A Horse Tale Open House
and Fundraiser on August 24
Refuge executive director Mike Grenier discusses the shelter’s goals and how Montrealers can help out
By Irwin Rapoport
Updated August 16, 2024
Important notice
Due to the recent flooding, the Secours AHT Rescue – A Horse Tale horse rescue fundraiser is rescheduled to Saturday, August 24.
Horses were among the first animals to be domesticated, and they have been living side-by-side with humans for millennia. Our history reaches back so far that we have ancient paintings in caves and carvings on rocks of horses once hunted and part of the scenery our early ancestors lived in.
Our shared history is a long and interesting one and, for many, it is a given that horses be considered as intelligent and sentient beings and treated with respect. They are indeed sentient and have a wide range of feelings and a sense of community. This is proven daily via herds of zebras and donkeys (asses) in Africa, wild horses in the United States, Canada and other countries, and the relationship between people and their horses.
We have not always treated horses and donkeys kindly and with respect. Fortunately, activists in Montreal and other cities have put in strenuous efforts to end the practice of horses being used to pull calèches/carriages on paved streets and forced to work on very hot days. We have seen the videos of their suffering, with some calèche horses collapsing in the extreme heat. Thanks to all who campaigned to end calèches in Old Montreal.
Our shared history is a long and interesting one and, for many, it is a given that horses be considered as intelligent and sentient beings and treated with respect.
Decades ago milk was delivered by horse-drawn wagons and some people can recall those days. We still have mounted police officers and their horses are housed and trained at the stables on Mount Royal.
Because we do not always treat horses nicely and in far too many situations, quite harshly, the work and efforts of centres that take in retired horses and rescue those who have suffered from serious neglect and abuse are crucial. They give horses a safe and loving place to live their lives in peace and happiness.
We are fortunate to have such a refuge close to Montreal in Vaudreuil-Dorion – Secours AHT Rescue – A Horse Tale– at 27 Murphy Road. Founded 11 years ago, the refuge occupies five hectares and will soon add another 100 hectares to permit the organization to take in more horses in need. Currently, there are 15 horses – three former police horses (Patriote, Sunny, and Goliath), three ex-calèche horses (Jesse, Zach, and Maya), and others from various situations. A Horse Tale has taken in a total of 16 ex-caleche horses, offering them a well-deserved retirement.
On August 17, A Horse Tale will hold a fundraiser from 11 am to 4 pm featuring photo opportunities with horses, kids’ games, hay rides, hot and cold refreshments, baked goods, and a craft corner. All are welcome and the funds raised will be greatly appreciated. Admission for adults is $10 and for kids, free. Should it rain, the event will be rescheduled for August 24.
Read A Horse Tale’s story on their web page, ahtrescue.org
Looking after 15 horses and ensuring the operation runs smoothly is no easy task and more than 100 dedicated volunteers are there to pitch in. One of those volunteers is NDG’s Clare Keays.
‘It is a blessing to be part of this community of volunteers and members pouring out their endless love to give these deserving horses a wonderful quality of life. Come join us won’t you, and be part of the healing.’
– Clare Keays, volunteer at A Horse Tale
“Since I was a young girl I’ve had a love for animals,” she said. “Why? I found when I let them into my world or they let me into theirs, they helped me to grow and be a better person. In 2015 I became a volunteer at A Horse Tale Rescue Ranch. It is a blessing to be part of this community of volunteers and members pouring out their endless love to give these deserving horses a wonderful quality of life. Come join us won’t you, and be part of the healing.”
The COVID pandemic has negatively impacted a great number of charities and this includes A Horse Tale, which is why donations are so vital. For example, hay costs $40,000 annually and the horses need constant medical care.
While the horses can lead peaceful and care-free lives, they also do their part to give back to the community via a variety of programs that include open houses, providing emotional support for people of all ages and situations, and allowing for more opportunities to interact with extremely intuitive and highly intelligent creatures.
The expansion plan will provide more space for the horses to roam, create new paddocks, upgrade a barn to serve as a modern stable and renovate other buildings to benefit the volunteers who put in long hours. The expanded refuge will make life all the better for the current horses on-site and allow them to take in new individuals.
Mike Grenier, A Horse Tale’s Executive Director, sat down with Westmount Magazine before the fundraiser for this Q&A:
WM: Could you tell us more about A Horse Tale, its accomplishments, and how it has expanded over the years?
Grenier: I truly believe our growth and success comes down to our three values: respect, inclusivity and family, for both horses and humans.
WM: How has the rescue impacted people’s lives and benefited the greater Montreal community?
Grenier: We are only 10 minutes from the island of Montreal and offer accessible and great opportunities for everyone to benefit from equine contact, whether through volunteering or simply visiting during our Open House events.
WM: Volunteers have been a key part of A Horse Tale’s success. How important are they and how can people sign up to pitch in?
Grenier: Volunteers are the heart of AHT. Without them, we would not be able to operate. In return, we provide a safe and empowering environment which enables each volunteer to help make a difference.
WM: Can you tell us about the individual horses and how they have reacted to life at the refuge? How do they greet newcomers?
Grenier: Each horse that has passed through our gates, has told us a story, a tale of their life. We offer a safe and loving environment, enabling each one to show us their true spirit.
‘[We] offer accessible and great opportunities for everyone to benefit from equine contact, whether through volunteering or simply visiting during our Open House events..’
– Mike Grenier, A Horse Tale’s Executive Director
WM: Can you provide more details about the expansion plan and the opportunity to provide a home for more horses?
Grenier: We are very excited about this growth opportunity, which will help us save more horses and support more humans. The journey ahead is exciting but will take a lot of help and financial support to make our dream come true.
Grenier: What goes into looking after a horse and providing support for volunteers?
Grenier: Horses are very large companion animals and need a lot of space for their care – indoors and outdoors. Challenging weather events year-round (+30 to -30) take a toll on our volunteers. But thankfully they keep working hard every day to give the best care possible. We are extremely fortunate for their dedication and devotion to our cause.
WM: In addition to the fundraiser on August 17, how can people help out to ensure that operations continue and that the refuge can expand?
Grenier: AHT always welcomes donations throughout the year as our operations are year-round. Our needs are only met through the generosity of our donors. The more you give, the more we can help. Please visit our website ahtrescue.org to learn about giving. Either one-time donations or monthly horse sponsorships are welcomed.
Here is a video taken by The Gazette about the refuge:
Secours AHT Rescue – A Horse Tale
Open House and Fundraiser
August 17 from 11 am to 4 pm (rescheduled to August 24)
27 Murphy Road, Vaudreuil-Dorion
Images: courtesy of Secours AHT Rescue – A Horse Tail
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Irwin Rapoport is a freelance journalist with Bachelor’s degrees in History and Political Science from Concordia University.
Thank you Irwin for this article. Horses are wonderful creatures and so deserving of kind treatment. The police horses on the mountain are beautifully cared for but the same could not be said for Montreal’s caleche horses. The fight to get them off the streets began in the late 80’s and continued until the recent ban. Thanks must go to Project Montreal, Mayor Plante and the two councillors responsible for the dozier – Sterling Downey and Craig Sauve. It was a fantastic win — for the horses and for all of those who care deeply for their humane treatment.