The Mission of Buckland Equine Rescue   

Buckland Equine Rescue, Inc., affectionately known as BERI, is a non-profit public charity  located in Nicholas County, Kentucky. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate (when possible), retire or place for adoption viable horses which would otherwise be destroyed. We organize fund raising and educational events with a focus on advancing the  effectiveness of our rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption placement program. We also focus on raising public awareness of the benefits and challenges of horse ownership, the horse industry, and the relationship between horse and man throughout history. BERI events include promoting equine education and safety, equine based activities and education through traditional and historic recreation of equestrian events. BERI personnel are all volunteers. No one draws a salary, thus keeping the donation pool focused where it is most important -on the horses.

We spend time sweeping the local auctions looking for horses that are in crisis or danger of unnecessary destruction. Our volunteers have literally expended their own money to outbid the dreaded "killer-buyers" looking for quick, cheap purchases to then turn for a large profit on the now, unregulated slaughter market. Working through small auctions or lurking in

the back streets of race track stable areas, these 'businessmen' look for that injured racehorse that can no longer make the starting gate, or scavenge at racing farms, vying for the large number of younger horses that, although perfect for training in non-racing careers, couldn't make the cut for race track duty. Only 5% of the thoroughbreds born ever make the cut to achieve a racing career. They literally must race for their lives! The fate for these animals who don't make the mark is the long, hard, terrifying ride to Mexico for a brutal, inhumane, horrific end that defies description. We work with local officials and other equine organizations, as well as "just concerned" folks to attempt to identify and aid horses in Kentucky that may be having a difficult time or have reached a 'crisis point' in their living environment or life cycle.

BERI works very hard to rehabilitate those horses that we can take into our facility. Most of the horses that come to us carry mental as well as physical injuries. Everyone of the horses that end up here gets 'hands-on' attention - each day, EVERYDAY, 365 days a year. It is one of our tasks to identify the individual handicaps and formulate a program to bring each horse back,  or up to, a state of social adjustment that will allow them to be good horses in a new career. This effort to rehabilitate for a defined purpose sets us apart from most other equine rescue facilities who may not have the time or staff needed to carry out this time consuming, often extended project.

BERI also runs educational programs in the form of training sessions for our volunteer pool, many of whom have never been around horses before. The basics of understanding horse 'body language' and grooming, to more advanced education in topics such as parasite control and hands-on hoof care. This educational program is also being adapted to class sessions for new horse owners, looking for their first horse, but needing a good start in how to care for them. Our education outline extends to equine history as well, demonstrating how horses were an integral part of man's social and industrial development, and we work with other organizations to have competitions in these older forms of horsemanship. In the 'here-and-now', horseshows and fun events ranging from trail rides to arena classified division championships are scheduled. Our thought is that any group can rescue a horse, and give a safe home -but to save the horse, give his or her dignity back, teach them a new skill and then find them a new home with the love and joy they need -that's the ultimate outcome we strive for. Every horse adopted gives us space to save another!

If you think it through,  every horse adopted really saves TWO!

The People of Buckland Equine Rescue

BERI is about horses. It is also about people. Our staff is dedicated to the mission we have outlined. From our MOST important resource -our  volunteers; to our Advisory Committees and our Board of Directors, BERI is always working to have the best talent and most experienced people we can find to compliment our mission, and we're ALL volunteers.

Here is a (hopefully always current) roster of those folks:

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

C. Christopher Takacs, President

Melody "Buffy " Muir, Secretary and Treasurer

Edward Jett, Vice President

Michelle Joan Jett, Vice President, West Coast Public Relations

THE OPERATING STAFF AT BUCKLAND EQUINE RESCUE

Facilities and Stable Management- Chris Takacs, Melody Muir, Cheryl McGahen

Director of Facility Volunteer Services -Cheryl McGahen

Director of Equine Adoptions -STAFF, but a director is TBA

Equine Rescue and Retrieval -Chris Takacs, Melody Muir

VETERINARY RESOURCES and SERVICES

Fleming Animal Hospital -Dr. David Gillam, D.V.M.

Hagyard Equine Institute -Dr. Walker Brown , D.V.M.

Harrison County Animal Hospital -Dr. Jacob Givens, D.V.M., Dr. David Grinstead, D.V.M.

Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital -Dr. Kevin Hyde, D.V.M.