FROM THE KILL PEN! HELP US RAISE 7K TO BRING JOEY AND TRYSTAN HOME!

There once were two beautiful, young mares named Trystan and Joey, that were valued and prized by the ranchers who owned them for their spirit and strength. They were fed and cared for -  but never loved. One day, the rancher decided to downsize his horses, so he sold them to a kill buyer where they were transported to a "kill pen” in Texas (a set of crowded corrals.) There were hundreds of other horse in these dirty pens including mothers with babies; and very little food and water to go around. This caused the horses to fight and bite, and sometimes the weak, young and babies would die. Fear and adrenaline clouded over them and Trystan and Joey began to realize that the way they had been treated over the years, was gone. Later, they would have tags put on their rumps to label them destined for the slaughterhouse in Mexico.

(The tag labeling Trystan & Joey for the slaughterhouse in Mexico.)

Each year on average, about 130k discarded American horses (mostly unwanted pets, retired race and show and work horses) are sold at auctions to kill buyers where they become victims of an underground slaughter pipeline of which most of mainstream society is still completely unaware. These horses will often go to kill pens out west including Oklahoma and Texas, before being shipped to Canada or Mexico to be slaughtered in processing facilities to satisfy an international demand for horse meat.

 (Kill pens)

These horses are presented with a confusing experience as an animal who has been trained to trust humans is now betrayed by that training and treated as “livestock.” Not long after, these horses will be brutally loaded into double-decker trailers meant for shorter neck species like cattle and pigs. Horses who don’t know each other are crammed in as tightly as possible to make the most profit from each load. Horses have an immediate response to establish a pecking order so what happens next, is that the more aggressive horses will start to fight and bite and kick the more docile ones this often results in fatal trampling. Their ride is fraught with terror.

(Transport trucks from US to slaughterhouses in Mexico & Canada. How can this be legal???)

Horses that travel to Japan will be packed into small crates (in American) and lifted by crane onto a plane to endure the wretched 15-hour journey. Upon arrival in Japan, they will be slaughtered and prepared for a number of delicacies such as foal sashimi.

(Horses in crates from US to be shipped to slaughterhouses in Japan. Again, how???)

Since 2007, it became illegal for US slaughterhouses to butcher horses and sell their meat. Yet, as of last year, over 100k of them are shipped directly from American kill pens to international slaughterhouses for profit. How can this be? It sounds to me like nothing much has changed, except that hands remain somewhat cleaner. The reality has left me with a string of sleepless nights.

(Look at the hopelessness and despair)

Now, back to Joey and Trystan. So, you ask, were they put on those awful trucks where they were destined to have their beautiful lives horribly taken???? 

The answer is: NO! THEY DID NOT!! Thankfully, they were saved by a wonderful rescue and transported to an amazing foster home in Maine. They were the lucky ones. But they weren’t out of the woods yet.

(Joey was in the worst shape of all. She was so dehydrated and emaciated they weren't sure she would make it.)

When Trystan and Joey arrived at their foster home, it became immediately clear that they were in rough shape; and for Joey – dangerously so. She was so severely dehydrated and emaciated that a vet was immediately called in and intensive care given. Only a few days later and thanks to the enormous heart and around the clock care of their foster mom, Justina, Joey and Trystan have rounded the bend. It also soon became obvious that these two were no strangers, in fact, the very best of friends, who had clung to one another since the beginning. Some think they may even be sisters, they look so much alike.

(Feeling so much better, under loving hands.)

In a round-about way, we became aware of Joey and Trystan’s situation and escape from a fate worse than death. We were also honored to learn about this amazing rescue and personally went to meet Justina (who, by the way, is as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside.) Then something clicked in all of us and we knew that Joey and Trystan were meant to live out the rest of their lives at Cottontail Cottage Farm Sanctuary.

When we were asked to take both Trystan and Joey our minds raced. We always knew it would be special to have a rescue horse as a friend for Lucy (the mini-horse.) Horses are herd animals and truly need one of their own kind. Plus, watching Lucy trying her best to get the goats to play with her and failing, was kind of a sad thing. We wondered if she even knew she was a horse. Justina set all of our worries at rest when she told us how incredibly sweet both Trystan and Joey were. In fact, they were already getting along with her own mini-horse. Then, the dreaded logistics came into play: where to put them; how to contain them; future costs and how to ensure everyone is happy.

After countless discussions we came up with the very best scenario on how to make all this work. It is an amazing plan, but will mean we need to raise 7k and FAST! Our endeavor is to purchase a 10x20 double run-in barn ensuring everyone has plenty of shelter and space. Mat means to do some re-constructing so that the second run-in will be turned into a shed row with a front wall and door in which they could be shut-in at night and in bad weather. With  windows for light, they would be snug and cozy inside. The obvious place to put this would be in the lower field which will need some ground work. A solar panel electric fence needs to be purchased to go around the barn giving them plenty of room to run and play. It’s perfect! We just have to do it! Together, we can.

(New barn we hope to buy for Joey & Trystan. The right side will be boarded up and have a door with windows.)

Please donate any amount big or small – I promise it all adds up – and help us give Joey and Trystan a beautiful, forever in which they will always be loved and cherished and never have fear or worry again.  We know their deep wounds (both physical and mental) are going to take a long time to heal, but with the great love we all have for them, it won’t be long. Because, we are all here to help! Please be a part of their incredible story! DONATE, SHARE and let’s bring them home.

(We ask that you also check-out the amazing "Hearts and Hooves Rescue and Sanctuary" who are responsible for their safety and chance for a future. Please contribute to their work so more horses can be saved)