Valentia Equine Retraining Centre
Just like many people get second chances, Jim and Michelle Ward believe horses should get them too.
The two have established the Valentia Equine Retraining Centre to for retired racehorses, as well as injured and unwanted horses.
While the Wards have been rescuing horses for eight years, they only set up their not-for-profit organization about a year ago.
“We started in Pickering and we eventually moved here,” said Michelle, noting that they currently have nine horses that they have rescued.
Most of time, people who have horses they do not want will call the Wards and they will pick them up and re-train them by incorporating the assistance of several volunteers with a wide-variety of skills. “It usually takes about one to two years to re-train them,” said Michelle. “It really depends on the horse as some come in with abuse. Most race horses have crooked bones or ripped tendons.”
It cost approximately $110 per month to cover the cost of the horses’ practical needs and that does not include the cost to maintain their housing and extra medical requirements.
Jim told The Lindsay Post it’s disheartening to see horses treated so badly by their owners.
“A lot of these horses make their owners money and it’d be nice to see some of them put some money back,” he said.
To help out with some of the costs, the Valentia Equine Retraining Centre has a few fundraisers coming up.
On May 17 and 18, they will be hosting a used tack and rummage sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 188 Valentia Rd.
They will also be holding their second annual Valentia Rodeo, August 23 and 24.
Source: The Lindsay Post