Dan's Papers - June 29, 2007

Sixteen years ago, Little Boy was sitting in a pen at the horse auction, minutes away from meeting his fate. As a small pony, Little Boy wouldn't bring in more than a hundred dollars or so in meat, but he had ended up at the auction, where most horses suck in their last breath of fresh air before being loaded up into trucks with their legs bound together, headed on a long journey to the slaughterhouse. But when Little Boy went into the arena, he met Christine di Stefano, his guardian angel. Christine would fight the horsemeat dealers for him and, after pledging to spend $200 -- over $50 more than his meat was worth -- to save him, she would take him to Sagaponack, where he would live out his days teaching children to ride, comforting disabled children and nervous horses and, as of last year, modeling for Vogue Magazine. After sixteen years of love and attention at Amaryllis Horse Farm and Equine Rescue, Little Boy has grown so sleek and handsome that world-renowned photographer Bruce Weber chose him to pose in a photo spread for Vogue starring British supermodel Kate Moss. Little Boy had actually gone to the shoot with Heartbreaker, a beautiful little Paint filly with a heart-shaped brand on her hip, to keep her company while she had her picture taken. But when Bruce saw Little Boy, with his tousled blonde mane and wise face, he knew that he would be the perfect pony for the job.

Although this sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime story, fairytales such as these happen every year for the lucky horses who find themselves whisked away from the kill pens at horse auctions and slaughterhouses around the country to Amaryllis Farm and Equine Rescue, where Christine allows them to shed their fears and become happy, friendly, well-adjusted horses. Christine accomplishes this by giving all her rescues ample turnout time and training them with Pat Parelli's gentle natural horsemanship techniques. Christine's goal with each of her horses is to make them "bomb-proof," so even beginner riders can ride them with confidence, knowing that they will not hurt them. Building this trust between her horses and riders has made Christine's horse rescue the most reputable and trusted horse rescue on Long Island. When someone adopts a horse from Amaryllis Farm and Equine Rescue, they can be certain that they know everything there is to know about their new partner and that if they have any trouble getting acclimated, Christine is only a phone call away. Amaryllis Farm and Equine Rescue also offers reduced-rate board to horses adopted from the rescue, making it even easier to save a horse's life and afford to make your own dreams of having a horse of your own come true.

Although Little Boy is not up for adoption -- "He's our main finding source," joked Christine -- there are many beautiful, well-trained horses at Amaryllis Farm and Equine Rescue who are ready to go to loving homes. Aramis, who was rescued from a kill pen at the New Holland livestock auction last year, has grown into a sleek, handsome thoroughbred gelding with limitless potential. He is a tall, dark bay with an elegant strip of white down his face and a gentle demeanor. "He's a typical young Thoroughbred, always alert," Christine said. "But when you work with him, he's really quiet. He's very solid and non-reactive -- he's not spooky at all." And at only six years old, this elegant young horse has his whole life ahead of him and he is ready to be trained in any discipline his new owner wants him to do. He is sound and has looks even the most discriminating Hampton Classic judge would appreciate. There are dozens more at Amaryllis Farm and Equine Rescue in every color, size and ability level, that are as easy to ride and train as Aramis. And if you don't find the horse of your dreams at Amaryllis Farm and Equine Rescue now, chances are, you will find him there soon.

With 100,000 American horses being sent to slaughter each year, Amaryllis Farm Equine Rescue is constantly in need of pastureland, hay, grain, grooming supplies, volunteers and donations to help them save as many horses as they can. On their wish list right now are such easy-to-find items as split-rail fencing, de-wormer, blankets, tack, pitchforks, sand, a first aid cabinet and grass seed. To make a donation, visit www.ForRascal.com or call (631) 537-7335. Amaryllis Farm and Equine Rescue also conducts a pony camp and teaches riding lessons, all with the help of Christine's grateful, "bomb-proof" rescued horses. Christine also teaches English, Western and Dressage lessons at the farm and the board prices are the most reasonable on Long Island. Not only is Amaryllis Farm and Equine rescue perfectly situated in the middle of the Hamptons, every penny spent there on lessons, board or pony camp goes directly towards saving horses' lives.

It has been said that the United States was founded on the back of a horse. Had our founding fathers not been able to swiftly ride into battle against the British, and the pioneers not been able to ride in wagons pulled by these sure-footed animals, the United States as we know it would not exist. This year, as we celebrate the founding of our country, please help these beautiful creatures by supporting Amaryllis Farm and Equine Rescue's efforts to save them.