SAVING HORSES IN SAGAPONACK, ONE AT AT TIME

By Christian McLean

There are a lot of horses in America and when they can no longer be cared for; when funds run low, when the horses don’t perform well, or are outgrown, something has to be done with them. They get put up for adoption, they get put down, they become dinner. There is factual evidence that Native Americans used to eat horse. That doesn’t happen in America anymore. No one here eats horses, but in Europe and elsewhere horse is still a regular part of the diet, actually more of a delicacy, and at $15 bucks a pound it rivals that of Long Island lobster.

I was in Japan a few years ago and tried to get my hands on some horse sushi because I heard it had a fantastic texture. I wasn’t able to find any, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Different cultures have different customs. Many believers of Hinduism find it appalling that people eat cows, yet we hail Bobby Van’s for their burgers and steaks. So what’s the big deal that people overseas eat horses?

To Americans, horses are icons of strength, beauty, and everything American. We have Ford Mustangs, Budweiser Draught Horses, Denver Broncos — what’s more American than cars, beer, and football? And the horse, though eaten by Native Americans, was also an important part of their lives — both for transportation and companionship. Today, we drive cars, but the companionship of horses is still an important relationship in the equestrian life, a life celebrated in the Hamptons. Tending to horses teaches responsibility and leads to maturity. I still remember waking up at six in the morning to feed and water our horses as a child and those days stay with me, as I recall the bond I created with those animals because horses, unlike many varieties of livestock, also develop relationships with people. Like dogs, they have the cognitive skill to learn and solve problems, as well as the emotional ability to show affection. These traits alone create an ideal creature to co-exist with humans and one could experience this symbiotic relationship if they were to spend any decent amount of time with a horse. Whatever the reasons, the American public does not eat horse, but we do lose our horses to the international “restaurant trade,” at a steady, if not increasing rate.

On a national level, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is being put before Congress as early as September 5th, less than a week away. This act would ban the sale and transportation of horses for the preparation for human consumption in the United States, this would also prevent the horses from being transported across the border to meet the same fate. Congressman John Sweeney, of New York is leading the charge along with Congressman John Spratt, Jr. and Congressman Ed Whitfield of South Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. Several reasons cited by Sweeney and HR 503 for the ban are:

1. Horses and other equines play a vital role in the collective experience of the United States and deserve protection and compassion.

2. Horses and other equines are domestic animals that are used primarily for recreation, pleasure, and sport.

3. Unlike cows, pigs, and many other animals, horses and other equines are not raised for the purpose of being slaughtered for human consumption.

4. Individuals selling horses or other equines at auctions are seldom aware that the animals may be bought for the purpose of being slaughtered for human consumption.

We should put pressure on our congressmen and women to pass HR 503. The East End of Long Island is known for its horses, revered for its scenic pastures, picturesque barns, and split rail fences. But the Hamptons are also known for their unending fundraising events from ARF to The Retreat. Yet, horse rescue for the most part has been somewhat ignored. That is, if you don’t include the work being done at Amaryllis Farm Equine Rescue, on Merchant Path in Sagaponack, which has saved 31 horses destined for slaughter in the past year.

When Christine Barrett-Distefano’s horse Rascal died of natural causes a little over a year ago, she began searching for a new horse. She found a website which listed horses which were in need of rescuing. There was one horse that caught her attention: a nameless, three-year-old Liverpool chestnut which had been basically ignored, left in a stall and was barely fed for the majority his life. The horse’s hooves had grown to 12 inches in length, making it painful for him to stand. He was at a feedlot being plumped up until the next trailer came to take him away.

On May 15, 2005 Christine met this horse, named him “Elijah,” and the rescue farm began. She had more empty stalls and decided to save as many horses as she could. In 15 months 31 horses have escaped becoming basashi or cheval burgers, but this is a labor of love and requires a great deal of help. Separated between three barns, in Southampton, Bridgehampton, and Sagaponack, the Farm has already had 15 of their horses adopted. The stories behind these rescued horses are horrific, but need to be shared.

When “Ginger” was found she was a nappy, emaciated horse that looked like she was on her last leg, and in some ways she was, but now the 23-year-old thoroughbred has filled out and is stunning. Strong and muscular, Ginger looks like she could still win a few races.

One of the more wonderful stories is that of “Nicky” or “Nick of Time” who was just a foal when he was saved. When Amaryllis Farm rescued him in December he had a broken bone in his leg, which no one seemed to have noticed at the farm where he was kept. In the past eight months he has healed nicely with the help of Veterinarian Dr. Andresen, who set the bone and treated Nicky’s wounds. He shows no signs of favoring the injured leg and should grow up to be a handsome horse of 15 hands.

Without sounding melodramatic, there are 29 other stories just like these, horses with productive lives ahead of them. But the cost of caring for them is immense. Each horse eats almost $10 worth of hay a day, that’s $3650 a year per horse, just in hay. These horses are beautiful, majestic creatures. Many are as gentle as can be, well-trained and perfectly suitable for riding. They need adopters and benefactors; people whose love of horses is as strong as that of the all-volunteer staff at Amaryllis Farm. Supplementing feed costs or vet bills can go a long way in providing these horses with the lives they deserve. There is a wish list on their website (www.forrascal.com) stating the different sponsorships available. For $15 a month you can be a Carrot Sponsor, for $20 a Basic Vet Sponsor, $75 a Vitamin Sponsor and so forth. If you would like to make a one time donation that is also greatly appreciated. Also to augment the funds which support these horses, the farm offers lessons in western and English styles, equestrian yoga, pony clubs, and camps which allow children to work first hand with these amazing creatures.

At the Hampton Classic last Sunday, I fell in love with “Amaryllis Heartbreaker” a four-year-old brown and white paint horse that is at the Farm’s display in the Exhibition Tent. If you attend the Classic this weekend, make a trip to the tent (behind the Grand Prix stadium) to visit with Christine, the rest of the staff at Amaryllis Farm and some of the stunning animals they have saved, including the grand daughter of the only undefeated Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew. There you make a donation to support these efforts.

If you can’t make it to the Classic, you can visit their website, www.forrascal.com or give them a call at 631-537-7335 to find out about adoption or how you could support these horses.

But with so many stables in the Hamptons there have to be other open stalls. Amaryllis Farm can’t be the only place with a few extra spaces. Why aren’t more farms stepping forward and saving the lives of these horses — horses that were once owned by people just like you and me?