Mountain View Equine Rescue Celebrates Success

After opening last year, Mountain View Rescue, an equine rescue facility located at 4106 HWY 55 S. in Columbia has been dedicated to rehabilitating, re-schooling and re-home unwanted, neglected, mistreated and misunderstood equines and to place them in permanent, loving, "forever" homes. 
Founder Raquel Ferotti rescued her first horse as a child when a thoroughbred mare was schedule to be euthanized.
That mare went on to carry Ferotti to numerous honors on the hunt and jump circuit and now serves as an excellent ambassador for Mountain View. 
Ferotti opened Mountain View in the spring of 2007 and since that time has placed numerous unwanted horses in new homes.
In addition, Mountain View also assists horse owners in finding new homes for horses for which they can no longer care for.
According to Ferotti, the majority of the horses that come to Mountain View are off the track injured thoroughbreds and orphan foals from the nurse mare industry.
However Mountain View has helped place a number of gaited horses, including Tennessee Walking Horses.
Ferotti explains that, "These horses are usually the easiest to place because of their docile temperaments, willingness to please, and their suitability as trail horses. 
Ferotti stated that horses that come to Mountain View spend a minimum of 90 days at the facility before being adopted out, except for those with injuries.
"We don't want to send anyone a problem so we won't adopt a horse out until they are fully able to adapt to a new home," commented Ferotti.
Raquel spends countless hours working with the horses on the ground and in the saddle to prepare them for their new lives.
According to Ferotti, the American Horse Council estimates that there are 9.2 million horses in the United States, and while there are no reliable statistics on the total number of horses that become unwanted each year, the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that prior to the slaughter ban in the United States 90,000 to 100,000 horses were sent to slaughter each year.
"Based on those numbers alone, it is safe to assume that the total number of unwanted horses is substantially greater," said Ferotti.
As economic conditions worsen, the number of unwanted horses grows proportionately. There are several possible outcomes for the unwanted horse, Ferotti explained.
"The lucky ones will find new homes, often via an equine rescue facility, while others are euthanized at the owner's request. Yet even more are not so fortunate, they are abandoned, neglected, abused, or sent to slaughter in other countries," stated Ferotti.
According to Ferotti, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA) recognizes the plight of the unwanted horse and is committed to addressing this issue.
As a result the TWHBEA has decided to support Mountain View and is requesting that everyone in the Tennessee Walking Horse community consider making a donation to this more than worthy cause.
In addition MVR has partnered with the Lindsey Wilson College Bonner Leadership Program and added two volunteers to the staff at the rescue.
The mission of the Bonner Leadership Program is to transform the lives of students and members, the life of their campuses, their local communities, and the world through service and leadership.
The Bonner Program is designed to heighten the overall education students and members receive by asking them to engage in ongoing service work and helping them develop the experience, skills, knowledge and values necessary to make that work meaningful and lasting.
"We are excited to be a part of this program and want to extend a huge thank you to our newest volunteers. The service these young ladies do for the horses and their community is invaluable," stated Ferotti.
Upon visiting Mountain View and talking with Raquel, it only takes a moment to realize the levels of passion and dedication that go into making the rescue a success. "Mountain View is my purpose in life. I could not imagine my life without it, " she relates. Of course, an operation such as Mountain View also takes money. Fundraisers are held throughout the year to pay for essentials such as hay and grain, as well as to assist in covering vet and farrier bills.
"I would like to take the opportunity to personally thank several people who help make Mountain View possible. Our heart felt thanks goes out to Mr. Charles Barnes for the lease of our facility, Dr. Clint Durham and Dr. Steve King for the wonderful care they provide our residents, William Watson, our trusty farrier, and all the people whom help and support us in every way," said Ferotti.
Ferotti also announced the 1st Annual Fall Benefit Bike Ride on Saturday Nov. 8th at 10:00 AM central.
All bikes to meet at the rescue, 4106 HWY 55 S. Columbia, KY
We will ride the gorgeous Lake Cumberland/Cumberland Falls country, meeting back at the rescue for a chili dinner and bonfire. $5.00 per bike.
All proceeds will go to benefit the horses in rehabilitation.
For more information email Ferotti at mountainviewrescue @yahoo.com.
If you cannot attend our ride, there are many ways for people to contribute virtually cost free.
Cut the proofs of purchase from any Southern States/Agway feed bags and mail them to the rescue, which earns 0.25 cents per proof towards feed purchases.
Also any empty ink cartridges and old cell phones for recycle, which the rescue will send mailing labels to ship them at no cost and can earn up to $4.00 per cartridge for the cause.