Patriots Cheating? Deflate-Gate Scandal?

How is it that such nonsense captures so much media attention? This is a game, let’s not forget that fact and try to put this GAME into perspective. If the ball is deflate, are not both teams playing with the same ball, so where is the advantage in a deflated ball? Why is this such a media blitz when there are real news stories happening all around the world. Has America become sound bites of sensationalism and lost its grip on reality?

Who is responsible for the buzz in the media? Corporate America is, and they spin anything they can to make money, in this case the NFL spins to keep the Superbowl in the news and attract more and more viewers. The Superbowl commercials spending billions of marketing stuff we usually don’t need to unsuspecting consumers. I would  love to see the media spin good in the world,  for example, opportunities for people to get involved in helping others become the new buzz.

Zuma’s Rescue Ranch is one organization that is 100% dedicated to both child and animal welfare, and we offer the public ways to get involve in doing good every day. When the population embraces doing good they feel good and when the overwhelming majority of the population in America feels good, the world becomes a better place. So how do we get the media to stop selling things and start promoting good in the world? A great start would be for every commercial paid for by corporate America, air time be donated to charity by the corporation doing that advertising. Get corporate America to sponsor the airtime of their favorite cause, this would be a win-win for marketers, charity marketing. 

Today there are plenty of commercials for those huge charities, St. Jude Children’s’ Hospital, cancer research, ALS ice bucket challenge, United Way, etc. but what about the more than 5 million charities with budgets under 5,000,000 who is helping those charities? Most of the larger charities spend way too much money on CEO salaries and far too little on their actual mission. The smaller charities are doing the hands-on work for those in need and getting the least amount of assistance for their efforts. I propose the charities with budget of  under 500,000 be included in the charity marketing with the corporate giants flooding our airways.

The NFL is a nonprofit, can you believe that this with 6 billion in revenues this organization pays no income tax, how is this justified? Americans just get caught up in day-to-day life and pay little attention to the injustices in our world. If every NFL fan were to write a letter demanding more funding of local charities in the towns that have NFL teams, you can bet the powers that be would take notice and begin local charity campaigns. Some teams do good, but on a very small income to expense ratio, I feel these NFL teams can do more in their communities and affect positive change by doing so.

Happy people work harder, make more money and spend more money, which is better for the overall economy. Let’s work together to hold big companies accountable to we the consumers making them rich, write a letter to the companies you buy products from and ask them to support your favorite local charity. If every American took the time to write these letters, charities would thrive, and let’s face it, charities are the organizations helping those members of our communities in most need.

Zuma’s Rescue Ranch will be launching its Legacy Campaign in the first quarter of 2015 to develop a sustainable future for this child and animals welfare organization serving hundreds of children and animals in the Denver Colorado community. If you would like join us in building this legacy, please email us to get your name on the list.

Zuma’s Legacy Campaign will start of with a three million dollar match from the founders of the organization, yes a three million match. So once the legacy fund has reached its goal, the three million dollar facility Zuma’s currently calls home will become a permanent asset of the organization. Then the three million in cash funds go into an endowment fund of which the organization can operate from interest earned. Zuma’s Legacy will be complete.

So let’s get some media hype around this huge opportunity for a local Colorado charity doing so much good in our community, help Zuma’s leave a legacy for at risk youth and homeless animals. Animal Assisted Therapies are a very effective modality know to affect huge change in people’s lives.Rescuing overbred, abused and neglected horses from certain death brings a kindred spirit to the therapy arena for humans. The rescued horse brings an unparalleled element to the therapy process that, the ailing human, becomes drawn to help the animal, that ability to help another being is both empowering and healing for the human species.

For some becoming part of Zuma’s Legacy there will be certain long-term fiscal partnerships available including naming rights on the beautiful 146 acre horse ranch nestled in the foothills of SW Denver CO. Imagine your name on the 45,000 square foot 52-foot high arena the ________ arena at Zuma’s Rescue Ranch. You can join hands with this organization and become part of the healing that happens there every day.

