Jimmy Wagner (left) and Paige, and Sailor Endres with Helen at Last Chance Animal Rescue. Credit: Lisa Epp
In 2018, faced with scores of horses to place from one of the largest mass seizures in Maryland history, rescue groups and the Maryland Fund for Horses realized they needed a way to showcase them. So, they created Appyfest, a low-key horse show for the herd of mainly Appaloosas where trainers and the homeless horses were able to demonstrate their progress and meet potential adopters.
The event led to the adoption of several dozen horses.
Building on the success of Appyfest, this spring, the Maryland Fund for Horses is hosting the first EquiFest, an event specifically for rescued horses in Maryland.
The show will be held May 16, which happens to be National Rescue Horse Day, at Coexist Stables in Mt. Airy. It will bring together nearly 30 horses - from minis to OTTBs to drafts - from at least nine of 21 licensed rescues in Maryland.
“We have a lot of rescues that have trouble placing horses that just need to get in front of people,” said Vicki Carson, president of the Maryland Fund for Horses. “We want to connect more people with adoptable horses.”
Carson said the other goal is to address the stigma of rescue horses. “Adopted horses are perfectly wonderful equine partners,” she said. “Being a ‘rescued horse’ doesn’t mean anything is wrong with them. They just ended up in a bad place.”
Carson said in addition to classes to highlight the horses’ skills both in ground work and under saddle there will be demonstrations, including dressage and mounted archery.
Last Chance Animal Rescue in Waldorf, Md., ended up with 44 horses, including six foals from pregnant mares, from the more than 100 horses seized on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in 2018.
The herd had endured horrific conditions on a property in Quantico and many were suffering from medical conditions relating to lack of food, water and routine care. They had also become feral from lack of human contact, which proved challenging even for experienced trainers.
Today only two of the Quantico horses taken in by Last Chance Animal Rescue remain and both will be showing at Equifest.
Trainer Jimmy Wagner said Helen, a 16-year-old Appaloosa-Quarter horse cross, who is blind in one eye, would make a good mount for light trail riding. Wagner has worked with her for two years to gain her trust and give her confidence and she is now in a place where she would make a loving and willing companion, said Cindy Sharpley, founder and executive director of Last Chance Animal Rescue.
Paige, a six-year-old Appaloosa, was the most challenging horse among the Quantico herd and has only recently been started under saddle, Sharpley said. Terrified of people, for many months she was unable to be touched or caught, but has since found trust in people she realizes care for her. Wagner feels she will make an excellent Western pleasure prospect and is excited to show potential adopters how far she has come.
“When they are treated right, they are grateful,” said Sharpley. “They recognize they are in a better place.”
Tickets are available for a small donation at the Equifest 2021 Facebook page. EquiFest will follow United States Equestrian Federation Covid rules for spectators at the show. The event also will be livestreamed on YouTube.
For more information on EquiFest visit the Maryland Fund for Horses website www.mdfundforhorses.org or the EquiFest 2021 Facebook page.