|
It All Started with Tag #6561!
Storeybrook Farm Recognized as EQUUS Foundation Forever Farm
When Andrew, Olivia, and Storey Alcorta bought Storeybrook Farm, a nine-stall horse farm in Waterbury, Vermont, they intended to offer the very best environment for boarders and horse owners who were ready to retire their horses. But, that all changed in August 2020, when Olivia came across a picture of Tag #6561. Tag #6561, now known as Abe, arrived at a kill pen in Pennsylvania emaciated after years of working as an Amish carriage horse.
Left: Abe at the kill pen; Right: Abe after rehabilitating at Storeybrook Farm
|
The Story behind Storeybrook
"All day I couldn't get that image of that horse's face out of my mind," said Olivia. By late afternoon, she inquired about him, and no one had shown any interest in saving him. She knew then and there that Abe's life depended on what she would do next -- so she pulled out her credit card and began setting up quarantine arrangements for him.
When Abe arrived, Olivia knew that this was going to be the first horse of many that would find solace at Storeybrook Farm.
"I have never handled kinder horses than the horses I have rescued from the kill pens. They have no reason to show compassion or forgiveness to people, yet the minute you show them kindness or a good home, they wipe the slate clean and give you all their trust."
|
Olivia Alcorta with Abe at Storeybrook Farm |
Since starting in August 2020, Storeybrook has saved an astounding 150 horses that were bound for slaughter. Many of those were saved through their #SaveAHorseSunday social media platform featuring three horses every week that are in kill pens needing a miracle.
Olivia has received mixed reactions on her rescue efforts -- congratulations from many but also sentiments that horses ending up in kill pens were damaged beyond rehabilitation and not worth saving. "Those horses are there because people have failed them. People have used them up and tossed them out when their bodies couldn't keep up with the demands of their labor, or their breed has been overbred in hopes of making a few extra bucks, or they ran their heart and legs into the ground only to be discarded by the age of five."
“These horses deserve better and I am passionate about trying to give them all a better shot at a good life.”
--Olivia Alcorta
"We are honored to welcome Storeybrook Farm as an EQUUS Foundation Forever Farm", said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President. EQUUS Foundation Forever Farms are horse farms and equestrian facilities that demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding the comfort and dignity of horses throughout their lives by:
—Adopting and providing a forever home for at least one equine rescued from abuse, neglect, the threat of slaughter, or surrendered due to owner hardship;
—Assuming the responsibility for the care and providing a temporary home for an equine foster on an ongoing basis.
Saving horses one horse at a time
With tens of thousands of America's horses confronted with abuse, neglect, and the threat of being shipped across our borders for slaughter, the EQUUS Foundation recognizes and applauds horse farms and equestrian facilities for adopting or fostering a horse until they are adopted or until a rescue center has space to take the horse back. Fostering is a powerful way to allow rescue centers to increase their capacity and save more lives.
Storeybrook Farm joins Warioto Farm, the inaugural Forever Farm of the EQUUS Foundation, owned by Joni Werthan. Julio, a newly retired 20 plus year old carriage horse who was a favorite on the streets of New York City for many years, arrived at Warioto Farm on December 13, greeted by the carriage horses Joni adopted since the start of the Forever Farms program in 2018.
|
Joni said, "Retiring New York City carriage horses here at the farm has always been my dream. This is the seventh New York City carriage horse to retire at Warioto Farm in the past couple of years. Some of these horses worked together in New York City. It is especially heart warming to see them now reunited to enjoy each other's company and to be safe and loved for the rest of their lives."
|
Julio arriving at Warioto Farm |
Beethoven and Juliet with Joni Werthan at Warioto Farm |
|
ABOUT EQUUS FOUNDATION: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, is the only national animal welfare charity in the United States 100% dedicated to protecting America's horses and strengthening the bond between people and horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: equusfoundation.org.
|
|
|
