September 10, 2010

Open House at Duchess Sanctuary

Take a rare behind-the-scenes tour of our sanctuary in Oregon for abused and abandoned horses

On Saturday, October 2nd, 2010, the Duchess Sanctuary for horses will be open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. This opportunity to visit is rare, as the sanctuary is not generally open to the public.

Guests can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the sanctuary and learn more about the special animals in residence—animals who have endured unimaginable hardships. Now, nothing is required of these creatures except that they eat well, drink from the ranch lakes, and bask in the sun.

We hope you'll join us to meet these beautiful horses and hear their stories. For directions, more information or to R.S.V.P., please call 541-459-9914 or e-mail: JKunz@hsus.org.

About Duchess Sanctuary

The 1,120 acre Duchess Sanctuary south of Eugene, Oregon was established in 2008 as a safe haven for 200 abused or abandoned horses. The first residents were mares and their offspring saved from Canadian farms that collect urine from pregnant horses to sell to pharmaceutical companies for estrogen replacement drugs.

Many of the elderly mares had spent six months of the year for decades confined in dark stalls, hooked up to urine collection devices and unable to turn around or lie down. Their foals were taken away at 3 months of age, some destined to join the urine-production line, and others sent to slaughter.

Now, nearly 200 horses call the Duchess Sanctuary home. Horses here have left misery behind and now spend their days grazing and running over green pastures, enjoying fresh air, sunlight, and the company of other horses.