For Julie Whipkey, owner/operator of Hoofprints & Angel Wings Rescue* in Graysville, it all started with a Penny – a pony named Penny, that is – gifted to Julie by her grandfather.
Julie was a small child of three when she received Penny, a red and white Paint who lived to a ripe old age, due in no small part to Julie’s loving care throughout the years. Since that time, Julie says, “Horses have been a huge part of my life.”
At thirteen, Julie saved her money and bought her first auction horse at Hickory Auction in Hickory, PA – “a beautiful buckskin quarter horse I called Honey.” Unbeknownst at the time, Julie had gotten a two-for-the-price-of-one deal with her $500; the following year, Honey gave birth to a palomino colt that Julie named Dream Boy.
“Dream Boy became my aunt’s trail partner, and Honey was my best friend…we made some great memories over the years.” Both of these horses, like Penny, lived to a ripe old age.
Despite the distractions and responsibilities that adulthood brings, Julie never lost her passion for horses, especially when it came to saving them from an untimely demise.
“I knew about the horse slaughters, but I hadn’t realized how bad it was,” Julie relates. After she started researching the subject, she decided she needed to be a part of the solution. With mentoring from some “really amazing advocates,” Julie was able to launch Hoofprints & Angel Wings, saving Jill, the first rescue, in 2016.
The United States had horse slaughtering plants up until as recently as 2007, when they were finally closed by State Stature (1). Despite this positive measure, however, unwanted horses are still being shipped out of the country for slaughter (to Canada and Mexico).
“Horse advocates are trying to get a law passed, known as the SAFE Act [Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act], to prevent horses from being shipped [out of country] for slaughter,” Julie says.
In 2016 alone, 114,091 horses were shipped to slaughter. In 2023, the number had declined to 17,997, which Julie believes directly results from rescues and sanctuaries.
Horses that populate the shipping lots are senior horses, or horses of all ages suffering from common ailments like navicular disease (a degenerative condition of the hoof), arthritis, or heaves (a respiratory disease similar to asthma in humans). Many of these horses, after some TLC from people like Julie, could live out their remaining years in relative health in ppeaceful environments.
“The horses deserve a better life, and we are trying to give them that,” Julie remarks.
Hoofprints & Angel Wings Rescue currently provides permanent sanctuary to twelve horses, with another horse due to arrive in mid-April.
As most of the rescues arrive underweight and in dire need of medical care, Julie arranges visits from an equine dentist, a farrier, and a veterinarian to assist with the daunting task of rehabilitation.
When donation and/or raffle funds fall short, Julie, who works full time at the hospital, dips into her own finances to cover these very necessary visits, as well as for the cost of feed and other expenses.
Hoofprints & Angel Wings Rescue obtained a 501c3 nonprofit status in 2022, which means that donations are now tax-deductible.
“We have changed so many horses’ lives!” Julie exclaims. So many so that Hoofprints & Angel Wings motto has become Where We Make Comebacks Stronger Than Setbacks.
It’s not just the horses’ lives which improve, either.
“Our precious equines have changed a lot of [human] lives over the years,” Julie reflects. “Horses have a sensitivity to human feelings, and equine therapy can be a very effective treatment [adjunct] for people suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, autism, and stress. We have several individuals whose lives have been changed by grooming, feeding, or just talking to the horses.”
Hoofprints & Angel Wings is open to the public by appointment only. However, the rescue offers annual events like Halloween in the Barn (October date TBA) and Santa in the Barn (December date TBA). New events coming this summer include Meet & Greet at the Rescue: Hawaiian Style slated for June 8 from 12pm-3pm (admission is free!) and Kids’ Day at the Barn scheduled for July 27 from 11am-3pm ($5 per child, which includes lunch and a gift bag). Birthday parties can be booked from spring through fall, and volunteer opportunities are always available!
“Volunteers can come out and help groom and care for the horses,” Julie says. “Folks can meet the horses and learn how we care for each one individually.”
“Running a rescue isn’t easy, and it’s very costly. It has its tears, and it has its smiles. But,” Julie says with a gleam of passion in her eyes, “I promise to love and care for each of them until their last breath.”
To keep up with the latest news and events, as well as view the dramatic before-and-after photos of the rescues, follow the Hoofprints & Angel Wings Rescue page on Facebook! If you’re not on Facebook but wish to learn more and/or book an event or private visit, you may call 724-428-4689.
*Hoofprints & Angel Wings Rescue is a separate organization from the similarly named Angel Wings Horse Rescue owned/operated by Barbie McMinn of Jefferson.
