Getting Started with Volunteering at Horse Rescues

There are hundreds of equine rehoming, shelter, and rescue organizations across the country, many of which rely daily on volunteer assistance to get essential jobs done. Here are some tips for anyone wanting to start volunteering with a horse rescue group.

1. Research Nearby Organizations

A good first step for those interested in volunteering is to identify what facilities are within a convenient distance and visit their website for volunteer information, says Shyre Lancia, senior volunteer coordinator for the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) at Nevins Farm.

“The priority is to meet the need of that rescue, but of course it should be in a way that is achievable for the person,” she says.

2. Pay Attention to the Volunteer Requirements

Most facilities have information on their websites that will make it clear what they need help with, including any requirements applicants should meet, and Lancia encourages people to pay attention to the required skills and experience, if any are listed.

“Trust that the organization is looking for specific skills or experience for good reason,” says Lancia. “For barns especially, some of the tasks are very physically demanding, and you’ll be outdoors no matter the weather. This is obvious to equestrians, but I get a fair number of applications from new-to-barn people who don’t realize they’ll be outside in the snow!”

3. Get to Know the Organization

Most will have some sort of orientation, which is a great way to get to know their organization a bit more and decide if you want to commit, says Brittney Vallot, director of operations at Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR).

Lancia also advises making sure the role is a good fit and being honest with yourself about that.

“There’s so many ways people can volunteer, and different facilities may have different roles available—don’t be discouraged if the first one you look at isn’t a good match,” she says. “Keeping an eye on the websites over time may result in something opening up that wasn’t there when you originally looked, too.”

4. Get Involved

Once you get started at a place, Vallot encourages getting involved.

“The more you do, the more you seek out ways to participate, the more you will learn and grow as a horse person.”

Lancia advises thinking outside the box and being open to helping organizations in different ways.

“We get a lot of applications for dog and barn volunteers, but very needed and helpful positions such as those handling phones and email are often bypassed,” she says.

Don’t assume you have nothing to offer, adds Vallot. Many times, obstacles can be overcome.

“Have limited time or lack of transportation? Ask the organization if there’s a way you could help them remotely. Have a physical limitation that keeps you from working in the barn? Maybe you can help them in the office or man a booth at an event. There’s always a way you can get involved and help.”

Going Above and Beyond

While volunteers are an essential part of daily operations, their dedication knows no bounds when extraordinary circumstances arise.

“It truly takes a village, and our village is amazing!” says Vallot. She shares just a few of the ways volunteers have gone above and beyond to help the facility in times of need:

◆ We once lost water in the middle of a 3-foot blizzard and our volunteers braved horrible road conditions to help us transport water from the neighboring firehouse to each and every stall, paddock and field on the farm to ensure the horses had water.

◆ Another time we had a full barn with 18 horses in critical care rehabilitation needing round-the-clock care and supervision. We had volunteers coming out each and every day and night to make sure they got the attention they needed.

◆ When our farm was hit by a microburst storm that destroyed run-in sheds, and took down trees and fences, our volunteers, and the community, showed up in droves to help with the cleanup.

◆ Last, but not least, is during COVID. We had to shut down our farm to all but the most experienced volunteers to be the most efficient with the least amount of people (for social distancing), but those few volunteers were committed and showed up! We were working with a skeleton crew staff each day and we wouldn’t have gotten everything done each day if it weren’t for the volunteers who stuck it out with us.

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Enchantment Equitreks has a mission, and that is to change the stereotype of rescue horses by making them into reliable trail horses—a viable asset to an equestrian business, ultimately leading them to their forever home as safe equine partners.

According to Enchantment Equitreks co-owners Mel Graham and her daughter, Justyn Vogel, most rescue horses are simply misunderstood. They may have been through physical or mental trauma, but with patience, time and training based on pressure and release methods, these horses can find their purpose again.

Horse rescue facilities all over the world rely on volunteers and fundraising to keep them going financially, but many struggle to keep the horses fed and sheltered. They often lack access to good trainers who can take the time to work with the horses to transition them into rideable mounts safe enough for the average rider.

“Horses need a job,” says Graham. “They don’t really want to be just hanging out in the shelter.”

This is where Enchantment Equitreks’ mission comes in.

Since the business began in 2012, the mother-daughter duo—both airline hostesses and equestrians from a Quarter Horse background—have put countless rescue horses through their training program and now nearly all of their clients’ mounts are adopted.

