By Evelyn Witterholt. 

For over 20 years, Copper Horse Campaign has been sustainably saving horses from kill gross sales and serving to them discover a secure residence. 

Every year, tens of hundreds of horses are bought particularly to be slaughtered, a lot of that are completely able to residing lengthy, wholesome lives. That’s why Julie Copper created Copper Horse Campaign (CHC), an Ohio-based group that’s devoted to “Sustainability in Saving Slaughter Sure Horses™.” Since 2010, CHC has helped lots of of horses discover their ceaselessly properties by giving them a radical analysis and matching course of. 

The group goals to reframe the concept of rescuing with their processes. Thomas Bauer, director of gross sales at Viking Merchandise Group and staff coordinator of CHC, says that the time period “rescue” can have a detrimental stigma connected to it. He says that always occasions the time period implies that one thing is unsuitable with the horse, when many of the horses they create in are viable.  

“We have been actually making an attempt to reframe the phrase ‘rescue’ into ‘alternative’ or ‘rehabilitation,’” Tom says. “These horses are simply pretty much as good as a few of the pedigree or purchased from a breeder.” 

Julie, the proprietor of CHC, has been going to those kill sale auctions for years. She says nearly all of the slaughter-bound horses are exported to Canada or Mexico for human consumption. As soon as the horses have been bought, Julie says she’s going to purchase them afterwards in order that she would not should bid in opposition to a personal bidder. From there, the horses undergo a minimal 30-day analysis earlier than getting positioned in a brand new residence. 

“We need to spend a minimal of 30 days, it is sometimes extra like 60 days with these horses, earlier than we attempt to place them into a house, in order that we have now a good suggestion of what their strengths are, what their weaknesses are and the kind of rider that may be greatest for them,” Julie says. 

After the horses have been evaluated, Julie and her staff will get in contact with potential homeowners to see who would be the greatest match for the horse. As a result of they’ve executed such a radical analysis, they may know if the horse wants a newbie rider or a extra skilled one.  

“I actually need to get a really feel for what their expertise has been with horses, what their potential targets are with horses, what their using fashion is… it is sort of an interview course of that we do with them that begins over the telephone, after which once they come to the barn, we actually consider their using fashion,” Julie says. 

Not solely has CHC matched these horses to good properties, they’re additionally making strides in sparking the youthful generations’ curiosity in horse using. Julie has labored with many younger girls to assist them develop life expertise by way of serving to these horses.  

“The younger demographic has a troublesome time getting uncovered to it, there’s a fairly large barrier financially, to get into horses…” Tom says. “She (Julie) takes a whole lot of younger girls seeking to get into that, and teaches them a whole lot of life expertise, and laborious work by way of the rehabilitation of the horses.” 

There are numerous methods to assist out CHC, together with turning into a sponsor for a horse throughout their analysis or by sending reward playing cards for provides. You can even play “the title recreation” by sending $25 which gives you the chance to call a horse.  

Be taught extra in regards to the Copper Horse Campaign by visiting their web site.