By Alicia Howe
Sometimes, it really does just take one person to make a difference. In Barbara Hutchinson’s case, her efforts have brought life to more than 50 horses that otherwise would have been slaughtered, put down, or left to die in a field.
As a child, Hutchinson developed a great love for horses. Her family lived in a suburban area, and Hutchinson took riding lessons, but never owned her own horse. It was only in 2005 that Hutchinson’s real journey with horses began. “I always dreamt of having my own horse, and now I have 50,” she said.
Hutchinson’s first horse rescue came through a friend in Arizona. The horse injured its feet and was not much use to its owner, so it was shipped to her from Arizona. Shortly afterward, Hutchinson learned of a four-year-old thoroughbred that had been sold to a slaughter company. To save it, Hutchinson paid more money than the horse was worth to the slaughterhouse.
From there, Hutchinson’s rescue efforts grew quickly, as she then heard about a horse with a fractured knee that needed surgery within 72 hours. She bought the horse and paid for its surgery. Soon after, Ginny Wood, who works for Fairmount Park Racetrack in Collinsville, Ill., had a chance meeting with Hutchinson, and the two became fast friends. “We were both adamant about our views on slaughtering, and we’ve been best friends since,” said Wood.
In order to expand the operation, Hutchinson rented space at nearby farms to board the rescued horses. Eventually, she and her husband Lawrence, bought a five-acre ranch in Farmington, Mo. to accommodate all the horses. They named it Twelve Oaks. With the help of a neighbor, from whom they bought the ranch, the Hutchinson’s constructed fencing for pastures, an automatic water system and two barns. Lawrence works two jobs so the couple can maintain the grounds, buildings, buy supplies, and care for the horses. Their neighbor volunteers his time daily to help wherever needed.
“Lawrence isn’t into horses like I am,” explained Hutchinson, “but he realizes it’s my passion and is willing to do it, and that makes him a ‘saint.’” Since the beginning of her friendship with Hutchinson, Ginny Wood spread the word about the farm to folks at Fairmount Park. Now Fairmont is an integral part of how Twelve Oaks Farm acquires its rescued horses. “People come to us now with their injured horses, and Barb gives them a new home,” said Wood.
Each of the more than 50 horses at the rescue has its own story. There are two blind horses and several young thoroughbreds that are no longer able to race, due to injury. One horse, found in a field, never had contact with a human. Then there is a small pony and a huge thoroughbred that are now best friends. “It’s amazing, but all the horses are friendly; they all get along,” Hutchinson said. “It’s really heart-warming.”
The farm houses two stallions, including one from California. “It is the only rescue farm that takes everything,” said Wood. “Barbara has never turned a horse down.”
The rescue operation expects to earn not-for-profit status in early 2010. This will make it possible for the operation, now called Renaissance Rescue, to accept tax deductable donations. “Renaissance means rebirth,” Barbara said, “so it seemed like the perfect name.”
Renaissance Rescue has nearly reached its occupancy limit, so Barbara hopes to sell some of the younger horses that are trained and recovered from their maladies. Many would make excellent riding horses.
Until recently, all boarding, surgeries, vet bills, training and supplies have been paid for out of the Hutchinson’s own pockets. Hutchinson says she and Lawrence “would be ecstatic to receive donations, whether they are in the form of money, feed, hay, blankets, or anything” that would help the Hutchinson’s rescue efforts continue.
It took a long time before Barbara Hutchinson
fulfilled her dream of owning a horse, but in just a short time she
has made a big difference by raising awareness of the need to
provide a haven for unwanted horses. You can make a difference too,
with donations of money or supplies, by purchasing a horse, or
spreading the word about Renaissance Rescue. Call Barbara Hutchinson
at 314-479-8858 or Ginny Wood at 618-581-0235 for more information. 