What surprised me when joining them on one of their rides this past August was the patience, willingness and calmness of their entire string. Every horse stood quietly and calmly as guests groomed, tacked and mounted up.

On days that required trailering, they all loaded with ease, eager to do their job. Riding in primarily bitless bridles, not one of them put a foot wrong. Whether crossing mountainous terrain or galloping through a sandy arroyo, every client had a smile on their face.

The Horses of Enchanted Equitreks

Enchanted Equitreks receives new members of their equine family from two local New Mexico facilities, Walkin N Circles and The Horse Shelter. Depending on the horse, some can be ready for guests after as little as three months of training.

“Some horses take longer to settle and feel at ease with people,” explains Vogel. “It all depends on what they have experienced in the past.”

Once a horse becomes a part the working string, Enchantment Equitreks’ mission doesn’t stop there. Their ultimate goal is to find these horses a home where they will be loved and cared for. This makes room for more horses at Enchantment Equitreks that need the TLC and training to reintegrate into the working world.

EquiYoga

To further the improvement of horses’ lives, Vogel helps to promote EquiYoga, a form of breathing, balance and neutrality that increases your connection with the horse through certain pressure points, improving communication. On their Yoga Retreat rides, you can transfer what you learn on the yoga mat to the saddle.

I had the privilege of joining in a few yoga classes, concentrating on seat bone pressure for speed control, equal foot pressure in the stirrups for optimum balance, and a calm neutral space through breathing. Yoga sessions are held in a screened tent at the back of the property. Morning sessions wake up your body with the warmth of the sun, and evening classes before bed are often done by the light of the moon.

Vogel learned about EquiYoga from a friend and fellow rescue volunteer who studied with Marty Whittle, the founder of the process. From there, she developed her own curriculum.

“We have to remember that ultimately horses are our partners, and we have to show up to this partnership as our best selves,” she says. “EquiYoga gives you the tools and techniques needed to effectively communicate with your horse and mentally prepare to sit in the saddle.”

If you’re not into yoga, you can try a Cowboy Fun Week, taking in rodeos and the state fair. If the indigenous culture is more up your alley, the Native Traditions Ride incorporates a pow wow or the Indian market.

Something for Everyone at Enchantment Equitreks

Enchantment Equitreks uses the diverse ecology of New Mexico to bring you to different scenery every day. On their multi-day rides, you might find yourself climbing up the steep rocky terrain of the Sandia region to peer over a cliff at spectacular rock formations one day, cantering through meadows and sandy arroyos another, and finish up by watching the balloon festival from the saddle across the river.

Adventurous excursions for intermediate and advanced riders take place from late April to late October, and Enchantment Equitreks pride themselves in only taking small groups. This allows for more attention from the wranglers, long gallops, and a more intimate vacation.

The guest house on the property is fully equipped, but home-cooked, healthy meals are provided in the main house. Many of the fruits and vegetables come from their garden, fresh eggs are collected from their chicken pen daily, and the entire property is geared toward sustainability. On hot days, you can take a dip in the pool or relax at night under the stars with a glass of wine in the hot tub.

If you are on a budget, the ranch offers a 50 percent discount for those willing to turn your vacation into a working one. You’ll learn the ropes by helping to groom, tack up and load horses in the trailer, clean girths and pads upon return, and help around the ranch. There is only one slot per ride, however, and they do book up quickly.

These ladies pour their heart and soul into an operation that focuses on improving the lives of forgotten equines and brings positive energy and joy to every client that ventures onto their property. It was a wonderful feeling to go on a riding adventure and be on the back of a horse that might otherwise be wandering the paddocks of a horse shelter. Every client in a saddle is a stepping stone to the horse’s future.

Happy trails wherever you find yourself in the saddle!

To learn more, visit enchantmentequitreks.com or on Facebook and Instagram @EnchantmentEquitreks.

This article about Enchantment Equitreks appeared in the January/February 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Open Admissions Grant

Laurie Jackson, executive director of Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary (HTFAS) in Ravenna, Ohio, knows firsthand the value of being a grant recipient. Happy Trails was recently awarded financial assistance as part of the ASPCA’s goal to expand its open admissions programs. Grant funding, available to ASPCA Adoption Partners, enabled her organization to expand its reach to help more horses.

Jackson has been with the 22-year-old program for the last 10 years. During that time, she has witnessed a shift in referrals, thanks in large part to the grant, from law enforcement to owner relinquishment. This means horses are receiving early, proactive help, keeping them safe and healthy before they fall at further risk of becoming neglected.

