It's been a long road for the survivors and caretakers of the accident on Rt 41 in Wadsworth.  All horses have been placed in new homes,  while Chance/Goliath is temporarily staying at HARPS while a new home is being approved.  For health reasons, some had to remain under quarantine for quite some time.  Everyone is now healthy, happy and beginning their new lives. 

HARPS and the equine community and quite obviously, the horses, owe a debt of gratitude to Fred & Vicki Carney, Vicki Wancho, six veterinarians, and the many volunteers in the Wadsworth area who sacrificed so much of their time; without their compassion and knowledge, these animals wouldn’t have survived the ordeal. The Carney’s farm became the quarantine holding area for 40 horses that survived the tragic accident that claimed the lives of 19 draft horses, and drew the attention of caring people nationwide and around the globe.  As a non-profit organization, HARPS is able to offer financial assistance in situations like these, because of the donations we receive from caring people like you.

For the hundred’s of people who offered to make room in their hearts and barns to adopt one of these lovely draft horses, we would also like to thank you.  We had more well qualified homes than we had horses to go around, and we did our best to find homes within a close proximity to the Wadsworth area to keep the travel time for the horses as brief as possible.  We are happy to announce that all of the horses have been adopted.  If this incident has opened your eyes to the cold hard fact that there are too many unwanted horses out there, and you have the desire to help, go to your local sale barn and provide a home for one of the thousands of horses whose next stop may well be a slaughter plant in Mexico or Canada .  For the forty that were saved here, there will be countless more enduring the agonizing trip across the country and over the boarders where the life ending process is not regulated or humane, as it was here in the states. 

SURGERY UPDATE:  HARPS chooses life over death….
The filly we are calling “One More Chance” was transported to the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Hospital on November 28th to receive extensive care on her front leg as a last ditch effort to save her life.  Three of her legs were crushed in the accident and while two of the legs were healing well, the antibiotics and treatments were not having much effect of the other leg.  After consultation, examination and x-rays it was determined that the knee joint was completely free of bone chips and was not damaged and that she had a 50/50 chance of a normal healthy life; this would be a costly procedure, but one Donna felt was well worth the expense, and that her decision would be fully supported by all.  ‘One More Chance’ was operated on to remove granulated tissue and proud flesh.  She returned to the Carney farm on December 8th, and under Vicki’s’ diligent care is improving daily.  She is on stall rest, and her knee is flexed by hand daily and wrapped to help her heal from the inside out.  We are currently going over the applications to find someone with a medical background willing to take on the post op care for an undetermined amount of time.

2008 should prove to be great year for our draft horses in their new homes, and HARPS will continue to provide a voice, shelter and care for others in need.  We hope you don’t mind that we will be keeping yours names and contact information as HARPS receives calls on a daily basis from people who are desperate to find homes for their horses.

From the entire HARPS staff, we would like to offer our heartfelt thanks for your kindness. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy47B6KED9A   Click to view the draft slideshow on YouTube.

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We have been overwhelmed with phone calls and e-mails regarding the adoption process and adoption requests.  If we responded to your e-mail twice, we apologize.  If you haven't heard from us yet, please be patient we are going through all of the e-mails as quickly as we can.  If you are interested in adopting one of the draft horses, please be sure to fill out the adoption form linked to this page.  We also still have several