will need its hooves trimmed.
7.To know how much hay to give a horse is to remember to provide hay that equals 2 percent of the horse’s body
weight, each day.
8.After two weeks of the hay diet, you can try to introduce grain again. Grain should not be forced and should
be given slowly, because their digestive system must re-adjust to eating grain. It can take up to six months to see
normal results.
9.Veterinarians diagnose strongyle infection from microscopic observation of eggs in the feces. Blood tests are
often used to assess the seriousness of an infestation.
10.As a general rule, provide the average horse at rest a total of 12-15 gallons of fresh water each day. This equals
approximately 1-2 liters of water consumed per hour.
19
20. Reflection
Alisa Eggimann
At the beginning I really didn’t have a knowledge about horses because I have only ridden a horse once in my life. One
thing that happened after researching the costs, was I felt more compassionate towards the owners. After researching
the basic needs a horse has to have to survive, I realized that the horse is just like us. I have been learning a lot about
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and I made the connection that the first three needs of humans are the same for horses. If
they don’t have the basic psychological (air, water, shelter) needs then they become close to dying. I also realized that
it takes a lot of money to provide for the necessities when I looked on the Idaho Horse Rescue wish list included in their
website.
Reflection
Eve Galati
Prior to working on this project, I had never really considered the welfare of horses. I assumed that if someone had the
money to afford to buy a horse that they could afford, and would, take care of that horse. During my research I was
shocked to find out that not only do many people neglect horses, but many people abandon and abuse them.
I was so glad to find out that there are organizations out there that help these animals that are so desperately in need,
organizations like Idaho Horse Rescue.
Reflection
David Conlin
Growing up my sister loved horses, I, contrary, was not to fond of them. To be honest, I always felt nervous around
horses. I saw them of large fast animals capable of inflicting injury and harm. However, since researching and
investing time and commitment into this project I have since learned that it is actually quite opposite, it is us as
humans that inflict more injury to horses then they to us. The more I have researched the more I have gained a deep
respect for these powerful creatures. They are truly remarkable and need our care and attention. I think this project
taught me a lesson much deeper than simply changing my view on horses; it taught me about empathy about opening
my eyes to causes all around me. From this assignment I have learned two powerful values, sacrifice and charity and it
is these two values that will take with me for the rest of my life.
Reflection
Scott J. Butler
This project has been eye-opening experience for me. I was already interested in horses and have had spent a lot of
time around them. I didn’t really understand all the needs that horses have though, and this was an educational
experience. Beyond learning quite a bit about the subject matter, I also was able to hone my persuasion and research
skills in order to create my portions of the project. It was an all-around useful and helpful exercise.
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21. Reflection
Aubrey Nielsen
I did not know anything about taking care of horses, let alone injured horses before working with and focusing on
BGB Horse Service and Rescue. This has been an interesting and educational experience for me. I have had a little
experience through my family with riding horses and I really enjoyed learning about taking care of horses and the
amount of abuse horses have encountered around the nation.
I now realize why communities need horse rescue organizations, especially those areas with a high percentage of
horses. I was really surprised that each horse rescue organization around the nation housed ten plus horses, some
even reaching as fifty. The amount of horses that need care and help are a lot larger than I would’ve ever realized if I
hadn’t done the research.
What I really appreciated while researching was that many horse rescue organizations focused on equestrian therapy
for special needs children. This sort of therapy has been used by many therapists and has helped patients overcome
many obstacles and find comfort.
BGB Horse Service and Rescue provides a great service and is bringing a positive change to the world.
Reflection
Tara Banks
From studying this topic, I have learned most importantly how to identify a possibly abused horse and how I can
handle the situation with do’s and don’t’s. Horse abuses cases are numerous, but only some many of the cases are
handled. From learning that horses are often mistreated, we all need to be aware of the identifying causes. We need
to send horses to those who can help and nurse them back to health. It is important that we educate ourselves so we
do not put our lives and the horses live in danger as well. We must legally be aware that we cannot approach a horse
on someone’s property but we must call legal officials as well. We also need to have experience with horses if we
take on horses with traumatic experiences. Horses rely on humans as much as we do. Also within doing research, I
learned that funding for theses organizations is scarce. It is a bigger issue than many of us expect. I learned that due
to lack of funding, many horses are being more neglected and the help they need they cannot receive.
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22. 22
Idaho Horse Rescue
947 E. Winding Creek Drive, Eagle, ID 83616
robert@idahohorserescue.org
www.idahohorserescue.org
208.941.4908
Team Member Tasks
How We Contributed
Appendix Content and Layout—Alisa Eggimann
Appendix Design—David Conlin
Booklet Design—David Conlin
Booklet Content—Aubrey Nielson, Scott Butler
Contacting—Eve Galati, Alisa Eggimann, David Conlin
Photography—Scott Butler
PowerPoint—David Conlin
Presentation—Tara Banks, David Conlin, Scott Butler
Presentation Helpers—Alisa Eggimann, Eve Galati, Aubrey Nielson
Research—Alisa Eggimann, David Conlin, Eve Galati, Aubrey Nielson,
Scott Butler, Tara Banks
