Tender Mercy Equine Rescue, a 501(c)3 rescue organization located in Middleport, will be participating in the second annual National Rescue Ride on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Darien Lake State Park.

The ride is a nationwide event created to bring equine enthusiasts, their friends and their families together across the country to show support for all the hard work done by their local rescues.

Amy Stockman, the head of TMER, stresses that you don’t need a horse to participate.

“Last year, we had an amazing number of people who brought their horses to the park for the ride, but it’s not required,” she says. “It’s a walk as well; people are more than welcome to come on foot to join us to walk the trails, too.”

The fundraiser is one of TMER’s largest of the year, and all the funds raised by participating walkers and riders go directly back into the care of their horses.

They currently have a number of horses, many of whom are up for adoption. Stockman also stresses that adopting a rescue horse can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a lifetime; it’s the chance to share your life with a very special creature.

Those creatures are horses like Shame, an approximately 11-year-old quarter horse who gets along well with other horses and is looking for someone to put him back to work as a trail horse.

They’re also going to be looking for sponsors and a future home for one of their newest arrivals, Chief. The gelding was badly emaciated when he came to TMER, but has since been putting on weight and showing all of his personality.

She’s also looking for sponsors for some of their other horses - horses like Dell, a thoroughbred from Long Island who is undergoing repeated chiropractic adjustments to help keep him comfortable and sound. Dell will also be looking for a new home, with a family that can appreciate him for the handsome, talented guy that he is.

“Their ability to trust again is amazing, especially after all they’ve been through,” says Stockman. “A little tender loving care goes a long way - many of these horses just want to know that they’re safe, and no one’s going to hurt them again. That’s the environment I’m honored to provide here.

“It’s an amazing amount of work, but it’s worth it every time I see a horse that goes from being frightened of a human voice to standing at the gate waiting for some attention and some treats. Once they’re comfortable, you really get to see their personalities begin to flourish - and that’s an incredible thing.”

Since 2001, TMER has been saving horses and changing lives. To date, they have had more than 100 abused, neglected and abandoned horses come through their doors and go on to find new, loving forever homes.

“All of our horses are special to us,” Stockman says. “They all have their own personalities, and they all have their own stories that we’ll never forget. We love getting updates on how they’re doing, hearing their new stories and seeing pictures of them in their new homes. It’s getting emails and phone calls like that, that really makes my day.”

Stockman is hoping that, like last year, some of her placement families will bring their horses to the ride. And that’s just one of the things that made last year’s National Rescue Ride such a success.

“It’s not often I get to see so many of our horses under saddle and doing so well,” Stockman says. “I just hope we can repeat that this year.”

To register for the ride, visit www.nationalrescueride.org.

For more information on TMER including horses that are available for adoption, visit tendermercyrescue.com.

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