Visit Guidestar to see Zuma’s financial reports. 

Zuma’s Rescue Ranch

7745 N. Moore Rd.

Littleton CO 80123

Media contact: Jodi Messenich 303-346-7493

Listening to The Horse, Changed My Life

Something To Talk About-

by, Suzanne Kayser- Equine Advocate, Barefoot Trimmer and Healer

Most of my life, I’ve been drawn to healing the sick and the broken-hearted. Most people believe that they have a “calling” in life for me, healing others was it. Whether it be a human or an animal, the pain and suffering I feel in other beings tends to ignite a spark in me that requires my attention. Long ago before I was blessed with three beautiful children, I had ambitions of becoming a veterinarian so that I could follow my calling. I walked away from that dream shortly before graduating college, I made difficult decision based on current circumstances that dictated such. Despite knowing I was making the right choice, I  felt pangs resent and bitterness after walking away from what I thought was my calling.

Throughout my life, I have lived my calling through caring for plenty of sick people, the list includes my parents, my husband, and our daughter. In spite of all of the nurturing I was called to do, I was able to pursue my education in the art of healing animals during this difficult and trying time.

Living in rural parts of the Southern Unites States, there were few others thinking and feeling deeply or spiritually about healing. I felt alone in my experience of truly feeling the suffering of the humans and animals in my care. I hoped for someone to have the ability to relate to my experience with me, but most of the time when I opened up to others there were immediate feelings of rejection and judgement associated with my experiences in healing.

A turning point came as my husband and I made plans to leave that area of the country, I met Lauren Gruber of Primarily Hooves who finally showed me what I was looking for – the art of combining healing spiritually and physically, it was amazing. Gruber is a barefoot trimmer and a natural healer who healed from the inside out and from the hoof of a horse up. After a short time, I was hooked on this approach to healing and felt as though I finally found my true calling!

After enduring much strife in our family with an extended illness and eventual loss of my father- in – law, the loss of both of my parents, and our daughter’s open-heart surgery I was ready to explore my passion.  I spent as much time as I could learning from my new mentor before my family and I pursued our life-long dream of living in Denver. After doing some research online, I set my eyes on Zuma’s Rescue Ranch just before we left. I fell in love with their ideas of changing the horse and animal industry along with Zuma’s concern for child welfare. They expressed that healing is deeper than pills or talking to a therapist in a sterile room. They implied that the animals do speak to us and didn’t seem to care if others thought they were crazy for believing it. This, I knew, was an area where I needed growth, and I was so excited to feel as though I could do what naturally came to me yet feel accepted and not scoffed at for expressing it outwardly.

After getting settled in Denver, I did what I could to get involved with Zuma’s and eventually was granted the opportunity to work with a variety of horses in need of healing. The biggest challenge came from a 18-2 hand retired show horse and Warmblood named Denali. Rightly named after a mountain because, quite frankly, he was HUGE! I learned from a friend of mine that boarded her horses at Zuma’s that Denali was in need of short term support until he was shipped to California after being in the vet hospital for nearly a month with a severe case of lymphangitis. I agreed to help and promised that I wouldn’t even touch or look at his hooves even though that was my speciality.

The day he was meant to be moved to Zuma’s I was instead heading to the hospital to meet
his owner because of the terrible news that he had foundered in his right hind hoof. So now it became about the hooves, which required my attention. Once I felt his coronary bands (Cuticles) I realized this was much worse than your typical founder case. His hoof was detached from quarter to quarter. The vets were concerned that his coffin bone would penetrate the sole of his foot, but I feared far worse that his hoof would actually come off. The only strong attachment was in his heels. After talking in the stall with the owner, I felt a strong conviction that I needed listen to the horse. Still concerned about how my process of healing would be received, I told Denali’s owner that I needed to do massage therapy instead. When she left the room I spoke to Denali, “I am willing to help, but I need you to show us all that you are willing to fight for your life. If you don’t show us your will to live, you will die because the vets have no hope and no solutions for you. This will take time to heal, and I need fight, patience, and trust from you.”

