A painfully thin feral horse grazes at Dungeness
on Cumberland Island.
Feral horses — especially the females — live a short, sickly life on Georgia’s largest barrier island, advocates say.
At least 150 feral horses roam Cumberland Island National Seashore. Tourist sites highlight them. Visitors seek them out for photos. Artists celebrate them in paintings. The combination of island mystique and equine charisma is hard to resist.
GERL is currently working on a project that aims to improve the quality of life for the horses of Cumberland Island. The island is not good for the horses and the horses are not good for the island.
The Georgia Equine Rescue League and Georgia Horse Counsel are dedicated to assuring that the health and conditions of the feral horses on Cumberland are brought up to legal standards. We are currently in litigation seeking to require the National Park Service to put a Management Plan in place that will provide adequate water and food, and to slowly transition the horses off the island to habitats more suited for equine (short-term and long-term).
In order to make a difference, we rely on the support of generous individuals and businesses in our communities. We would be most grateful if you would consider providing a donation that will ensure that this worthwhile project has a successful ending. Your support is critical to the completion of our latest project and we will gladly keep you updated regarding our progress.
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I just read your email newsletter about Fred. Thank you for the work you do, day after day, to give horses like him a new life, and your outreach programs that help people. Rescued horses rescuing people…
Please accept this donation in honor and memory of Paul Aloyisus Frevele, Jr., from “Gypsy”. “Thank you for giving me a place along my life’s trail!”
Please accept this donation I honor of Storm, Sherry Masaschi’s beloved mare. This mare and Sherry were partners for many years and Storm’s passing was unexpected. I hope that this donation will give Sherry some consolation.
The Hunter Family Charitable Trust began in 1964 with an initial deposit of $1,000 from my grandfather, Louis J. Hunter. Since that time trust investments have grown considerably over the years. Originally the trust was managed by my grandparents followed by my parents. After the death of my father in 1983 I became a trustee and have been responsible for the trust investments and the annual distribution of contributions. Soon I will be 79 years old, and as no one in our family is interested in managing the trust going forward, I have decided to close the trust by the end of this year. I have asked family members if there were any special organizations that they would like to receive a donation as this is our final year of operation. I am aware of the wonderful work that you do to rescue horses in Georgia, and based on my recommendation, enclosed is a donation to the Georgia Equine Rescue League in the amount of $5,000.
I am extremely thankful for all the opportunities I’ve been given by GERL. I have loved working with the horses and Ms. Patty. I’m especially grateful for being able to adopt my heart horse, West, who I love so much. I can’t wait to se what else I can achieve while working with GERL.
Ladies, I really cannot thank y’all enough for today It was absolutely amazing in so many ways. I cannot even put it in words. Please know that y’all are all welcome back at any point in time! Thank you, thank you thank you. https://www.faithetc.org
On behalf of Calvin Center Horses & Warriors, I'd like to thank all those who helped with the Camp Merrill Ranger event on Sept. 1-2. When we were approached with this need, I immediately thought of GERL and Patty. Sure enough, one message to Patty set the whole thing in motion. I don't know many details; but I did receive notice that the event went wonderfully, thanks to all of you who took part. Now that your focus is on working within the veteran community, you have to know what an impact this made. When one veterans group reaches out to another veterans group, it is understood that help will be there. For us to be able to make this happen, through GERL, was huge for us. Our veterans knew of the need, and they were so grateful to hear of the response.
Just a quick note to once again thank you and the whole GERL team for your generosity and kindness in supporting Calvin Center's Horses and Warrior program as well as the Calvin Therapeutic Program as a whole! The H&W program will quickly put the $1000.00 to use as support for the veteran participants, and well the BATHROOM--- THE BATHROOM!!!! will be a legacy gift for any and all who come to experience all of our wonderful programming !!! Your monies are not only helping us survive--but they are helping us DREAM, and that in itself is such a special gift. Thank you. I am working on finding a contractor to get some numbers in for the bathroom and will let you know something as soon as I know something. I will work on our other wish list items and send your way...
Kate Robbins Calvin Center Equestrian Director PATH Intl. Advanced Riding Instructor, CTRI PATH Intl. Workshop/Certification Faculty Evaluator and Mentor