Horse Rescue up the Renshaw

barefooter said:

Guys:

I know I am going to take some flack for this - but this appears to be a whole lot of effort for little or no upside. So let the flaming begin. Let me preface this with the fact that I own a large number of horses and other animals, and would be considered by most who have met me to be an animal lover. But I think emotions in these situations overtake reason.

In my opinion, I think the most humane thing to do in the circumstances is to quickly give them a lead injection. Take the $2,000 or $4,000 or whatever it is going to cost to get these horses out of there, and give it to the Salvation Army, Christmas Bureau, etc. to give some kids a chance this Xmas.


So - lets say you actually get a chopper to come in to sling these horses out - after you get a vet up there to sedate them, etc. This would be nothing like getting a sled out - they move on their own. Plus generally - horses are unpredictable and generally idiots in any situation where they are frightened.

What happens next? The idiot who left them there sure as h*ll isn't going to claim them - so they end up in the "pound" according to the various livestock acts. They have to keep them for 60 days, and after that are sold. Bottom end horses right now are going for slaughter at about $200 to $250 per horse. Appears you would cover less than 20% of the expenses. And they are still going to be dead at the end of it. Better humanely dealing with it up there - than putting these animals through the unessesary stress of trying to get them out.

That is not to say the idiot who got stuck up there shouldn't be dealt with. If it were me - to pay for his stupidity I would march him up there and make him do the deed. I will pass judgement. If they were left up there because some guy got snowed in and couldn't get them out- he should have done the right thing and hiked right back up with a rifle and dealt with the situation humanely. The number of idiots with horses knows no limit - I see it time and time again.

Yes - this is a shitty situation. But sometimes you just have to make a hard decision.

Sorry - rant over.

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Can't disagree. Unfortunately, there are way too many idiots that own horses that don't know the first thing about them, and as noted before, if someone doesn't claim them and care for them when they get down, the result will be the same. Regardless, the people that are trying to rescue them deserve a a lot of praise for their heart, whatever the outcome.

When these horses get out of the hills there are local people that have farms that will be caring for these horses and nurseing them back to life.. The guy left them there and told one guy that they were there and he supposedly went up a few times to try and get them with no success.. But he also didn't bother to say anything to other locals as there would have been alot of us who would have dealt with it then, and it would have been alot easier to get them out then.. The horses are in quite poor shape right now, but they are eating and there taking also taking up some horse blankets for them today as well.. We in mcbride would WAY rather bring them out alive if possible, which appears to be going to happen.. If they weren't going to be able to be brought out then they would have been put down so as that they wouldn't suffer.. But they should be able to be brought out which is great news..

Should drag the owners ass back up there and leave him with no food,water or shelter for five days, see how much he enjoys it.

That's good news for sure.

I would like to clarify and explain for all those concerned, the situation for the horses up the Renshaw.

I was called 3 nights ago by a local reporter and horse lover Birgit Stultz, advising me of the fact that two horses had been seen up the Renshaw close to the cabin. She was looking for someone to sled up there and see if these horses needed to be put down or if they could be helped. She had been advised by another local, that she should contact me, a horse person, and my partner, Matt Elliott a professional and respected local snowmobiler in regards to our being able to help. Before she could finish her plea, Matt was on board. We spent the next few hours on the phone, and the next morning he was headed up there with the Jeck family and other local riders to assess the situation.

With the combination of the horsey knowledge of the Jeck's and everyone's combined knowledge of the area, it was agreed that these horses were in good enough shape to be saved. Hay, electrolites, etc. were hauled up on a skimmer to help the horses while the group began the digging process.

We are talking approximately a kilometer of 5 to 6 feet of snow to get 2 weak horses through to the groomed trailhead and 6 to 7 guys with their avalanche shovels. It is now day 3, they are headed back up there, on their own time and own dollar out of the goodness of their hearts.
Matt took photos for me over the past 2 days, which I have sent to SPCA who I am in contact with on a daily basis.

I believe this requires a helicopter ride, just to get them out of the draw to the road, and we can look after it from there.
I have put in a request for this with the SPCA and they will come to a decision based on the photos sent, as we give them a run-down of each day's progress.
Local people have expressed a willingness to contribute financially for the helicopter but it won't be a cheap bill.

