Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals

12/12/2024

If you've ever sat for a group photo or family portrait, you know that capturing everyone with smiles and eyes open can be a bit of a challenge. The same holds true for horse family portraits - *and* we have to add (ideally) getting the horses to put their ears forward. So capturing the image for our holiday card was both challenging, and hysterical. Our intrepid volunteer Mary Ann Benson knit those stunning stocking caps solely for this purpose, and you can see the lengths that barn staffers Jaymee and Emma went to to get those horses to "smile for the camera." Suzie, Glory and Reba were troopers to put up with all the shenanigans. Stay tuned for the finished product!

12/06/2024

"Pre-Ride Checklist" is happening *Saturday, December 14th* right here at the MSSPA at 279 River Road in Windham. Staffers Tina Cormier and Jaymee Rankin will help you stay safe AND stay in the saddle as you get ready to ride your horse. This is a demonstration class, so you don't need to bring anything but yourself and your curiosity. Questions? You can email Tina at [email protected]. Register here: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/MaineStateSocietyforthePr/clinic-1-1.html.

12/05/2024

The Society is grateful for the partnerships it shares with so many skilled shelters in New England, all with the best interests of their residents front-of-mind. Yesterday, the MSSPA sent three horses to the to introduce them to a new audience of potential adopters. Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Suzie, and little Pokey all loaded up and hit the road on their way to new adventures. While it is always hard to see the trailer pulling out of the drive, we are also reminded that these journeys will open up new opportunities for forever homes for each one of these deserving horses. Happy trails to all three!

12/05/2024

Thank you, EQUUS Foundation, for sharing handsome Walter's story! He is making terrific progress, and we love having him in the herd.

Meet beautiful Walter, the beloved and gentle equine Ambassador for Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals , a Mentor charity of the EQUUS Foundation.

Walter, like all horses that wind up at rescues and sanctuaries, has a story…

A Standardbred, he once was a racehorse until his career ended. And like so many other horses, without the option to stay safe and loved when a horse welfare organization intervened, his life, if he had one, may have turned out very differently. Reputable rescues and sanctuaries are a lifeline for America’s at-risk horses. We support them and other organizations across the country that give options and hope to many thousands of horses that are in dire need.

To help fund our grants program for our Guardian and Mentor (qualified, carefully screened) charities that keep horses safe, please visit equusfoundation.org. Let’s help send all horses home for the holidays.

12/04/2024

If you've got a horse person on your holiday shopping list, look no further than Treasure's Tack Shack for all-things-horse -- blankets, halters, leads, saddles, bits, bridles, riding clothes, books, grooming equipment - the Tack Shack volunteers pack a lot into that space! And...right now, they've got more saddles than they can handle -- so come saddle shopping for the equestrian in your life, and have that new tack under the tree. The Tack Shack is fully volunteer-run, and volunteers are there to help you shop on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:00 am until noon. The Shack is located right here at the MSSPA, 279 River Road in Windham.

12/03/2024

The MSSPA followers and supporters are certainly a devoted crew. We know this because you follow along so lovingly with the highs and lows of each horse in the herd; you are all so supportive of the work that happens here at the farm.
The Society could not do this work without the time, treasure, and talent of our staff, volunteers, and supporters. We have so much to be grateful for this year, and on this day set aside for giving, our thanks are given for *YOU.*
The life-saving work of the MSSPA happens because of your generosity.
Please accept our thanks on this Giving Tuesday!

11/29/2024

Losing a member of the herd is like losing a family member. It seems inevitable that these horses work their way into the collective hearts of not only staff and volunteers, but of all of the folks who follow along with our work. Yesterday, dear Bob succumbed to colic here at the farm, and Dr. Judd and staff made the decision to humanely euthanize him. Bob was older and arrived at the farm with some medical challenges, but after a few weeks here he improved, and as so many of you know, found immense love and companionship in the paddock with Letti. We all delighted in our 'Golden Bachelor and Bachelorette,' and they were pretty much smitten with each other and inseparable. Letti's two other pals are still in the paddock with her, and she is surrounded by their companionship. It has been a hard week at the farm; while these decisions are made by our veterinarians and staff with the best interests and comfort of the animal front-of-mind, it is heartbreaking nonetheless. Bob and Letti were front and center in their paddock, capturing the hearts of everyone who drove by the farm or pulled in the drive, and we are so grateful they had that time together. We will miss this majestic, sweet old guy.

11/29/2024

Our dear Creek was humanely euthanized this week, and it's been a hard week at the farm. Creek came to us with three other horses in the summer of 2023 and eventually presented with navicular disease. The Society tried many remedies - including both special shoes for Creek and letting him go barefoot, adding cushioned boots, and appropriate pain meds - and ultimately surgery. While the surgery was initially successful, lately Creek grew more uncomfortable and could barely walk. The Society so hoped this handsome Quarter Horse could live a pain-free life, but his final days showed us that was not going to be the outcome. Staffer Emma was particularly fond of dear Creek, and made sure he knew love until the very end. It is always so hard to lose a beloved member of the herd, and the decision is always made with the comfort of the horse in mind. Rest in peace, sweet Creek.

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving! We certainly have plenty to be thankful for here at the farm. Already this year, the Society has welcomed 41 horses to the farm, and adopted 25 horses to their forever homes. More horses are due to arrive in the coming days, and the need for the MSSPA's rehabilitative services continues. All of this work would not happen without the generous support of our donors and supporters, and we have much to be grateful for this morning. All of us here at the Society hope you have a safe, healthy, and filling Thanksgiving!

11/26/2024

This little mini is ready for a home of her own for the holidays! 'Minnie' is a 20-year-old grulla and white paint miniature horse who kind of keeps to herself, *and* will capture your heart the moment you meet her! She is currently barefoot, and does well for both vet and farrier, but is suitable only as a companion due to an old shoulder injury that limits her to being pasture sound only. Minnie also has been diagnosed with a chronic soft palate defect, which causes a nasal discharge of feed material. But, she's put on a bit of weight since she has been here at the farm and has no problem enjoying her meals. Want to come and meet this mighty little mini? You can fill out an adoption application right here -- https://www.msspa.org/adopt/preliminary-adoption-application/.

11/22/2024

The work of animal welfare is both immensely joy-filled, and deeply heart-breaking. Today is a hard day at the farm as we lost our buddy Sebastian. Here is a little bit about his story.

11/22/2024

As the saying goes, "It's like herding cats," and, yesterday at the farm, staff tried their hand at herding...the barn dogs. As you can see, success was elusive. How many staff does it take to get five dogs to sit? Clearly, more than we had on hand. For the record, Buddy (the gorgeous Golden) clearly knocked it out of the park when asked to 'sit.'

11/21/2024

"Looks like Lucky is in charge of feeding us tonight," says Aurora.

11/20/2024

The cars seem to whiz by the farm on River Road, and many folks enjoy seeing the horses as they pass by. These last few mornings, our Golden love-bugs Letti and Bob have taken morning naps in the beautiful Fall sun. This morning, it was Letti -- down for the count, enjoying her morning siesta - all the while, Bob stood by lovingly to keep an eye on his gal. Two kind folks called the farm to be sure Letti was in fact alive, because when she snoozes, she sleeps pretty soundly. Know that we always have an eye on the herd, all day and all the time, AND the staff GREATLY appreciates concerned folks checking in to make sure everyone is 'upright and taking nourishment' as we like to say. Here are a few pix of our Prom King and Queen, devotedly enjoying yet another spectacular Fall morning here at the farm.