CO Woman Walks Across America to Save Horses - WBOY-TV

ELLENBORO -- When settlers blazed a path across the continent in the early pioneer days, they brought along horses. Today a woman continues her trek across America on foot to raise awareness for the treatment of these animals - and to stop the sale and slaughter of almost 140,000 horses every year.

Meet Serenity and Firefly. This mother-daughter pair shares a strong bond, inseparable for the last 25 years.

They've just arrived from Pennsylvania, where they were confiscated in an abuse case.

"They were at an animal shelter in Pennsylvania," explained Kristina Kremer. "All the rescues were full and nobody could step up."

Their teeth are worn to the gums, their hooves are too long to walk comfortably, and their ribs show through their shaggy coats. But today, Kremer is making sure they have a forever home in honor of all the horses who have suffered the cruel fate of slaughter.

"Now that there's this gigantic crisis and they are trying to reopen slaughterhouses, the economy has got them in a lot of trouble with over breeding," said Kremer. "We just had to do something."

We first met Kremer in Clarksburg, and since Friday she's made her way to Ellenboro in Ritchie County. Her journey started in Newark, Delaware - 355 miles so far. But she has a long way to go, and a lot of people to talk to, before her trek's end in Long Beach, California.

For now, Serenity and Firefly are staying with a foster home in Harrisville.

"Everybody complains about the problems but nobody comes up with any solutions," said Faith Dower, the foster caretaker for the elderly horses. "One of her goals is to try to get people talking and actually trying to get people to solve of the problems that we have."

But soon, they'll be ready for their final road trip - to a forever home in Colorado.

"The family that's adopting them has two younger children, and this is what they've been looking for almost a year and a half," said Kremer. "A forever home with green grass and a family that loves them."

To follow Kristina Kramer on her Walk for Horses Across America, click on the link below.

You've come a long way baby! Keep going, you're going to get this mission done and you've already made some great strides for the horses. I'll be watching your blog. Only one correction to the route, it started in Newark, DE not Newport. Newport is just a few miles away but it's a totally different town. Kristina took her first steps in the first state. It was documented by a photographer for the News Journal in Delaware and the first 2 articles were written by Jack Ireland. Melody, you are right about Kristina not stopping till she's done, I sure tried to dissuade her. Then I figured if I can't talk her out of it or postpone this walk then I might as well do whatever I can to help. We stayed up pretty late the night before the walk and then got up by 5 AM to be in Newark and decorate the truck. It was breakfast at McDonald's. I'm impressed with Kristina's desire to help the horses more than anything but her pure will and drive to accomplish this goal is contagious. Also I think she's pretty darn smart, she's a fast learner and has generally impressed me on many levels. I'm not a quitter but Kristina is beyond that, she takes on the impossible and makes it happen. I shake my head and she just says, "it'll happen"

It was a pleasure to host Kristina Kremer and Faith Dower, Wednesday. We had a house full of equine welfare advocates and Ms. Kremer held us all spell bound, by her knowledge of horses and the problems advocates must solve, with the help of the U.S. Congress. The over-breeding of horses is the root of the problem. Walkers, cyclists, horseback riders are invited to join Kristina on her walk, at the trail-head in Ellenboro at 10:30 a.m. Saturday or at 10:30 a.m. in Petroleum on Sunday. The goal is to arrive in Parkersburg late afternoon on Sunday, April 26. PLEASE JOIN US, FOR THE WELFARE OF THE HORSES.

Kristina, your courage and unbending spirit are an inspiration. When you get to Colorado, I sure hope to meet you. Wishing you perseverance and much strength and hope you meet many supporters along the way - Best, Monika

You Go GIrl ! Nice job on finding those horses homes. I knew when you visited our rescue in MD (Freedom Hill Horse Rescue) that you were on a mission and would not stop until you were done. Keep collecting those letters and we will get them to the Man in The Big House and his family so they can see how many people really do care about the fate of Americas Horses.

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