[cujo.]

mark <3

[Kassypen]

You may now start the event!

[acronymm]

Username;; Acronymm
Barn Link;; Bayleaf Acres
Write or draw about you experience coming to rescue;;

As I pulled the giant trailer in, parking it, the horrid sight of the blackened, destroyed barn was all I could look at. The terrible smell of burning filled my nose as I caught sight of the makeshift pens for stallions, mares, and foals. Terrified whinnies, nickers, and cries filled the air and many people were gathered at the pens. "What a sad sight." Vienna murmured, appearing besides me. I nodded, stunned. "I hope we can save as many as possible. Poor things, they deserve great homes." I sighed. "Agreed. Let's go fill out papers so we can start adopting them!" As we walked over to the booth, we greeted the lady running it. "Good morning! If you would mind filling out these papers, you can start adopting once you've been put into the computer." She smiled, passing them both clipboards with multiple pieces of paper. "What are your names?" She asked, poking the keys on her computer. "Kaylie and Vienna." I smiled, picking up the pen she passed us. I checked all the boxes, I had no preference of gender, breed, color, or age. I then accepted the statement of certification. "Here you go." Kaylie murmured, passing the lady the clipboard. Vienna did as well. "Y'all have a nice day now! Hope you guys get some nice ponies." "You too!" We said, waving at her and stepping back so the line could continue. We finally walked towards the pens. It was time to save some horses! ❤️

[TheUnsinkableShips]

Username;; TheUnsinkableShips
Barn Link;; Edit! Now have a stable! Autumn Rain Stable
Write or draw about you experience coming to rescue;; The first thing I noticed was the smell. It was rank and raw and stung its way up my nose, clouding my senses for a moment.

It had barely been a day since the adoption center had opened in such a rushed flurry, and the barn itself hadn't much been cleaned up, if at all. I frowned at the crowds of people rushing about with brooms and other cleaning materials, face masks on to protect from the smell, perhaps.

In a small pen (it was all they had on such short notice) were mares and foals alike, of varying shades and sizes. I choked on my breath as I took in the frail creatures, once so majestic and proud, reduced to nothing but skin and bones in the shade of midday.

I shuddered, and bit my lip, holding in my tears as I turned toward the main registration desk, where a few people sat behind to check in possible adopters of the foals.

"I'd like to sign up." I said, voice wavering slightly. The woman nodded, and handed me a form, which I took and began to fill out eagerly. I checked every box, I couldn't care less what the Euphorian looked like so long as it was safe. Perhaps I could adopt multiple.

'If only I could save them all...' I thought, turning in the form to the lady and turning back towards the horses.

I knew I couldn't save them all, but one or two would definitely be a start.

And I knew I would do anything to keep them safe.

(263 Words)

[♔Voltaire♔]

Username;; ♔Voltaire♔
Barn Link;; Sonata Stables
Write or draw about your experience coming to rescue;;

It happened all at once; every phone in the office began screaming and sending the remaining workers into a confused chaos. It was almost 1 in the morning, a morning we hoped would be as peaceful and sleepy as they usually are. We were heavily mistaken.

“We have an emergency.”

“What kind of emergencies exist at one in the morning?”

“Oh, you have no idea.”

As my brother explained the horror of Fallen Oaks, every ring and confused shout slowly faded away into a cacophony of muffled background noise. How could someone be capable of such madness, such irresponsibility and abuse?

My blood began to boil, my eyes going in and out of focus as even my brother’s voice became quieter as the thrumming in my eardrums grew louder. Without another word, I hung up on him, threw on my muck boots and started my truck. Without asking any questions, the workers got to preparing the trailer and and soon as everything was in place, I drove as fast as I could to the GPS location.

Arriving at the barn looked like a circus act, rave lights in red and blue flashing everywhere I looked, yellow tape fastened to the rickety barbed wire fences that bordered the property. Animal rescue teams were rushing back and forth, voices frantic and uneven; and as soon as an officer noticed me, I was hot on his heels as he guided me to the barn.

My heart immediately sank, my mind in almost as much disarray as the building itself- windows shattered and glass jutting up from the thick layers of dried manure plastered to the soil underneath. The walls were less than mediocre, rusty nails sticking out every which way, perfect resting places for the fog botflies nested inside the dilapidated barn. Looking to my right, small, malnourished goals struggled the stay on four legs. A rescuer has then led another foal out into the open, barely able to walk. As it was ushered to a halt, her legs gave out from underneath her weightless body.

