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Site Administrator:  dave@SRCHorseAssistance.org


  About us . . . .


The Santa Rosa County Horse Assistance Council was founded by horse owners who believe that working together (owners and county agencies) we can improve upon the welfare of the nearly 14,000 horses in Santa Rosa County, Florida.  The SRC Horse Assistance Council operates with volunters and is funded through the generosity of the public.

Our goal is to . .
       Accept Applications for foster care providers
       Accept horse welfare complaints in Santa Rosa County as long as correct information regarding location is provided
       Offer advice AND education regarding care, feeding, fencing, housing, etc. for owners in our county

Currently we are working on . .
       A county food bank for horses as a temporary helping hand program.
       A helping hand crew to assist with repairs, etc. for those unable to help themselves.

Currently we have in place . .
       Programs to assist horse owners during extreme emergency situations such as natural disasters/hurricanes, etc.
       Programs to assist horse owners in surrendering horses for relocation homes and/or sale barns.
       Quarterly training programs to assist new and experienced horse owners with equine and equine industry related issues.


What drives us

The majority of the horse population is well cared for; however, there are a growing number of horses who suffer from neglect, abuse or abandonment.  Our mission is to provide the county with the volunteer help and financial assistance needed to assist in the handling of horse welfare issues.  We also strive to improve horse welfare through community education, awareness programs and seminars and to offer horse management and welfare training.

Assistance
Under the guidance of the Director of  Santa Rosa Animal Control Services, the SRCHAC will provide foster care for siezed or abandoned horses, local resources for feed, hay, building supplies and other necessities, educational assistance and counseling as needed.  The council will continue developing programs to insure that foster horses receive quality nutrition and care. We plan to organize a "Helping Hands" co-operative which would offer limited assistance toward improving the overall health and welfare to Animal Service approved horses in our county.

Education
Our efforts to enrich the horse community through education is one of the most important goals we have set for ourselves. Through seminars, workshops, horse fairs and other educational events we will be able to reach the horse community to provide information necessary for maintaining a healthy horse. Some of the topics to be corvered in these seminars are horse health care issues, current information on deworming, vaccination, fencing, stabling facilities, hoof care, pasture management, nutrition, wound care, disease and lameness issues.

Council Leadership
The current board of directiors are active members of the community and "Horse People" with a sincere desire to assist horse owners within our county. Feel free to contact them with any questions or comments.  Here's a little about each. . . .


Maureen Cleveland - President

I was always “horse crazy”; if I wasn’t riding a horse, I was pretending I was.  Growing up in a rural area outside of Dallas I could always get my hands on a horse (and did).  I grew up trail riding- running through the woods playing games with my friends.  I was Annie Oakley, or Dale Evens and I never outgrew it...except for the running part!

I am fortunate to have known professional horsemen willing to “show me the ropes” from training to handling a breeding stallion to caring for a horse.  As an adult,  38 years have been spent trail riding, raising my own horses, managing my own stallion and breeding program, starting and training my own horses and competing at regional and national levels with my Appaloosa horses as well as a couple of Quarter Horses.  My passion for horses has brought some wonderful and dear people into my life.

I love Western Pleasure!  I love the discipline, and the natural ability of these fine athletes.  A good mind, good confirmation and superb athletic ability are traits I require in my horses, and I have been fortunate to have owned and raised such talented individuals.  I also am a believer in giving back to the community and often welcome youth groups to visit and learn a little about horses and keeping them.

How did I get involved with HAC?  What began as a simple “email” referencing how we might help within our county developed into an extraordinary idea welcomed by a number of extraordinary horse people living in Santa Rosa County!

How have horses affected her life? Maureen says: "Horses keep me centered, more balanced. They have taught me patience, trust, respect and great joy.     Through the horse or because of them, I have had the opportunity to know some very special people in a number for states over the years who I can call friend."

Feel Free to contact her at:
    maureen@SRCHorseAssistance.org


Dave Danielson - Vice President
There were a few times when I was a kid that I was around horses . .  mostly because of girlfriends, but it wasn’t until I married a certifiable horse nut that I really got involved. (Our house is filled with Breyers models, paintings and other assorted knick-knacks)   Our first “Free” horse led to my education the hard way.  I did a lot of listening, watching and then putting it all together to something useful.

