MIDDLEPORT: Horse shelter in need of donations (7:56 p.m. TUE)

By April Amadon/amadona@gnnewspaper.com

MIDDLEPORT — With the cold winter months looming, supplies are running low at the Tender Mercy Equine Rescue.

“We’re in a real big hunt for hay right now,” said Amy Stockman, who runs the rescue. “I’m getting worried about getting through the winter.”

The rescue goes through about 500 pounds of hay a week. Stockman estimates they need about 1,000 square bales or 100 round bales to get through the winter.

Their usual hay supplier, a local farmer, has already run out, leaving them without another option.

Tender Mercy, a nonprofit organization, takes up much of the Stockmans’ property on Lewiston Road in Middleport. The facilities have expanded this year, with work on the barn, which holds six stalls, and a new round pen for the horses.

There are six horses currently living on the property. Four of them stay in the barn, while the other two stay in a lean-to nearby.

Two other horses may be arriving soon from another foster home, and there is always a waiting list.

Generally, a large portion of the funds for the organization come out of pocket for Stockman and her husband, Jim. They hold small fundraisers to get donations, but it can be difficult.

“You’re fighting against every other charity out there,” she said. “The big names obviously can afford to do big campaigns or hire marketing people.”

Tender Mercy has no paid staff, and all funds raised go directly to the horses.

On the organization’s Web site, www.tendermercyrescue.com, the wish list includes day-to-day supplies such as hay and feed, as well as grooming supplies, first aid and veterinary supplies and barn and shelter supplies.

“There’s so many ways we need help,” Stockman said.

ADOPTION

Stockman, who has always loved horses, said her desire to create an equine rescue began when she realized some horses at auction were being sold to slaughter.

“Once I learned about that, that was it. I was done,” she said. “I’ve just sort of got this knack for wanting to help them.”

When the rescue first started, the Stockmans would go to horse auctions and try to bid on horses that were going to be sold for meat.

That’s where they found Starr — a mare who was so emaciated and in such bad shape they couldn’t tell she was pregnant. Almost three months later, she gave birth to a foal, Starrbuck.

Starr was adopted by Kathy Simano of Pendleton. Because Starr is blind in one eye, she can’t be ridden, but Simano said she’s an ideal companion.

“She’s a very sweet and loving horse,” Simano said. “We treat her like a queen. She’s very special to us.”

Salena Tefft, who lives in Canastota, adopted Stuart Little, a thoroughbred, from Tender Mercy three years ago.

“He was lame,” Tefft said. “(His previous owner) pretty much decided he wasn’t worth vet care.”

Tefft described the adoption process as “really great,” saying Stockman was there to answer all questions about the horse to make sure the adoption would be a perfect fit.

Sometimes matching the horse is easy, as in the case of Christina Skelly of Mt. Morris, who adopted a mare named Sassy in 2002.

“I just absolutely fell in love with her,” Skelly said. “The moment that I saw her head sticking out of the stall, I said, ‘This is my horse.”

Stockman said prospective adoptive homes must fill out an application and have a home visit before the adoption can take place.

After the adoption, Tender Mercy retains ownership over the horse in the event the adoptive home does not work out.

“Once they’re in our program, they’re protected for life,” Stockman said. “They come back, they get re-evaluated, and if they’re able to be adopted out again, they’ll be adopted out again.”

After every adoption, Stockman will visit the adoptive home on occasion, just to check in and keep in touch, she said.

For the adoptive parents, this provides an extra sense of security.

“I kind of like that, the idea of knowing someone is watching out, that the horse is being kept watch over,” Simano said.

Sometimes the horse has to be returned, as was the case with Starr’s foal, Starrbuck, who had been adopted but was recently returned to the rescue after his adoptive family went through a divorce.

There is a small fee to adopt the horse, but the fee can vary depending on how much the adoptive parents can pay, Stockman said.

LONG-TERM CARE

Some horses will be permanent residents at Tender Mercy. These horses can be sponsored, however, if someone wants to cover the costs for their care.

Jack, a 13-year-old gelding, was so severely abused before he came to the rescue that he is leery of humans.

“His abuse was so severe, but he’s not really fearful, he more has this kind of disdain now for people,” Stockman said. “Trying to move him and place him would frankly be too traumatic for him.”

Another horse, Buddy, who is in his late 20s or early 30s, will remain at the rescue due to his age and extensive medical needs.

“Our goal is to place them into homes, but those that aren’t able to be placed stay here to live out their days,” Stockman said.

Stockman said she hopes to complete the barn and add more stalls so she can take in more horses. For now, she’s focused on getting enough supplies to last through the winter.

“Every dollar really does make a difference,” she said. “Even if somebody’s got 20 bucks, the way we look at it is, that’s a bag of grain.”

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

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