I left not knowing how receptive either Denali or his owner were to my approach.
The next day, I got a phone call from the owner who said, “What kind of massage therapy did you do? He is going crazy in his stall. The vet says that if he stays one more day, then he will be released to you at Zuma’s.” I went back the second day and told him that he had one more day to prove to everyone that he was willing and ready to fight. Like clockwork, he repeated the same behavior that night, and then the third day he was on a trailer heading to Zuma’s.

Obviously, Denali and I continued our talks about things throughout his rehabilitation. He told me how to help him and I showed this former showman how to simply be a horse. It was crucial with his rehab that he learned to face challenges so that he could mentally and physically survive outside of a stall with full freedom. Now Denali is facing a metabolic problem related to the hoof rotation and damaged caused by lymphangitis, it is essential that Denali be free to move 24/7 for the rest of his life.

After removing Denali from all veterinary medications and simplifying his diet, his hoof reattached at the coronary miraculously in just three days. However, it then became a waiting game to preserve the present hoof so that old hoof could grow out while a new hoof grew in. The injury was much like a human slamming their fingernail in a door, detaching the nail bed. All of Denali’s old hoof had to grow out as the new one came in. Daily the hoof was trimmed to prevent snagging or further compromise to the new growth coming in. One major complication for Denali’s injury, he has to walk on his hoof and place a large amount of weight on it. Inevitably, Denali’s coffin bone would penetrate the sole of his hoof,  much like when you wear old shoes with a thin sole and you walk through the bottom. Once the bone did penetrate the sole, I supported the hoof by cutting portions of styrofoam  and duct tape bought from Home Depot, that I created daily padding while sterilizing the area to prevent infection. I also had a chiropractor, Jim Campbell of Beyond Basic Health on my team who used cold laser therapy to help with pain and increase circulation to the area. I trimmed the hoof using high-quality tools to ensure that I was able to clean up the old hoof efficiently without damaging what hoof we did have protecting the inner hoof structures, I worked with great products from G.E. hoof nippers and Save Edge. After around 9 months, I let Denali out of his stall 24/7, within two weeks moving 24/7,  the hole in the sole of the hoof filled in completely! It was amazing to watch how movement and contact with the ground healed and reshaped his hoof so quickly. Nature did the job for us, horses need to move sometimes through an injury to heal properly.

Top  left is the tip of the bone protruding the sole of the hoof, Top right is the defined line of new hoof growth after the insult to his coronary band, Bottom left is a side shot to truly show how damaged the coronary band was and how that affected the hoof growth, and the bottom right is the new hoof 100% grown out. 

With his complete healing transformation over the past two months,  Denali has shown signs of readiness for the next phase of his life, he was ready to move on from my watchful eye and from Zuma’s. He was ready to go to a new home in California with his family. Denali’s family called Brookledge Equine Transportation and moved him to Worthy Soles Horse Retirement Center where they use Jaime Jackson’s Pasture Paradise track system to create a natural habitat for horses. Denali arrived safely Dec. 18th 2015, nearly a year after our journey began and has adjusted quickly to his new home where this giant horse has made friends with Gordon the goat and a very sweet horse named Oatis. Of course, before he got on the trailer, I gave him one last pep talk. “You can do this,” I said. “Be brave and remember where you’ve come from. You have faced death and there is nothing you have to fear now. This is your second chance to live and to simply be a horse. I want you to use your newly gained patience from this past year on your 30 hour trailer ride, and I want you to listen to your new caretaker with the same level of respect and trust you’ve given me. Now, adjust to the change of your new home quickly, and most importantly live, love, and have lots of FUN!”

So far, all reports indicate that Denali heard me and that he listened. Now I am writing this story publicly to confidently confess that I do, in fact, talk to and listen to animals, and that I am VERY PROUD OF IT! I am also happy to report that I no longer feel that resentfulness and bitterness of walking away from my dream of going to vet school. Everyone is different, but for me, the truth is that I would much rather be doing what I am doing then practicing as a veterinarian. I have found my calling, and I am so grateful for that!

