One look at her property and one thing is evident: While she may love all animals, Sue Kreutter is definitely a horse person. With a multitude of shedrow-style horse stalls situated throughout her back yard it would seem as if Kreutter runs a successful stabling business and perhaps gives horseback riding lessons.
That assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. The horses on Kreutter’s farm don’t earn her a penny. In fact she could probably afford to pay a second mortgage with the amount of money she spends on them.
Kreutter keeps them because these horses have no place else to go.
Officially formed in 2007 and attaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status later that year, Phoenix Rising Equine Rescue is the organization Kreutter formed in order to take in at-risk horses that were previously abused or neglected, in danger of being abused or neglected, slaughter bound, or horses whose owners were unable to continue caring for them due to job loss, divorce, or incapacitation.
Kreutter and her staff of volunteers care for and rehabilitate the horses until they are healthy enough to be adopted by a responsible owner. If the horses are unable to be rehabilitated enough to be ridden, then Kreutter gives them a permanent home at Phoenix Rising. Always a horse lover, Kreutter explained that in 1999 after seeing a similar organization in northern Connecticut, and realizing how big of a need there is for at-risk horses, she immediately knew she wanted to open Phoenix Rising.
“When I was growing up I had a horse and really grew to love them,” Kreutter said. “But after that I really didn’t have much to do with horses again until around 2000 when I put up the first stables and took in a few horses.”
What began as a small operation continued to grow as Kreutter began to realize just how many horses end up in bad situations once they’re no longer useful to their owners. As the number of stables on her farm grew, so too did the cost of maintaining the operation. By 2006, Kreutter knew Phoenix Rising needed to officially become a nonprofit organization.
“This has been nonprofit from the beginning,” Kreutter said, chuckling. “But people just feel more comfortable giving to an organization that is officially nonprofit rather than just giving money to some lady with a bunch of sick horses. Becoming nonprofit has certainly helped with donations, but we still need to come up with something a little more substantial in order to keep the organization supported.”
In the past, Kreutter has sought grants from various organizations such as the ASPCA, PetCo, and PetSmart, and has organized small fund-raisers such as bake sales and yard sales. While every little bit helps, she recently concluded that Phoenix Rising needs at least one major fund-raiser every year in order to sustain itself. So with the help of her next door neighbor and everyday volunteer, Lori Taylor, she has organized what they hope to be a successful, annual fund-raiser, the Phoenix Rising Country Music Jamboree which will be held at the North Stonington Fairgrounds on Oct. 4 from noon to 5 p.m. Featuring local country talent and a bluegrass band, the jamboree will also have entertainment for children, such as a clown, hay rides, and face painting, and will also have food and refreshments available.
“We’ve been trying to spread the word around town and we think there should be a pretty good turnout,” Taylor said. “We really need something like this to be a success; it would be good if we could do this again next year and keep it going.”
In addition to the Country Music Jamboree, Kreutter, with the help of her friend Bonnie Gauthier, have launched a jewelry line featuring glass and semiprecious stones which will benefit Phoenix Rising.
Now with 10 horses at Phoenix Rising, Kreutter said she’s on the farm from 5:15 to 7:15 a.m. before she goes off to work. As soon as she gets home she’s usually joined by one or more of her volunteer workers and spends another two hours caring for the horses before finally heading in for dinner around 8:30 p.m.
In addition to all the labor, Kreutter estimated that she spends upward of $2,500 per month for food and medical care of the horses. Coupled with the fact that she only receives around $10,000 a year in donations, Kreutter ends up spending around $20,000 a year, or close to $1,700 a month out of her own pocket. Yet one visit to her farm and you can see first-hand why she does it, as the horses, many of which would no longer be alive without her help, seem truly appreciative of their newer, more peaceful life. Kreutter knows the story of every horse on her property, and she’s more than happy to share them.
“Maverick is a pretty sad example,” Kreutter began. “He’s an Irish Draught horse and is at least 30 but we don’t know exactly how old he is so we just say he’s 30-something. He used to be a public riding horse but when he could no longer do that job he was put up for auction, and that’s a scary thing because a lot of those horses end up headed to the slaughter house…He was rescued from the auction by his former owner but she suffered a major illness and became unable to provide for Maverick’s special needs.
“When he arrived here, he was exhibiting signs of Cushing’s disease, was very underweight and also had clearly been abused, beaten around the face and ears. He also needed the services of a farrier and a dentist and needed routine veterinary care. It’s taken a long time for him to get used to being patted or scratched on his head and he still doesn’t like having his ears touched but he has gained all of his weight back and he’s really a wonderful horse. He has such a great temperament.”
Of the 10 horses she’s currently caring for, four have been rehabilitated and are currently up for adoption, including, Jiffy, a 10-year-old black standardbred gelding who has recovered from a racing accident, 5-year-old Penn, also a former racer, 9-year-old Laddie, and 20-year-old Bonnet, all capable of light riding and pulling a cart. It is Kreutter’s hope, and half the reason she started Phoenix Rising, that those horses can be adopted one day to a good home.
“There really is very little help out there for injured, sick, or old horses,” Kreutter explained. “A lot of these horses end up being slaughtered which is really such a cruel fate for such loyal and intelligent animals. Phoenix Rising may not be a huge operation but even if we’re able to make the life of one horse better, then it’s worth it.”
For more information or to volunteer/donate, go to www.phoenixrisingequinerescue.com.