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Front Range Equine Rescue
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About Us
Front Range Equine Rescue (FRER) is a 501c3 non-profit organization working to prevent the abuse and neglect of horses through rescue and education.
Front Range Equine Rescue began in 1997 and was incorporated as a Colorado non-profit on 8/1/97. Front Range Equine Rescue began as an all volunteer organization with Board members providing the initial foster homes. A small self-care facility soon housed several of the incoming rescue horses as well. Over the years, Front Range has been able to increase its capacity and currently owns a 40 acre facility in Larkspur, CO which was purchased in 2006. Horses are kept at five to six other private locations in the region.
The rescue program is at the heart of Front Range's work. Incoming horses with unknown backgrounds are quarantined. Horses are obtained from auctions, kill lots, animal control impound, abandonment cases, and owner surrender. The focus is on abused and neglected horses with emphasis on those bound for slaughter. Front Range Equine Rescue is not authorized to investigate/seize abused horses. To report suspected abuse/neglect, contact your local humane society, animal control or the State Veterinarian's office.
All horses in the rescue program receive routine veterinary care as well as any emergency care needed. This care includes Coggins test, updated vaccinations, de-worming (every 2 months), dental care, and regular farrier care. The rescue horses are also given supplementation, such as nutritional (i.e., vitamins/minerals, probiotics) or for conditions such as arthritis or Cushings disease. Horses are also provided complementary therapies as needed including, but not limited to, chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathics, herbal remedies, etc. Once rehabilitated, all horses undergo training assessment prior to being placed up for adoption.
The educational program consists of a number of annual events including an Equine Education Awareness Day held each May. Annual clinics and seminars are conducted to educate horse enthusiasts on a variety of horse care topics and horse related issues. A quarterly newsletter, The Hoof Beat, provides updates on FRER's horses, activities and other program related items. An educational brochure series includes Before You Buy A Horse, Did You Know?, Equine Nutrition, Fire Evacuation for Horses, Horse Slaughter, Finding a Suitable Trainer, Choosing a Rescue, Saving America's Wild Horses, Premarin™: Bad for Mares & Foals - Unnecessary for Women, and Re-Homing Your Horse.
In 2003, Front Range Equine Rescue implemented a national direct mail program to educate the public about FRER's programs emphasizing horse abuse, horse slaughter, and wild horse issues.
Stop the Backyard Breeder - initiated in 2002, this unique program offers a partial reimbursement* (approximately 30%) for castration of stud colts and stallions. This program is available to anyone (individual or rescue) across the United States and applies to horses, donkey and burros. This program does not reimburse for farm call, exam, medication or other services provided at the time of castration. The reimbursement percentage is based only on the line item expense listed for “castration” on the vet bill. To apply, send copy of itemized vet bill to Front Range Equine Rescue, PO Box 307, Larkspur, CO 80118. Copy of vet bill can also be faxed to us at 719-487-9749.
Trails End - a program implemented to deter horse owners from sending old, sick, crippled, or dangerous horses to auction where they end up sold for slaughter and to offer financial assistance to owners who need to euthanize their horses (or other equines). A 50% reimbursement* is provided for humane euthanasia as well as 50% reimbursement for hauling fee, if applicable. To apply, send copy of itemized vet receipt (and disposal invoice) to Front Range Equine Rescue, PO Box 307, Larkspur, CO 80118 or fax to us at 719-487-9749. This program reimburses for the line item expense “euthanasia” on the vet bill only. It does not include farm call, exam fee, medications or other services provided.
*Reimbursement is based on actual cost of the castration charge or euthanasia fee for these two programs. It is not based on total cost, farm call, other services provided such as exam fee, drugs, etc.
Fire/disaster evacuation - Front Range Equine Rescue was instrumental in rescuing and caring for hundreds of horses (and other livestock) during Colorado's worst fire, The Hayman Fire. We remain available to assist in other emergency situations and our brochure "Fire Evacuation for Horses" is available as a good reference source to prepare for evacuations.
Horse Slaughter - Front Range Equine Rescue is opposed to horse slaughter and has numerous solutions to resolving the "unwanted horse" issue. See our web page on horse slaughter for more details or request a copy of our "Horse Slaughter" brochure to learn more.
Save the Wild Horses Campaign - When further protections were removed from the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horses & Burros Act by the Burns amendment, Front Range launched a national campaign to educate the public on the gross mismanagement of America's wild horse (and burro) herds. See our web page on saving wild horses for more details or request a copy of our "Saving America's Wild Horses" brochure.
Sponsor-A-Horse - a program designed to let donors select a horse in the rescue program and send monthly tax deductible payments to help with expenses during the horse's rehabilitation. Email us to receive a list of available horses.
Once healthy and assessed, all horses are placed up for adoption to qualified homes. Until a horse is successfully adopted, it does not leave Front Range's care. Horses are not allowed to be bred. Front Range reserves the right to life long follow up. If an adoption does not work out, Front Range encourages the owner to responsibly place the horse in a new home (which must follow Front Range's rules) or return the horse to the rescue. Horses can never be sold at auction. We adopt horses to qualified homes throughout the United States. Special rules apply to out of state adopters. Front Range Equine Rescue is not a sanctuary or retirement home. We are available to give owners tips on how to successfully re-home their horses.
The first step in the adoption process is to fill out an application, read and sign the rules of adoption. You will then be contacted to set up an appointment to see any horse(s) that might be a match. Horses can only be seen by appointment; we cannot accommodate drop-ins or last minute appointments. See web page "Adopt a Horse" for further details and listing of horses.