In closing, I am forever in gratitude to Zuma’s Rescue Ranch for affording Denali and I a spot at their facility during this journey. Not only have they helped save another animal’s life but they have helped me find my voice. Of course, I am thankful to the entire team of people at Zuma’s who helped on this journey! Now all I can say is, “Love to all of you from Big D and me!”

Zuma’s Rescue Ranch provides equine rehabilitation for all of the rescue horses that come into our world. It takes a team of professional, dedicated beings that are willing listen to the horse first and foremost to provide the right healing modalities. We specialize in alternative healing; cold laser, acupressure, cranio-sacral therapy, structural reintegration, reiki, t-touch, massage, herbal remedies and of course corrective hoof care. Many thanks to our mentors in healing, Tracy Vroom, Lauren Harmon, Jenny Rukivina, Jim and Molly Campbell and our trainers that come to us through the ROTH methods, Anna Twinney. Together we work to recover horses from injury and illness to being their very best beings, balanced mind, body and spirit.

If you have a horse in need, email us and we can find the right path for healing for your equine partner.

Zuma’s Collaborates with new major donor

Hay

The biggest cost for a Horse Rescue

In December Zuma’s received a phone call from a donor that had recently purchased a 2200 acre ranch in Colorado.  This amazing being wanted to donate 10 tons of hay to Zuma’s as well as sell their entire hay crops to Zuma’s at wholesale prices! Stunned at this generous offer Zuma’s began working through the logistics of how to make this 1100 bales of hay support the programming that takes place daily at Zuma’s.

The two organizations have nearly identical missions, helping the most vulnerable members of a community,  at risk children, homeless animals and seniors. So it just made sense to partner to expand the good they could provide for the populations they were passionate about helping.

Zuma’s will begin selling North Park Colorado grass hay to fellow horse rescues at a much reduced cost through the Buy Safe Colorado Hay Buyers Network as well as through The Colorado HorseCare Food Bank to horse owners in jeopardy of loosing their horses.

Currently we have about 300 large bales (3x3x8 800 lb) to sell, if you have an interest in purchasing hay, email jodi@zumasrescueranch.com. We can load 1- 800 LB bale in a pick up truck and you can pull it off at your location.  $80 per bale, ask us about the rescue horse rate and emergency delivery for horses in jeopardy. Download and complete the membership application and return to jodi@zumasrescueranch.com

The proceeds from these hay sales will help Zuma’s provide homes and training for more horses as well as low cost mental health services for both children and seniors. Zuma’s ZEAL program assists people through the trauma in their lives to living balanced and fulfilling life. The benefits double when organizations combine resources for a greater good. North Park Hay, Zuma’s Rescue Ranch, Buy Safe Colorado Hay Buyers Network and Colorado Horsecare Food Bank teaming up to serve the needs of our community.

Zuma’s Rescue Ranch

7745 N. Moore Rd.

Littleton CO 80125

303-346-7493

Horse Rescue Adoptions

Saying Goodbye to Beloved Pets

When you think of a pet, most minds go to dogs and cats, here at Zuma’s Rescue Ranch we have pets of many species that call this place home and our care givers family… Being part of a rescue is a heartfelt role that can bring tremendous joy and all too often devastating heartbreak. This weekend we had to say goodbye to a dear friend that has been friend and family for more than 8 years…

This special soul was rescued as part of an owner dispersal due to their care providers’ illness. Pepper came to Zuma’s with her buddies Nod(deceased) and Tiny Tim. Pepper was the matriarch of our little goat family, she protected and schooled the boys as well as loved them. Her gentle soul and amazing smile will leave a huge hole in our farm-yard pen, tears stream when I think of her no longer greeting me when I visit that happy little barn yard…

The last gift of kindness we can offer our rescue members is dignity in death, a selfless act of kindness that never ceases to tear my heart out. Pepper’s will was strong but her old body (17 years) was failing her. Over the past couple of years her arthritis challenged her and this past Sunday her little legs could no longer lift her and her kidneys were shutting down.

