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Published: Monday, Jun. 28, 2010 / Updated: Tuesday, Jun. 29, 2010 04:00 PM

York County horse rescue group needs a lifesaver, too

FORT MILL -- 

For children who like animals, it was a dream come true: They had a chance to ride a horse or pet a bunny. They could pal around with a squealing pig and a miniature pony and feed ducks – all at a petting zoo fundraiser recently held for Dream Equine Therapy Center in York.

The foundation was started by Terri Stemper of York to rescue foals that would otherwise be neglected or auctioned off to be slaughtered for their hide. Dream Equine also uses rescued horses as therapy horses for cancer and MS patients.

Ashley and Chip Lowder helped with the event by letting Stemper use her Fort Mill property, a small farm with three horses and animals for a petting zoo. The Lowders run a company called Barnyard Celebrations, which offers horseback riding, horse boarding and private birthday parties.

The center currently has 30 horses, 17 of which are foals up for adoption. Because of the poor economy, the center has taken back some of the foals previously adopted, Stemper said. The horses eat 50 pounds of grain a day and cost $30,000 to take care of last year.

For more information about Dream Equine Therapy Center, call 803-417-3285 or visit dreamequinetherapyycenter.org.