(January 2007)--Jennifer Hack--Alliance, one of our newest members of the ever growing USERL family! Her plight began last year when her owner was planning to send her straight to slaughter. That is when the first of a long line of guardian angels stepped into her life and saved her from that fate. She was placed in a very small, private rescue, one who did not have the experience or the funds to properly rehabilitate her. “Alli”, as we now call her, has severe scratches and all the complications that go with that. She badly needed to be sedated, clipped, washed and medicated for her condition – that is where USERL stepped in. We offered this rescue to donate her to us – they were planning to have her euthanized. They gladly accepted, but then the next hurdle came – Alli was in Rhode Island and she needed to get to Indiana. USERL does not transport horses so far – if we were to do so we would cease to function as the expense would be so great. Several people across several states immediately began trying to raise the funds to transport her to her new life – before it was too late and her time had once again run out. It turns out that we did not have to worry – Alli had yet another guardian angel about to step into her life in the form of a Good Samaritan who offered not only to pay for her to be transported to her new home, but to sponsor her throughout her rehabilitation. Alli’s angels continued to watch over her when a reputable transporter came forward when she heard of Alli’s plight – a transporter who happened to be in the area and happened to live in Indiana, one who offered to transport this special girl for half the normal cost for such a trip. In short order, a coggins was pulled and a health certificate obtained, and in less that 1 week after USERL first found our about Alli she arrived in her new home.

Alli has been here for 24 hours. She is much thinner than we had believed her to be (she is a body score of 2) and her legs have permanent damage to the inherent nature of Clydesdales magnified 10 fold by the neglect she has suffered. She has an amazing spirit though, and we are confident that we will be able to restore her to the magnificent horse she once was. To see her out in her field today, with a sparkle in her eye and a purpose in her stride, it is hard to believe that she was to be euthanized today. Alli had her first visit from our veterinarian today, and after much clipping, scrubbing and medication, he believes that Alli will have a happy, healthy life.

Please join me in welcoming Alli to the USERL family, and to “Alli’s Angels” – I sincerely thank you.