Is one of your New Year’s Resolutions for 2013 to help people and give back to your community? Would you like to find something horse related? Well, look no further. AQHA Amateur exhibitor, Sara Dalzell of Seattle, Washington has taken the guesswork out of helping horsemen in need.
“This coming year at AQHA shows I will be collecting any horse equipment that you don’t need or use, to send to the Mthatha Horse Rehabilitation and Rescue Centre in South Africa,” says Dalzell, who is a top competitor and Congress winner on the AQHA show circuit. “They do amazing work helping rural horse owners maintain their horses’ wellness by providing them with functional and well-fitting equipment.”
There are many riders in the rural areas of South Africa who use horses on a daily basis for transportation and for checking livestock. Most of the local Xhosa horseman love their horses, but lack the education and knowledge of how to care and look after their trusted friends. This leads to poorly fitting tack, saddle sores and often ignorant neglect. This non-profit is providing an invaluable life line for these working horses by educating and providing dipping, deworming and assistance with medical care.
“After I did some work with a project in India in 2009 that provided vet care to work animals in rural communities, I learned the value of work animals to the communities that rely on them,” Dalzell states. “They cherish their animals because they know that they provide a living and I think we can all learn to love and care for our animals with the dedication they do. Sometimes, however, their means to care for the animals are lacking. I know that we horse people seem to accumulate an abundance of horse items, and I really wanted to find a way to make use of our ‘throw aways’.
Sara continues, “Each care day dozens of horses and their owners show up needing and seeking education and help. These people really want their horses to live a long, healthy life. I am really excited about sending donations. One of the things I love is that the lady, Janine Botha, that formed the non-profit always posts photos of the donations she receives with the new owner. The recipient always looks ecstatic and so thankful.”
Dalzell, who shows RL Rumbleman under the guidance of Shannon McCulloch, wants everyone to gather up their old equipment and tack including: saddle pads, saddles, halters, bits, and headstalls. Dalzell will be at Sun Circuit in Scottsdale, so please bring any equipment there with her goal to send the first shipment out after the show! You may also email Sara at saradalzell@gmail.com for more information. If you would like to mail equipment to her home, the address is shown below:
Sara Dalzell
8212 Corliss Ave North
Seattle, Washington 98103
To find out more about the Mthatha Horse Rehabilitation and Rescue Centre in South Africa, you may visit their Facebook page here or website.
