8/6/2019 Final.MEL[1]

1/7

Maggie Lohmiller

Professor Steinle

Story in Journalism JRN 534 DE

November 6, 2010

First Light Farm Equine Shelter

The rural, shoreline town of Perry, Maine is the home of a group of lucky horses

that escaped miserable fates and are now living comfortably at the First Light Farm

Equine Shelter (FLFES).

The barn was set back behind a yellow two-story American Colonial house raised

on a slight gradient on the 100-acre property. Across the street was a rocky beach with

crashing waves of the Atlantic. Over the sea line St. Stephen, New Brunswick, was

clearly visible.

Horses roamed through large paddocks that were separated by white electric

fencing and green iron gates. Fresh ocean air tousled the manes of the horses in a wave as

a chilled wind swept across the pasture. The grass was picked over in certain areas.

Horses scattered through each paddock curiously looked over to see a hay truck drive

through the lawn.

Bales of hay were being lifted off the bed of an old ford truck and on to a

conveyor belt into a hay loft as an assembly line of people organized each stack. Horses

peered from their stalls and lined the front gate hoping that a volunteer would offer them

a flake of fresh hay. A young horse that arrived earlier that week discovered the shock of

an electric fence as he joined the plea.

8/6/2019 Final.MEL[1]

2/7

8/6/2019 Final.MEL[1]

3/7

Its wonderful when we are able to rehabilitate them and find them a new home.

But the volunteers and I get attached to the horses even the other horses get attached to

each other. When one leaves, especially if it is a dominant horse, the horses still seek out

their friend, said Barstow.

Its a labor of love, its easy to get attached, said Amber Perna, volunteer for

FLFES.

Watching these majestic creatures, one must pause to question why people would

harm these horses. Animal cruelty, neglect and abandonment cases are more common

than one might think.

Most neglect cases are from ignorance not because they wanted to hurt a

horse, said Barstow. Its not like people say I want to abuse a horse. People think that

because the wild horses could take care of themselves that they can just put a horse in a

pasture and it will be fine. The fact is we have domesticated horses, so their natural

instincts have been taken away.

The hardest part of the job is to say no. I have to stay within the guidelines of our

mission statement. We dont take in animals from people who just dont feel like taking

care of a horse anymore, but they will, or the horse is old and they cant show them

anymore. We take the most extreme cases first, obviously, Barstow said. She cradled her

brow in her small hands and had a subtle look of anxiety.

The other reason we say no is much harder for me. When there is a horse that

needs placement, but we do not have room for them. If we took them in we would be just

as bad as those who neglect them because we dont have the means to properly take care

of the horse. It is still hard for me to say no though to an animal in need.

8/6/2019 Final.MEL[1]

4/7

Although this is a non-profit organization built on love and charity, it still requires

conscientious attention to administrative work. The office was situated in the far side of

the barn parallel to the last stable. The door frame was bordered with a rainbow of prize

ribbons from horse shows. A small elevated table made of plywood bolted to the wall

held a computer that was recently donated.

All of our notes regarding training, feeding, duties, finished projects they all

are kept on this computer. All the volunteers know to check here, Barstow said.

Organization is the key to safely running a shelter.

Notes and printed instructions lined the walls. Financial paperwork was neatly

filed in a small cabinet underneath the table. A medication schedule for a draft horse

named Belle was pulled up on the screen. Belle was diagnosed with Cushings disease

after she was rescued, which required a great deal of care. It was evident that proper care

required careful diligence from the staff.

Stepping out of the office into the paddock I was met by a chestnut Arabian

named Najih. He approached cautiously seeking an apple that I picked up from a bucket

in the barn. His ribs were clearly defined as he cautiously walked toward the fence for the

highly coveted treat. He had a sweet demeanor and a gentle disposition. His forelock

blew in the wind over his ears as he carefully inspected his apple.

Najih was rescued from an equine kill pen in New Jersey a few months before and

relocated to FLFES to be rehabilitated and adopted. A woman who had a special interest

in Arabian horses posted funds to save him. The woman did not have a place in her stable

to keep Najih, so she asked Barstow to take him.

8/6/2019 Final.MEL[1]

5/7

When he was saved from slaughter, he was taken to a quarantine barn before he

could be taken to FLFES. The kill pen is known for being a breeding ground for

infectious diseases. The person who was trailoring Najih to quarantine, switched Najihs

assigned barn with another Arabian horse. The barn which Najih was supposed to be

quarantined had an outbreak of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis which killed the horses

that stayed at that barn. Najih had certainly dodged a bullet by being trailored to the

wrong barn. Najih was called Dodger at his quarantine barn for this reason.

Once Najih was quarantined, he traveled 14 hours to his new home in Maine. In

route he became violently ill with a shipping fever that nearly took his life. Shipping

fever, also known as strangles, is a contagious respiratory bacterial infection that can be

fatal if treatment is not administered quickly. Young horses are the most susceptible to

the virus, but if they recover the horse builds immunity to the disease.

When he arrived in Maine, he had to be quarantined again to protect the other

horses at FLFES from the contagion. Shipping fevers are highly communicable, but not

fatal in otherwise healthy, older horses. Najih was emaciated and unlikely to survive.

Under the care of the staff, Najih regained his health and is beginning to gain weight.

Najih, which translated in English means survivor, is appropriately named.

Each horse had a unique story of how it came to be rescued from a troubled

situation. The common thread of these animals was that they now have a second chance

at a happy existence.

Once a horse is rehabilitated, it is put up for adoption. Barstow posts pictures on

the FLFES website and social media sites promoting the newly available horse.

8/6/2019 Final.MEL[1]

6/7

Many of the adoption matches are made through personal references within the

horse lover community, said Barstow, as she runs her hand down Najihs mane. But I

have to make sure the horses are placed in loving homes.

All potential owners must apply for adoption. In order to have consideration to

adopt, the applicant must have adequate facilities to care for the animal. Applicants must

commit to providing proper medical care and regular visits from a professional farrier.

The applicants are also obligated to never sell the horse. If they are unable to care for the

horse, it must be returned to the shelter.

Interested potential owners can come to the farm by appointment to see the

horses. There are fees associated with each adoption that vary in price for each animal

that go toward the care of future rescued animals.

The adoption fees are only a mere faction of how FLFES is financially supported.

The financial means are chiefly generated through contributions and fundraising

endeavors.

FLFES holds monthly online auctions of donated merchandise from local stores

and personal supporters. The auctions generate a fluctuating income from month to

month, but have overall proven to be fruitful.

Fundraising events tends to be varied and unique. During the month of October,

the organization sponsored a Haunted Hay Ride at another local farm. They are also

planning on offering sleigh rides during the Christmas season. Events they held over the

past two years have had mixed successes, but it is vital to continue fundraising initiatives

to increase funds.

8/6/2019 Final.MEL[1]

7/7

There are still months in which the budget is strained. The veterinary needs of

horses, equipment breaking, or a host of other misfortunes that cannot be accounted for in

an initial budget.

Andrea will always dip into her own pocket for whatever the shelter needs if

necessary, said Stefanie Covino, a trainer at FLFES, who joined us in the paddock.

Barstow smiled shyly.

Although reserve funds are minimal, there are still plans for development of

FLFES in the future. At this juncture, FLFES can only care for 15 horses at a time.

Barstow hopes to be able to expand her facilities so she can care for more horses and

other equines.

My goal is to create a haven for as many horses as possible, said Barstow. Im

on to a good start.