Published in Niagara Farmer's Monthly - June 2011
As soon as Kelly Bennett enters her barn the horses take notice. A few come and nuzzle her neck, and others gaze directly at Bennett when they hear her talking. They are an eclectic bunch including Clydesdale and thorough bred racing horses, but although they are different in size and colour, there is one thing they have in common. They have all been given a second chance at life because of Bennett.
Bennett, and her husband Dave Boucock own Horse Rehabilitation and Rescue in Wainfleet.
She says they have rescued over 100 horses from being sold into the meat markets since opening their rescue nearly three years ago.
About twice a month they go to the Ontario Livestock Exchange (OLEX) in Kitchener to purchase horses and bring them home to rehabilitate and adopt out. She says she is often bidding against “the meat buyers”.
“They usually take horses that are probably destined for meat to Kitchener. It’s not legal to sell horse meat in Canada, but it gets shipped overseas. It’s a delicacy in Japan and Europe. A lot of times there is nothing wrong with the horses; people are just downsizing or don’t want to keep them for the winter or can’t afford them.”
Bennett believes buying a horse to resell it to be slaughtered like cattle is wrong.
“They’re not like cattle. They have brains and they’re intelligent. We’ve raised cows…their whole purpose in life is for food. Most of these horses we’ve rescued were companions or riding horses or beloved family pets. It’s really sad to see them end up in Kitchener. It’s just horrible.”
Bennett says many buyers at OLEX are not looking for meat, but even one “meat man” is too many for her, which is why she tries to save as many as possible.
There are 17 horses currently at K “N” D looking for new homes. Bennett tells each horse’s story with an affection tinted with sadness. She laughs as the horses glance at her, as if on cue, when hearing their names.
"They know when you’re talking about them. Horses are very intelligent,” she says. “These are emotional creatures; they have feelings.”
Bennett knows these horses will have a happy ending, but she is painfully aware that she has no choice but to leave others behind.
“Have you ever seen the movie Sophie’s Choice?” she asks. “Sometimes you just have to make a choice and when you do, you have to tell yourself it’s the best choice. I’ve done all I can do. It’s very hard to go sometimes, but if I didn’t go most of these horses I have here would not have made it. It can be very heart breaking though.”
Bennett says choosing is hard on her heart, but she has to be practical.
“I have to remember I can’t keep them all and that I’m going to have to re-home them,” she says. “So there is going to have to be something really good or workable about them. I just have to find the right person for each horse. Sometimes I sell them the next day, other horses I’ve had longer.”
Bennett says she has rescued horses that have been dehydrated and so malnourished they were nothing but skin and bones. Some of the most emotional rescues have been pregnant mares.
“All of the horses are special, but the pregnant mares are very emotional. If I didn’t save those ones then we wouldn’t have five beautiful babies be born. That’s pretty emotional. Those stand out for me. We were not only saving one life; we were saving the unborn life as well.”
Bennett blinks back tears when she thinks about what would have happened if she hadn’t rescued these horses.
“It’s hideous enough to think about the slaughter house, but to think the mare is in foal is atrocious. The pregnant mares are the ones that really need rescuing.”
Bennett dedicates almost all of her time to the horses, but feels it is worth it.
“It’s a lot of work. I’m out here seven days a week; 365 days a year,” she says. “But to see them come around and get healthy again and find new homes is the best feeling. It keeps me happy. Being with horses all day is the best. I’m able to do what I love. How many people can honestly say they love their job and get so much reward out of it?”
Bennett feel she gets as much out of the relationships with her rescue horses as they do.
“I love everything about them. I love their beauty. I love their kindness. And they just love you back. If you love a horse, it will love you back like no other animal. They’ve just been my passion for as long as I can remember. I call it my labour of love.”
Bennett says horses are “an expensive animal” because of all of the associated costs such as grain, hay, vetting and worming, and she feels fortunate that she and her husband have their own place.
“We could not do this if we had to board. Thank goodness we have our own place. And my hubby works very, very hard. He basically works six days a week to support this. But he also enjoys the horses too and he appreciates that we are actually making a difference.”
K “N” D is privately owned so they do not receive any funding. They purchase horses that need rescuing and adopt the horses out for basically the same amount they paid.
"If I re-home them and I get extra money on top of what I paid for them then it’s never that much more. But every little bit of money goes back to the horses in some way. All right back into the horses.”
Bennett researches the horses to discover their history and she also keeps tabs on the ones she re-homes.
“I keep pictures and folders on every single horse. And every once in a while if I don’t get an update from the new people I will send them an email to find out how the new horse is going.”
Bennett says the economy has hit the horse industry hard, and a lot of horses are being given up simply because they are no longer affordable.
“Horses have suffered a lot in this economy. I just want everybody to be aware that there are options. There’s no need to let a horse starve out in the field or ship them out. There are always people around that are willing to take them in and help place your horse in a loving home.”
And, Bennett warns, it is imperative to do research.
“There is a lot of help, that’s what I want people to know, but you also must be careful. Do your research. Don’t be fooled by a seemingly nice person. And I would recommend instead of giving money as donations to a rescue place, why not give them hay or blankets or grain? Money is always needed for vetting as well, but again, make sure the place is trustworthy.”
Bennett says the best part of her “life’s passion” is the reaction from the horses.
"The best part of the whole thing is the reward of knowing that these horses realize they have been saved. I’m sure they realize it. They have thanked me in so many different ways. Even just nuzzling me is like they are saying ‘thank you’.”
Those interested in adopting a rescue horse or wanting more information can contact Bennett at
horselover44@live.com
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