Raising awareness of working horses

PALMER, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - All horses deserve loving homes where their physical and social needs will be met. A local organization is providing a sanctuary for homeless horses and here to tell you more is Pam Rickenbach, executive director at Blue Star Equiculture in Palmer.

The mission of Blue Star Equiculture is rescuing and providing sanctuary for working horses. They specialize in horses that work in harness, but take in all breeds of horses.

Rickenbach says that part of their mission is also to provide education to the community about the contribution horses have made throughout our history, as well as the contribution they still can make.

She says that there is an incorrect perception by some that working horses must somehow be suffering. She points out that horses have been working for the last 6,000 years, and that harnesses are there for the comfort of these animals.

Blue Star has begun a “Join the Herd” program to deal with the huge problem of homeless horses. For $10 per month, members of the community can take equine awareness workshops. They can even teach you to drive or ride horses.

On the farm, there are older, retired horses, in addition to some younger horses that may have special needs, but need to be trained to live full, productive lives.

Working horses are used to being in teams, so it can be difficult for the horse if it is separated from its workmate.

For more information on how you can get involved, visit equiculture.org.