For the fellow who wanted to know about how they got there in the first place (kudos to you for knowing they shouldn't be there at all).
A lawyer from Alberta was making a packtrip through there in the summer, for whatever reason decided it wasn't going well and left the horses while getting himself out. It is rumored that there were 3 but one has died.

Some people had heard of them a few weeks ago, but once we were informed, and Matt's riding buddies said they had seen them, action started.
The owner has been contacted by SPCA, knows they are there, has chosen to do nothing about it, and now it has become McBride's mission to save these two equines.

As mentioned in a previous e-mail we need help from people that can make it up there, the 30 k road in isn't bad but from there you need to be able get to the horses. At the moment, you can be guarranteed that the group is up there each day, they have been heading up there around 9am and are hard at until dark. So for now, until we make some headway from the "big help", if you have a sled and a buddy with a shovel, feel free to stop by!

Thank you for all your concern,

Sara Olofsson
McBride, BC

Hi there-well, it's too bad, but Dean got pictures of the horses yesterday when they were in trying to dig them out-can't post them unfortunately because he took the camera with him to Edmonton! One of them, the mare is missing a bit of hide , but he said that the gelding looks really good still-obviously thin. Have to say that I agree with some of the comments including the one about ending their misery, but in a way, when they can get food directly into them then it kind of doesn't make sense you knowto finish them off. The pictures that dean has, are of them handling the horses with the sleds right there next to them, obviously horses would punch through that much snow and can't get out of this bowl on their own. I think our neighbour was heading up today to build a shelter.
Regarding the offers to throw in a few bucks to possibly sling these guys out of there-kudos to you! I think about everything from rotor wash to how cold it is up there right now on a helicopter, to the length of the line that's needed; never mind how the horses might react. Anyways, thanks to everyone who's throwing their two cents into this thread. There is no way either that this guy will be getting back these horses.

scotts said:

I have no problem passing judgment. the owner should be made responsible for these animals regardless of the circumstances. they abandoned those animals and should be forced to pay the costs.

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totally agree with you and I think this guy should be held liable but in the meantime these horses need some help-luckily food is being brought into them-have pics of them will post tomorrow once the camera is back!

The people that live in McBride are some of the nicest I have met and what there doing for these horses is just fantastic.Myself and 5 others are coming there tomorow night and sledding Sat/Sun and we will help shovel or donate money so these animals so they dont starv or freeze to death. We all know the owner is a waste of skin, these animals dont have to die because of his stupidity. Maybe there should be a get together at Grizzlys on Fri night.

The guy's probably a divorce or Injury lawyer. He should be charged, and his name spread all over the media, gutless puke!!

Wow, A huge THANKS to all that are helping to save these horses.

It is amazing how stupid people can be, I hope the guy gets charged for animal cruelty.

Is there a paypal system or anything so we can give donations?

amyjane20 said:

Wow, A huge THANKS to all that are helping to save these horses.

It is amazing how stupid people can be, I hope the guy gets charged for animal cruelty.

Is there a paypal system or anything so we can give donations?

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Waiting to hear back from a local helicopter company. Nothing's for sure and digging them out might be the only way to do this-like I mentioned before though, they are getting food and an area was tamped down in the trees so that they have a bit more shelter.

It truly sickens me that people will do the things that they do to animals that have entrusted themselves to said people! I am a horse lover (any animal lover really) from way back and it warms my heart to hear of all the people that are working so very hard to save these horses. I am interested to see the pics when they are up. Hopefully the rescue efforts are not all for not! Horses are tougher than they look most times! Good luck everyone! If I could help I would be there in a second.

I'd like to know more about the condition of the horses and why they were not brought out sooner if left there in October. The owner should be fully responsible for all rescue fees and efforts and then fined for animal abandonment. Shouldn't matter if they bucked him off or if they were crazy horses or maybe just the owner is crazy, but there still are more humane ways to discard your pets!!! If there was an emergency or accident it could of been dealt with before the snow fell too much. Do they still have the tack on or were they turned out loose?

amyjane20 said:

Is there a paypal system or anything so we can give donations?