My heart burned with a new desire. One that screamed and yearned to protect and heal, one that burned for life, for care, and for rehabilitation. No matter what, I’ll do everything I possibly can to make sure not a single one of these horses ever have to live like this again. Not over my dead body. Not ever.(402)

[skip]

Username;; .River.
Barn Link;; n/a
Write or draw about your experience coming to rescue;;
A cloudy and rainy day, I woke up early ready to start my morning with some delicious buttermilk waffles for breakfast. I was adding some maple syrup when a breaking news alert came on my phone. "Illegal Euphorian Thoroughbred Breeding Operation Busted, Many Horses In Terrible Conditions." I tapped on it and read through the details. My mouth dropped in shock, I quickly shoveled a few bites of waffle in my mouth and raced to my four wheeler. The location of the operation was nearby to my farm, and there was no time to look around for my truck keys, I kept my four wheeler keys in my back pocket so I determined this to be the quickest method to get on the scene. I stepped on the gas and raced down the dirt road, prepared to help anyway I could as there was no way the police would know how to deal with these horses when they needed to focus on getting to the bottom of everyone involved in this terrible operation. Fear ridden across my face as my mind worried at the potential severity of these horse conditions, I knew I had to get there fast. Within a 20 minute ride I found the location, a worn down sign read: Fallen Oaks Farm I quickly parked my four wheeler and hopped off it. Watching the scene unfold of the man I think was responsible get arrested, I could do nothing but stare at the horses. The horrific conditions they were in had tears trickling down my face. The mares terror as they looked for their babies was something marked in my mind. I had to be quick and help them. I rushed over to speak with the local law, and was given permission to help with the horses. The foals needed to be immediately taken out of that terrible barn, and reunited with their mothers. After a few hours, the job was done. Once it was announced these majestic animals were being put up for adoption I smiled knowing they will get loving homes. I looked over at these poor animals, and my heart knew that I should do my best to welcome as many as I could handle onto my own farm. I quickly hopped onto my four wheeler and drove home to retrieve some needed supplies. I started up my truck and hooked up the biggest horse trailer I had, stocked with some hay and grass for the horses along with buckets of water I sealed with lids. I hopped into the drivers seat and with determination to help all I could, I begin the drive back to the horses ready to do all I can.

[BadgerBuddies]

Username;; BadgerBuddies
Barn Link;; x
Write or draw about your experience coming to rescue;;

Normally, I try to avoid watching the news. Everything nowadays is too dark and depressing. It can be too much to bear at times. Anything important enough worth knowing would find a way to get my attention.

Today was one of those days. My entire social media had blown up with messages from my non-horsey friends. Somehow, this emergency was big enough to reach even the non-equestrian town members. I was horrified reading the headlines, scrolling through pictures and text, watching the videos people were sharing of the scene at Fallen Oaks Farms. Euphorian mares, stallions, and even little babies, all living in horrid conditions. It was unbelievable.

A trailer was already hitched to the truck, as my own Euphorian mare, Godiva, is available for IEA and IHSA shows and is constantly being trailered for those events. She’s very comfortable being in the trailer because of her extensive interscholastic showing career, so I loaded her up. It was definitely a rash decision, but I knew I would go to Fallen Oaks Farm and come home with at least one horse. I hoped that by having Godiva on the trailer would soothe the frightened horse or horses on their journey to their new home.

Pulling up on to the property was even more chilling than viewing the videos circulating online. The air was filled with panicked screams from horses of all ages, coming from all directions. I could hear Godiva whinnying, sending out friendly calls to them. I pulled up to a sign that read “trailer parking this way”, and turned my truck accordingly. I parked, and gave Godiva a pat through the window of the trailer. I wasn’t sure if it was more reassuring for her, or if it was to comfort myself at seeing so many horses in such god awful condition. I turned away from my own mare and began walking towards the makeshift pens full of horses. It was time for me to make a difference. (329)

[Bayfire213]

Username;; klovesugar2
Barn Link;; Blue Oak Acres
Write or draw about your experience coming to rescue;;

Her lips were pursed a fine line, her heart bleeding for the poor creatures laid out before her as she stepped out of the truck. Pitiful things, gaunt and huddled together, cowering at the back of their tiny pens, others, squealing and shrieking at the sudden change. Fearful. Anxious. Stressed. She shook her head, thinking momentarily of a deceased gelding who finally succumbed to old age, of abused rescues retrained, worked with so long ago, of a barn full of empty stalls now. A moment of doubt, because it had been so very long ago, and she might not be able to provided the best home for any of the rattled equines whose worlds had so abruptly been turned upside down, but... At the very least, she did have some experience, the time and resources to spare, and heart enough to care for any of the horses she might be allowed to take home. Much more than any of the sweethearts had apparently known for who knew how long. She hadn't followed the news here, after all, but rather a call from an old friend.

