To the Rescue Of Horses- Hold the equine meat, here comes Amaryllis Farm

By Taylor K. Vecsey

The equine world on the South Fork is no longer just about $25,000 hunter-jumper horses or fancy dressage mounts. Minutes away from the Hampton Classic grounds, and down the road from the Wolffer Estate, stands Amaryllis Farm Equine Rescue on Merchants Path in Sagaponack. The area is now home to the other face of the horse world. A benefit party, "For the Love of a Horse," will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Sagaponack barn.

Christine Barrett-Distefano looked sickened and let out a big sigh when she said that 60,000 horses have been slaughtered in the United States so far this year. Horse meat is eaten in European countries, particularly France, and the enormous number of horses killed for consumption is one of the reasons Ms. Barrett-Distefano created Amaryllis in May.

Considering that the horse industry contributes $39 billion to the American economy annually, Ms. Barrett-Distefano is even angrier when she says that tens of thousands of horses are killed before they might have to be.

Since the Hampton Classic is one of the most popular horses shows in the country, Ms. Barrett-Distefano jumped at the chance to promote her equine rescue group and make more people aware that horses are sold for meat.

In late April, Ms. Barrett-Distefano's 32-year-old Liverpool chestnut gelding, Rascal, died of natural causes. "I needed a reason to go on, really," she said. While surfing the Internet, she came across a Web site listing horses to be auctioned. Before an auction, horses "are fattened up," she said, at places called "feed lots." They can sell for as much as $15 per pound in Europe, she said, making a 1,000-pound horse worth $15,000.

Among those to be auctioned, Ms. Barrett-Distefano said, was a horse with no name to which she was instantly drawn: a Liverpool chestnut that reminded her of the late Rascal. Ms. Barrett-Distefano decided to rescue him in Rascal's memory.

Elijah, as he is now known, had "elf shoe," from chronic laminitis, a condition in which his hooves turned up and which made him neither sound nor ridable. She scrounged up the money for his ransom.

"He had no one who cared. He had never known freedom," she wrote on a laminated sign that is now displayed on the horse's stall at Amaryllis's barn. "He didn't even know what to do with a carrot," she said. Now, with healthier hooves, Elijah not only has someone who cares for him, but has had a second chance at life. And, he loves carrots.

Rescuer and animal met for the first time on May 15. "I have 10 stalls at the barn. So, I thought, 'Why not save as many as I can?' "

There are three foreign-owned slaughter plants in the United States. "Young, old, healthy, sick, and injured horses are hauled for more than 24 hours without food, water, or rest to face a horrific death," she said.

Ms. Barrett-Distefano was present in the exhibition tent at the Hampton Classic a few weeks ago. The process of slaughtering a horse is very different from the way a veterinarian administers euthanasia, she told visitors. Discouraging slaughter and encouraging responsible horse ownership go hand-in-hand, she said.

Since Elijah's arrival in Sagaponack, Amaryllis has rescued 12 other horses or foals. Even thought Amaryllis was founded just four months ago, three of the horses she has saved have been adopted. Two went to the same home in Lake Placid, N.Y. Although she charges a fee, Ms. Barrett-Distefano said she does not make back what she puts into rehabilitation.

"Sending them off to a good home is what counts," she said. "I don't care about anything else but saving them."

Although the equine rescue organization's application for nonprofit status is under way, it needs financial support. In the Classic's exhibition tent, visitors were charged $1 to feed a carrot to one of the five rescued horses there, including Elijah.

Supporters can also sponsor horses at Amaryllis. Basic care, including the stall, feed, and bedding, costs $500 a month. Farrier bills add up to $50. Vaccinations and deworming cost $20 per month. Being a "carrot sponsor" costs $15.

Tickets to the benefit cost $50, and closed-toe shoes are a must, Ms. Barrett-Distefano. After all, the rescued horses are the guests of honor.