Abused horse now in shelter

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Crane Mountain Valley Horse Rescue, funded by tax-deductible donations, is run entirely by volunteers and open by appointment.

Call 962-8512 or e-mail horses@cmvhr.org to schedule a time to visit and find out how to help.

Related Photos

Volunteers work to build a shelter for Pops, a horse who was once abused. The shelter was constructed through Lowe's Heroes program at Crane Mountain Valley Horse Rescue in Westport. Joni Carr-Barcomb of Plattsburgh (fourth from right) got the project rolling.
Nickolas Carr-Barcomb feeds Pops, a 25-year-old Belgian draft horse who was rescued from abuse.

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December 13, 2010

Volunteers build shelter in Westport for rescued horse

ALVIN REINER Press-Republican The Press Republican Mon Dec 13, 2010, 02:28 AM EST

WESTPORT — A love for equines and cooperation from individuals and Lowe's has put an abused horse named Pops in his own shelter.

Though the early morning rain had stopped, the day was cold and windy, but that did not deter volunteers from turning out at Crane Mountain Valley Horse Rescue in Westport to build the shelter.

In a nearby corral, 25-year-old Pops pranced, seemingly knowing something was in the works.

STARVING, WOUNDED

The Belgian draft horse had allegedly been starved to about 60 percent of his body weight and shot at close range with a high-powered rifle when found on May 21.

Police charged his owner, Bruce Crammond, 62, of Ticonderoga, with neglecting to provide the animal with food and water, a misdemeanor. He was not charged with shooting the horse.

Crammond, who owns roughly 50 other horses, was released, and his case is still pending.

PERFECT PROJECT

Joni Carr-Barcomb of Plattsburgh got the ball rolling when she heard about Pops, who was being housed at the Crane Mountain Horse Shelter.

"I had been following the story about Pops and knew Lowe's had this Heroes program, and it seemed like making a shelter for this horse would be a perfect project."

Jodi's 12-year-old-son, Nickolas, took the day off from his studies at Stafford Middle School to document the event in photos, with plans to write about the experience.

"I think it is great that the horse was rescued and that people are helping him and that I and others can come to the farm to see him," he said.

LOWE'S CHOICE

Lowe's Operation Manager Cory Rock was part of the volunteer crew, which also included Robert Bousquet, Cole Hull, Ricky St. Germaine and Chris Barcomb.

"Every year, we find volunteers, and Lowe's supplies the materials to support a nonprofit that really needs help," Rock explained.

"Last year, we constructed a YMCA playground. This Heroes organization is a great one."

Rock estimated the donated building materials had a retail value of around $1,200.

Also on hand to help were Elizabethtown Grand Union employees Jacki Powers and Joyce Haseltine, who arranged for food and served the workers. Both women have horses of their own.

Crane Mountain's Nancy Van Wie could not express enough gratitude for the workers.

"They had other places to go, but they wanted to work here, which is very heartwarming to me."

She also appreciated the many donations of grain, hay, medicine and saline solution that were given to the shelter when Pops first arrived.

"We were so impressed with the outpouring of support. By the nature of our (rescue) work, we see the bad side but are so fortunate to have people rally around us. People who we have never met want to help. That's what keeps us going."

Since the rescue, Pops has gained nearly 400 pounds, and the entrance and exit wounds from the gunshot have completely closed.

"His will to live and adorable personality inspire us every day," Van Wie said.

"We call him Pops, in honor of Pop's Bill, a school project by four inspirational young women advocating for cruelty to horses to be a felony."

To date, the cost of caring for Pops exceeds $9,000 and is climbing, she said.

Van Wie and Eddie Mrozik are co-founders of Crane Mountain Valley Horse Rescue. They have a lifelong love for horses and 30-plus years of combined equine rescue and rehabilitation experience.

They volunteer all of their time, including website maintenance, newsletter and grant-writing, horse care, farm chores, training, volunteer management and leading educational workshops and seminars.