ZACK
1979 – 2010
Polo pony, Barrel racer
Trail horse, Babysitter

I caught your last breath in my hand
and I will forever hold it in my heart
Your spirit runs free once again!

October 18 2010 was a sad day here. Our beloved Zack was humanely euthanized due to complications from cancer and old age. He is missed!

The Running Horse
A Bi-monthly Newsletter from Horse Play
Issue November-December 2010
Horse Play
EIN: 05-0506340
Website: www.hptrc.org
Email: horseplayri@msn.com

Message from Aidan – the Alpha Mare

I’m bored! Wouldn’t mind a trail ride or something – grass is all but gone – at least the hay is tasty!

Aidan is a 23 year old Thoroughbred mare, rescued almost 18 years ago and a “co-founder” of Horse Play. Fresh off the track, she was loaded with baggage (she lived up to her registered name “Slightly Nasty”) and a severe hoof injury. Her strong, dominant persona made things very difficult at first – but over the years and with proper teaching, she has become an incredible partner, teacher and friend. Almost adopted several times, her “alpha” nature proved her undoing and she found a permanent home here at Horse Play. She is the alpha mare of the big herd here. She will also contribute her opinions and stories on the herd’s blog at http://herdwhispers.blogspot.com/ The blog will have stories and observations by all the horses and a couple of humans of Horse Play.
A Message from Deidre

Just want to extend thanks and gratitude to everyone who helped and participated in our Autumn Benefit Ride Walk at Goddard Park on Sept 18 – it was a blast – hoped to eventually have the photos on the website and FB (www.facebook.com/horseplayri) . Would also like to thank the RISPCA, the Paul Arpin Trust and the Grace Allsop Foundation for their generous support. The fall and winter months can be a tricky time for us – as we’re weather dependent, we often don’t get to do as many lessons, training sessions and workshops – these help with the never-ending hay and feed bill – so ALL donations are greatly and gratefully appreciated!

We do have a couple of cool events happening tho – in celebration of the movie “Secretariat” – we are honoring our own great Thoroughbred, Red, a winning grandson of the great Secretariat. Red is a 14 year old 16.1 hand chestnut gelding and a resident of Horse Play equine sanctuary & rescue. He raced until he was 9 years old and amassed approx $867,000.00. He will be available to meet and greet the public every weekend from now thru December. In December he will be accompanied by Santa and his helper.

And for everyone who loves rock-n-roll!! Check out our events below for the Rock-n-Horse Benefit Concert on Nov 21 at JR’s Bourbon Street Rockhouse in Cranston from 4:00pm – close – 4 great tribute bands, raffles, silent auctions, t-shirts and lots of fun! Tickets are on $20!

We also have several horses available for adoption – give us a call or email!

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Gandhi

Who We Are
Horse Play is a Rhode Island based non-profit equine rescue and sanctuary. We provide rescue, rehabilitation and sanctuary for abused neglected & unwanted horses.We provide adoption services for horses deemed adoptable those that are not have a home here for the rest of their lives.
It is our intent:
• To provide rescue, rehabilitation, and sanctuary services for abused, neglected, and/or unwanted horses.
• To provide placement & follow-up services for rehabilitated horses and permanent sanctuary for horses that cannot be placed.
• To increase public awareness through community outreach.
• To develop and present educational programs and printed media, clinics and seminars on the responsible care and training of horses
We are a 501© 3 tax-exempt organization supported solely by public donations and grants.
If you’d like to stop by for a visit, please give us a call first. We love visitors but want to make sure someone will be available to show you around.

Follow our blogs at http://herdwhispers.blogspot.com/ and http://sagemare.blogspot.com – we’re also on Facebook – www.facebook.com/horseplayri

Horse Play offers riding instruction, horse training, farrier service and birthday/special occasion parties. Also “Horses and Heroes” - a program for veterans, Kids After School Literacy Program (need volunteers!) and some Equine Experiential Learning workshops – contact us for more info.

TEACHING

Evolutionary Horsemanship
What is it? It is a way of keeping and working with horses that considers the “whole” horse – diet/nutrition, health (physical, mental and emotional), hoof care, age, conformation, as well as stable management practices. It incorporates many methods and variations of Natural Horsemanship – but- it is not just another Natural Horsemanship method, it’s not just “round penning” and it’s not your grandfather’s way of horse training. Why evolutionary? Because we’ve hopefully evolved to more humane, communication-oriented methods of horse teaching and moved away from the more dominant, aggressive methods of whips, chains, tie-downs and punishment. Evolutionary Horsemanship encompasses much more than basic groundwork and riding skills. It’s about building a relationship, developing a partnership and strengthening a bond. It encompasses all that is “horse” with an emphasis on natural. Join us for free workshops, demos, and clinics .

