A haven for horse
A haven for horse
By: Annis Cassells
“Donations have been down by half but are starting to pick up again,” she said. While the downturn has sent her searching for funds through grants and other sources, it doesn’t deter Totton-Martin.
“It’s my job to take care of the horses. It’s a passion for me,” she said.
No wonder. Her grandfather bred and trained Tennessee Walking horses in Bakersfield. Early on, he put her in the saddle in front of him, and by the time she was 3 years old, she was riding independently. “I had to have horses in my life,” she said.
Bit-O-Heaven relies heavily on volunteers for its day-to-day operation. Youngsters who came for lessons often stay on as volunteers. Working alongside Totton-Martin, they groom and care for the horses, gain skills, and learn responsibility and a valuable work ethic. “This can turn a person’s life around,” she explained. Those interested in veterinary can observe firsthand when veterinarian Dr. Arlena Pipkin of Panama Equine Hospital is on the ranch tending to horses’ medical needs.
Even the ranch foreman started out as a volunteer and has now worked with them for several years. Totton-Martin said, “He’s made life on the ranch so much easier.”
Equine residents come to Bit-O-Heaven for a variety of reasons. Often it is because owners no longer are able to take care of them. Abused, neglected, or abandoned horses come through the animal control agency. The ranch is a safe haven, a restorative place, for those horses that have reached advanced age and can no longer do their jobs in the performance ring or on farms and ranches.
Bit-O-Heaven gives its horses a new job, a purpose — teaching beginners how to handle horses and to ride. The lessons are one source of income supporting the rescue effort. Currently, two instructors and two junior instructors, who have been trained by Totton-Martin and other senior instructors, offer classes on Saturdays and Sundays.
Up until last year, there were enough funds for every horse to be on a well-horse program, which cost about $300 each. They received vaccinations, de-worming, and hands-on contact with Dr. Pipkin twice a year. “Now about half are on this program,” Totton-Martin said. “But, our other horses do receive limited well-horse treatment.”
Thanks to the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ vaccine donations to rescue facilities, the ranch has obtained enough vaccine for the rest of its horses.
How can our community help? Monetary donations are key. They allow for flexibility since the needs of the ranch vary daily. With 41 horses in residence, veterinary bills crop up unexpectedly and frequently. It’s not unusual that one or more horses that seemed fine one day require hospitalization or medical treatment the next. Some need pain medicine to cope with arthritis. Senior horses also require age-specific feed and treats, an expenditure of about $5,000 per month. The ranch could use a tractor and needs to replace a lawn tractor. Another important need is to have more volunteers who have a love of horses and a desire to help.
Bit-O-Heaven Ranch became a 501-C3 nonprofit corporation in November of 2006. Since then, businesses and private parties have stepped up to help. There’s also an annual BBQ fundraiser in May, and they operate a fireworks stand for the 4th of July. The ranch’s enclosed arena can be rented for parties and events.
However, this last year has been tough. The ailing economy and mortgage crisis have hurt. With the national ban on horse slaughter, more horses need rescuing, but decreased donations mean that the ranch cannot take them all. “We have a dozen on the waiting list right now,” Totton-Martin said.
She added, “No one at Bit-O-Heaven actually gets paid. From the CEO down to the manure movers, all work for the love of our beautiful horse family.”
Ranch information:
Bit-O-Heaven Ranch is located at 13453 Olen Ave., near Taft Highway and Enos Lane.
CEO and Owner Tracy Totton-Martin can be reached at 845-6252. Visit the website at bakersfieldhorselady.com.