A crooked sign marks the dirt road that takes you to a farm built on a dream. The sign reads Yukon Hill. Nothing special about the name, but make the turn and you will come to a place where the journey to save horses in need has created a special place for them to call home.
If you are lucky, you will be greeted by the owner as you pull into the barn. She is always eager to tell the story behind her dream of rescuing horses headed for slaughter. Founded in 2016 as a 501(c)(3), Hoofprint and Angel Wings is proof that with patience and hard work dreams do come true.
As founder Julie Whipkey gazes lovingly at what she has built over the years, she summarizes her dream, “These rescue horses are amazing, and being able to give them a second chance at life is truly my mission”
Grazing goats, roaming rabbits and happy horses fall under her gaze. Wife of Chris Whipkey and mother of three, Julie balances family life and work life while running a rescue farm where 12 horses and four mini horses are living their best life.
“Our first rescue was in 2016. Many of the horses were nothing but skin over bones. But with love and care, they are thriving and enjoying life here on the farm.” Julie is dedicated to each horse. This means an incredible amount of trust has to be built with each rescue.
The organization is blessed to have several supporters and volunteers helping to make her dream a reality. Sisters-in-law Nicole Whipkey and Jolene Headley are two such supporters. They have been with Hoofprints and Angel Wings since the beginning.
Along with their children, they help plan and coordinate big events and projects for the rescue. They also help in the hayfields and with feeding throughout the year. However, even with all this help, a rescue is expensive to operate. Hoofprints and Angel Wings needs close to $20,000 annually to run smoothly.
The process of saving a kill pen horse starts at an online auction. When buying on kill pen lots like Before the End of the Line, Julie goes to their Facebook page to see what horses are headed to slaughter. Horses who are neglected, abused, injured or simply forgotten are being sold to a processing plant unless someone like Julie steps in to save them.
According to Julie, “Purchase prices range from $800 to $2000. Then a buyer has to pay $400 to $600 to quarantine the rescue to avoid bringing diseases into the existing herd. In addition, hauling the horse home runs around $300 to $600 depending on where they are located.”
Each rescue needs to be vetted which means farrier care and a visit from an Equine Dental Technician. This step can be $300 to $500 depending on the condition of the horse, and this is just the first 60 days of their new journey.
Running a rescue also involves many behind the scenes expenses, such as property maintenance, fencing repairs, barn maintenance, liability insurance, as well as tractor, equipment, and fuel costs.
Fundraising is key to helping offset these expenses. Julie and her helpers put together events like Bingo in the Barn, Paint and Sips and other craft-related workshops. Birthday parties and individual or group visits are always welcome.
The next event is Halloween in the Barn, scheduled for October 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is a fun time for children to put on a costume and meet the horses. It also includes live music, raffle baskets, venders, food trucks, games and more.
Julie also offers $2.00 Tuesdays and $5.00 Fridays on the Facebook page because small gifts can make a huge impact. These funds help her rescue mission and the educational & community outreach therapy programs she has started like the Equine Therapy program.
This therapeutic program gives children, adults, and veterans hope, confidence and joy. Julie explained. “Our mission is to provide a safe loving home for horses while using the healing power of horses to change lives. The special bond between a horse and a human has the power to build self-esteem, reduce anxiety, ease stress and bring healing to minds and hearts. We believe in second chances for both horses and people.”
Celebrating 10 years this year, Julie encourages anyone interested in the rescue to visit Hoofprints and Angel Wings located at 247 Yukon Hill Road in Graysville to meet the horses, hear their stories and experience the connection. For more information and to learn about the available programs and upcoming events at the barn and how to donate to keep this dream alive, please follow Hoofprints and Angel Wings on Facebook.