Horse Play is happy to announce the opening of our Used and Consignment Tack Shop – right here at the farm – come browse or sell your “stuff”. Our commission rates are great – 10% for saddles and 15% for everything else. Feel free to contact us for more info. Hours: Usually Monday – Friday Noon – 6:00p.m Saturday 9:30a.m. – 3:30p.m. and Sunday Noon – 3:00p.m. Please give us a call or email if you need something in particular.

"The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different." Hippocrates

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturdays & Sundays from 1:00 - 3:00pm – now thru December 19, 2010
Experience the Legacy of the great Secretariat
Come to Horse Play and meet a winning grandson of the great Thoroughbred race horse, Secretariat. Have your photo taken with this grandson of the legend (donation required), or watch him paint some pictures - he's also an artist! All paintings are available for purchase. Cookies, cider and hot chocolate too!! Horse Play is located at 143 Gilbert Stuart Road, Saunderstown, RI 02874 For more info contact us - ph# (401)294-3565
or email - horseplayri@msn.com
website - www.hptrc.org

November 21, 2010 – Rock-n-Horse Benefit Concert – 4:00pm – close, JR’s Bourbon Street Rockhouse, 1500 Oaklawn Ave, Cranston RI - Bands include Voodoo (Godsmack tribute), Bon Jersey, Lotus Land (Rush tribute) and Draw the Line (Aerosmith tribute) - T-shirts, Raffles, Silent Auction and more! Tickets $20 - Proceeds go directly to the care of the horses at Horse Play! Visit our website: www.hptrc.org For tickets and more info
Contact Horse Play (401)294-3565 or email horseplayri@msn.com

Please check our website too as we are totally re-vamping our birthday/special occasion parties! I’m sure we’ll be doing another tack sale or workshop as well – just hasn’t been scheduled yet – so check our website or give us a call or email

NEEDS AND WANTS

***URGENT*** Looking for Round Pen Panels – 10 or 12 footers - any color or finish, as many as you want to sell or give away. Stall Mats – looking for approx 20 but any amount will be great! Also we really need a horse trailer! Two–or-more horse, in good condition and inspected - Contact Deidre (401)294-3565 or email horseplayri@msn.com *****

Horse Play is also currently seeking donations of tack – Western saddles, rope halters, saddle pads/blankets, bareback pads, bitless bridles – sidepulls, hackamores or the Bitless Bridle, helmets, anti-sweat sheets/coolers, and as always – cash donations. Remember, we are a non-profit organization and any donation is tax deductible.

Horse Play always needs volunteers! From cleaning paddocks, to grooming and exercising horses, mailing letters to planning fundraisers and annual campaigns, the horses depend on you. Also you don’t have to be an equine expert — if you’re interested in working directly with the horses, you can sign up for our Safe & Humane Horse Handling/Intro to Evolutionary Horsemanship Class. Just contact Horse Play and say you want to volunteer—the horses will thank-you for it!

“Past the seeker as he prayed came the crippled and the beggar and the beaten. And seeing them...he cried, "Great God, how is it that a loving creator can see such things and yet do nothing about them?"...God said, "I did do something. I made you."
- Sufi Teaching

How Your Contributions Help Horses at Horse Play

Your donations, memberships, sponsorships, service and merchandise fees go directly to the care and support of the horses at Horse Play.

Annual expenses for one horse (approximate)

Feed $1850.00

Routine Vet Care (no emergencies) $210.00

Hoof Care $450.00

Routine Dental Care $75.00

Total for 1 horse $2585.00

****Please note we currently have 26 horses ****
This is just for basic horse care. No training, equipment (saddles, bridles etc), emergencies, utilities, rent, maintenance or administrative expenses. Also, Horse Play is staffed entirely by volunteers – no paid employees.

To Sponsor a Horse or To Make a Donation
Horse Play is staffed entirely by volunteers. Every donation goes directly to supporting the horses. All of our funding depends on your generosity. A $15 dollar donation buys a bag of grain. A $35 dollar donation buys dewormer for 10 horses. 50 people donating $1 each buys 6 bales of hay. You can make a difference.
Horse Play has several ways for you to make that difference. Sponsor a horse of your choice. We have several options for sponsorship. This also makes a great gift!
We can help you find out which way is best for you. Please Contact:
Deidre Sharp
Horse Play
PO Box 660
Exeter, RI 02822
Phone (401)294-3565 or (401)864-2943
Email horseplayri@msn.com
Website: www.hptrc.org

The Running Horse is published bi-monthly by Horse Play.
Issue November - December 2010 is copy write ©2010 by Horse Play and Deidre Sharp,
P.O. Box 660, Exeter RI 02822, Phone (401)294-3565
Email: horseplayri@msn.com,
www.hptrc.org
Trust, Respect, Compassion