Horses getting a second chance

By MANDY SPIKES | Central Texas Edition

Melanie DeAeth lovingly shows off Nellie, one of the many rescued horses that DeAeth keeps at her home. Nellie is a 16-year-old Arabian broodmare who had been starved by her previous owners. Nellie has since been rehabilitated and is now up for adoption. DeAeth states that Nellie is a very gentle horse who would make a great companion -- Photo by Mandy Spikes

March 27, 2003 -- The Lone Star Equine Rescue (LSER) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of equines throughout Texas, as well as the surrounding states. Melanie DeAeth, of Washington, has been a member of the organization for the past year-and-a-half and is extremely proud of what they do to help abused and neglected horses.

"I have always tried to help horses," she explained. "My aunt saw an ad in the newspaper about LSER and decided that she wanted to join. Shortly after that, she paid for my membership into the organization.

"It's a very well-run organization. The people involved are very caring and knowledgeable in the aid of abused horses. Those involved get to use their talents, and it's all for the benefit of these horses.

"I don't understand why someone wouldn't care for or feed a horse. There is no reason why they should mistreat these magnificent animals."

According to the Lone Star Equine Rescue website, www.lser.org, the goals of the Lone Star Equine Rescue are to improve and save the lives of equines in Texas and surrounding states by:

• assisting law enforcement officers in seizures of horses,

• educating the public on horse care

• offering help to equine owners in times of natural or personal disasters

• rehabilitating neglected/abused equines

• placing equines in new homes.

"By doing the above, we hope to create a wave of change in the equine world not only in Texas but across the United States and around the world."

DeAeth stated that for $25, a person can become a member. "The gift of seeing a horse getting back to health is worth the money. All the money that the organization receives goes toward the care of the horses. It helps pay for the vet bills, which can add up.

"All the people that take in the horses are volunteers. We agree to feed the horses, as well as provide adequate shelter. We do this out of our own pockets. If a member can't take a horse in, they can either sponsor a horse or support a horse. Supporting a horse means that you can run a booth at one of our events or be a helper at one of our clinics."

She said on May 31, they will have a clinic in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. "The presenter is Rick Harper, who has generously donated his whole day to putting on this clinic. For $50, you get the chance to ride with him. For $25, you can watch him work with the people who paid to ride with him. Once again, all the money made goes toward the care of the horses we take in.

"My main reason for doing this is that I enjoy seeing the rehabilitation of these horses and it makes me feel good to watch a horse go home to a loving family.

"It's great to see families that love horses come and adopt one of them. I love the fact that the horses are getting a second chance at life."

For more information on the Lone Star Equine Rescue, call 979-776-9396 or visit their Website at www.lser.org.