Ready To Ride: Panhandle Equine Rescue Receives ASPCA Grant

September 14, 2012

Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment has received a $1,500 grant from ASPCA to assist their efforts in preparing rescued horses to be ridden by their new owners.

“With the current economic downturn, more horses are in need of rescue than ever before,” said Diane Lowery, president and co-founder of Panhandle Equine Rescue. “Horseback riders are looking for a good, sound, riding horse for a reasonable price. Many people don’t realize that you can find that perfect horse by adopting one. With this grant money, we hope to help potential horse owners realize that these animals are ready to ride, and waiting for their forever home.”

The grant will allow three rescued horses with riding potential to start working with a natural horsemanship trainer, which will help them be safe for humans to handle and ride. Once training is complete, the rescue horse becomes more adoptable to those looking for a ‘ready to ride’ horse. Te grant will encourage riders to adopt rescue horses and allow PER to find permanent, loving homes for more rescue horses, according to the group.

The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens and became incorporated on February 1, 2005 as a non-profit organization. Shortly thereafter, PER became authorized by the county court system  to investigate reports of equines in trouble. PER’s mission is to “rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines”.

PER currently has two investigators to take reports about violations of state laws for the purpose of protecting animals or preventing any act of cruelty to animals. PER then investigates the reports and to verify if there is a problem or violation.

Once the investigator confirms a violation, PER works to educate owners to enable them to resolve the problem so they can take full responsibility for their horses. Many owners
voluntarily surrender their horses, some horses are seized by Panhandle Equine Rescue or PER is awarded custody in a civil case.

Panhandle Equine Rescue is run entirely by volunteers with no paid staff or board members. For more information, visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org.

Comments

2 Responses to “Ready To Ride: Panhandle Equine Rescue Receives ASPCA Grant”

  1. Angelle Notaro on September 15th, 2012 6:55 am

    I volunteered for PER on and off for a year and a half before I went to college. I’m so happy they got this because I know how much they needed it! I can’t wait to visit when I come home!

  2. Walnut Hill on September 14th, 2012 1:18 pm

    Kudos to PER! Way to go!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News