Horses are kept at five or six locations in/around the Colorado Springs area with Front Range owning a 40 acre facility in Larkspur. Due to occasional "threats" from those who disagree with our positions on wild horse issues and horse slaughter, we do not publish physical addresses.
Barn Addition at Larkspur facility - completed in 2007:
Laurie Dewey - Ms. Dewey's prior experience as both a trainer and small business owner helps her to understand many of the organizational and program issues faced by Front Range Equine Rescue. Before moving to Colorado, she operated a hunter/jumper training stable in California for many years. After moving to Colorado, she returned to the amateur ranks of show jumping and currently works in software development. Ms. Dewey ran a successful company which specialized in custom software applications for businesses as well. Ms. Dewey and her husband have fostered and adopted several of Front Range's horses.
J.J. Kane - Ms. Kane has a lengthy history in the local and regional horse community. She has been involved with horses most of her life, from owning to riding and showing. Ms. Kane ran a local Pony Club and has worked as a horse show photographer. She has memberships in the U.S. Eventing Association, U.S. Equestrian Federation and Rocky Mountain Dressage Society. She works in a local school district's administrative offices. Ms. Kane has fostered Front Range horses and also adopted an older gelding and burro from the rescue program.
Ginger Kathrens - Ms. Kathrens is an Emmy award-winning producer, cinematographer, writer and editor. Currently airing on PBS are her two documentaries: "Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies" and "Cloud's Legacy: The Wild Stallion Returns." She has also written two award-winning books about Cloud. Her documentation of Cloud represents the only continuing chronicle of a wild animal from birth in our hemisphere. Ms. Kathrens is the founder and Executive Director of The Cloud Foundation and is an avid endurance competitor and wilderness rider. She is also the head of Taurus Productions. Ms. Kathrens experience with wild horses and wild horse issues provides valuable information to assist with Front Range’s wild horse campaign.
Marion Nagle - Ms. Nagle holds a Colorado State Elementary teaching license, Master of Arts degree, High School Physical Education and Dance degree. Her teaching experience ranges from pre-school through university with over 28 years' experience. Ms. Nagle began volunteering with Front Range in 1998 and has been a foster home to over 25 horses since 2003. Her curriculum "The Care and Keeping of Horses" is a model for stopping horse abuse through education. The curriculum is in use at Front Range summer camps which also provide and promote volunteerism in the community.
Jessee Province - Ms. Province has been involved with horses for over 25 years and currently owns Free Spirit Ranch which offers lessons and clinics in natural horsemanship as well as boarding and training. Ms. Province's Free Spirit Ranch offers foundation training for both horse and rider with specialties in trail riding, de-spooking and confidence building for riders. She is currently self-employed and has a solid work history in the computer field. Ms. Province assists Front Range with web site needs and she has fostered and works with Front Range rescue horses.
2 full-time staff with 2 to 4 part-time staff on a seasonal basis. The direct mail program is a contracted service.
Hilary Wood is the President and Founder of Front Range Equine Rescue. She serves as the visionary and driving force behind Front Range Equine Rescue and brings over 25 years of corporate experience to her position. She started Front Range in 1997 while working full-time with a part-time riding instructor job as well. For over 9 years, she juggled her work and the growing demands of Front Range Equine Rescue. In late 2005, the Board voted to hire her as a full-time salaried employee. Her past employment experience included working in large corporations, small private companies, non-profit organizations, and self-employment. Ms. Wood's skills include technical editing, office management, grant writing, media relations, supervision of staff, human resources experience, materials production, basic accounting, public relations, records management, working with executive level staff, managing for-profit and non-profit businesses.
Michelle Conner is employed as Front Range Equine Rescue's Adoption/Training Coordinator. She is the founder of Lasting Partnership Training Center, a local boarding/training and riding instruction facility. Ms. Conner is formerly a Board member of the now closed Rocky Mountain Foal Rescue. She completed a certification program with Clay Harper (a graduate of John Lyons' program) and has taken numerous continuing education clinics in natural horsemanship training. Ms. Conner's facility houses from 20 to 35 of Front Range's horses at a time for training assessment and subsequent adoption services as well as offering assistance with quarantine and rehabilitation.
Part-time staffing is used to assist with clerical and administrative tasks as well as daily horse care.
Front Range Equine Rescue fund raises year round. Income is generated through individual contributions, corporate sponsors, matching gifts, foundation grants, a direct mail program, merchandise, adoption fees, bequests, and a major gifts campaign. All donations to Front Range Equine Rescue are tax deductible.
2008
2009
FRER has been featured in Parade Magazine, The Colorado Springs
Gazette, Today's Horse Trader Magazine, Black Forest News, Horse
Connection Magazine, Washington Post, Western Horseman, Horse
Professional Magazine, San Diego Tribune, All Breed Horse Chronicle, The Wrangler, New Falcon Herald, Pet-acular, High Plains Rider, Maverick Press, Fountain Valley News and El Paso County Advertiser and News.
Public appearances include horse expos and local TV and radio programs including National Public Radio (2005).
In 2001, FRER was the agency winner of the Rio Vista
Product’s "Hank Award" for outstanding rescue work.
Front Range Equine Rescue
FRER uses a mail company in Pueblo to process special mailings as we do not have staff to do so. Therefore, the following is also a valid address: |
Our Mission:
In November 2009, FRER received a 4-star rating from