The Rescue Horses
DILLINGER
I’m Dillinger, and my story almost reached a heartbreaking end before fate took a turn for the better.
The clock was ticking, and I had just a couple of days left before I was slated to ship off to slaughter.
I found myself at a place named “Before the End of The Line,” a destination with a name that hinted at the finality of my journey.
Once, my friend Cooper and I worked hard for our owners, starting as racehorses. When victories turned to losses, we were sent to auction, marking the beginning of a series of unfortunate events.
The Amish picked us up to serve as cart horses, trotting on unforgiving concrete roads until we became sore. Younger, stronger horses replaced us, and we were sent to auction again, falling into the clutches of a “kill buyer.”
But fortune smiled upon us. A place called Before the End of The Line became our unexpected sanctuary, and just when time was running out, we were rescued. The journey to freedom was made possible by the generosity of donors who heard our plea.
Now, thanks to the compassion that intervened in our darkest hour, Cooper and I have a second chance. We’ve traded the shadows of uncertainty for the warmth of love and care. It’s a new chapter—one where worry takes a backseat, and the promise of a worry-free life awaits.
CROWLEY
I am Crowley, an 18-year-old Friesian gelding, whose life has seen both love and hardship.
Once a cherished member of a family and a faithful riding companion, I faced the challenge of corneal dystrophy—a genetic condition that affects some Friesian horses. This led to a gradual thinning of my cornea, putting my sight at risk.
Fortunately, a ray of hope emerged as compassionate souls stepped in to rescue me from the shadows that threatened to engulf my world.
Through the generosity of many donors, I underwent a transformative corneal graft surgery at Cornell in December 2018 and again in 2023. Despite a small setback after waking from anesthesia, my resilience, and the support I received led to a remarkable recovery.
Due to my eye condition I will remain in sanctuary at the rescue.
I’m a living testament to the magic that happens when people come together to make a difference. My journey speaks of overcoming adversity and embracing a second chance at life, made possible by the love and generosity that surrounds me.
GYPSY
I’m Gypsy, and my tale began when I arrived at the rescue as a beautiful black mare, just 7 years old. However, the pages of my life had already been filled with the ink of uncertainty, as I had moved through five different homes during the initial seven years of my life.
By the time I found myself at the rescue, tension and defensiveness clung to me like a shadow, and trust felt like a distant concept. Each change of residence had left its mark, shaping me into a creature of guarded uncertainty.
Now, as I navigate the landscape of my newfound sanctuary, I long for the day when someone will look into my eyes and recognize the echoes of my past. My heart yearns for a connection that goes beyond the surface, where trust can bloom once again, painting a brighter future filled with understanding and compassion.
winter
I got my name, Winter, because I made my grand entrance into the world on the coldest day of the year. My mom, Sahara, was a rescued 4-year-old with no home or place to call her own when she was pregnant with me.
The odds were stacked against us from the start. Both vets predicted I’d make my debut in late March or early April, but life had a different plan. Picture this: on February 16th, in bone-chilling temperatures of minus 3 degrees, there I was—a tiny, still-wet bundle of joy in Sahara’s stall, catching everyone by surprise.
With the help of my dear friend Ella and the guidance of trainer Erin Hodgson, I’ve come a long way in my training over the past year. This year marked a special milestone when I ventured beyond the comfort of the farm to participate in my first horse show.
The support and love I received paid off, as I not only held my own but went on to clinch the high score of the day, making it a momentous triumph for me and everyone who believed in us.
Cooper
I’m Cooper, and my journey teetered on the edge of despair before a glimmer of hope intervened.
The countdown had begun, with just a couple of days left before I was destined for a fate no horse should face—slaughter. I found myself at a place called Before the End of The Line, a name that echoed my ominous reality.
My loyal companion, Dillinger, and I had known hard work and dedication as racehorses for our owners. But when victories turned into losses, we were cast away to auction, the starting point of a tragic cycle.
The Amish picked us up to pull carts along unforgiving concrete roads. Eventually, the strain became too much, and we were replaced by younger, stronger horses. A second trip to auction led us into the hands of a “kill buyer.”
Just as despair seemed inevitable, fate stepped in. Before the End of The Line became our saving grace, offering us a reprieve from the darkness.
With just a week left, the call for help reached compassionate ears, and thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, a trip was made to “bail” us out.
Now I have a second chance at life—a life free from worries, filled with the warmth of love and care. The kindness that reached out to us in our darkest hour is a beacon of hope that will forever light our path.
