Jennifer Olah founded Cruzan Cowgirls in 2013 both to make a living and contribute to the St. Croix economy, and to improve the plight of the many homeless horses on the island.
“I wanted to do something different and hopefully make a difference in the well being of the island horses,” said Olah, founder of Cruzan Cowgirls. “It’s sad to see horses in bad condition. There was definitely a need for rescue. Nobody was doing anything, so I decided it’s up to me to do something and start rescuing horses.”
Olah said she took in 16 horses in the first six weeks of launching the rescue mission on Facebook in November. She still has 16 horses, which she said is the limit she can care for.
Olah takes in retired racehorses and horses that people don’t want or have had to leave behind when leaving the island. And she takes in abused horses.
Some of the horses require veterinarian care because of abuse, she said. Others just need routine health care, such as worming, inoculations, tick medication and better nutrition.
The horses are living contently on two acres of land at Olah’s home in Estate Carlton. They are pastured in an area that Olah has fenced with homemade fencing cut from tan tan trees. Olah said Shawn Marco has been a good neighbor, allowing her access to his property to let the horses graze.
She explained that the grass on St. Croix does not have the nourishment horses need. Therefore tying a horse on the side of the road to graze is not the proper way to take care of a horse.
Tibbar Energy USVI, growers of king grass for a bio-mass fuel production generator, committed to donating 125 large rounds of baled hay throughout the year.
“This is fantastic that they donated the hay,” Olah said. She added the huge round bales of hay are 1,000 pounds each. The donation is enough to feed 17 horses a day for a year.
“This is where horses can have a home, be rehabilitated and retrained to provide horseback riding,” Olah said. “They are given a second chance to live a decent life.”
The horses are trained in a round pen using an all natural and gentle method of training.
Horses that fall short for rehabilitation are fostered, re-homed or sent to retirement pastures Olah has access to. She strives to be a no-kill horse refuge. Olah will only consider euthanasia for horses with serious debilitating issues.
Olah establish a horseback riding program to generate income, which benefits the horses she takes in. Olah said riding is also used as a platform to educate the public of the plight of the island horses.
Olah will customize, for small groups, trail and beach rides according to the riders’ experience. The beach rides are generally two hours long beginning at Coconuts in Frederiksted. For locals they offer an introduction to riding and care of horses.
Olah, 39 years old, has been involved with riding and working with horses since she was 12. She has done dog rescues and operated a boarding kennel. She moved to St. Croix from Alaska last year with her five children and her fiancé. All of her children and Susan Nebelsick help Olah with the horses.
Nebelsick said they are promoting the proper care of horses with the right approach for the horses’ health and well being.
Olah hopes to set an example for a different way to approach horse ownership with new solutions for problems.
“We hope to lead by example and improve the lives of horses,” Olah said. “This community really loves horses, and it shows. The rescue has taken on a life of it’s own.”
Cruzan Cowgirls also give back to the community, doing beach clean ups. On Sunday Olah, Nebelsick and a dozen local youngsters cleaned the beach near Coconuts. They recycled empty feed bags to put the refuse in.
Cruzan Cowgirls are under the umbrella of the St. Croix Foundation and in the process of getting nonprofit status.
Donation can be made or more information on on horseback riding and volunteering can be obtained by calling Olah at 1-907-841-1990. The organization is online at www.cruzancowgirls.com