“I think one of the unique things about us is that we were afforded the grant after we had become Partners of The ASPCA Right Horse program, and we latched on to the example they were setting,” Jackson says. “That’s when we went from a mission statement that only accepted law enforcement cases to modeling our organization to the examples and guidance they have given us.”

The grant further allowed the organization to promote the open admissions model.

“One of the things the grant did was provide funding for a staff member that could focus on our equine outreach and evaluation,” she says. “It also gave us a push and support to show us that we could do it.”

Jackson says that there are always going to be horses in need out there. “But they are out there whether or not they are on our waiting list.”

With the grant, she says, they are no longer afraid of the waiting list.

According to HTFAS Equine Placement Coordinator Audra Agnone, the grant has advanced the organization’s ability to bring horses in before they reach the point that they would be considered an equine cruelty case. For example, last year, with only a 12-stall barn, the organization was able to help 62 horses.

“You don’t need a 100-stall barn,” says Jackson. “There are other ways to help horses than to bring them in and take them into your charge.” She adds that the program has even been able to provide counseling for humane euthanasia when that was the best option for an individual horse.

It’s that welcoming and guiding approach that allows the organization to create a relationship that facilitates locating where the true problem stems from and then using that information to proactively help equines, whether that be by receiving veterinary care at home or going to Happy Trails for safe rehoming.

Vet Direct Safety Net

A second equine safety net program is known as Vet Direct Safety Net (VDSN). The essence of the program is groundbreaking in that it seeks to keep horses at home. In 2016 and 2017, the ASPCA completed surveys to determine why owned horses were being surrendered and/or sent to auction.

“They found out that many horses had an immediate welfare need at the same time the owner had some kind of financial emergency,” says Sarah Coleman, VDSN administrator. “These horses are loved, but the owners knew they couldn’t provide the medical care needed, so they opted to send the horse to an auction or rescue in hopes that someone would be able to afford to address the issue.”

The potential success of this program was evident from the beginning.

“It worked so well that when the ASPCA piloted it in 2020, they gave the program over to the Foundation for the Horse [the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners] to administer,” says Coleman.

Upon this discovery, the ASPCA went back and asked the owners if they had a grant of funds that addressed their equine’s emergent need, would they have kept the horse? The overwhelming response was yes.

How It Works

Detecting this led to the development of VDSN. Coleman explains that when the program shifted to the Foundation, the ASPCA provided a $50,000 grant with the reins of the program to keep it funded and moving forward.

The funding is used to provide one-time financial assistance of up to $600 per horse to care for an immediate welfare need for an owner who is struggling financially. Proof of need is not required.

Funds are dedicated for immediate, practical welfare needs where if the horse is not assisted, his health and wellbeing will suffer. Coleman lists examples of permissible expenses as choke, stitches, staples, non-surgical colic, and even humane euthanasia when that is the best option.

Veterinarians involved with the program have the autonomy to identify at-risk equines in need of services, and reimbursement is free of red tape. Many participating veterinarians share that they want to help all equines and owners, and this allows them to do good work for vulnerable horses in their community—work that they might have been doing unpaid previously. VDSN provides a sustainable way to help.

So far, 169 solo practitioners are enrolled in the program, which also boasts 106 enrolled veterinary practices.

“These are multi-doctor practices,” Coleman says. Every practice with one enrolled veterinarian qualifies to take part in the program. So far, 156 horses have been helped, with 23 necessitating humane euthanasia.

Spreading the Word

Enrolling in the program is a simple process that is open to any AAEP member veterinarian. Veterinarians interested in taking part should first contact the Foundation for the Horse at SueStivers@aaep.org. Next, two forms will need to be completed, along with a 20-minute telephone onboarding completed by Coleman.

Enrolled veterinarians are immediately eligible to use funds for clients they feel fit the program. If it was not a euthanasia case, someone from the ASPCA will contact the owner within a few months of the equine’s emergency to see if they still own the horse.

“Those numbers, so far, have been overwhelmingly positive,” Coleman says. “A one-time financial gift allows horse owners to keep owned horses in their homes, which frees up shelter and rescue space to care for those horses who are truly in need.”

Christie Schulte Kappert, senior director of ASPCA Equine Welfare, recommends making your veterinarian aware of the VDSN program and asking them about their willingness to participate.

“We’re trying to create a large network of veterinarians out there that can do good and get paid for their work,” she says.