We called every vet in the area and sadly none were willing to come out on a Sunday, for hours I sat in her shed with her hoping one vet would agree to help, thankfully Dr. Rupp persuaded a local vet to come out and help Pepper.. Special thank you to Dr. Rupp, and the many on the Facebook goat pages that helped me find help for our sweet girl. Another Thanks to Tracy Vroom for helping me that morning and to Liz, Carlos, Tammy, Jenna, Cate and the hundreds of volunteers for loving and taking care of Pepper..

RIP my sweet sweet soul…… I will miss you terribly.

 

Boarding Facility Comparisons

Your Horses Spine

Why Protect The Horses Spine

We ask quite a bit from our equine partners so isn’t it only fair to understand how our seat and balance affects their overall well- being?

The horses’ spine is only protected from the riders seat by a thin layer of muscle, so an imbalanced rider can create many challenges for the horse.

Repeated and over use of the horses’ spine from riders that do not have an educated seat and a strong core group of muscles can cause tremendous damage to the horses entire body, beginning with a sore back.

This class will help you understand why your seat is so important, as well as teach you to be aware that your equine partner is suffering.

Welcome International Equestrian, Hilary Wilcher to Zuma’s

Zuma’s is expanding the programs again, this time we are brining in an international equestrian with a low profile, yet a lifetime of experiences in the world of horses.
Hilary Wilcher grew up with horses working with her mother at their training and boarding facility in Oregon. That is where the passion began, and that passion has taken Hilary from Oregon to Australia and now here to Colorado as Zuma’s newest equine coach.

Hilary’s strengths lie in her ability to listen to the horses she is working with, this skill allows her to meet both horse and the students needs while never surpassing their comfort zones. A life time of horse experience has given Hilary the understanding necessary to create trust based relationships for her students and her horses.

Hilary will be expanding the current programs at Zuma’s to include immersion courses with horses that include 2- day per week programs for small groups. These immersion courses will run on six-week sessions starting in April 2018. These six- week programs will be held on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 4-6 pm for kids 9-14 and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-12 for adults.

This immersion program will encompass many aspects of horsemanship from non-verbal communication to saddle fit and ultimately to riding. We believe that great riders have a full understanding of the horse, this knowledge makes the best human- partner to the horse. Riding is a trust based sport, and for a horse to trust their rider, the rider must understand how the horse views the world, how the horses’ anatomy functions and what are the horses basic needs.

Join Hilary in this exciting opportunity for “new to horses” as well “experienced equestrians” to improve their equine experiences through a deeper connection to the horse.

Here is  Quote from one of Hilary’s students:

Joy Andersen reviewed Zuma’s Rescue Ranch — 5 star

February 3 at 8:54am · 

 “Fabulous riding lesson with Hilary! Just loved being back in the saddle again after a 10 yr hiatus. Progression of ground work, round pen and arena work helped me see the whole picture again. I love feeling connected and grounded with my equine friend. Absolute Joy!”

Each 2 hour session will cost $60.

Email hilary@zumasrescueranch.com to register
This class is limited to 4 students, so register soon before the slot fill.

Parents of Kids that Ride Horses

Step One to a New Life ~ Trust

So your kid loves horses and you struggle to find the value in a riding program? As a mom of a kid that rode, I get it. It took me years to appreciate riding and the things I learned may help you see why equestrian sports are amazing for so many reasons.

The first question is always, “Why is the cost of a one-hour private lesson over $75 for an hour?”

• For each riding lesson you pay for the coach, horse, facility, and liability insurance policies required. Music, dance, and other sports are averaged at $40 per half hour of coaching, making riding lessons far more comparable than they may appear. The expenses covered by service providers of equestrian sports are nearly double those covered in other sports/activities.

