At Second Chance Stables, a 501c3 Non Profit Draft Horse Rescue, our mission is to provide a sanctuary for discarded draft horses that find themselves in gruesome slaughter pipeline. 

My team and I have tirelessly worked to create a space where these neglected and abandoned souls can find kindness, compassion, a full belly, and peace during their most vulnerable moments.

However, our operation faces a critical challenge. The 0.36 acres of land that house our back paddocks (land always used by the rescue and privately owned by its President and Founder)….land that has historically served as a home for equines, is deemed wetland. This classification has halted our ability to continue using the area to shelter these animals. 

Despite its designation, these paddocks have been safely used for equines for decades and since the rescue’s conception we have demonstrated our commitment to maintaining the balance between care for our horses and respect for the land.

Currently two of our horses Rip and Beth (Rip is completely blind and Beth has one eye) are most affected by this halt the local conservation committee put on us. One of the reasons this project started was to join their space to one of the back paddocks, giving them more room to move. 

The best choice for Rip is a long straight pen due to his blindness. The proposed  plan cuts that almost in half and changes the shape. He relies on familiarity and straight lines. That’s what he knows. That’s what makes him feel safe. 

This land is not just a part of our operation; it is a vital piece of our rescue efforts. Without it we will no longer be able to take in horses. We will have to close to intakes. Lives will be lost.

We are calling on the relevant authorities to reconsider this wetland designation and allow Second Chance Stables to continue using the paddocks for the betterment of these animals' lives. 

By signing this petition, you can stand with us in our fight to keep these horses safe and cared for in their time of need. Support Second Chance Stables and help us continue our mission to give these horses a second chance at life.