Stetson's Rescue Relocation Fund
Donation protected
My Name is Nicolle, I am a chiropractor that lives in the British Virgin Islands. Four years ago I received a phone call that would forever change my life.
The phone call was from a woman asking me for help. She stated I had helped so many other animals on the island she thought I could help with this one.
The Rescue
When I arrived, I was presented with a extremely emaciated, abused and dieing horse. The Agriculture Department said we should put him down. I asked the horse, who is now known as Stetson, what he wanted. I said "If you would like to go to sleep today and rest, they are on there way. But if you would like to fight through the recovery, I will be there every step of the way. I promise to protect you for the rest of your life."
Stetson was a seven year old thoroughbred that was left to starve to death after acid was poured on his open wounds. When I met him, he was a skeleton riddled with ticks and maggets under his decaying skin. He had no mane or tail, no skin from the nape of his neck to his tail, several lacerations to areas of the body and weighed approximatley 600 pounds at 16.5 hands tall. He could barely walk or lift his head.
That was four years ago.....
I cared to Stetson's wounds five times a day in between patients (hoping he was still gaining strength) and to start feeding him small amounts as the starvation was severe. I started this journey with him because he got on his feet for me and I promised him I would do everything humanly possible to help him recover.
Over the years Stetson and I have faced many challenges and setbacks but most of all some incredibly rewarding events. Our story is one of trust, friendship, learning to love again, inspiration and sheer determination to Never Ever Give Up!!!
Stetson NOW! What a Miracle he is!
This is my Stetson three years after starting our journey together.
Now four years into his recovery, he has gained 800 pounds, loves to learn new tricks while lunging, comfortably takes a western saddle (not a race saddle) and walks, trot, canters, etc by voice commands. His mane and tail are fully recovered and he allows me to angle grind his hooves every week. Stetson is capable of so much more and I want him to live the fullest life he can stress free and loved endlessly.
Island Life
The challenge here has always been that an island is no place for a thoroughbred. There is very little land he can graze on, run on or even be rode on. Frequently there is no hay on the island and his feed I have shipped over from another island as it is the only close-by resource for natural feed. There is no Ferrier so I have learned to angle grind his hooves myself, I fix the fences, clean the stable and even feed a couple other abandoned horses that have become his freinds over the fence.
I see him twice a day for cuddles, grooming, lunging and three times a week we run 3 miles to the ocean where we swim together and then run home again. He receives regular chiropractic adjustments to aid in his nervous system recovery and I give him natural products to restore his gut flora so he can heal faster.
I will miss my Stetson tremendously as he is my HEART however I want to give him a better life than he can not have here. Stetson was meant for amazing things and he has saved my life as much as I have saved his.
Stetson and I after our morning swim.
Why I Need Your Help
Over the years, Stetson has had several attempts made on his life, someone has been letting him out of his paddocks and scaring him, as well as substances put in his food and water containers. I am in fear that all the hard work we have put in will come to a tragic end. Thus I have done extensive research on relocating him to the States where he will continue his recovery at a proper stable with a Team of Care Givers who can train him, provide acres and acres for him to run with other horses and never want for nutritious food sources again. This is no small task but like my friends say "If anyone can do it, You can!".
The Relocation Challenge
To travel Internationally, Stetson's blood work had to come back negative for certain Caribbean conditions that do not exist in the United States. Luckily we were blessed to have this result however I have 2 days to relocate him to his new home.
Now the tremendous task of getting him to Florida starts. Due to the enormous amount of licenses, paperwork, travel, quarantines, planes, etc. I am required to have a broker assist me in this process.
The process is very time sensitive due to coordination and it is very expensive.
*Stetson will be transported off our tiny little
island by a small cargo plane and arrive in
Puerto Rico.
*I will be able to travel on this plane with
Stetson and the Registered Handler, however
once in Puerto Rico I will no longer be allowed
to be with him until after the quarantine in
Miami.
*He will immediately be taken to quarantine in
Puerto Rico for three days to redo assess his
bloodwork and to get clearance from the USDA
for flight to Miami. I will be in Puerto Rico for
the beginning of his quarantine to ensure his
safety.
*I will fly to Miami the night before he is released
to meet Tina, Lauren and Doug who will be
transporting the both of us to his new facility in
Punta Gorda.
*Upon clearance from quarantine, Stetson will
be trailered to Amerijet for his final plane ride
to Miami. At this time I can finally be with
Stetson to settle him in his new surroundings.
*I will be staying with Stetson for approximately
a week to help him acclamate to his new
surrounding. Then back to Tortola I go.
Expenses
Over the years, many of you have cheered us on, encouraged us and have even asked to financially support this most amazing rescue. I have not accepted the financial aspect previously, however now I wish to kindly ask for your support and consideration to give him a better life. He has gone through so much pain and suffering the first seven years of his life and I only wish to give him the best life he could ever experience. An island is no place for a thoroughbred.
The planes, handlers, blood work, permits, USDA and airport fees alone will cost us about $10,000 as we are needing a special plane to come into a very small airstrip to collect him at a time the airport. The quarantine will range from $3240 to potentially $5000 depending on how long he will have to stay. The remaining support will go to establish his supplies at his new facility to get him settled as we are trying to avoid abandonment issues if he goes by himself.
Our Future
I am not giving up on my Love, Stetson. I am trying to give him the full opportunity at living a successful productive life as a thoroughbred should do. I plan to travel to see him monthly to adjust him, ride him and make sure his new home is secure and he is settling in.
After everything I have accomplished in my life, I am the most proud of you my love!!!! You are the BEST thing I have ever done in my life and you have filled my world and my heart with such joy. Now it is time for you To Do Amazing Things.........
Thank you all for reading our story and helping us.