I can’t afford to have my child ride more than once a week.

• Every endeavor requires time and dedication; a notion rarely considered when parents ask, “Why isn’t my child progressing?” Riding, as with all other sports and skills need practice 4-5 times per week. Expecting tremendous progress with once weekly lessons is not a realistic expectation. Owning an instrument is not quite the same as owning a horse. Horse leases are the most economical way for kids to progress their skills and ride regularly.

You can’t believe everything your kids say about the lessons.

• As in any group activities, cliques and teenage drama makes its way into the barn. Don’t get involved; let the coach work it out between the kids. Your input usually only make matters worse. Kids will blame their horse, the weather, the coach, other kids, etc. for their difficulties. This is a great life lesson, we don’t all win, and we are not always the best at everything we do… Accepting greatness with humility and being average with confidence are life skills every youngster needs. Don’t take their ability to develop their own identity away from them by always stepping into defend them in their perceived injustices.

Confidence and emotional awareness and intelligence on the ground and in the saddle translates to everyday life.

•  Horsemanship is much like a ropes course, fitness class, dance class, and life skills class all in one. Riders require both physical strength and graceful balance, making riding a very physically demanding sport when done correctly. Riding a horse requires as much coordination as any dance class would ever require. Horses are strong bodied and strong, independent minded dance partners, so to speak. A successful partnership with a horse stems from give and take; knowing when to do both sets you up for success with your horse. Further, if you are brave enough to handle, get underneath, and sit atop a one thousand pound animal…you have the confidence and the intelligence to tackle situations both in and outside of the arena.
• Horses are amazing teachers. Being at the barn develops a sense of belonging, teaches kids how to take responsibility for another being’s welfare, and is well worth the time and money invested.

Some suggestions to make things more affordable

• Once your child develops a strong baselines skill set, lease a horse for your child to ride more than once a week. Practice helps skills develop. Plan to have your child ride 2-4 days weekly.
• Carpool to and from the barn. Most barns are not located in town, so ride-share, one mom delivers the kids to the barn and one mom picks the kids up.
• Pack a snack and or dinner with your kid to have at the barn. If they are there during the dinner hour(s), they won’t be hungry.

Ask the barn manager and/or coach to set up a homework space for kids at the barn to promote maintaining high quality schoolwork along with high quality riding.

• Ask about working student positions at the barn. Your child can work off part of their lessons. If your kid is very responsible, most coaches love an extra hand; horses are a lot of work.
• Nothing replaces the love of a horse in a child’s life. Find ways to make this passion a reality for your child. You won’t regret it, and your child will never forget the bonds built with their four-legged friend.

Ride on Kids, ride on.

Building a Community

Zuma’s is a Community

The word community defined

com·mu·ni·ty

kəˈmyo͞onədē/

noun

1. a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
2. a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

   My hope is that Zuma’s can continue to thrive and reach those interested in giving back to the community we have built. 

    The horses and children are here to recover from the heartbreak of being victimized by the takers of our world. Many of the have lost hope, and most certainly trust in human beings. Our responsibility as members of this rescue community is to these innocent beings, to ensure they are cared for and loved.

The programs here must first serve the horses, for without the horses we have no equine community, we have no education program, no equine assisted therapy program, and no Zuma’s at all.

What does that look like…That looks like all program participants recognize that while the programs have costs for participation, that fee doesn’t begin to cover the cost associated with providing for the horses here at Zuma’s.

Why are we different? We don’t enslave our horses into programming 4-6 hours a day to cover their costs, we honor our horses and only ask them to participate in programming once a day… This method provides you with a fresh and most often agreeable horse to partner with and lean from.

What is the cost of giving the horse a voice and only asking them to work once a day? The cost is in that we are low on revenue side and always struggling to provide the best for the horses you love….

How can you make a difference? Show up no only to work with your horse, show up to dedicate an hour or so of helping care for the horses. Don’t just drop your kids off for their lessons, jump in and help off set the costs associated with providing your child with happy horses, a horse with a voice and a choice.