For the past 20 or so years every major decision in our lives has been affected by our horses.  Where we live, where we go, what we do when we get there and even our retirement outlook. For close to twelve of those years I wrote, published and distributed the Happy Hoofer as a guide for new and experienced horse owners.  I have met some very interesting, caring and active horse owners over the years and have gained and passed on something from each.   It has given Deb and I something to do together that is relaxing and enjoyable with our friends who have also, over the years, become mostly “Horse People”.

I guess what I enjoy the most is just being around my horses.  Keeping carrot farmers in business is also a priority, and I constantly do my part. There are so many times that just being around them has calmed my nerves after a particularly hard day.  To me . . . they are my pets, companions and a part of the family, each with their own personality. Oh . . riding is nice too. I wouldn't want to lose even one of them.

I got involved with the HAC after receiving calls and emails from concerned horse owners in Santa Rosa County.  After discussing the increasing number of problems with the system(s) that were in place, I joined with this group of dedicated horse professionals to try and make a difference with our friends and neighbors by teaching proper care and helping owners take responsibility for their own horses. I am proud to be a part of this effort.

Horses have affected my life in nearly every way.   Friends, hobbies, where I live and what I drive. Nothing was untouched.   Everything stops when the horses are running in the field out the front window. We all just stop, watch, smile and comment how great they look having their fun. The Lakota refered to them as "Sacred Dogs".   I understand why.

Feel free to contact Dave at:   dave@SRCHorseAssistance.org


Keith Weekley - Secretary
What can we say . . . Doc is a big part of the help we get.  Without him and the clinic I’m not sure what we would do.  Doc has a concern for horses as well as their owners throughout the area . . . I just wish he would write a biography for this page . . . but, he’s a busy guy.

Feel free to contact him at:       keith@SRCHorseAssistance.org


Joy Campbell - Treasurer 

As a child Joy dreamed of owning a horse but as a military (Navy) family, it was not considered feasible.  However, at 16, with their Dad TDA on a Med cruise, Joy and her younger sister bought a horse…and there began a lifetime of love and devotion.

When her daughter wanted a horse, Joy brought her childhood horse back into her life.  Horses again shaped her life and her daughter’s as 4-H leader, show and Pony Club Mom.  “Animals come and stay forever in our family”, says Joy.  As her daughter became more involved in the competition world, first one than another horse would come into her life in desperate need of mending, healing and rehabbing. She started taking in rescue horses when people would call her for assistance; she would rehabilitate them then often find good homes for them.  Joy was one of the few using beet pulp in her rehab program, a widely used feed product today.

Joy loves to trail ride.  She takes dressage lessons when possible and her secret dream is to one day compete “once” in dressage.

Joy became involved with the HAC when a friend told her about a group of county horse people with an idea to assist the county and work toward improving the overall health and well-being of horses in Santa Rosa County thru horse owner education.

How have horsese affected her life? Joy says: “For as long as I can remember, they have determined where our home would be”.

Feel free to contact her at:
   joy@SRCHorseAssistance.org

 
Nita Owens - Historian
I was born horse crazy, therefore, having no choice but to have them always in my life.

Horses have always been a vehicle to interact with other people who share or dream of sharing a common thread.  Horses have brought special friends into my life and provided a world of knowledge in my journey from handling and training mules & donkeys; raising horse foals and watching them grow; loving the partnership between horse and rider in competitive trail ride; hosting & sponsoring Pony Club; to my dream of having a Therapeutic Riding Program.  Horses open up opportunities to make your world a bigger place.  Growing up around “old timers” who openly shared their wisdom, knowledge and experience with those willing to listen, and learn—from training techniques to “doctoring” was a sustaining education.  I love old horses!  I have rehabilitated many old and injured horses, love to watch them age and heal with dignity.  And one of my joys has been the chance to give back the collection of knowledge to “green” horse people who come into my life.  

One of the joys derived from owning horses is the thrill of riding on trails with people who enjoy the woods, the pleasure of those quiet moments, the compatibility of friends and horses, and the fun and laughter shared.

How did I get involve with HAC?  If there is any small way, I want to make a difference to help an animal—the joy in my life is so great, I want to give back.

Horses have improved my life, added to my children’s lives and my grandchildren’s.  They make a difference that continues, even when we are gone.



 

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Site Administrator:  dave@SRCHorseAssistance.org

 

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