A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Paula Drake — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:03:16 GMT

It was five years ago today that Kona gave me the best gift I have ever been given - a sweet beautiful little filly named Lucy. Little did I know at the time what fate had in store for all of us. Thank you Kona for giving Lucy life! I will always remember you . . .

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Linda Howard — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 22:19:24 GMT

Paula, I knew your practicality, intelligence and compassionate heart because of our relationship in rescuing dogs. I knew you had horses but I never knew of your work with rescuing horses and your special relationship with Kona. Thank you for sharing Kona's story,she did finish her life as she should have, sharing it with you. Remembering those 2 who took Kona's place, thank you for your work to stop this hideous, barbaric practice of horse slaughter.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Ronda — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:03:27 GMT

Lots of good comments posted. I know the rescuer who walked Kona away from that semi-trailer that day. Her name is Wendy. I forwarded the story onto her. She was unaware of the book and Kona's story in it! She kept in contact w/Paula up till Desi's arrival. It brought back alot of good memories for her. Wendy is a kind person with a very big heart! The happy ending to the story... Kona's legacy lives on in Lucy now. Good day.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Jacquelin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:04:43 GMT

Its good to read about the road back that does not end too early, we re-train OTTBs and Problem horses as our way to help with unwanted horses... We have neither the money or the land to impact the problem, but we have the skill make the unwanted... ridable... We can not change their tomorrow but the well trained horse will more then likely find their way home

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Finola in Ireland — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:24:08 GMT

So sad that you lost your beautiful mare - we too lost one last August, only hours after foaling, so I know the heartbreak. With economies as they are, a lot of horses are going to slaughter here too, so sometimes the best we can hope for is shorter travelling distances and humane killing, which means more abbatoirs. When will humans stop killing beautiful, intelligent creatures ? We are none of us so hungry that we need to murder whales, seals, dolphins or horses !

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Carol W — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:12:54 GMT

I agree with Stan M. I have never understood how anyone could work in such a facilty. I'm from western Canada and I live 2 hours from a large slaughterhouse on the main highway east. I feel sick and I have to look away every time I drive by...it's a disgrace what we humans do to horses. They deserve better. A large part of the problem lies with people who breed and breed and breed with no thought for the animals' future welfare; only thinking of the dollar signs. Pathetic and disgusting.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Stan M — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:52:02 GMT

Paula, your story is forever inspiring! I just can't imagine someone owning a horse for years and years and just discarding them to someone who in turn will sell them to the killers. But what amazes me is what kind of person would want to work in an environment where his/her job was to kill such beautiful animals like the horse. They indeed were not bred and raised to be killed for human consumption! I will forever help in the fight to protect these horses from this outrageous plight!

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

that horse massage guy — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:32:15 GMT

Thanks Paula, I work with racehorses and event horses everyday and I emplore anyone looking for a horse to contact any thoroughbred rescue operation to get a horse. It takes a little retraining but the rewards are beyond anything you can imagine.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Carolyn in ND — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:22:19 GMT

ND is looking into this slaughter too, as well as about 4 other states. AZ being one of them. I'm not crazy about slaughter but if it happens, Canada with their instant kill is better over Mexico's stabbing the horse in the neck to sever the spinal cord. They don't always do it in one stab either!

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Laura R. — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:34:15 GMT

Carol,

I fear things are going to get worse. I received a message from Old Friends today that the Senate of the State of Montana has passed a Bill to allow a slaughter house to be built. Ironically enough, the bill was sponsored by a guy with the last name of Butcher. Now the Bill goes to the Governor for his approval or veto. Horses from other states would be shipped to the Montana slaughter house for “processing.”

I’ve been asked by Old Friends to pass on the message to contact the Governor by email, governor@mt.gov or phone (406-444-3111). I don’t know if emails or calls do any good, given my cynical view of politics, I think the highest bidder gets their Bills made law, but hey, I guess it’s worth a shot to take the time it takes to run the Derby or Belmont to drop him a line.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Cassidy — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:34:17 GMT

Thank you for sharing Kona's story w/ us.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Laurie — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:15:58 GMT

I just added another TB to the barn, with help from a couple of great trainers and a wonderful consignor who located him and made the calls. His race career is over after ankle injury and he may only be a pasture pet, but he joins my first TB a true rescue mare. So Paula I understand and appreciate what you did for your mare.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Carol — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 12:55:17 GMT

I fear we are fighting a losing battle with the slaughter of horses. I was active in my state trying to stop it but we now have the problem of horses being shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. This has to be stopped. The death of a horse is not a bad thing depending on the circumstances but the slaughter houses are evil. The story of Kona is lovely and I understand it is her story and not about the unfeeling man selling horses to Canada but my heart was struck by the two horses that took her place.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Alexis in Alabama — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:37:35 GMT

I'm very proud of you Aunt Paula. You're a special person. I'll share your story with my class.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

longdog — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:57:03 GMT

I have the privelge of personally knowing Paula and seeing her interact with Kona, and now Lucy and Desi. The relationship between Paula and her horses has been magical and wonderful to witness. Congratulations Paula and thanks for sharing this story with everyone. I know Kona is kicking up her heels and smiling down on you!

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Carolyn in ND — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:13:06 GMT

I rescued a 2 yr. old last summer that suffered a stress fracture & recovered. He is being retrained by his new owner to do english events. It's a wonderful thing to give these beautiful creatures another chance at a good life! I hope to help another.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

linda edwards — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:41:40 GMT

Hi Paula

I enjoyed your sad story and I have sevral ones to tell myself. I am the peron that rescued Peter's Pond and would love to talk to you.

Linda

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

gwenrowdy — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:35:51 GMT

Congratulations on this story, Paula. She'll always be in our hearts. May each of us someday be lucky enough to have our very own Kona in our lives.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Anne H — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:05:12 GMT

A bittersweet story about a lovely mare... I'm looking forward to reading the book when it comes out next month.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

SL — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:21:28 GMT

A wonderful story. Thank you.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Jennifer M — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:15:11 GMT

Paula, I remember your story well as I also have a TB mare from the same lot who turned out to be pregnant as well. She is now in training to be an eventer, and her two year old mule baby is just enjoying being a baby right now.

I was so sad when you lost Kona, but your story is so very inspiring and I hope it makes others think about rescue. Wishing you all the best!

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Melissa Hill — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:16:13 GMT

Thanks for your story. You are a perfect example of "Getting out of the Boat..."

I used to work in a race track in New Jersey in the 1980s. I'm glad I got out of that line of business.

Thanks.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Anne — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:32:16 GMT

Even having living this story with you from the beginning, I still cry every time I read it. Although I never met Kona, I had the pleasure of meeting you, Lucy, Desi and Elliot. What a wonderful four legged family.. All my best in all your endeavours with horses... and dogs.

You are an inspiration!

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

anna — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:46:18 GMT

i know of two horses that was brought off the killer truck.

one is now a 20 yr old thoroughbred gelding who was retrained as a show horse.

the second one is a 15 yr old gelding used as a schooling/ show horse.

re: A Thoroughbred Rescue Story

Dona — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:48:11 GMT

This is what we need to pass around to friends and family. Stories like this is an important piece for getting others involved and caring more for what happens to ex-racers and breeding stock. Something has to be done to get a spokes person, from whatever field, just so they are well known and respected and passionate about this problem.