River’s story is very touching, I am glad there are people like you and others helping these horses.
Thanks to all who helped out in saving the foal and to the new owners of River, Congratulations!!
Thanks for sharing Doreen,

Left by Corie Jo on June 21st, 2007

You know people,
You can’t imagine, unless you have seen it, the horrible neglect, abuse & suffering that we as a species put animals through. I have a sad story that I would like to share, this case effected 100 Canadian horses. You talk about what’s happening with the Mustangs in your area, well here’s one about Canada’s heritage horse in our area, Quebec.

- BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CANADIAN HORSE -

In the late 16th century, King Louis XIV, sent stock from his royal stables to New France, which is now called Quebec. These horses were of Norman/Bretton breeding and it is presumed that much Arab, Andulusian, Barb & Friesian blood was present. This was the first successful introduction of horses to the New World. The settlers - pioneers were happy with this small, stocky, well built horse, and for their hardiness they were given the nickname, “the little iron horse”, or the Canadian horse of Cheval Canada. During the mid 19th century, there were over 150,000 Canadian horses worldwide. Many were shipped by rail out west to improve the breeding stock there. Believe it or not, the Mustangs in Alberta, and the American plains have Canadian horse ancestry. Indeed this horse was used and loved across the nation. However, due to new technology, in 1979 there were only 400 Canadian horses in both the United States & Canada. Since then the breed has slowly made a come back. This year, 2007, there are over 6,000 Canadian horses worldwide. In the year 2002, April 30th, the Canadian horse was pronounced the heritage horse of Canada.

- OUR STORY -

3 weeks ago, my mom, sister, & I Corie Jo, took a drive to Gatineau Qc, to visit with friends. This place at one time was the largest Canadian horse breeders in the world. They had over 250 Canadian horses one time. For such a large herd, they were all in good health, and happy. We had bought 5 Canadians from these people, and our purpose for visiting this time was to check out the young stock. Although last year our friends had sold to a man from France, who ’said ‘ he would take on the breeding program of this fine herd. This man bought 100 horses. Upon arriving, and having chat, our friend later mentioned if we had recieved the auction form for 100 Canadian horses that were going to auction. “No we didn’t… who is selling that many Canadian horses”? She said, “the man who bought our herd”.
Long story short, the man that our friends sold to was selling them off at the auction. Ok, hearing that was fine, but when I heard that 60 horses were being fed 1 BALE per DAY… and that 2 foals were saw dead… holy mother of horses, it’s alot to take in. Naw, not here in Quebec and to the Canadian horse, I said to myself.
Well when we left our friends, we found where the herd was being held, so we saw for ourselves. Well, my stomach turned to rage and anger to see those horses in such a state. Yearlings weren’t weaned and they were still feeding off their mother.. cause there was nothing to eat. Foals weren’t playing, all of the horses except for maybe 5 were emacitated and starving.
After finding the owner of these horses from neighbors, the rude ^%^$# frenchy wasn’t going to do anything about one dying foal that we saw… until we showed up. The buzzards were flying around the field waiting!! I told this to this mans mother who was screaching on in French, but being a English speaking Quebecouis, it was hard trying to talk sense into that old goat.

He said that the SPCA was just there and nothing was wrong!! Bullcrap! But later we found out that they did send a man to veiw the horses due to a complaint, but this guy for one, didn’t know anything about horses, he even edmitted that he worked with cats and dogs!
He viewd the horses on that day before we arrived and said it was OKAY!! And the same guy veiwed the horses back in April when, we hear, was even worse!!

I just want to add that we helped load the dying foal and it’s skinny mom into this owners trailer. I begged to buy the foal, but he said no. This is a long story, but the auction was on Friday the 29th of June. We were there, and angry that the SPCA said that they would be there in force… but they weren’t. Boy, we weren’t the only ones that were livid.
These horse retail for 3,500, but at the auction they went as low as 100!! The average for the Registered horse that was sold was 600!! - 80 were registered.
We bought a mare and foal, and it was hard not to buy others, but already we had enough horses at home. I think many went to loving good homes and not the meat buyer.

So where was the SPCA in this case?? This may have been the largest Canadian horse abuse on record, and they did nothing. It has been thanks to my mom, Jo Ellen Cushing, that this crap has hit the fan. It is not over, that man will be charged for the wrong he did and is doing. He also has 80 head of cattle that are in the same state of condition.

Wish Us Luck and a pray for the ones we can save,
and to all the horses in the world, they need people like us.

Left by Corie Jo on July 9th, 2007

I loved River’s story (I’m a sucker for foals)and I’m glad hes doing well. Good luck River!!!!

Left by Stephanie Smith on July 21st, 2007

I recently stumbled across your website through an equine network website, and I am glad that there are people who do look out for those who have nobody to look out for them.

While I am only a fairly young person, (27), it makes me deeply cynical and displeased with my own kind when I see the mistreatment we place on animals, and the excuses we make knows no bounds. “They’re pests, they’re a drain on resources that could be diverted elsewhere. Who cares? They’re just dumb animals anyway.”

I am glad there are people like the WHOAS, that actively fight for those who are unable to fend for themselves. It is said that evil prevails when good people do nothing. I am glad there are good people like the WHOAS that are willing to step up to the plate and protect these majestic animals.

Keep up the good work, and my best wishes go with you.

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you.”
Job 12:7,8

Left by Justin Huang on September 17th, 2007

I am so glad you did that for a foal, if that was me although i am living in a city (i wish i lived on a farm) I would do the same for him!

Left by Tessa on October 3rd, 2007

Ken..I meant no disrespect…My reasoning was you appeared to work alone. I rode in various areas with different wranglers.Starting when I was 12. The DNA results show there is a foundation of English imports in the genes so I find it hard to believe the denial of branded stock..I have personally seen branded horses..The Whitemud area North of Hines Creek is several hundred acres.Earl M gathered horses there,also bringing out a couple branded geldings.As range horses usually stay within a 15 to 25 mile radius, unless forced out, that area was large enough for those geldings to live there unmolested.To the Northeast about 75 miles away was horses showing distinct Appaloosa characteristics.No sign of Appy in the Whitemud horses.Rumor was Ken R had been in there with horses from Montana about 1928.The last of them was finally captured in the early 50’s.I had occassion to work with a few of those horses..Good tough stock.

Left by N.McGinnis on January 23rd, 2008