Our Georgia Department of Agriculture Equine Impound Barns (one in Decatur and one in Mansfield) are over loaded and we are in desperate need of volunteers.

We're not really sure what has caused the huge influx of horses recently, but it could be due to the hay shortage and the price of hay. We do expect to have record number of horses over this coming winter. We have over 100 horses in impound at present, and only 2 full time employees for each barn. While the horses are getting the care they need, any help would be appreciated. We have very thin, very old, very young, multiple foals on the way, and some horses very soon ready to go to sale (within the next month or two). In addition, barn supplies such as feed pails and rubber ground feeding tubs, as well as mineral blocks, are in short supply, for any one who would like to donate such items.

The Department of Agriculture's budget is small and the shear volume of horses are exceeding this budget. Monetary donations for supplies are also being accepted and appreciated. Checks can be made payable to Georgia Department of Agriculture, Equine Health Department.

This is what we ask of perspective volunteers: They want to come for the love of the horse, be prepared to get filthy, bone tired, and leave each day with a warm heart knowing you have helped saved the life of many horses. We ask that volunteers work a set schedule, whether this been a full day a week, a half-day once a month....whatever they can do would be appreciated. Volunteers need not have horse experience, as there are many chores to be done on a daily basis.

Anyone who would like to volunteer at either barn, can contact me at (770)560-7128 (cell), (770)382-5386 (pager), or (770)787-4603 (Mansfield Impound). In addition, the Mansfield Impound has a part-time position (up to 40 hours a week) available, the pay is not great (9.00/hour), but the rewards of the heart are!

There is a sale on December 16, with some very nice horses and ponies, at our Decatur barn. I have handled all these horses personally and if anyone would like more info, please let me know (shhh....I have some favorites!),

Prices should be very low, if our last few sales are an indicator. Candy Corn, Boris( we have him listed as a QH, but in my opinion and that of many other inspectors, he appears to be ½ Haflinger) and Lil' Pete (Registered POA with papers!) are very nice LARGE ponies, sound and great movers. Chaos is a very nice, sweet, great moving gelding and is completely calm and sacked out.

Kenny and Chesney are large and lovely...photos do not do justice to be sure. We will test ride all this upcoming week.

For information on the horse sale, click here.