The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA) on River Road in Windham is an equine rescue organization that has been in existence for 152 years and enters 2025 poised to continue its mission of caring for horses and other equines in desperate need of assistance.
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| The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals in Windham is an equine rescue organization that has been in existence for 152 years and cares for horses and other equines in desperate need of assistance. PHOTO BY MOLLY MCMAHON |
Peg Keyser, MSSPA advancement director, says quarantined animals are cared for in the front left pasture of the MSSPA building. Other than through seizure, horses also come to the MSSPA after being surrendered due to them not being able to care for the horses any longer or their spouse has passed, or they are getting along in life, and are no longer as youthful. These horses are accepted on a case-by-case-basis.
Keyser said that during an intake exam a horse is meticulously quarantined immediately, and the veterinarian then assesses the health and needs of the horse to restore the horse to a healthy and thriving state.
“During the exam, blood is taken, shots are given, as well as care of teeth and hoof care, oftentimes routine care that had been neglected,” Keyser said.
A refeeding program is started immediately by incrementally increasing the amounts to reintroduce food, which is often a primary issue when a horse is rescued. Additionally, supplements are introduced, and a plan of care is formulated for each horse. During daily feeding times, each horse has a separate bin with specific supplements that particular horse was prescribed by the veterinarian.
“After 28 days, and once the horse is current and up on their shots, they are slowly integrated into the quarantined, resident herd,” Keyser said. “Once surrendered, or upon title of ownership has been finalized through the courts, with 99 out of 100 percent finalized, a retraining process begins for the preparation of the adoption process.”
In the entryway to the MSSPA building, there are before-and-after photos of each equine and their names. The whole picture of care, detailed, dedicated nurturing each animal receives at MSSPA is a testament to their good work and the horse’s rescue for life., Keyser said.
Whether it is adopted or not, the horses will live out their lives on this property being cared for by one or more of the 180 volunteers that are currently giving of their time to MSSPA.
Those horses who successfully are paired with owners for adoption are also looked out for life, with yearly inspections and forms to be completed. Once rescued, the MSSPA never lets the horse fall through the cracks, Keyser said. They want that horse to be cared for, comfortable, and to be loved for the rest of their lives.
Keyser said the first step to adoption for a MSSPA horse is the actual adoption application. What happens next is the process of being a good match.
She said that you would want a more advanced rider with a more advanced horse, and a beginner rider with a more beginner horse.
Some horses are not meant for riding at all, so these horses would be matched to be companions to the adopter’s horse. Perhaps their other horse dies and their remaining horse needs company. Keyser called these “pasture pets.”
After the matching process is complete, a meet-and-greet is conducted with the potential adopters and the horse that has been picked as a good potential match. Then a MSSPA staff member goes to the owner’s property in order to inspect the conditions that the horse will be kept in to ensure a safe environment, with proper fencing and shelter.
Just as in the beginning when the MSSPA was formed in 1872 to protect horses who pulled the streetcars and fire engines, the MSSPA continues to protect and devote its resources to the preservation and protection of horses.
Visitors will find it to be a true pleasure to see the horses happy in their stalls eating their dinners, seeing the volunteers working hard, and to hear about the future MSSPA barn and plans for the future.
You can visit on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays by reserving a one hour time so that you can have a tour at the MSSPA facility at 279 River Road in Windham. To arrange a time to visit, call 207-892-3040.
To donate to help MSSPA continue to care for seized or neglected equines, send a check to MSSPA, P.O. Box 10, Windham, ME 04063.
For further information about MSSPA, visit them online at https://www.msspa.org/ <
Keyser said that during an intake exam a horse is meticulously quarantined immediately, and the veterinarian then assesses the health and needs of the horse to restore the horse to a healthy and thriving state.
“During the exam, blood is taken, shots are given, as well as care of teeth and hoof care, oftentimes routine care that had been neglected,” Keyser said.
A refeeding program is started immediately by incrementally increasing the amounts to reintroduce food, which is often a primary issue when a horse is rescued. Additionally, supplements are introduced, and a plan of care is formulated for each horse. During daily feeding times, each horse has a separate bin with specific supplements that particular horse was prescribed by the veterinarian.
“After 28 days, and once the horse is current and up on their shots, they are slowly integrated into the quarantined, resident herd,” Keyser said. “Once surrendered, or upon title of ownership has been finalized through the courts, with 99 out of 100 percent finalized, a retraining process begins for the preparation of the adoption process.”
In the entryway to the MSSPA building, there are before-and-after photos of each equine and their names. The whole picture of care, detailed, dedicated nurturing each animal receives at MSSPA is a testament to their good work and the horse’s rescue for life., Keyser said.
Whether it is adopted or not, the horses will live out their lives on this property being cared for by one or more of the 180 volunteers that are currently giving of their time to MSSPA.
Those horses who successfully are paired with owners for adoption are also looked out for life, with yearly inspections and forms to be completed. Once rescued, the MSSPA never lets the horse fall through the cracks, Keyser said. They want that horse to be cared for, comfortable, and to be loved for the rest of their lives.
Keyser said the first step to adoption for a MSSPA horse is the actual adoption application. What happens next is the process of being a good match.
She said that you would want a more advanced rider with a more advanced horse, and a beginner rider with a more beginner horse.
Some horses are not meant for riding at all, so these horses would be matched to be companions to the adopter’s horse. Perhaps their other horse dies and their remaining horse needs company. Keyser called these “pasture pets.”
After the matching process is complete, a meet-and-greet is conducted with the potential adopters and the horse that has been picked as a good potential match. Then a MSSPA staff member goes to the owner’s property in order to inspect the conditions that the horse will be kept in to ensure a safe environment, with proper fencing and shelter.
Just as in the beginning when the MSSPA was formed in 1872 to protect horses who pulled the streetcars and fire engines, the MSSPA continues to protect and devote its resources to the preservation and protection of horses.
Visitors will find it to be a true pleasure to see the horses happy in their stalls eating their dinners, seeing the volunteers working hard, and to hear about the future MSSPA barn and plans for the future.
You can visit on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays by reserving a one hour time so that you can have a tour at the MSSPA facility at 279 River Road in Windham. To arrange a time to visit, call 207-892-3040.
To donate to help MSSPA continue to care for seized or neglected equines, send a check to MSSPA, P.O. Box 10, Windham, ME 04063.
For further information about MSSPA, visit them online at https://www.msspa.org/ <
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