She was used to offering her barn and pastures as a sanctuary whenever the costal regions needed to evacuate, a rescue further south occasionally at risk when the storms got too bad, the hurricanes too big a risk. It might not be ideal, the land overcrowded at times when other barns couldn't, or wouldn't accept the sudden influx of rescue rabble, couldn't be contacted in time, but Nathanial knew her too well. Knew she wouldn't turn them away when they needed somewhere to stay, just for a few days until the foul weather blew over and it was safe to migrate back. He knew she wouldn't turn away his charges, and while he was at maximum capacity at the moment, really couldn't afford to take in any more... The dratted man knew her too well, and knew just how to pick at her heartstrings to see her out here before the initial furor had even died down, willing to take on another horse or two herself, despite the insecurities that plagued her after the last rescue she attempted to retrain, working with the animals to make them more adoptable, though in the end, he was the only one she kept for herself, because there would be no more chances for him, after her. Too dangerous, late cut and abused, taught all the wrong lessons for well over a decade before being brought in, and given up on by first one rescue then another. Even towards the end of his years, hard to handle on the best of days, dangerous, potentially lethal, on his worst. Always a question of if she could have done more for him, feeling like she had failed him in some way.

Nathanial was convinced that she had done everything she could for that gelding, tried to argue that any horse would be lucky to have her as their human, nevermind a rescue in such dire need of a new home... She, however, wasn't entirely convinced. At the very least though, she knew she could offer a better alternative than this rundown horror show, and that... That was enough for her to try. The rest would be up to the officials in charge to decide.

Spying the registration desk, she began to make her way over, mindful of her chaotic surroundings.

[569 words]
Edited to add barn link.

[Nocsokol]

Username;; Nocsokol
Barn Link;; n/a
Write or draw about your experience coming to rescue;;
It was late. 12:42am to be exact. Like every other night, I could not sleep so I found myself reading through the news. "Hm, illegal Euphorian Thoroughbred breeding operation?" I muttered. I quickly read through it, horrified. I threw on my clothes and raced out to my motorcycle, going as fast as i could. I knew I was close when I heard the sounds of sirens. I soon pulled up to an old falling apart barn. The smell reeked and my ears were ringing with shouts, sirens, and screaming horses. I ran up to the nearest police officer and begged him to let me go help the horses. He gave me the okay and I rushed into the barn.

Inside I found terrified emaciated foals. I wanted to cry but I didn't have time for that. I walked over to the first foal and slipped a lead rope around their neck, tying a bandana over their eyes before calmly leading them out. I handed to foal to a nearby person then rushed in to lead the next foal out. After all the foals where out I took time to look at all the horses. A large portion of them looked ready to drop dead. I decided I was staying to help.

((212 words))

[-Unbridled-]

Username;; -Unbridled-
Barn Link;; (write n/a if nonowner) West Coast Equestrian Center
Write or draw about your experience coming to rescue;; I just got home from school and went to my room to put my bag down, when something I heard on the TV caught my attention. "Several neglected and abused horses and foals are currently being rescued after being found in an illegal breeding operation. All of the horses are in need of good homes. We are asking any equine owners to step forward and help out.". You drop your stuff and run out to the car. Within a few minutes, you are at the scene of the crime. As soon as I pull in, I see horrifically skinny horses and their foals being herded out of a collapsing barn. Their whinnies and screams are enough to make anyone cry. Many of them are bloody and bruised. You can see their ribs vividly. They look like walking skeletons. Many of the foals have already lost their mothers to starvation, and I could see that they would be next if I didn't take action. I called my friend to bring her horse trailer. The crowd was extremely large and emotional. A few people were screaming and insulting the man behind the operation, as he was being led to the police car. My friend soon arrives with the horse trailer, and we quickly get to work.

214 words