Hearts for the MSSPA horses!
Wearing their hearts on their, well, not exactly on their sleeves Ms. Karen Turpen’s fifth grade class recently visited the Society’s farm on a brisk winter morning. It was clear that advance planning and a lot of hard work had gone into the preparation for this very special field trip.
Upon arrival Ms. Turpen with the help of the enthusiastic chaperones, Laura Menedez, (Grammie Laura as the students call her) and Amy Hanrahan quickly organized the students into formation to spell out what the visit was all about – hearts for the MSSPA horses! It was a little bit like watching a real life Vanna White as Ms. Turpen deftly arranged and rearranged her students before the wind blew away the decorated sheets of paper that helped to tell the story.
The students’ tour began with introductions to Becky Jones, MSSPA barn manager and popular tour guide. Becky weaves together stories of the horses, dogs, cats, goat, pigs, and other animals that are residents at the farm with practical information about the proper care of pets. The first stop was the “Before and After” bulletin board in the farmhouse breeze way. There the students saw pictures that showed animals who had been abused and neglected by their owners. There were photographs of thin, thin animals with their bones evident beneath matted, dirty fur; some had overgrown hooves, others had sores or cuts. Those pictures, taken at the time the animals arrived at the MSSPA were contrasted with photos showing the same animals after rehabilitation. The difference was so remarkable, in some instances it was difficult to believe the same animal was shown in each photo. “Sometimes it just takes food, water, a visit with the veterinarian or the farrier (a person who specializes in hoof care for animals), and a lot of love to bring the animals back to good health,” Becky told Ms. Turpen’s class. The children asked many questions about the animals whose photos were on the bulletin board. “What happened to the owner?” “Is that horse here at the farm?” “Will we see that horse today” “Can I take this cat home to my house?”
Next the students, Ms. Turpen, and the chaperones walked with Becky down to the big barn to meet some of the horses living at the farm. As they walked along, Scotty the orange coon cat, self-appointed greeter at the Society, tagged along to continue receiving plenty of attention from the children.
Inside the barn, Big Ben, an elderly Belgian gentleman stood in the first stall to the left. He surveyed the group with an experienced eye. Ben has been a mainstay in the barn for a number of years and has met hundreds of school children. His primary interest is eating and once he has determined that no one in the group is going to provide him with additional grain, an apple or carrot he hangs his head over the stall door patiently permitting folks to stroke his massive face. Ben, like many animals who have experienced starvation, is always alert for the possibility of food. It has been more than 20 years since Ben was first placed at the Society, but his food anxiety is a permanent feature of his gentle personality.
The children moved onto the stall that is occupied by a sociable quarter horse gelding named, “Bravo.” Bravo and his stablemate in the next stall, Earl, came to the MSSPA following their seizure from an owner who had neglected them along with the many other animals with the misfortune to be living at the household. Both boys were several hundred pounds underweight at the time they were rescued. Bravo had an injury to one of his hind legs that was very serious. The veterinarian who treated Bravo, once the horse had been taken from the neglectful owner, warned Society staff members that it was likely that Bravo would not survive. Those working with the horses at the Society helped Bravo beat the poor odds of his recovery. By working with him each day, providing nutritious feed, supplements, and expert medical and farrier care, the Society staff were able to assist the handsome gelding make a full recovery. Today, Bravo enjoys daily turnout with his pal Earl. Bravo loves halter games, running, and just generally kicking up his heels for the joy of being able to do so.
Despite his painful injury and neglectful treatment at the hands of people, Bravo is one of the friendliest horses living at the MSSPA. He loves people and is very gentle with those who approach his stall to say hello. During the field trip through the barn, Becky introduced many of Mrs. Turpen’s students to Bravo and invited them to pet his velvety nose and soft face. Bravo patiently greeted each young person and sniffed their hands as they reached out to touch him.
As the class walked along with Becky through the barn meeting the horses and learning about their needs, many students expressed outrage at the way the animals had been treated. Becky explained about the Maine’s legal process to address animal cruelty and proudly let the students know that Maine has some of the nation’s best anti-cruelty statutes. Ms. Turpen’s students were also introduced to Baby May, lovely bay mare; Old Man Winter whose white coat and striking blue eyes make him a favorite for photographs, and the Society’s Belgian filly, Delilah who was seized from her neglectful owner the day she was born outside in December snowstorm.
Three of the fifth grade classes at the Windham’s Manchester School initiated the “Hearts for Horses” campaign as their 2010 community service project to raise funds for the animals living at the Society farm. The students are selling cut-out hearts for a donation of one dollar and collecting used (but clean) towels to help dry the horses off after their baths. To date, the classes taught by Ms. Turpen, Ms. Lavigne, and Miss Hill have raised nearly $500.00 and many, many towels!
View a Photo Gallery of the visit.
The MSSPA is a tax-exempt, 501(c) (3) entity and receives no federal, state or local funding. The Society is entirely funded by membership dues, donations, bequests, grants, and fund-raising activities. The Society does not charge for its services and seeks no reimbursement from any public source. The MSSPA provides more than one million dollars in services annually to the taxpayers of Maine and salvation to abused animals. FMI, visit the website www.msspa.org