This article about equine safety net programs appeared in the November/December 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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When a person encounters a speed bump like a financial crisis or health issue, it can be challenging to cope. But for horse owners, it’s even more difficult to manage these obstacles. Many don’t know where to turn for help, which puts their horses at risk. However, a growing number of resources are now available to assist horse owners having a hard time providing essential care for their horses. These safety net programs provide vital support that can help horses stay in their homes.

“The goal of a safety net is to be able to provide the support necessary to keep a horse in [his current] home when that’s in the best interest of the horse,” explains Emily Weiss, Ph.D., American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) vice-president of equine welfare.

“Ultimately, we want fewer horses coming into shelters and rescues,” says Weiss. “Elevating the visibility that these solutions exist can help keep those horses from neglect or having to come to a shelter and be relinquished.”

One key program working to do just that is the United Horse Coalition’s Equine Resource Database (UHCERD). Launched in 2020, this searchable online database of over 1,200 horse rescues, sanctuaries and shelters puts help a click away. Owners can search by state and by type of help needed, from hay and feed to euthanasia and disposal, as well as rehoming and other forms of assistance.

Horse health issues are a common setback where safety net services can make a difference. The Vet Direct Safety Net program managed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and The Foundation for the Horse in partnership with the ASPCA was created to help horse owners in need pay for emergency vet care.

Horse rescues are also working hard to meet people where they are and to provide broader assistance beyond relinquishing and rehoming horses.

Helping Horse Owners

Recent numbers from the Equine Welfare Data Collective, a research program of the United Horse Coalition, focus on quantifying and understanding the horse rescue pipeline. They reveal that 77 percent of horses coming into rescues and shelters are surrendered by their owners or confiscated by law enforcement. Owner finances are the most common reason reported for surrender, followed by owner health.

“This reaffirms through data what we already knew anecdotally—that to make the biggest change for at-risk horses and stem the tide, we have to start at the source, and that is by helping horse owners who have fallen on hard times,” says Ashley Harkins, United Horse Coalition (UHC) director. “This is at the heart of what UHC does, and why the UHCERD exists—to promote responsible horse ownership and provide options for horse owners.”

To date, the UCH’s Equine Resource Database and Covid resource sites have had over 24,000 visitors.

“Through this database, we are able to give horse owners a vital lifeline and point them in the right direction to get the help they need before their horse ends up at risk,” says Harkins, noting that there are programs available in every part of the country. “If people need help, we can direct them to whatever resources they are in need of, or barring that, with the people who can help.”

In 2021, the ASPCA expanded their services in Oklahoma, establishing the Equine Transition and Adoption Center pilot program to provide compassionate help and free services for equines in need, including subsidized veterinary care when it’s best for the horse to stay at home with the owner; compassionate euthanasia if needed to prevent suffering; or safe relinquishment so the horse can receive care before being placed in a loving new home through adoption.

This variety of services offers flexibility to provide the solution that’s right for that horse and owner at that moment.

“If you can’t keep your horse, we can take him and help him get a home,” says Weiss. “Or we can work together to see what solutions there are to help you keep your horse home. We see that as the solution, to be able to support horses within a community. It becomes a community resource.”

Tom Persechino, director of equine welfare for the ASPCA, notes that most horse owners reaching out to the Equine Transition and Adoption Center in Oklahoma have been able to hold onto their horses with just that little bit of support—often as simple as basic nutrition advice, treating an infection, managing minor lameness, or getting a horse up to date on vaccinations and routine care.

“If we can help horse owners get over whatever that challenge is that they’re facing in the moment, if there’s a safety net program that can help them get past that, we’ve proven that they can keep their horses long-term, they can keep them healthy, and they very rarely need to return for services or seek to surrender or relinquish them.”

Of all the services offered through the program, access to affordable vet care has proven to be significant. Simply providing support for metabolic issues like Cushing’s disease or treating dental problems can make a dramatic difference in keeping a horse healthy at home.

“Folks have reached out when their horse is losing significant weight and they think something horrific has happened, when he is simply not able to chew his food,” says Weiss. “That’s an issue that is easily resolved.”

Vet Direct Safety Net

Vet emergencies cause financial stress for both owners in need and veterinarians who want to be able to help them and their horses.

Through the AAEP’s Vet Direct program, equine veterinarians who register to participate can provide up to $600 of veterinary services per animal to assist horse owners in need. This allows vets to identify and provide care for at-risk equines in their communities and offer relief to horse owners who are unable to afford veterinary care.

