StoneRidge Stables and Re-homing Centre

You hear a lot about hobby farms these days. The whole idea behind them is to maintain a small farm without the expectation of it being a primary source of income. I, Cindy Cherry, have been at several of these types of farms. Mostly they are geared for housing horses of our affluent horse loving society. I even had a conversation with such types, and mostly the consensus was, “they don’t need the money, it just gives them something to do”. I always thought, yet didn’t ask the question, that if that was the case, and you have a passion for equines, why not rescue slaughter-bound horses?

So, it was with much pleasure to find Stoneridge Horse Rescue located near Stratford, Ontario that does just that. They go to these horse auctions and have the difficult task of picking which ones are they going to save? With a family so dedicated to saving horses, it was the least this Foundation could do but to assist them in their ever-mounting vet invoices. I am sure none of their adoption fees ever covers the money they invest in these horses in bringing them back to health after such ignorant abuse.

One such lucky fella was a large pony named Pirate, as seen here. He was under 2 years old when rescued. He’s a fancy guy, with a big floaty trot. He was brought from out west to be sold for meat and arrived with a sunken left eye. He was at risk of shipping for meat as just a baby, so he was purchased for around $650.00, which is his requested adoption fee. Quite the bargain seeing his vet bills were over $2500.

He has huge potential as a project, and now that he’s been in a stall he has been haltered and is gaining more confidence each day. He’s nervous around men (which I am sure he comes by honestly) and generally is quite shy on his blind side but with consistent handling he will be a friendly little guy. He has been through so much and is one of Stoneridge’s many horses that are deserving of a loving home.

They also rescue senior horses that have served people all their lives and it is felt they should be at least given a kind ending, as in receiving the best food, a warm stall & blanket and the love they so rightly deserve to their very end.

Two such beasts are:

Clara, 25–30-year-old Quarter Horse, that I am sure someone had fun with in her glory days.

AND Zena. A thoroughbred mare, that as you can see from the pictures, came to Stoneridge badly emaciated. She slowly gained weight by grazing a few hours a day, getting multiple buckets of soaked feedings with beet pulp, plus hay cubes.

Though a fighter, unfortunately, her arthritis continued to worsen as she gained weight and the knee injections she was getting along with her medication were no longer working.