PARIS — A group of horse enthusiasts has donated money to two equine rescue organizations to help with their efforts to care for rejected animals.

The Western Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association agreed at its January meeting to donate $300 each to Rockin’ T Equine Rescue of Lisbon Falls and Open Gates Equine Rescue of New Gloucester. The group heard from Janet Tuttle, founder of Rockin’ T, at its meeting on Wednesday and will hear from a representative from Open Gates later in the year.

Both donations have already been sent and will go toward the hay accounts of each organization. Ray Garnett, vice president of the horsemen’s association, said that the wet conditions last summer made for a more difficult haying season and the association wanted to help with the efforts to feed rescued horses.

Mary Jane Robichaud, a member of the association, says that while different horse owners use different feeds, all of them use hay. She said the Rockin’ T hay budget came in at $12,000 last year. Garnett said hay bales, which cost about $5 each, are divided up and added to feed. One bale will last a horse about three days.

“We really care about their welfare,” Garnett said. “Once they’re done racing, they don’t always have the greatest life, and we really wanted to help with their care.”

Both organizations care for horses and other equine animals, such as donkeys and ponies, that have been abused, neglected, or given up by their owners. Tuttle said she is caring for 30 horses, and often can’t place them with new owners for liability reasons. She urged people to report animal abuse when they see it.

“I watched this beautiful standardbred, who made this man millions of dollars, die of starvation,” she said.

The horsemen’s association was founded about two years ago, and raises money through various fundraisers, Garnett said. Its mission includes supporting standardbred racing standards and equine charities, and promoting equine health and welfare.

Robichaud said the two rescue organizations were found after online research. “We wished it could be more, but we didn’t want it to be less than $300,” she said.

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