If you are looking to be part of something designed for the greater good, Zuma’s Is your place…Join us, be part of the positive change happening here every day.

What we do:

Horse Rescue

Equine Assisted Learning Programs

Equine Educations Series

Horse Back Riding Lessons

Venue Rentals for Events

Internships in all departments

Working Student opportunities

www.zumasrescueranch.com

We need your help…. Please consider joining us 2 hours a week to give back to the efforts here.

Volunteer application

Help A Horse Day April 26th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 7, 2015

24 Hours | 48 Horses | 1 Community

Zuma’s Rescue Ranch participates in ASPCA’s Help A Horse Day 2015 on April 26, 2015. 

LITTLETON – Zuma’s Rescue Ranch has a mission. In honor of ASPCA’s Help A Horse Day, Zuma’s Rescue Ranch will complete 24 hours of natural horsemanship and bring extra love and attention to its 48 rescue horses on April 26, 2015.

Help a Horse Day at Zuma’s Rescue Ranch will feature 24 hours of helping horses – a marathon of natural horsemanship. Volunteers, students and staff will gather on Saturday, April 25 through Sunday, April 26 for a lock-in dedicated to working with each of the 48 rescue horses at Zuma’s Rescue Ranch. Massage therapy, reiki sessions, sunrise grazing, chiropractic care, are just a few of the services that the horses will receive in the 24-hour period.  All of the activities and services that will be provided to each horse will be based on each horse’s needs.

Help a Horse Day was designed by the ASPCA as a way for equine organizations to spread the word about the work they do on behalf of at-risk horses – and how their communities could join in the effort. From California to Maine and 30 states in-between, April 26, 2014 – the ASPCA’s second annual Help a Horse Day – was filled with events celebrating the work of equine rescue groups. More than 80 equine rescue groups held events in conjunction with our Help a Horse Day Celebration Contest. Contestants were judged on the creativity of their events, as well as their success engaging their local communities. The ASCPA awarded $10,000 grants to the five finalists in the contest.

For more information about Zuma’s Rescue Ranch or its programming, visit zumasrescueranch.com. 

About Zuma’s Rescue Ranch: 

Since 2008, Zuma’s Rescue Ranch has been dedicated to providing a place of sanctuary and healing for the voiceless humans and animals in the metro Denver region. Zuma’s Rescue Ranch rescues and rehabilitates abused and neglected horses, and provides Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy to struggling children and adults in the Denver Metro Area. Rescued horses are paired with rescued children and adults to create powerful bonds and incredible recoveries. Zuma’s Rescue Ranch is mission is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. More information about the organization can be found at zumasrescueranch.com.

Media Contact: Lindsay Taylor

(720) 431-7362 | lindsay@ltpublicity.com

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AMVA Once Again Supports Horse Slaughter

Help Save Us

Horse slaughter is nothing but torture for the horses that fall victim to this predatory industry, yet the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) continues to support it.  Just recently, they issued a joint statement with the Canadian and Mexican veterinary associations, showing support for the brutal practice of horse slaughter.

Take Action and urge the AVMA to oppose horse slaughter by sending them a comment on their website or calling them at 1-800-248-2862.  You can take the example statement below and edit to make it your own.

“I am greatly disappointed that the AVMA supports horse slaughter. Horse slaughter is not a humane end-of-life option for horses. Horses are skittish animals who often cannot be stunned properly in the chaotic slaughter plant environment, and some may still be conscious during the slaughter process. Furthermore, transport to slaughter is cruel and many horses are injured or die during transit. Your own statement acknowledges that transporting horses long distances to slaughter negatively impacts their health and welfare. The reality is, as long as horse slaughter exists, long distance transport will be inevitable. Even when horse slaughter plants previously operated in the U.S., horses suffered during long distance transport, and horses were still exported to Canada and Mexico. The best solution to improve horse welfare is to end horse slaughter entirely. Please take a stand for horses, and oppose this brutal practice.”

