Phoenix & Gracie

Judy Glore, founder of HEART of Tucson, died from lung cancer.  She was an indefatigable advocate for and rescuer of many equines, and a loss for our community.

It’s not what you take with you when you go — it’s what you leave behind. Judy Glore leaves behind many horses who now have a chance at a good life.

Update via KGUN-9 – Judy Glore’s Dying Wish: Her family needs help to grant it.

From Facebook:
“My sincere condolences to you and your family. Judy left this world a little earlier than we would have liked; think of all the gifts & lessons she bestowed upon all of us who knew her…the value of hard work, intense compassion, the tenacity to move forward no matter what, her unshaken hope, love and kindness…Judy was a very beautiful human being and through her I was given the greatest gift of all: my beautiful grey horse. Our souls are forever connected Judy…you will be missed but never forgotten. You are now bathed in the most brilliant of light lovely lady. May it shine on all of us forever…”

“I am so very sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of meeting Judy several times. I know you are hurting but one thing that you can try to take comfort in is that your Mother did more for those animals than many people do for anything in their lives. She was truly a great woman and she will be missed by all.”

Tucson Tails extends condolences to Judy’s family and all who held her dear. Rest in peace, Judy.

 HEART of Tucson is a non-profit, pro-horse equine rescue organization run entirely by volunteers. Our mission is two-fold. HEART of Tucson rescues horses of all breeds that are in urgent need of care. We rescue horses that perhaps have been neglected, abandoned or abused. Secondly, our mission is to instruct and raise awareness of the general public about what it takes to own a horse including all the costs involved.

(Photo: Courtesy Susan Via – Phoenix & Gracie were the first horses (mama & baby) that Judy rescued from a slaughter truck.  The Via family fostered the horses who have since been adopted.)

Left in the desert to die

There is so much need for local horse rescues. Equine Voices & Sanctuary located near Green Valley saves PMU horses (used to make premarin from pregnant mare urine) as well as horses from other abusive situations.

April 26 fundraiser – Chico’s at the Park Place Mall location is giving 10% of all sales made between 9 am – 1 pm to Equine Voices. Coffee and donuts will also be served. Chico’s has fabulous fashions and good sales.

Diamond Rio (pictured) is a sweet, handsome 10-year-old who was used as a drug smuggling horse and was left to die in the desert when his job was done. He was found by livestock officers and came to Equine Voices in January 2009. The smugglers left Diamond Rio permanently injured; he will be lame for the rest of his life. He cannot be ridden, but this wonderful horse would make a great addition to a special family. View these page if you would like to adopt or sponsor Diamond Rio (or many other horses).

For only $10/month, you can help “Gulliver” (everyone’s favorite Clydesdale) spread the word about the plight of the foals bred for the PMU industry by joining the “Gulliver Fan Club.”

Check out Gulliver’s Wishlist on Amazon.

Stay in the loop with the Equine Voices blog.

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Now for the gruesome topic of horse slaughter. The Valley Meat Company in Roswell, New Mexico has been USDA approved to do just that. Previously there was a U.S. ban on horse slaughter but that was lifted in 2011. Robert Redford is speaking out against horse slaughter. What do you think? Horse meat is perceived as gourmet in parts of Europe and Asia.

Disturbing alert: Lastly, Tucson Tails viewed this video about a month ago and cannot get this image out of my mind where a crazy spiteful man shoots his trusting horse in the face, his way of saying @#!% you to animal activists. Shocking! Sign the petition to demand that NM Governor Susana Martinez take action against him. (has link to video)

HEART of Tucson Horse Rescue

H.E.A.R.T. of Tucson Horse Rescue hosts a fundraiser this Saturday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Steinway Piano Gallery of Tucson, located on Gallery Row, 3001 Skyline Drive.

Enjoy music, silent auction, wine, hors d’oeuvres.

Meet Michael Blake, author Dancing with Wolves.

Advance ticket sales only – $75/pp – must be reserved by August 22 – through Steinway Piano Gallery – RSVP – 888.325.9797 – most major credit cards accepted – 21+ – casual business attire

For a preview of auction items, please visit the website. (Awesome items!)

If you cannot attend the event, please note that HEART of Tucson needs funds to buy hay. The price of hay has doubled from $8 or $9 per bale to $19 or $20 per bale.

Good nutrition plays a big part in bringing these beautiful horses back to health so they can have the second chance that they so desperately need. Hay in in Tucson has dropped a bit for the moment but it is still $18 or $19 for a bale of Bermuda and $16 to $17 for alfalfa.

When possible, HEART of Tucson buys a semi truck load which is always cheaper by buying larger quantitites.

You're invited; bring friends

Tucson:  10 Reasons to Go to a Very Special Horse Event – March 31

Hey Tucson, get ready to attend one of the most fun and satisfying events of the season hosted by Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary.  Here are 10 reasons why you should check it out and spend a few hours.

1. This event is not just for “horse people.” (for the horses’ safety-leave dogs at home)
2. Meet some of the horses, learn their heartbreaking to healing stories
3. 150 volunteers are needed to make this event possible (some many still be needed)
4. Right now at the Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary in Amado there are 48 horses, plus 18 PMU mares in Canada and 8 horses being fostered.
5. Equine Voices buys 300 bales of hay a month.
6. Horses eat large amounts of hay. Equine Voices hay bill is $6,000 per month.
7. The equine vet bill was $11,000 barring any unforeseen major surgery like Taylor or Solo Vino, approx. with injections etc. per year.
8. Enter the raffle to win an iPad2 (I’d like to win this) and other cool raffle prizes
9. Bid on fantasy cakes at the exciting Dessert Auction. The competition is usually fierce during this event as people bid in the hundreds of dollars for cakes & pies from Tucson’s best pastry chefs.
10. This non-profit organization is dedicated to saving PMU (premarin) mares and foals from slaughter and for giving broken and abused horses a second chance. You can read about their latest rescues here.

What: 8th Annual – A Very Special Horse Event
Where: Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E. River Road (at Alvernon Way)
When: Saturday, March 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Why: Celebrate the rescue, rehabilitation, recovery of Equine Voices’ horses
How: $5/pp admission, includes raffle ticket

Here’s the flyer.

In 2011, some Equine Voices’ successes were – 1) an NBC Nightly News segment; 2) The Shining World Compassion Award given presented by Supreme Master Ching Hai, Asia; and the rescue of 15 foals from a Premarin farm that went out of business of which EV committed to 7 and 6 arrived at the Sanctuary on December 21.

Equine Voices goals for 2012:
–Increase donations by 25%
–Acquire more land
–Raising funds for a trailer that fits Gulliver and a truck to pull it