“Vet Direct was launched as a way to see if there were horses that could remain in the home rather than being surrendered when they faced a medical issue at a time when their owner needed some sort of help due to circumstances they were facing,” says Keith Kleine, AAEP director of industry relations.

The program has assisted owners who were experiencing financial difficulty due to things like medical issues (themselves or immediate family members), loss of job or income, or other temporary situations. But long-term, Kleine says, if they could get help with some practical veterinary care, they could keep their horses.

The Vet Direct Safety Net covers urgent vet care such as wound treatment, eye issues, neurologic problems, choke, and non-surgical colic care, as well as euthanasia and disposal if recovery is unlikely.

Since its inception in 2017, the Vet Direct program has helped many equines. This includes horses like Trixie, who got the help she needed to overcome an ongoing eye issue. A donkey named Perk would have been euthanized after a dog attack without the financial support of Vet Direct. Another horse, Sugar, was lame and in so much pain she could hardly walk. Thanks to funds from Vet Direct, radiographs helped with a diagnosis, and with foam pads and regular trims she was able to walk comfortably again.

Tracking this program over the last few years shows that most horses receiving treatment through Vet Direct remain safe and healthy in their homes, according to the ASPCA.

For those cases where euthanasia is recommended as the most humane option to alleviate pain and suffering, Vet Direct is also able to help with those costs.

“The number of horses that suffer simply because the owner can’t afford euthanasia and disposal is significant,” says Weiss. “A number of owners hold off because it’s difficult to talk about. Having a veterinarian come to you through this program to navigate that [situation] is incredibly helpful.”

Asking for Help

Rescues are trying to be more proactive by providing short-term assistance to owners who qualify and acting as a resource in times of need, says Harkins.

The AAEP reminds horse owners that it’s important to ask for help before situations become dire. These organizations and programs are poised to help more horses if they are called upon before the animals are starving, says Kleine. Most importantly, there is no shame or judgment in asking for help. Vets, safety net administrators, and others involved in equine welfare recognize that hard times can happen to anyone.

“Asking for help is difficult, but it is incredibly admirable,” he says.

That’s why these programs exist—they want to provide assistance.

“When somebody raises their hand and says, ‘I’m having trouble and I want to do right by this horse and I need your help,’ that’s why we’re here,” says Weiss.

The post Horse Safety Net Programs Helping Horses and Owners in Need appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

There is strength in numbers, but when it comes to helping horses in need, reliable numbers have been hard to come by—until recently, that is. The Equine Welfare Data Collective (EWDC) was launched in 2018 and has been working hard to gather data on equine rescue and welfare organizations nationwide and the horses and owners they are helping. With this information, funding, programs, and support can be directed to where they will help the most.

The EWDC issued its fourth report in February of 2022, analyzing data collected in 2020.

“With each report published by the EWDC, information critical to helping owners and equines in need spreads throughout the community,” writes EWDC Program Manager Emily Stearns as an introduction. “As our knowledge base grows, so too does the power of welfare organizations and the industry to assist those reaching out for help.”

Harnessing the Power of Data

The EWDC was created by the United Horse Coalition (UHC), a program of the American Horse Council (AHC) Foundation that works to provide information about responsible horse ownership and the issues surrounding at-risk horses. Funding and support for the EWDC comes from the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), including its Right Horse program, and The Foundation for the Horse (formerly the AAEP Foundation).

“This group of agencies recognized the power of data and how it can vastly shift the dialogue around an issue and drive positive change,” explains AHC President Julie Broadway.

“Understanding the landscape of horses going into shelters and rescues around the country is vital for us [as funders] to be able to support these groups,” says Emily Weiss, Ph.D., vice president of ASPCA equine welfare.

Knowing the Numbers

Prior to the EWDC, there was very limited data specifically related to horses in need.

“In our inaugural press release in 2018, we opened by saying, ‘Do you know how many equines there are in shelters, rescues, and sanctuaries across the country? How about the number of equines adopted last year? Neither do we!’” Broadway recalls.

There was interest in helping these horses from organizations and industry leaders, but many questions about how to help without knowing the numbers.

“Before the EWDC, we could only guess and suggest programming changes based on what we perceived was happening anecdotally,” says Ashley Harkins, UHC director. “The EWDC has been a game-changer in that we now have the factual data to work off of and can really identify and elevate programs that target and address the root of what needs to change to help at-risk horses.”

