Blue Horse Rescue

Peaceful Morning at

Blue Horse Rescue Rabiah Seminole

About

Rabiah Seminole My name is Rabiah Seminole. I live in Chase City, Virginia. I am the Founder/Director of Blue Horse Mukwa Equine Retirement and Rescue Center. We are a 501 c 3 non profit organization that has been going strong since 1999. We are the permanent home to 40 horses. We also rescue dogs and rehome them to suitable families.

My photography is an outlet for me.

There is an enormous amount of stress involved in rescue work and this is one way I can relax. I was an art instructor in a private school for 5 years and loved to paint and draw.

But with the very limited amount of time I have, my camera has become my best friend. I use a Nikon Cool Pix that was a gift from a friend. I use it daily, and whenever a chance presents itself, I snap a shot.

All of the proceeds from my photos will go to the rescue. We use 5200 bales of hay a year and 120,000 pounds of grain. Not to mention vet, farrier and other expenses. So everytime one of my images sell...it is helping us to continue our work...Nice to meet you, hope you enjoy my photographs..

The Big Girls

Beautiful Dreamer

The Blue Horse Mukwa Equine Retirement and Rescue Center is a big part of your life and your photography, When did you first start the rescue and why I started Blue Horse Mukwa Equine Retirement and Rescue Center officially in 1999. I saw a great need for placement of horses that had reached the end of their careers or deemed passed their prime by their owners. There were also horses that were neglected and abused that needed to be cared for.

I love horses and always have. My first horseback ride was at age 3 and I was hooked. I have had horses throughout my life. I got a horse 15 years ago that I was boarding at a facility. I saw horses there that were not being really treated with what I considered love and gentleness. I bought a farm and moved my horse to our new home. He needed a pasture mate , I took in a little mare that was lame, her owners were going to put her down because they could no longer use her..The rest is history. "If you build it, they will come."

Do you have a favorite horse I love all of the horses here, each one has a distinct personality. As far as a favorite, it is Gitchie. He is the one that started it all.He is 31 years old now and going strong!!

Storm

Your horse photography is displaying a deep respect for these animals, are the sales of these images your main source of funding for the horse rescue All the proceeds from the sales of any of my photographs that I receive goes directly to the animals here. It is not the main source but every penny goes to them. We are funded through the donations of folks that wish to help us continue our work. We are a non profit organization (501 c 3) so folks may get a tax deduction when they donate to us.

We have done Native American Flute concerts with Jeff Ball to raise funds, we do videos, open houses etc. I am hoping that my photographs will touch folks enough that they will purchase them , knowing that they are helping to feed, shelter and care for the horses here. Â What is the cost of caring for a single rescue horse in an average year We use 5200 bales of hay a year with an average cost of 5.00 per bale and 60 tons of grain. It runs about 60,000.00 a year just for feed and hay. Then we have farrier fees, vetting and maintenance of the facility.

Hitch

If someone wants you to take a horse for rescue, what would they need to do and how can they contact you We do have a process for "taking" a horse that someone has, that they no longer can care for or that they do not want, they have to provide health records etc.

We also have to have the room and currently we are full. We have 40 horses here and unless there is an emergency situation where a horse is in danger of neglect or abuse, we have a waiting list.

We do help people that cannot or do not want to keep a horse any longer try to place them with another reputable rescue or home. If we have the space we will consider the unwanted horse. The last thing we want is for a horse to end up at auction where they may go to slaughter . We do everything in our power to make sure that does not happen.

Have all the horses you take in getting a forever home with you Horses that come here are here for life. We are a sanctuary. Most of the horses that do live out their lives here have come from pretty bad situations. We have had horses that have been starved, burned and really abused . It takes time to rebuild trust and for the horse to become part of its new herd.

Healing is so important and once they are healed they feel secure and safe within their new surroundings. We think all horses are beautiful whether they are lame or blind they still have a life to live. Quality of life is important and as long as they are safe and happy and loving life, they have a home here.

The Old Boy

by Rabiah Seminole

You also care for dogs within the rescue, what is this old boys story This old boy walked up my driveway. He was skinny,covered in ticks and exhausted. He was a cast off after hunting season. I took this photograph of him, after he had had a meal, a drink of water, ticks removed and he laid his head down to rest. I think people forget that all creatures need and deserve those things, and it is cruel to leave any animal to starve or die of exposure. He was about 12 years old and is still hanging in there.

You have an exhibition of your images soon My exhibition ''Photos for a Cause" is scheduled for Feb11-March 11 2014 at the MacCallum Moore Gardens in Chase City, Va. It is a fund raiser for mythe rescue and for the gardens . The reception is Feb 16th.

Recently I was involved in an exhibition that benefited my rescue and Hospice care. It is exciting to do outreach and know that my work can help.

Ms.America

by Rabiah Seminole

Into the mist

by Rabiah Seminole

Big Cherokee

by Rabiah Seminole

Rowdy

by Rabiah Seminole

Old is Beautiful

Some of your animal photography is showing immense compassion and empathy for the plight of the abandoned and unwanted, combined with the relief of finding a kind home. are there many cases that you just cannot help.

I hope that my work does show compassion for those that have been cast aside and will bring awareness to what unfortunately is caused by human beings. We can all make a difference, by not turning away. To me, those that turn away from abuse or neglect are as guilty as the one inflicting the abuse. We save as many as we can and have had a great success rate. But there are some that are so far gone that all we can do is offer them honor, dignity and respect and show them love and make sure that they are humanly euthanized by a veterinarian.

Do you ever photograph the animals that are first with you showing fear or poor condition I always record the condition of the horse/ dog upon arrival for our records. It is amazing to watch the transformation through photos of a horse or dog and see how their eyes show peace instead of fear or suffering after they have gotten the care they need and deserve.

Whose out there

Would you say that your photography is a safety release from the sometimes very emotional stressful events that can happen during the day to day running of a rescue/ retirement home Most definitely, It has become a major stress relief for me. I use to paint and draw, but do not have anytime to do that anymore. My camera has become my paint brush and I love it. I keep it with me everywhere I go and would love to be able to do more with it.

What is your ideal photographic equipment .. and what are you using now Right now I am using a Nikon Cool Pix P510.

It is a nice camera. I would love to have one with interchangeable lenses for really more detailed close ups . I was given this camera as a gift. I cannot afford to buy what I would like to have, everything goes to the animals !

Dusk

chickory

Have you formally studied photography, if yes where and what level of qualification did you achieve No I have never formally studied photography. I have studied art and taught art at a private school.

Who from the masters of art or photography is your biggest influence within your images.

There are so many incredible photographers and artist in this world. I love the artist Georgia O'keefe and her study of flowers. I love Ansel Adams and his use of light. It would be unfair to try and pick a modern day photographer .. there are so many talented and gifted people with vision. I love seeing what they see and trying to look at things from a different angle.

Rabiah Seminole Founder/Director Blue Horse Mukwa Equine Retirement and Rescue Center www.bluehorsemukwa.org rabiah-seminole.artistwebsites.com

Rabiah Seminole Chase City, Va - United States All The Materials Contained May Not Be Reproduced, Copied, Edited, Published, Transmitted Or Uploaded In Any Way Without the artist/photographers Permission. These Images/writings Do Not Belong To The Public Domain. All images and information within the Garden Tripod magazine are the responsibility of the owner/artist/writer/photographer & not the Garden Tripod magazine 2012-2013