HORSE HAVEN : FINDING DIGNITY AV WOMAN GIVES ABUSED HORSES NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

Sundance is one of the lucky ones. An 11-year-old Palomino with cancerous warts that cover his golden coat, he was due to be shipped off to slaughter.

That was two years ago. Thanks to Jolene Venables - and more than $10,000 in medical care - the gelding is recovering at Jolene's Horse Rescue in Acton.

During the past five years, Venables has rescued nearly 90 horses from slaughter, abusive and negligent homes. With the help of volunteers she nurses the horses back to health and finds good homes for them.

``I look at the worst, like Sundance,'' Venables said. ``I'd rather give them a lease on life. They deserve their dignity.''

She keeps the operation afloat through volunteers, donations and her own money. Last year, it cost $89,000 to care for 27 horses. Now she cares for 16 horses on her 10-acre ranch in Acton.

Venables finds the animals at auctions and through referrals from animal control officials, friends and neighbors. When they arrive at her place, she said they often are underweight, malnourished and suffering from parasites.

But when they leave they look like different horses, she said.

``We're able to rehabilitate them and sell them,'' Venables said. ``People have the conception that the horses are old and broken down when they're healthy horses. We sell them for market value.''

Venables said she revisits her horses' new homes to make sure the animals are well cared for. She maintains first rights to buy them back if necessary.

One recent day, Venables watched as the horses galloped among chaparral-covered hills overlooking the Antelope Valley Freeway. Among the horses was Sundance, whose bleeding sores have diminished during the past two years thanks to homeopathic medicine, Venables said.

Shihanna, a 9-year-old quarter horse mare that had been beaten and abused, playfully darted among the herd, along with two black Arabians whose owner is bedridden and unable to care for them.

Venables keeps medical records and photo albums of each horse to chronicle their progress. She also keeps a grisly memento from a horse she couldn't save: a deformed leg bone from a foal who had to be put down.

Venables said she keeps the souvenir to remind herself and visitors of the organization's mission.

``People need to know where their money is going,'' she said.

A 12-member board of directors helps oversee the operation, organizing volunteers, fund-raising efforts and other activities. Board member Loretta Mausolf said she was drawn to the organization after spotting a newspaper ad for it several months ago.

``I love horses,'' she said. ``They're part of my soul. Being here - that's my thing. I have to help make their lives more comfortable.''

Winter is the biggest time of need for the horses, Venables said, when supporters often become distracted by the holidays and stop visiting the horses to avoid the rough weather.

``Winter is really hard for us,'' Venables said. ``People forget about the horses during the holidays. They don't want to come out in the cold or walk in the rain to muck out the stalls.''

But she would never dream of abandoning the horses, she said.

``I love the horses,'' Venables said. ``I see the difference in the horses. The most rewarding thing is when you sell them to good homes.''

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

Photo: (1--color in AV only) Horses graze at Jolene's Horse Rescue in Action. Jolene Venables has rescued and nursed nearly 90 neglected horses.

(2--color in AV only) Jolene Venables, comforting Sundance, keeps the operation afloat through volunteers and donations.

(3) Chaz, a 14-year-old Arabian, is one of the many horses being cared for at the rescue operation.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News