ATFL News
October 2008
Dear Friends,
After the
Finish Line's first anniversary is on October 8, 2007. We started ATFL to
provide funding for Thoroughbred horses that can no longer race or breed. We
have funded over twenty Thoroughbred rescues. The funds were used to save
horses at auctions, provide medical and nutritional care and pay
boarding and transportation expenses. Lack of funding should not stand in
the way of helping these magnificent horses.
Within the
heart of every rescued Thoroughbred lies the desire to be loved and cared
for. We rely on donations from foundations, corporations and individuals to
assist these "unwanted" horses. Thoroughbreds standing side by side at
auctions can be winners of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars or no
money at all. They all deserve our help. No matter what amount please
donate to ATFL to help these noble animals.
Here are some
updates on Thoroughbreds that were assisted with funds provided by ATFL. In
May ATFL provided funds to pay for hernia surgery for
Marcus, a 2 year old
Thoroughbred rescued from an auction. Kathy in NY writes, "He is putting on
weight and growing. We started him on voice commands. He is a nice mover
too! When he is turned out he whinnies up a storm. He is a delight - special
guy that Marcus! He just loves life. What a nice experience for me to get
such a sweet, sweet horse to help bring along."
In August we
donated funds to Tranquility Farm in CA to help rescue the Warren
Thoroughbreds sent to an Arizona feedlot. Tranquility writes, "ATFL helped
enormously. Your donation saved two pregnant mares. I have two mares here at
the farm that I was able to keep in good conscience thanks to ATFL. Snowy's
Mark, who raced 23 times in CA and earned $157K and Now My Precious (who
is!) a lovely 6 year old mare from KY. After Snowy foals next spring she
will retire for life here. They are sponsored by your kindness."
In
September ATFL paid to rescue
Luna
Laura from a Pennsylvania auction. Her new owner writes, "I
was at the auction the day Luna was there. I wanted so badly to help but we
had issues with the truck. With a heavy heart I cried on Luna's shoulder and
prayed that some kind soul would help her. I found out with your help Luna
was saved from a killer buyer. I offered to foster or adopt Luna. Luna
coming home to me was meant to be. Thank you so much for saving my lovely
Luna. I'm so lucky to have her. She now has a new life ahead of her."
Many more
Thoroughbreds were helped with ATFL's October emergency funds. The Golden
Carrot in Calif. has four Thoroughbred ex-racehorses. Donations have eased
causing funding concerns for all rescues. ATFL will assist this rescue by
sponsoring their Thoroughbreds, Beau, Shine, Star and Shawnee, for the month
of October. We will also provide funds for their farrier needs.
Horse Feathers
Equine Rescue in Oklahoma also received emergency funds. Their Thoroughbred
broodmare, Plum Tricky, was previously donated to another organization who
told her owner she would have a home for life. Honesty did not prevail. She
was sent to an auction in foal and was rescued just two days before she was
to be shipped to Mexico. She gave birth only a week after being rescued. She
has a severe rotation of the coffin bone causing inflammation and abscesses.
Monthly chiropractic sessions are needed to ease her back pain. AFTL will
provide funds for x-rays to see if there is more deterioration in her foot
and pay for her chiropractor sessions.
At ATFL's
August fundraiser we invited our guests to participate in rescuing one or
more Thoroughbreds from slaughter. Jockey boots were passed and our guests
put monetary donations inside the boots. On Monday, Sept. 29th our
fundraiser guests rescued a beautiful six year old bay gelding named
Dynergy from New
Holland auction in Penn. If not rescued he would have gone to slaughter.
Dynergy earned almost $200K. He recently raced at Charles Town as well as
Aqueduct and Belmont. He is one lucky horse thanks our fundraiser guests.
In September we
were featured in the San Diego Pet magazine. This month our fundraiser was
featured in
San Diego
Magazine's "SEEN" section and
Thoroughbred Style magazine will run
our full page ad in their Breeders' Cup issue.
ATFL's
donations continue to grow. We are able to help more Thoroughbred
ex-racehorses and broodmares. Please join us and
donate
to this worthy cause. As you start to plan your year end charitable giving
please include AFTL.
Sincerely,
Dawn Mellen
After the Finish Line