About Us - The Bay State Equine Rescue
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Bay State Equine Rescue, founded by a group of compassionate volunteers dedicated to preserving equine integrity, was incorporated on November 12, 2002.
The volunteers of BSER have come together from many different walks of life, the institution of the rescue drew us together like a magnet. None of us understands why, we just know that we belong here. We have answered the call, we do not ask why, we just report for duty. Our passion runs very deep, each of us is a volunteer. Our facility is donated and all of the equipment we use is donated. When we have a need, we organize a fund-raiser to get the money to do our job. Much of our time is spent fund-raising.
This rescue is very unique ~ our mission is to preserve equine integrity, but in doing so we also preserve human integrity. We encounter many tasks we never associated with rescuing horses, never anything we considered, but as a united front we conquer each new adventure.
Many events are held that involve adults and children working with the community to save a horse, provide education, reduce neglect and abuse, or offer services. Often, we work to help individuals place horses they no longer want, or cannot care for. We have also helped equine owners who, temporarily, could not manage the care of their horse by themselves.
When we rescue a horse, we follow the progress through to the best possible recovery. We are not in the business of relocating horses. If we can find a great home for a horse we will make it available to a loving, caring family for adoption. If the horse stays at the rescue forever, that too is fine. We must know that each of our rescued horses has peace - that it will never suffer at the hands of abuse or neglect again.
When a needy horse is brought to our attention, we all band together to save that horse. Some of us provide medical care, some food or shelter, many of us work at raising funds to pay the medical expenses. Always, new people with very special services come forward at our time of greatest need. We are fortunate to be in a community where public support is strong. Several 4-H groups have worked with us to raise money, build stalls, care for horses, and promote the rescue to the public.
Each of us has an equine story to tell, we have learned a great deal from our horses, and many of us have rescued horses. The lessons our horses have taught us make us who we are today ~ some are good stories, some are hard lessons ~ and we have emerged better people because of them. We have learned that a horse is what you make it, or better said, what each of its' owners contribute to it. The equine is at your mercy to live the kind of life you provide for it. We find it is very hard for us to understand the mindset of those who think horses are for recreational or business purposes only. We have learned to never sell a horse, for if you want to guarantee that horse's future you must possess ownership of it. We have learned to never breed a horse, the world is overpopulated with horses in need of good homes. And most importantly, we have learned to never turn your back on your best friend – your Horse!
BSER is a corporation in the state of Massachusetts and has a list of volunteers ready and anxious to be a part of the rescue and rehabilitation process. We are a 501(c)(3) tax deductible, publicly supported organization, and depend entirely on the donations of concerned businesses and individuals. Please support our mission, the horses need us!
Thoughts & Expressions From The Volunteers
The Foal
Eyes that open wide, full of excitement and wonder.
A nose that touches everything, smells everything, explores everything.
A gentle, soft muzzle that finds warm, nourishing milk...so comforting.
A coat…a big shaggy, fuzzy, strange looking thing…oh well.
Long legs that run and run and run.
Strong muscles …. majestic, powerful, proud.
A heart that lets you in. Not at first…not at second…but finally gives in to trust and depend on you.
Be worthy of this trust.
You Don’t Know Me
There are only a few like me.
I am not like you, I don’t fit in.
Rise at dawn with thoughts of God’s creatures on my mind.
I tolerate you, but I love them.
My heart aches for their suffering.
Why couldn’t you leave well enough alone?
I marvel at the fiery nostrils, the pounding hooves.
Why does this marvelous creature take any account of human?
Why will equine serve mankind?
Certainly you have not earned that honor.
I, and the few like me, count the days blessings.
An opportunity to provide the simplest needs, to nurture, to gain trust.
I know this creature owes me nothing.
I recognize it is an honor to be in their presence.
Each new day presents itself with their complete care on my mind.
My pledge is to go beyond the prescription to be sure they have every possible chance at life.
I do not expect you to understand me.
I do not expect you to know me.
I do not understand you.
I do not know you.
In India, Prince Siddhartha, who was to become the Buddha, took great pride in his magnificent stallion Kanthaka. When he left his home, he called for the noble animal and spoke to him as a friend: “Today I go forth to seek supreme beatitude; lend me your help, O Kanthaka! Companions in arms or in pleasure are not hard to find, and we never want for friends when we set out to acquire wealth, but companions and friends desert us when it is the path of holiness we would take. Yet of this am I certain: he who helps another to do good or to do evil shares in that good or in that evil. Know then, O Kanthaka, that it is a virtuous impulse that moves me. Lend me your strength and your speed. The world’s salvation and your own is at stake.”
Taken from: The Horse in the West, Bradley Smith, The World Publishing