Gathering the Data

The EWDC uses surveys to collect national data on equines at risk and in transition from 501(c)(3) nonprofit rescues, sanctuaries, adoption centers, and organizations involved in equine welfare.

Data collected includes intakes and outcomes for horses coming into the custody of rescues—where they’re coming from, how long they stay, and how they’re leaving. The surveys also look at the use of safety net services—people asking for help feeding their horses, getting vet care for their horses, assistance with euthanasia, behavioral training—anything a welfare organization could help with outside of taking custody of the animal.

Also included are direct placement programs—organizations that help facilitate horses transitioning from one owner to another, without taking physical custody of the animal. The EWDC is also gathering demographic profiles of the organizations surveyed, such as size and location.

Data analysis is published biannually and is freely available.

Capacity to Help

Capacity to help horses in need is the top number everyone wants to know, says Stearns. Length of stay is also identified in the EWDC Fourth Report as a critical data point to understanding the current annual national capacity for assisting at-risk equines and those in transition in the custody of equine welfare organizations. A preliminary number estimates around 200 to 300 days as the average length of stay for horses at a rescue or adoption facility.

“What we were able to come up with was a daily capacity: how many stalls exist, on a given day, for horses in rescue,” says Stearns. “And that number hovers around 47,000. People get worried that capacity is limited, but what we can do with this knowledge now is direct programming in ways to increase capacity through decreasing length of stay.”

Knowing that there’s a high level of potential support eliminates the idea that there is no place for horses to go, and that there’s a large “unwanted horse” challenge, according to Weiss.

“We have the places,” she says. “Now we have to invest in those groups to help them continue to professionalize, continue to grow the adoption message, and eliminate stigmas.”

Providing Support

Another telling number from the EWDC is where horses are coming from, with 77 percent of equines entering the custody of EWDC participants coming from a combination of owner surrenders and law enforcement confiscations. Owner finances are the most commonly reported reason for surrender, followed by owner health.

“Looking at the intake by percentage, owner support is going to be really impactful,” says Stearns, noting that this is where safety net programs, such as hay and feed banks or assistance with veterinary care, could make a difference in helping owners who want to keep their horse.

The number of surrenders attributed to owner health also prompted the UHC to take action through education.

“This really impressed upon us the importance of getting owners to think, ‘What happens to my horse if something happens to me?’” says Harkins. “If we can address the source of why these horses are ending up at risk, through teaching horse owners about responsible horse ownership and responsible options, hopefully we can prevent them from having to enter the equine welfare system altogether.”

Seeing Results

Over 80 percent of all horses in shelters get adopted into a new home, according to reported outcomes in 2020. More good news is that organizations reporting for 2020 were able to fulfill over 75 percent of equine rehoming assistance requests.

While the perception has long been that rescue facilities are overflowing, Stearns says that is not the case nationwide, now that we are seeing the bigger picture on capacity.

“While some organizations do report at above 100 percent of their capacity during some sessions, nationally we’re not full, we’re not overflowing, and there’s room to be moving horses from region to region,” she says.

Based on this information, Stearns observes that rescue and adoption organizations have increased their networking. The ASPCA has also worked to increase networking between organizations for transport of horses between regions through their Horse Adoption Express program.

“We’re starting to see what the story is nationally,” says Weiss. “If we look at the data that has been reported [so far], we know there is capacity at shelters and rescues, and there are places for horses to go. We are starting to understand what kind of support there is and will be for horses who could stay home. We’re getting an understanding of the types of horses that are coming in, and where there might be opportunity for funding to help shift the trajectory.”

The horse industry is taking note as well. When the pandemic happened, Stearns reports that the UHC received an increased volume of inquiries from people and equine industry partners wondering how they could support horse owners and how rescues could support horse owners.

“As a horse person—not just as someone who has this job in the horse industry, but as a horse person—it’s nice to see the industry start to get on board and really understand that it’s going to take everybody from all aspects to build programs and creative solutions and get the information to owners,” says Stearns.

Thanks to data from the EWDC, we now know more than ever about horses in need in the U.S.—we have the numbers. To Weiss, each one of those numbers represents a soft muzzle, making it incredibly powerful information.

To learn more, visit the EDWC website. If you or someone you know needs assistance, visit the EDWC equine resource database.

This article about how the Equine Welfare Data Collective has helped horse rescue efforts appeared in the September 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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While many broodmares are much adored by their owners—finding soft landings in lush, green pastures—there can be differing circumstances within a rather traditionally siloed industry.