Need to know more about horse slaughter? Read below recent media coverage on this predatory industry serving only to line the pockets of foreign interests as well as the unsavory “Kill Buyer” lurking at livestock auctions throughout the US.

Faqs:

https://awionline.org/content/horse-slaughter-facts-faqs

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/horse-slaughter/

http://horsetalk.co.nz/2015/02/02/kill-buyers-worst-enemy-american-horses-hsus-boss/

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/horse_slaughter/facts/transport_to_slaughter_092909.html

It is only with we the people that this industry is shut down, we must ban together, have our voice be heard through petitions. Sign and share for the horses.

Jodi Messenich, Zuma’s Rescue Ranch

303-346-7493

The Super Bowl of Horse Rescue

January 29th 2015 was the first day of a 72 hour whirlwind rescue of 23 horses from the clutches of an overzealous brand inspector and a very eager kill buyer. Just days before “The Superbowl” a horse rescue of Super Bowl proportions took place in Brush Colorado, known now as #brush23.

#BRUSH23

This tragic journey began with a tiff between a landlord and a tenant, and the innocent victims of this tiff, 23 beautiful horses ranging from the tender age of 3 up to prime of 18. If not for a curios and passionate horse lover, these beautiful beings many have all shipped to slaughter. Erin, the passionate horse lover learned of the eviction and immediately began seeking assistance to rescue this herd of horses. Facebook networking brought  Zuma’s Rescue Ranch’s attention to the plight of these horses and Zuma’s just had to jumped in, already having 50 horses to care for and knowing this would be  a major hardship on the organization, but no was not an option.

So in just a couple of days of talking horse trailers were at the ready, groups of women from the front range were packed in pick up trucks from Windsor and Wiggins, Boulder and Littleton trailers arrived at the Brush Colorado Livestock pens. The welcoming committee was less than welcoming, the brand inspector seemed annoyed at our presence and shocked that we had proper paper work and funds to get these horses out of harms way. If these horses hand been sent through the slaughter pipeline that have an estimated value of roughly $17,600.00 at current meat prices, which is a sickening thought for people with compassion to process.

The conditions at a stock yard are deplorable, ankle-deep mud, small cramped pens of death, desperation and fear are palpable to the compassionate person.Though compassion is a rare existence in the stock yards for most who enter there are profiting from the innocent and exploiting the vulnerable. About the only compassionate beings that enter the stock yards are horse rescues and people looking to buy horses, almost everyone els is participating in the buying and selling of flesh, innocent beings that mean nothing more than a pay- check to both sides of the transaction.

After loading the terrified horses that has spent the previous five years of their lives as a family free on large acreage, they were now separated, some trailers went to other places. This happily family ripped from their home over a dispute between humans was now suffering and would no longer be a family. Some believe that horses don’t have the same feelings about family as humans do, well all beings have those feelings, animals love their family, they feel pain and fear just as humans do. This was an emotional day for both two and four-legged beings that know animals have feelings.

Most of the trailers headed to a leased field in Laporte Colorado, a 2 hour journey in cramped trailers that ended close to sunset only to realize upon arrival that the fencing was not safe and much work was necessary to unload the horses. Team Zuma, up for the task ran to the local Jax and purchases fencing wire, water tanks, and networked on craigslist to have hay delivered on site, what a dedicated group of volunteers!  So into the night these Zumateers flagged wire fencing, strung new wires and shored up T-posts to ready the field for the precise cargo anxiously awaiting their return to freedom.

Hay spread about the field, water takes filled and the trailer doors were open to freedom for these innocent victims of humans indifference. The sound of thundering hooves in the dark was a joyous sound for the group of volunteer there participating in this the Super Bowl of horse rescues.

If you are able and would like to help with the overwhelming expenses for now caring for these horses, please DONATE to Zuma’s a registered 501c3 charity.

Zuma’s Rescue Ranch

Littleton CO

303-346-7493