Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding: MountainView Horse Rescue

Each week, Horse Nation teams up with Ovation Riding to spotlight an organization doing good work in the horse world. Today, we recognize MountainView Horse Rescue of New Tripoli, Pennsylvania.

This week’s honoree:

Mountainview Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit equine rescue organization located in southeastern Pennsylvania. Its mission is threefold: to rescue horses, to educate the public about inhumane treatment and horse slaughter, and to influence the passing of legislation concerning horse slaughter and animal welfare. Mountainview’s founder Laurie Boracchia-Wuchter kindly answered our questions about her work.

How did Mountainview get started?

When I was eight years old, I saw a story on the news about horse slaughter and inhumane treatment of horses in Mexico. It really stuck with me, and I decided I wanted to help save horses. When I was 13, I finally got a horse of my own, and the time I spent with him convinced me that I wanted to be the voice for horses and equine and to save them from slaughter.

I’m also a cancer survivor. Around 2010, I saw a mare that I knew I needed to save. I looked at my husband and said, “if we don’t do this now, we won’t do it at all.” We bought the mare and brought her home, and soon she was followed by many more.

Now we have our 501(c)(3) status and we’re an established rescue.

Tom Reilly, who arrived at the sale barn on a trailer full of pigs. Photo courtesy Laurie Boracchia-Wuchter.

So you’re keeping your horses at home, on your own farm? Tell us more about your facility.

Yes. We have 14 acres of our own where we keep horses… and donkeys, and mules, and goats, and dogs and other animals that needed saving. We’re also lucky enough to have a neighbor who lets us use seven of her acres, and she’s actually building a barn on the property for our use. She believes so strongly in the work that we do. We are truly blessed to have her.

We also foster out one or two horses at a time on other farms with people I know. It depends on the individual horse’s situation.

Tom Reilly in his current condition. Photo courtesy Laurie Boracchia-Wuchter.

Where do the horses come from? Mostly from the New Holland sale?

We buy a lot from the auction, but we’ve also had horses surrendered to us. I’ve driven up to other towns to pick up horses and ponies that someone’s saved from a bad situation. I do whatever I can to get the horses safe. Sometimes I can save a horse from the auction and place him right away — that’s really ideal.

We do adopt some horses out, or permanently foster them. We take every horse as an individual case. We do have a lot of “lifers.”

Where does your funding come from?

A lot of it is out-of-pocket. I work very hard to be able to support the farm and the rescue. We do thrive on donations as well; we especially get a lot of donations around Christmas which we really appreciate. We also hold lots of local fundraisers — our next big fundraiser is a Chinese auction at the Lehigh Valley Flower Show on March 11 through 13.

Tom Reilly and his pasturemate Pearl. Photo courtesy Laurie Boracchia-Wuchter.

Do you operate with a lot of volunteers?

I have to publicly thank my husband, who is extremely helpful and does a lot of work around the farm. I always joke that our new driveway and our new pool are out grazing in the pasture. He’s sacrificed so much to let me live my dream of helping horses in need. We’ve also got a great crew of volunteers who help with horses during the week as well.

Anything else we should know?

We are working with our Representatives, Charlie Dent and Michael Schlossberg, to support the passing of the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (or SAFE Act). This would stop the exportation of horses to Mexico and Canada for slaughter. We have a petition started on Change.org which anyone can sign as well.

Rescued horses grazing at MountainView. Photo courtesy Laurie Borrachia-Wuchter.

If you’d like to learn more about Mountainview Horse Rescue or make a donation, please visit the rescue’s website. You can also get regular updates from MHR via Facebook.

Many thanks thanks to Ovation Riding for their support of both Horse Nation and individuals and organizations that are doing good work in the horse world. If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post. Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to [email protected]. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.