Welcome to Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue - Ontario - Canada
Press Release
New Guidelines Document to help Horse Rescue Organizations
March 3, 2017 -A new document has been released to help provide support and important information on care standards for those involved in equine rescue, retirement and adoption/rehoming facilities in the province of Ontario.
The document, “Ontario-Care-Guidelines-for Equine Rescue” has been developed by a working committee composed of several provincial groups and associations to provide information to assist horse rescue, retirement and adoption/rehoming facilities. The working committee, called the Ontario Equine Welfare Information Group, included representation from Equestrian Canada, Equine Guelph, Ontario Association of Equine Practitioners (OAEP), Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF), Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA), Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association/Ontario Racing, Ontario Veterinary College, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Boehringer-Ingelheim and Equine Canada Horse Health and Welfare Awards
Ottawa, ON, February 21, 2014
The 2013 Health and Welfare Awards were presented to individuals during a prestigious gala held Feb. 7 in Winnipeg, MB. The Equine Canada Awards Gala was part of the 2014 Equine Canada National Convention, which took place at the Radisson Hotel Winnipeg from Feb. 5-9. The Health and Welfare Awards recognize an extended history of dedication to the improvement of horse health and welfare. The Health and Welfare Awards presented during the gala included:
Boehringer Ingelheim – Equine Canada Horse Health and Welfare Award – Brenda Thompson
Jan Stephens, past member of the Equine Canada Board and past chair of the Stewards Committee presented the first Health and Welfare Award. The Boehringer Ingelheim – Equine Canada Horse Health and Welfare Award recognizes an individual or organization that has for an extended period of time, contributed directly to the improvement of horse health and welfare.
The recipient of the 2013 Boehringer Ingelheim – Equine Canada Horse Health and Welfare Award is Brenda Thompson. Thompson is the life force behind Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue in Hagersville, ON, which she started (along with her husband, Dave Thompson) in 2007.
Photo — Brenda Thompson, Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue and Jan Stephen. Photo Credit — Shereen Jerrett
WHHR Story
I have always had a passion for horses, even as a child. When I was 10 years old I used to help out at a local riding stable all day to have the opportunity to ride for one hour at the end of the day. At age 14 I worked at a riding facility as the lead for trail rides and any other chores that were needed. I would spend my summers and weekends there. I did this for about 3 years.
I had always wanted a horse of my own and at 28 I purchased my first horse, Sabrina, an Arabian mare that I still own. I have owned her for 18 years and I am the only person who has ever ridden her. I love her dearly.
I became a member of the Dunnville Humane Society Board and held the positions of Director of Investigations and Director of Foster Parenting. These were volunteer positions as Haldimand County did not have Humane Society services at that time, only animal control.
In 2001 when Welland Humane Society was finally contracted to provide animal control and animal cruelty services for Haldimand County, I began employment with Welland to provide animal control and cruelty services in the County. I obtained my official Agent status through the OSPSA which provided me the authority to conduct cruelty investigations and I also was an animal control officer.
Upon leaving the Welland Humane Society to seek employment with Haldimand County Administration, I became a board member on the Welland Humane Society Board of Director - a position I held for a year.
Prior to the establishment of Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue, I rescued 2 to 4 horses a year which quickly became 4 to 6. I began to realize the great need for horse rescue as cruelty to horses is not as recognized as is with the more domestic breeds such as cats and dogs. I realized we needed an advocate to educate the public and provide a service to the public to help prevent horses from being subjected to auctions and even worse, slaughter. I needed a bigger farm.
I found the farm in Hagersville in the summer of 2007 and began to bring this dream to reality. We moved in December 2007 and the work began. We now have a 48 acre farm with a newer barn and arena. The main herd has a 23 acre paddock. We built a few smaller paddocks to house horses that need more hands on care. We have also added to the barn to accommodate more horses there. We are still building more paddocks and hope to have more separate paddocks built in 2013, however this all comes with a price tag.
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Our Training Method
At Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue, we don't just heal the horses physically; we also heal them emotionally.
People often ask, "How do you work with all of these abused and untrained horses?" The Chris Irwin Method of Horsemanship has provided us with the tools to reach deep into the souls of these horses, and the knowledge to work through the fear and trust issues many of them have developed due to human injustice and ignorance. In 2012, Brenda achieved the Silver Level of Certification in Chris' Train the Trainer program. She trains all of the volunteers at WHHR to handle the horses with these techniques. Whenever you are with a horse, you are training him or her.
Education is a key part of the work we do at WHHR to make life better for all horses. So, we host Confident Horsemanship clinics taught by Anne Gage 3 - 4 times a year. These clinics are open to volunteers, adopters, potential adopters and horse owners. Participants can bring their own horses or work with a WHHR horse.
Please visit www.AnneGage.com to learn more about Confident Horsemanship and this horse friendly method of training.
Please visit www.chrisirwin.com to learn more about the Chris Irwin methods.