Mission

From our original posts on WindChill’s Forum 8 March 2008 on our Mission and Vision for what would soon become the WindChill Legacy, Ltd.:

In short, we will be declaring war on neglect.

Our plan is multi-pronged to attack the issue at various levels:

1) Our goal is to stop situations like Windchill’s before they happen - hence the desire to create a fund to assist with gelding stallions. Working with veterinarians, among other possibilities, we hope to put a stop to the problem of unplanned (and often unwanted) foals by stopping it at its source.

Also, we’re eyeing stopping these situations at their source - we want to provide education to youngsters so that we can create positive action at the ‘roots’ that hopefully will carry forward to when they grow up. When my son was young he learned we stop at red lights. What they didn’t tell him was that we can turn at a stoplight after stopping and it was finally easier to stay stopped at red lights than listen to him from his car seat lecturing me on being safe and legal. Working with educators to create a presentation and program curriculum we hope to do the same with animal care.

2) If a suspected neglect case is brought to light - we want to have a formal response structure in place to be able to deal with the situation including consultation by a volunteer expert in the livestock being reported (i.e.,  equine, but potentially sheep, cows, llama, etc.). Our focus at this time will be equine but there are similar needs for other large animals. If a neglect case is confirmed - we want a network of rescue transports ready (people with trucks and trailers willing to assist in animal transport - sheriff’s departments are not funded for or equipped for this vital need). We also hope to develop a network of facilities/locations to bring the animal to and finally a network of volunteers ready to assist.

3) Development of an electronic resource network to bring together the resources above - and connect them up to a national network of caring people. One of the most amazing things that happened with Windchill’s rescue was God provided the resource we needed as we needed it. When we began to burn out - He gave us wonderful volunteers. We needed a sling and winch - He brought us the Aho Family of Cloquet. Whatever we needed and posted - somebody, somewhere had the answer. Nationally people were helping, sending material for Windchill’s leg wraps, coffee, hot cocoa, supplements, donations - a formerly cold, uncaring world became a family of individuals and companies who all contributed to the care of a little colt. And it was almost real time - we’d post the need and you responded. Now let’s do that nationally and come together to help each other do the same thing.   (This database is so essential and will always be a work in progress)

4) Stiffer penalties: We intend to pursue legislation that is more than a slap on the wrist to those that cause suffering, either through abuse or neglect (which we believe is a pretty thin line between the two). There are tougher laws in other states and we believe there should be a Windchill’s Law in Wisconsin. We will also develop resources for those wishing to pursue similar legislation/statutes in their own counties/States.

5) And lastly, on a personal level we will continue to create a Safe Haven at Raindance where we will continue to be a place for wayward equine souls to find refuge. Some will come to stay forever, perhaps too scarred to ever find another home for (we’ve already rescued and have several horses like that and Raindance has become their home) - some will come to find love and healing and when the time is right we will find new homes for them with somebody that loves and wants a horse just like that one. Unfortunately we’re limited by the 40 acres and so in time we may need to relocate but rest assured, we will continue to do our part to actively be a part of the solution.

We hope to start in Douglas County, WI and surrounding area (which has already expanded with assistance going to horses in MN and WI) to develop a model that can then be successfully deployed in any county across this nation.

Like Windchill taught us, we will be moving ahead with this step by step. Some agenda items are longer journeys than others. With your help, none of these things are unattainable. Nothing is impossible if we stand together. I think our friends at Fans of Barbaro showed us the power of a loosely networked group of individuals and how quickly - and powerfully - they can be when united by common purpose and goal. We hope you will all unite with us with The WindChill Legacy, Ltd. and become a part of it. We will hold ourselves to these ideals. It will not be a non-profit in name only, it will have a board of individuals from varying backgrounds and skill sets representing various organizations or ideas to ensure the organization has fresh ideas.

Kathi Davis

The WindChill Legacy, Ltd, Executive Director