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Abbotsford horse rescue society needs $20,000 for improvements

‘Rescue horses aren’t broken, they’re just a bit bent’
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Kevan Garecki and Lexi Jones of Circle F Horse Rescue Society.

For 20 years Circle F Horse Rescue Society in Abbotsford has rescued, rehabilitated and found new homes for neglected or abused horses. But the non-profit’s funds are low and they’re being forced to turn away horses needing rescue.

“Right now we have a waiting list for horses,” said operations manager Kevan Garecki. “We’re maxed out at eight.”

Funded by grants, donations, adoption fees, fundraising events and gifts-in-kind such as hay, tack and services, Circle F has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $20,000.

Money raised will go towards vet and farrier costs and materials for paddock improvements, such as shelter expansion and fence repairs.

“We take horses we can be effective for,” Garecki said. “We rehabilitate them, retrain them, work through their emotional baggage and then they go to new owners.”

One of the horses available for adoption is Ellie Mae. After being rescued from a meat buyer in 2008, she experienced neglect and was abandoned at a boarding facility in the Okanagan. Garecki said Ellie Mae has given hints she may do well as a therapy horse and is a fast favourite of youths who visit.

At a recent fundraiser, a youth named Max had a touching interaction with Ellie Mae. She was drawn to him and the two nuzzled heads. Max was born without eyes and has a spinal condition leaving him unable to walk. His mother died when he was three years old, leaving him to fend for himself on the streets of India. But Max was rescued by Mother Theresa and brought to her orphanage, where he was adopted.

“I am convinced that we are here to do more than rescue horses, by opening up our facility to people like Max,” Garecki said.

One of Circle F’s favourite success stories is Grayson, a 15-year-old quarter horse cross who was malnourished, untrained and fearful when he first arrived. By the time he was adopted last year, he was healthy and strong and his fears had disappeared.

“Rescue horses aren’t broken, they’re just a bit bent,” said horse team leader Lexi Jones.

Circle F also provides equine experiential learning programs for at-risk teens and equine assisted therapy programs for children with special needs.

For the past two years they have collaborated with Bakerview Centre for Learning on an equine assisted learning initiative. The program concentrates on teaching teamwork, life skills, emotional awareness and community involvement.

“The teachers have noted the kids are interested in what they’re learning here,” Jones said.

The teens work with the horses, learn the horses’ stories and have a trail ride at the end of the school year.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome and needed as it takes more than 50 volunteers to keep Circle F running.

Each day, volunteers participate in such tasks as feeding, grooming, health and wellness care, conditioning, facility maintenance, assessment and horse intake, adoptions and followup, fundraising and promotional functions, and organizational and administrative tasks.

Located on 15 acres in the north Mt. Lehman area, the facility includes spacious pastures, an all-weather paddock, a large barn and a riding area. Circle F has several improvement projects slated for 2018, most of which require further funding and hands-on help to complete.

Visit circlef.org for more information about volunteering, horse adoption, upcoming fundraisers and the current GoFundMe campaign.