“You have the racing side, which is very cognizant of aftercare,” says Kim Smith, founder and executive director of Second Stride, Inc., a Thoroughbred adoption center in Kentucky. “They understand the need for transition of the racehorse. The breeding side is a completely different part of the industry; they often don’t have access to those in the riding-horse community. Whether [broodmares] are being dropped at auction or put in a back field, neither is right, because they want a job, too.”

Retiring Broodmare Programs

Some Thoroughbred aftercare programs, including Second Stride, Inc., are reframing programs to specifically support retiring broodmares. The ASPCA’s Right Horse program has issued grants specifically to help fund broodmare and breeding stock retraining and educational programs.

“Before The Right Horse grant, we were funding general racehorse aftercare, and our budget would allow us to take in two to three [broodmares] a year,” says Smith. “They traditionally take more funding and time to transition. Now, we’re going to start taking in six to 10 a year or more. In regard to the on-the-track racehorses, there are still pockets across the country challenged with general racetrack transitional care, but with funding from organizations like TAA [Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance], TCA [Thoroughbred Charities of America] and others, we’ll keep working until it’s equal in other states. Thanks to funding from The Right Horse, we also have shipping grants to help transfer horses between approved organizations.”

Re-entering the Workforce

Smith compares retiring broodmares to human moms looking to get back into the workforce.

“A racehorse has their education at the track, quits work, and then has kids,” she says. “Now, the kids are grown and they’re not having any more— ‘So, what do I do now? Do I not serve the community at all? I can still do something for someone.’ When you watch these mares on their first ride in often a dozen years, they are in heaven. They’re so happy to be brought up from the field and doing something again. Nobody wants to be forgotten.”

Sara Busbice, president of Indiana-based Friends of Ferdinand Inc., agrees.

“They don’t get the same attention as horses coming right off the track,” she says. Their aftercare organization launched the Broodmare Bunch program in 2021, taking in five mares their first year. It started with a donation from the proceeds of the annual Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance stallion season auction.

“They are a great group of breeders that really try to support innovative and forward-thinking ideas that move our local industry forward,” says Busbice. “We’re so proud of the initiatives and support they have for one another and for the horses.”

All incoming retiring broodmares go through an intake exam by Angela Blackwell, DVM, of Horse & Hound Veterinary Clinic in Mooresville, Ind. If sound for a third career, they determine whether the mare prefers a job in flatwork or over fences, and start them out slowly.

“Health considerations for broodmares are mostly the same for any other off-track horse—we might just have to add a few things to our list,” says Blackwell. “For the older mare, we want to look at how much arthritis she has to keep her safely and happily retraining. It’s also important to make sure they don’t have any back problems, scarring or infection in their uterus, urine pooling or cervical damage that would cause pain. And of course, make sure they have appropriate hoof and dental care.” The last two are the most common issues Blackwell sees when examining broodmares at intake.

While the Broodmare Brunch mares hadn’t been ridden since their racetrack days, they took right to it.

“We have an 18-year-old mare in the program named Mongoose Gold, and she flexed cleaner than any [horse] in years,” says Busbice. “She’s off the track, had seven or eight babies, and went right to work. She’s participating in an archery clinic and will be starting hunter/jumpers soon.”

Lots of Things to Love About Retiring Broodmares

Retiring broodmares have many attributes to love. Here, Smith and Busbice share their top reasons for adoring these mares.

◆ Been there, done that: “Hands down, if I were an adult amateur looking for a horse, I’d pick an older broodmare,” says Smith. “They’ve been around, they’ve traveled, trailered, and been extensively handled. They’re ready to do something and have some love. They’re sweet. My view of them is when you have the summer camps, 10 little girls can finger paint and braid bows on them, and they will stand there all day and get hosed and brushed. They are not keen; they’re just appreciative.”

◆ Protective, motherly instincts: “The broodmares already have a strong instinct to protect, so if you can become their person, that will carry over to you—they’ll take care of you,” says Busbice. “Also, they’re more settled, and with their life experiences, they take things in stride.”

As organizations and individuals continue working together to offer these deserving mares a safe landing and fulfilling career, ask yourself this: Could a retiring broodmare be your perfect next mount?

“These mares are the backbone of the horse industry, and they don’t get their due,” says Blackwell. “It’s exciting to think of all the possibilities ahead for these mares.”