I’m Oscar, a survivor with a tale that started at just two years old. Sent off to an auction, I found myself in a kill pen, almost feral, scared of the world, and clueless about even basic leading skills. The journey since then has been nothing short of a transformation.
These days, I’m an attention hog, reveling in the company of people. From a nervous youngster, I’ve evolved into a pony who adores being around humans.
I’ve embraced training, learning to be ridden and finding joy in jumping and participating in riding lessons. Hanging out with my bestie, Ava, is a favorite pastime.
Now, if you ask about my living quarters, I might not win any neatness awards—think Sesame Street’s Oscar the Grouch level! But there’s more to me than a messy stall.
My most charming feature? These long, beautiful eyelashes that I bat at everyone who might have a treat for me.
I won some impressive ribbons at the Erie County Fair last summer. Each ribbon tells a story of triumph over adversity, a reminder of the love and care that turned a scared pony into a ribbon-winning companion.
Cari – FOSTERED
Cari was an unwanted yearling pony bound for a very unhappy ending.
When we heard about Cari we knew we had to rescue her.
She seemed to be a little worried about being handled and not sure what to expect from people but settled in nicely.
Cari loves treats. At first she didn’t know what they were but now she is familiar with carrots, apples, cookies and peppermints!
Cari is currently in training and doing very well.
Rain
Rain is a 22 year old standardbred mare. She was dumped at an auction because her owner no longer had any use for her.
Rather than pay for medical care, her owner preferred to dump her and make a couple hundred dollars.
She was picked up by a “kill buyer” and was destined for slaughter.
Luckily she had a week’s reprieve and thanks to the generosity of our donors we were able to “bail” her out.
Our farrier was extremely concerned about the condition off her feet. They were in such bad shape that he thought she might need to be euthanized.
Thanks to his excellent care Rain’s feet have improved tremendously and he future looks bright!
Trixie – FOSTERED
Trixie is in need of an experienced owner. She is a beautiful 17 year old bay quarter/pony mare.
She has been lightly shown in hunters, jumpers, dressage and eventing.
She is bold and assertive so she needs someone with horse experience. She can be ridden by an intermediate rider under a trainer’s supervision.
Jelly – FOSTERED
Jelly Is a beautiful bay pony mare that lost faith in people. We are working to slowly rebuild her trust.
It is going to be a long process but will be well worth the effort. Being out of her past environment is already having a calming effect.
She is currently being fostered and prefers a quiet, low-stress environment.
Cocoa & Irish
Cocoa & Irish came to the rescue together.
They are both approximately 20yrs old and have spent their whole lives together.
When Their owner died we were asked if we could take them in and make sure they were never separated.
They live together in one of the stalls and are growing comfortable with their new surroundings and routine.
Cocoa & Irish are best friends. They live together and share everything!
Zippers – FOSTERED
Zippers came to the farm as a boarder. The person that brought him showed up for the first week and then we never saw her again!
He is currently being cared for by the rescue and is as cute as can be…and also somewhat naughty!
Zippers is currently in foster as a companion to a retired warmblood show horse.
SUNNY
Sunny is a sweet 18yr old gelding that was on his way to slaughter when we heard about him.
Once again, thanks to the kindness & generosity of our donors, we were able to retrieve Sunny and bring him to the rescue.
He is one of the sweetest horses ever. He just needed some good nutrition and some training.
He was willing to let us ride him but seems to have no clue of how to do anything at all.
Once he starts getting the idea of how to do “horse things” someone is going to be VERY lucky to have him!
DRACO
Draco is a 6yr old Thoroughbred gelding.
He was retired from his racing career earlier this year. Upon his “retirement” his trainer put him out in a field and “forgot” about him.
Fortunately for Draco he was discovered by a kind-hearted woman that took him out of his situation .
She began feeding him and working on the rain rot that was all over his back.
Unfortunately she ran into a major vet bill with one of her other horses and couldn’t afford all of the care Draco needed at this time.
We were able to bring him to the rescue and look forward to seeing him blossom!
Harley
Harley is an ex racehorse that found himself traveling from auction to auction until he ended up in a kill pen.
He is such a handsome, sweet boy that we couldn’t imagine how this happened. We pulled him from the lot and brought him to the rescue.
He rehabbed and went into training. During training he was adopted. After he was moved to a new facility he was moved several more times and then given away on Facebook.
Thankfully the adoption contract held up to legal scrutiny and we were able to have him returned to the rescue.
He was able to regain the weight and muscle he lost and is currently doing well.
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