To Be Continued...........
Nicolle and Stetson
The phone call was from a woman asking me for help. She stated I had helped so many other animals on the island she thought I could help with this one.
The Rescue
When I arrived, I was presented with a extremely emaciated, abused and dieing horse. The Agriculture Department said we should put him down. I asked the horse, who is now known as Stetson, what he wanted. I said "If you would like to go to sleep today and rest, they are on there way. But if you would like to fight through the recovery, I will be there every step of the way. I promise to protect you for the rest of your life."
Stetson was a seven year old thoroughbred that was left to starve to death after acid was poured on his open wounds. When I met him, he was a skeleton riddled with ticks and maggets under his decaying skin. He had no mane or tail, no skin from the nape of his neck to his tail, several lacerations to areas of the body and weighed approximatley 600 pounds at 16.5 hands tall. He could barely walk or lift his head.
That was four years ago.....I cared to Stetson's wounds five times a day in between patients (hoping he was still gaining strength) and to start feeding him small amounts as the starvation was severe. I started this journey with him because he got on his feet for me and I promised him I would do everything humanly possible to help him recover.
Over the years Stetson and I have faced many challenges and setbacks but most of all some incredibly rewarding events. Our story is one of trust, friendship, learning to love again, inspiration and sheer determination to Never Ever Give Up!!!
Stetson NOW! What a Miracle he is!
This is my Stetson three years after starting our journey together. Now four years into his recovery, he has gained 800 pounds, loves to learn new tricks while lunging, comfortably takes a western saddle (not a race saddle) and walks, trot, canters, etc by voice commands. His mane and tail are fully recovered and he allows me to angle grind his hooves every week. Stetson is capable of so much more and I want him to live the fullest life he can stress free and loved endlessly.
Island Life
The challenge here has always been that an island is no place for a thoroughbred. There is very little land he can graze on, run on or even be rode on. Frequently there is no hay on the island and his feed I have shipped over from another island as it is the only close-by resource for natural feed. There is no Ferrier so I have learned to angle grind his hooves myself, I fix the fences, clean the stable and even feed a couple other abandoned horses that have become his freinds over the fence.
I see him twice a day for cuddles, grooming, lunging and three times a week we run 3 miles to the ocean where we swim together and then run home again. He receives regular chiropractic adjustments to aid in his nervous system recovery and I give him natural products to restore his gut flora so he can heal faster.
I will miss my Stetson tremendously as he is my HEART however I want to give him a better life than he can not have here. Stetson was meant for amazing things and he has saved my life as much as I have saved his.
Stetson and I after our morning swim.Why I Need Your Help
Over the years, Stetson has had several attempts made on his life, someone has been letting him out of his paddocks and scaring him, as well as substances put in his food and water containers. I am in fear that all the hard work we have put in will come to a tragic end. Thus I have done extensive research on relocating him to the States where he will continue his recovery at a proper stable with a Team of Care Givers who can train him, provide acres and acres for him to run with other horses and never want for nutritious food sources again. This is no small task but like my friends say "If anyone can do it, You can!".
The Relocation Challenge
To travel Internationally, Stetson's blood work had to come back negative for certain Caribbean conditions that do not exist in the United States. Luckily we were blessed to have this result however I have 2 days to relocate him to his new home.
Now the tremendous task of getting him to Florida starts. Due to the enormous amount of licenses, paperwork, travel, quarantines, planes, etc. I am required to have a broker assist me in this process.
The process is very time sensitive due to coordination and it is very expensive.
*Stetson will be transported off our tiny little
island by a small cargo plane and arrive in
Puerto Rico.
*I will be able to travel on this plane with
Stetson and the Registered Handler, however
once in Puerto Rico I will no longer be allowed
to be with him until after the quarantine in
Miami.
*He will immediately be taken to quarantine in
Puerto Rico for three days to redo assess his
bloodwork and to get clearance from the USDA
for flight to Miami. I will be in Puerto Rico for
the beginning of his quarantine to ensure his
safety.
*I will fly to Miami the night before he is released
to meet Tina, Lauren and Doug who will be
transporting the both of us to his new facility in
Punta Gorda.
*Upon clearance from quarantine, Stetson will
be trailered to Amerijet for his final plane ride
to Miami. At this time I can finally be with
Stetson to settle him in his new surroundings.
*I will be staying with Stetson for approximately
a week to help him acclamate to his new
surrounding. Then back to Tortola I go.
Expenses
Over the years, many of you have cheered us on, encouraged us and have even asked to financially support this most amazing rescue. I have not accepted the financial aspect previously, however now I wish to kindly ask for your support and consideration to give him a better life. He has gone through so much pain and suffering the first seven years of his life and I only wish to give him the best life he could ever experience. An island is no place for a thoroughbred.
The planes, handlers, blood work, permits, USDA and airport fees alone will cost us about $10,000 as we are needing a special plane to come into a very small airstrip to collect him at a time the airport. The quarantine will range from $3240 to potentially $5000 depending on how long he will have to stay. The remaining support will go to establish his supplies at his new facility to get him settled as we are trying to avoid abandonment issues if he goes by himself.
Our Future
I am not giving up on my Love, Stetson. I am trying to give him the full opportunity at living a successful productive life as a thoroughbred should do. I plan to travel to see him monthly to adjust him, ride him and make sure his new home is secure and he is settling in.
After everything I have accomplished in my life, I am the most proud of you my love!!!! You are the BEST thing I have ever done in my life and you have filled my world and my heart with such joy. Now it is time for you To Do Amazing Things.........
Thank you all for reading our story and helping us.To Be Continued...........
Nicolle and Stetson
Organizer
Nicolle Schultze
Organizer
Haw River, NC