I taught you how to ride,I was there for you when you cried,

I loved you no matter what,Now look at what you’ve got.I’m cold and skin and bone,I’m a long way from home,

The others in the truck have nowhere to go.We hear the door go down,

We don’t know where we are as we look round,They round us in the pen which is just around the bend.

I hear the shots ring out,And my friends just scream and shout,

There is nowhere to run,So I think of how it begun.

I don’t understand what has happened,As I’m in pain and I feel shattered,

Why didn’t you love me?How could you let this happen?

I feel my pain ease,As I feel a breeze,

I’m running through the sky,With my best friends by my side.

No pain comes to us here,No fear and no tears,

Do you remember who I am?I was your Best Friend.

By: Jessica Philippe - Marketing

Tamborine Horse Rehabilitation Retreat

46

Equine abuse and neglect is a rapidly growing and commonly over-looked problem in today’s society. The Legal Dictionary defines Animal abuse as “the crime of inflicting physical pain, suffering or death on an animal, usually a tame one, beyond necessity for nor-mal discipline. It can include neglect that is so monstrous that the animal has suffered, died or been put in imminent danger of death”. This essay covers three aspects of Equine Abuse and Neglect. Firstly, what is horse abuse and how you can recognise it? Secondly, the permanent effects that abuse can have on a horse’s life. Thirdly, the rescue and rehabilitation organisa-tions that help prevent these crimes.

Equine abuse and Equine neglect are two different acts. Abuse takes in the physical actions made by a person to harm a horse, things such; as beating, whipping, over working and causing physical pain. Neglect covers passive actions, including; failure to provide food, water, socialisation and a clean en-vironment. Repeated occurrences of a particular incident may be proof of Equine abuse or neglect. The obvious visible signs may include bruises, open wounds, exposed ribs and hip bones. An abused horse may also be timid and scared of other ani-mals and in particular their owner or abuser. All of which can have huge effects on a horse for the rest of their life.

The abuse and neglect of a horse can cause them to experience negative emotions even after being removed from their environ-

ment. Fear, anger and intimidation can prevent a horse from ever trusting a human again. Unfortunately for many horses, this means that even after extensive re-homing and training they still have to be put down because they have experienced such horrific physical and emotional trauma. Thankfully, there are people out there who

care enough to give their time, expertise and care to ensure these horses get a second chance at life.

There are many organisations within Australia that oversee and fund projects to improve the life of abused and neglected horses from Western Australia across to Queensland and down to Tasmania. Some organisations are quite large, and involve many peo-ple; the RSPCA and the Australian Equine Welfare As-sociation (AEWA), but the most work and help comes from those who open both their hearts and homes to horses who are otherwise abandoned and suffering. They willingly give their time, expertise and care to re-train and show a horse the love that they are so desperately in need of. They are the voice of thou-sands of horses who cannot speak out for themselves.

Equine abuse and neglect is a horrible, but very real issue, which more of the public must be made aware of. These horses need our attention. Without it, thou

sands more will suffer in silence.By:

Jessica Philippe - MarketingTamborine Horse Rehabilitation Retreat

Flicka was bought from the Laidley Horse Sales, late in 2010, for $220. He was emaciated, timid and the loss of hair on certain areas of his body was covered and hidden with grease. Just months before we found him, Flicka, was a beautiful, fit, healthy x race horse. For reasons unknown to us his condition had been allowed to rapidly decrease and at just six years of age he found himself in a wet and muddy Sale Yard. Flicka spent roughly three months at the retreat before being adopted by a Lady who had previ-ously fallen in love with him and had followed his recovery closely. He now lives on Tamborine Mountain in an amazing paddock. He is spoilt everyday with a brush and a cuddle and enjoys

the company of horses and cows in neighbouring paddocks. We check in on him and his adoptive family every few months just as we do with all of our adopted horses.

The Tamborine Horse Rehabilitation Retreat is a not-for profit organisation op-erating in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Our aim is to provide care in a safe

environment for abused, neglected, abandoned and surrendered Horses & Ponies.

We are dedicated to Saving Horses that are slaughter bound, Abused, Neglected & Surrendered to offer a second chance at life!

We are committed to Raising Awareness and giving horses a voice.www.tamborinehorseretreat.com

47