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I cant send out receipts but I can get the money to Barry (Bbtoys) and this will help the horses. I will let you all know what kind of funds we raise for this. I'll pitch in as well.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2000099

This has Been Edited..

I can agree with all in this situation. Its always amazing to see people coming together to help someone or something. My only concern is about this trench that is being dug. Will it get filled back in. I really wouldnt want see the aftermath of someone hitting a six foot hole. It would be really hard to see with a little scuff of snow.

karbz700 said:

I can agree with all in this situation. Its always amazing to see people coming together to help someone or something. My only concern is about this trench that is being dug. Will it get filled back in. I really wouldnt want see the aftermath of someone hitting a six foot hole. It would be really hard to see with a little scuff of snow.

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Mother nature will look after filling in the trench :d. Its all good

Just going to throw this out there, I'm sure someone has already probably thought of it, but would it not be possible for the groomer to pull up a small 1 or 2 place horse trailer if there were some skis made to go on or in place of the tires? Would only take a couple hours and some welding to build and be alot more familiar to the horses and less expensive than the chopper.

It is through the trees and very few people except locals and a few others that know the way through there will be using this area. Not to worry. A bird is most likely not an option at this time and if we get them to to trail we may have to close the trail for a short time to get them down to the parking lot. Will see in the next couple of days.

barefooter said:

Guys:

I know I am going to take some flack for this - but this appears to be a whole lot of effort for little or no upside. So let the flaming begin. Let me preface this with the fact that I own a large number of horses and other animals, and would be considered by most who have met me to be an animal lover. But I think emotions in these situations overtake reason.

In my opinion, I think the most humane thing to do in the circumstances is to quickly give them a lead injection. Take the $2,000 or $4,000 or whatever it is going to cost to get these horses out of there, and give it to the Salvation Army, Christmas Bureau, etc. to give some kids a chance this Xmas.


So - lets say you actually get a chopper to come in to sling these horses out - after you get a vet up there to sedate them, etc. This would be nothing like getting a sled out - they move on their own. Plus generally - horses are unpredictable and generally idiots in any situation where they are frightened.

What happens next? The idiot who left them there sure as h*ll isn't going to claim them - so they end up in the "pound" according to the various livestock acts. They have to keep them for 60 days, and after that are sold. Bottom end horses right now are going for slaughter at about $200 to $250 per horse. Appears you would cover less than 20% of the expenses. And they are still going to be dead at the end of it. Better humanely dealing with it up there - than putting these animals through the unessesary stress of trying to get them out.

That is not to say the idiot who got stuck up there shouldn't be dealt with. If it were me - to pay for his stupidity I would march him up there and make him do the deed. I will pass judgement. If they were left up there because some guy got snowed in and couldn't get them out- he should have done the right thing and hiked right back up with a rifle and dealt with the situation humanely. The number of idiots with horses knows no limit - I see it time and time again.

Yes - this is a chitty situation. But sometimes you just have to make a hard decision.

Sorry - rant over.

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So here goes....I am still waiting for my first and original post to be approved as many of all these questions will be answered in there.
The horses are there....they are alive.....and in consentual agreement that they have enough left in them to be helped.....of course putting them down was an option but the latter was chosen once they were found.
There is no concern as to the cost of taking them on once out, there is a local line-up to keep these horses permanently.
Everyone is donating their time, resources including food etc. to work on the issue at hand.
The helicopter company is on board based on decisions we make at the end of today (as to the success of using the roadbuilding mats) and yes, the expected costs are quoted at well over $5000 of which the heli company will contribute a percentage.
As to my latest conversation with the SPCA, they would like to avoid the use of a helicopter at the moment (and once again this will be dealt with according to today's progress).
As mentioned the groomer is on board as well, and possible arrangements include hooking up a trailer if possible to transport them out the 30 kms.

So today will find us with new advancements or set-backs and we will all deal with them as we do in this little, wonderful town!

Thank you ALL soooo much!

Sara Olofsson
McBride

rknight111 said:

I cant send out receipts but I can get the money to Barry (Bbtoys) and this will help the horses. I will let you all know what kind of funds we raise for this. I'll pitch in as well.

Save the horses **LINK**

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I can't seem to make this link work, what am I doing wrong

Thanks for setting this up Ron!