Get your guns ready for a “shootout” at the Triple T Ranch. A turkey shoot to benefit Heart of Dixie Equine Rescue, Inc. will be held Saturday at Roy Thompson’s home on Old River Road North in Statesboro.
Heart of Dixie is a rescue facility for endangered horses, located off Mud Road in Brooklet. Currently there are 25 horses at the rescue, with more coming in and foals due to be born over the next few months. Raising funds for the nonprofit organization is imperative so that the horses are fed and cared for, said HODER President Julie Barnes.
The turkey shoot is one of many recent fund raisers held by the group in effort to raise money for feed and supplies. The organization accepts tax-deductible donations of money, feed and hay, equipment and other items needed around a barn, she said.
The turkey shoot will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bulloch County Commissioner Roy Thompson’s farm, located about 14 miles from Statesboro at 6710 Old River Road North.
Prizes for the event will range from $10 to $300 in value, Barnes said. There will be adult and junior events, with the ages for junior events being from 13-17, with adult supervision. All proceeds will go toward HODER. The shoot is restricted to 12 gauge “stock” shotguns only, with a maximum barrel length of 32 inches.
All children should be accompanied by an adult. HODER, Inc. was born when Barnes decided she “needed” to rescue horses. Joining forces with Holli Bragg, Donna Parker and others who had been rescuing horses on a smaller scale, the group immediately committed to taking in a number of horses in immediate danger of slaughter. Many were from PMU (pregnant mare urine) farms in the north, but several local horses have been saved by the rescue as well.
Currently, HODER has some horses fostered, and others have been adopted. However, there are still 26 horses at the rescue, several of which are former PMU mares due to foal this spring. Many mares are registered, and the foals will be eligible for registry as well. The rescue also has a number of weanlings available for adoption.
For more information on HODER, Inc. visit the Web site www.heartofdixieequinerescue.com. Information about the turkey shoot or other events to benefit HODER is available by contacting one of the following HODER members: Julie Barnes (912-481-7845); Holli Deal Bragg (912-481-8015); Donna Parker (912-690-8639) or Trish McBride (912-531-5067).
Directions to Thompson’s from Statesboro: Turn onto North Main Street/Lakeview Road from U.S. 80. Drive about 10 miles to intersection of Lakeview and Old River Road, turning left onto Old River Road North. Drive about 4 miles — look for signs. Thompson’s property has a wooden post archway and an antique fire truck in the field near the roadway.
