DAYS END FARM HORSE RESCUE

Arabber – a street merchant who sells fruits and vegetables from the back of horse drawn carriages. That is the official definition of the group of entrepreneurs that since the 1800’s found a way to make a living in the streets of many east coast cities. Through the years due to permitting laws, many cities saw the disappearance of this trade. In fact, with the turn of a key that started the automobile many horses usefulness was no longer. However, Baltimore maintained several stables and throughout the years it became a historical part of this city, more some say, for its novelty than its need.

A history with Days End Farm Horse Rescue and the Arabbers started on August 9th 1995. As Days End Farm Horse Rescue was founded in 1989 we quickly began to help many counties with horse abuse cases in those earlier years. We provided the agencies’ with training and helped them with on-site investigations. Baltimore City Animal Control asked Days End to come in and help with one such investigation that August. We saw first-hand a part of the horse industry that was stuck in the past, much like the traditions they grasp to hold onto.

The horses stood tied in small manure and urine filled stalls 24/7. They didn’t have free access to water; they had poor quality hay to eat. The horses didn’t receive proper farrier or veterinary care and followed old remedies such as giving the horses beer to treat colic. Yet, in most cases, it was a lack of education among the Arabbers themselves that was a cause for the improper care of their horses. Days End worked with the Arabbers to improve the living conditions. Yet, it was the condition of buildings themselves that was the main cause of their poor quality of life. Some of the buildings were infested with rats, had numerous fire hazards, had many code violations and in many cases were literally falling apart around the horses.

Two years ago the stable on Retreat Street was condemned and Days End was asked to help move the horses to a temporary location at Laurel race track, then to a temporary area in at Pimlico race track and then ultimately assisted the Arabbers with moving them to tents under a bridge in Baltimore City. Along the way we have brought in farriers to trim the horses’ feet, took in two starvation cases and advised on ways to improve the horses’ care. This past fall, Days End was called upon again to help the Arabbers as they were being forced by the city to move from the intended temporary tents, which now had become two years. The horse’s were homeless and needed Days End once more.

We brought the horses to our farm, bringing us to a record number of 83 horses under our care. We were being contracted by the Humane Society of the United States, who paid for the care for the horses and ultimately will be reimbursed by Baltimore City. This allowed our donor dollars to continue to support the other horses in our care. We extended our hours and our volunteers came out to help. The horses finally got the farrier and vet care they needed over the following months. Most of all, the horses got turned out into fields with other horses. We got to witness their happiness as they ran and played. We watched as they grazed, rolled and took a nap in the sun. We groomed them and treated their thrush. We have shown them exceptional care over the past five months.

The Arabber horses are different than most of the horses we get at Days End in that they are wanted by their owners. During the time the horses have been with us these owners, the city of Baltimore, Days End Farm and the Humane Society of The United States have been working to find a solution for these homeless horses. Now after much talking, it has been determined that the horses will return to their owners, however the Arabber Horses cannot be released until the agreement is also signed and approved by the City’s Board of Estimates. It's possible that we will know more within the next few weeks. The final agreement is being worked out and we know they will have contractual conditions that will ensure that the horses continue to receive the care they are currently getting. The Arabber’s will attend a course on horse care and will be required to show receipts of care and will have their horses in a Maryland licensed stable, that will be subject to routine inspections during the duration of the contract.

Days End will continue to help these horses in any way possible. As the crisis of the unwanted horse continues to grow in the United States we hope the Arabbers can find a way to continue their long routed tradition with their horses, while modernizing their care for them at the same time. Again, we want to thank all of our volunteers for their time and dedication. We understand that many of you have fallen in love with some of these horses and we share your concern for their future. Together we can help show our support by continuing the mission of Days End, “ensuring quality care and treatment of horses through intervention, education and outreach.”