Karina and her crew have been providing for horses in need for many years and have many success stories to show for it. A fellow rescue that we brainstorm with and support in many ways. They are in it for the long haul.
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what this rescue does for horses in it's care is amazing. the love and care that these horses get is well worth mentioning!
working at Tearsong's has been wonderful for me. I love the horses, and the people that work with them do an amazing job!
I have worked alongside my sister, Esther Rousseau, at Tearsong's and have loved every minute of it. The people are great and the horses are so sweet.
I met Karina Benish, rescue founder, sometime in 2007. I leased a horse from her. Then one day in 2008 she got a phone call while with me, hanged up (if you can hang up a cell phone) and lamented that the boarding facility where she's been keeping her rescue horses is shutting down so she has 30 days to find a new place for them and "Where am I going to find a place?! Everything is still full after the fires ...". We live in San Diego and huge amount of farmland and number of barns burnt in 2007. I looked at quite distressed Karina, pondered for a moment and then grinned ear to ear and said "Dear, drive with me". I just happen to own some rental property in Ramona and previous owner used to have horses and left some corrals behind. So I drove Karina there and asked "Will it do? Just keep your horses here, board free" to which she replied, with her mouth open, "Are you s********* me?!!!", I told her nope, all yours. we signed an agreement for 6 months, she moved her horses there, I watched what she does, then I signed it for another 6 months, watched some more and then I just told her keep your horses there as long as you need to - as long as I own the place, they have a home there.
She's a good neighbor - she keeps an eye on my tenants, keeps the place clean, waters my trees, planted new trees and flowers ... And I watch what she does with the horses. They come emaciated, scared, sick, pregnant, hurt and/or angry and transform within months. I saw an OTTB come to the rescue with a bleeding quarter crack in his hoof, angry and vicious and couple of weeks later I watched that horse turn into a puppy dog, laying flat on the ground and having snoring naps. I was there when Karina took him out for the first time since he was off the track. That horse has never been out on a trail and it was amazing to watch how he completely trusted that woman - things were scary and he'd huff and puff but never bolt, she just explained what it was, dismount if needed, led him through such scary things as asphalt or over a log ... He'd just sniff it and go because she had asked him so it was OK. Then I watched that horse go for a walk with her, she kind of let go of the reins walking and he followed her like a dog for over a mile. Mind you, this was his first time OUT in a real world. He's a sugar plum now, my 7yo daughter's favorite horse to visit, pet and feed carrots to.
Karina's mission is to take in horses that have behavioral issues, are hurt or pregnant and given sufficient treatment, training or time can be restored to useful lives and adopted out to new homes, where they can have "a job". She strictly adheres to that rule and picks the adoptive owners right - to date she only had one horse returned to the rescue and it was because of financial straits. Young horses, for example foals born to rescued mares, are adopted out only after they are fully grown and trained to ride. So yes, horses stay at the rescue for as long as they need before they are ready to go to a new home.
T.E.A.R.S is a outstanding, I had the opportunity to help out. If I lived closer to Ramona I would honor to help them more. Horses are so full of love and kindness, Donovan was the horse that I was able to work with at my time there. He super sweet and spirited. I learned a lot of about horses and also was able to give back by help caring for them and clean up. Working as volunteer gave me a way to give back and I hope on day I can go back and help out again.
Several months ago I decided that I wanted to do something with horses, make them part of my life, and eventually work with them in some way. So I went online and looked to see if there were any volunteer opportunities close by, and then I found Tearsong's. Since the first day I have had only AMAZING experiences and an even greater need to make horses a part of my life. I come from a big family and the majority of my siblings have special needs in some way, I take them to the rescue once a week with me to help clean and feed, and they LOVE being there with the horses; petting them, talking to them, learning all their names. Every week we go to Tearsong's, and every week they still ask if we're going, just to make sure that we are. Tearsong's is an amazing rescue with amazing people, and I can't wait until I can get a more part-time job so I can volunteer more!
WOW... that is all I can say! My experience with this rescue IS phenominal!! I have volunteered for many years...and each year they continue to educate the public and veterinary students... hold gelding clinics.. they are even trying to get a euthanasia clinic together because the community says there is a need for low cost avenues for ending a life that is in pain. The founder really wants to be of service to the local horse community.. and I can tell you... the gelding clinics are amazing! I am so proud to be able to help in my small way!
As a board member, I can honestly state that this corporation is the most concerned with transparency of actions, quality of care for the horses in its charge, education of the pulbic and professionals, and ensuring complete compliance with government regualtions. It is the integrety of this organization that keeps me volunteering my time to enable it to continue supporting the community and horses!
I have been in veterinary medicine for over a decade and T.E.A.R.S is by far the most outstanding rescue I have ever worked with. Their outpouring of support to the local community make me the proudest supporter and volunteer!
Wonderful treatment of the horses. Every horse will come to the fence to be petted.. they encourage community involvement for getting projects completed... this weekend they are having a workday and I am going.. it is always fun and the rescue feeds us lunch if we work all day!
This non-profit is very active in the community. They hold low cost gelding clinics twice a year, teach veterinary technician students how to treat horses, educate the public on lots of subjects... The horse are all very well cared for and are just love bugs!!! This place is peaceful and a GREAT place to volunteer!!!