This article about rehoming retiring broodmares appeared in the July 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Rehoming the Retiring Broodmare appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Sammy galloped dramatically after our horse trailer as we hauled Wicklow to an eventing horse trial without him. He ran alongside us until the end of his field, calling for her, and her to him. It was such a sweet and dramatic display of their love for one another.

My now-husband, Drew, and I planned a sort of “couple’s trip” for our honeymoon to horse-lovers’ paradise, Mackinac Island, Mich. Everything was booked, including Wicklow and Sammy’s boarding on the island.

Just months before our wedding, we lost Wicklow overnight, with no trace of knowing what happened to her. Losing her was beyond devastating; she was my heart horse. I was inconsolable.

Wicklow was an off-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) mare adopted from Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation in Guthrie, Okla. She was my dear friend and adventure partner. We camped overnight alongside Drew and Sammy, rode trails at state parks, entered eventing horse trials and the fall hunter pace—an event where we all galloped at a fast clip.

She often paused and looked back, waiting for her shorter-legged Appy friend to catch up to us. She had the kindest heart.

Following her death, I couldn’t sleep, frantically researching causes of sudden death in horses, to little avail. I then navigated my dedicated wee-hour search for any horses of her lineage, and then her dam. Drew found a phone number for Wicklow’s breeder and previous owner, and two hours after phoning Mark Swartz, he returned my call.

Sharing the Love

Delighted to connect, Mark recalled Wicklow as a foal and her earliest moments in training. While her heart didn’t beat for racing, I assured him he bred an outstanding jumper. His trip down Memory Lane surfaced wonderful memories with his beloved wife, JJ. With a shared love for their horses, they had named Wicklow’s half-sister—a competitive racehorse—JJ’s Forever.

We talked for more than an hour about Wicklow. I sent him pictures of her jumping and my engagement pictures with her and Sammy. He forwarded me pictures of her in training and one nursing her dam, In Perpetuity. And then, hesitantly, I asked him if he knew what happened to her dam.

In Perpetuity was now 14, recently retired from breeding just outside of Lexington, Ky. She was being cared for by her original owner, Mark’s longtime best friend, Mark Corrado. Soon after my call with Mark S., they both phoned me on a three-way call to tell me all about the great race mare, In Perpetuity.

Once in training with well-known Thoroughbred trainer Kiaran McLaughlin—who simultaneously had horses in training for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum—In Perpetuity broke her maiden at Aqueduct in her second start. She was unfortunately clipped by a loose 2-year-old early in her career, which led to her retirement from racing and the beginning of her broodmare career.

An Amazing Gesture

They detailed more about her, and at 9 p.m. that night, they offered us the most special gift a broken-hearted horse girl could have received. Explaining how much it meant as owners to know their filly Wicklow went to such a loving home, they gifted us her beautiful dam, In Perpetuity. They were rehoming the dam of my heart horse to me.

Early the next morning, without delay, we set off from Oklahoma to Kentucky to bring her home.

Upon reaching the barn, we were led to her stall. I was taken aback as there in front of us stood a beautiful bay mare with Wicklow’s mirror-image kind brown eyes and a white sock on the left hind. She greeted us like old friends as I buried my head into her neck in tears.

Sadly, it’s not terribly uncommon to see Thoroughbred horses retiring from their racing or breeding careers to a grim fate rather than owners rehoming them. In Perpetuity was fortunate to be retired in excellent health to a stunning farm, and Mark C. said there was truly no other alternative.

“My dad and I raced her, and Mark and I each had some of her foals. It was time for her retirement. She’d been a nice mare and a really nice racehorse. [But] even if she had been a lousy racehorse, I would’ve done the same thing. If ever given the choice of not being able to eat or not being able to care for a horse and give them a nice retirement, there would be no choice.”

Mark C. continues to contribute to several Thoroughbred horse retirement and rehoming organizations per year.

“To me, that’s the responsibility of owning a racehorse. I 100 percent believe that and can’t imagine anything else.”

So now in our barn is the incredible mare who brought sweet Wicklow into our lives. Moving gradually toward her third career, I tacked her up for that first ride, letting her see and smell my saddle and pad. She inhaled so deeply, ears forward, I really believe she understood that Wicklow was once there with us.

The marvel of her being here, and my level of gratitude toward Mark C. and Mark S., is infinite.

This article about rehoming a horse to heal a broken heart appeared in the January/February 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Healing Hearts Through Rehoming appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.