Holly Middaugh believes there is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a person. The bond she has developed with her own horses is what prompted her to begin rescuing and placing horses nearly 20 years ago.
Middaugh had temporarily taken in several rescued horses over the years but wasn't always happy with their permanent placement.
"As my sons began driving and had outgrown their horses I didn't want to just sell them to anyone. I got the idea of leasing them so I would be able to make sure that they were well cared for,” said Middaugh, who began leasing the horses for $25 per year.
It was when Middaugh took in three ponies that were near starvation following the death of their owner, that she — along with a group of friends and supporters — began Horse North Inc, allowing people who no longer wanted or could no longer care for their horses to donate them before they ended up starved or in horrible condition. Horse North could then place them with families involved in area 4-H groups or those just wanting to get involved with horses.
"A lot of the horses come in with trust and or health issues,” said Middaugh, who along with dozens of volunteers works with the animals until they are ready for placement in an appropriate setting. Adoptive owners are thoroughly investigated before a horse is put in their care.
"It's all about the relationship between the horse and the human. It is so important to match the horse with someone who is prepared to handle them,” said volunteer Marc Mentley who spends countless hours using the Parelli method of natural horsemanship in training program horses.
"Marc has been such a blessing to this program. He has been able to do more in two hours with a horse we had thought was unplaceable than I would be able to do in a year,” said Middaugh.
"With the training, and by providing good vet care and nutrition, we are able to get a great horse that will be much easier to place. It's a win, win situation,” Middaugh said.
Horse North's commitment to their horses does not end when they are delivered to their adoptive homes. The yearly $25 lease will only be renewed if the horse is being properly cared for.
With more than 70 horses placed, most in the northern Michigan five county region, it has become nearly a full-time job for volunteer Jennifer Lee to follow their well-being. Any problems she may find are quickly addressed with the guidance and advice of program volunteers — some who even roll up their sleeves and pitch in to help when needed.
"They are amazing, they came and cleaned out my barn for me when I couldn't do it after surgery,” said Sue Henschell of Kingsley who has taken in two program horses.
While the well being of their horses is their top priority, Horse North is also committed to education — offering basic horsemanship skill classes as well as "Pony Pack” classes for children.
"It started out being just about horses, but we have found that if you train better people, you train better horses,” Middaugh said.
For more information on Horse North Inc., to volunteer, or for information on horse leasing, call Jennifer Lee at 263-4809 or visit www.HorseNorthRescue.org