Horses that Help provides FREE horseback riding and horsemanship training to special needs children, at-risk youth, veterans and their families, using rescued and rehabilitated horses.
“Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something”
Max Lucado
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24,248Horses That Help
A non-profit 501(c)3 equine rescue and sanctuary. A safe landing for at-risk horses.
**Update: horses safe and loaded and en route to Ocala!!! Thank you Cheyne Ranch!!!Help* We need a unique, tough team with a big truck and small trailer (2 or 3 horse) willing to get into Plant City to remove 2 of our foster horses out of standing water and bring to our farm in Ocala near WEC. Beau and Smarty have been offered emergency permanent retirement with Retirement Home for Horses Inc and while we don’t have much space here, we can keep them safe and dry until space opens up with them.
I say tough because you’ll need to park your rig about a half mile away and walk through water to get them and lead them out. They’re old retired reiners and have perfect manners so they’ll be gentlemen for you, but the logistics and environment may be rough. Please PM the page if you can get out today hopefully 🙏
Any donations towards helping pay for gas for the transporters and hay/grain while they’re with us is a blessing. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Venmo @Horses That Help
Zelle 561-281-8599 Horses That Help
Today I met an older couple who were heroes for their horses. They called us to donate all their horse supplies because 3 days prior they laid their last two horses to sleep, together, at the ages of 34 and 28. Both had health issues and were slowing down and instead of waiting for an emergency or a really bad day, they did the hardest thing ever for horse owners and gave them a planned euthanasia… together, in peace, on a good day. The pain for the humans was unimaginable and their eyes were puffy and red from all the tears they shed these past days but I assured them they were heroes for putting their horses wellbeing first, despite how hard it was for them. Hugs to the hero horse owners that ensure their horses are safe till the end ❤️(Photo is of two of our boys, who will also be safe until the end 🙏)
Two years ago we received a call from a family whose mom was moved into hospice and needed help for two older QH retired champion reiners. The caretaker hired to help them failed miserably and they were standing stalled for months in poop that was several feet high. We picked them up immediately and cried watching as they ran around and stretched their legs for the first time in months. They’ve been safe and thriving in foster care since but their current foster is unable to keep them and they’re looking for a new safe landing. They are both in great weight and up to date on everything. “Been there done that” perfect gentlemen on the ground, load, tie, perfect for grooming/baths etc. Smarty is mid 20’s and retired from riding but Beau (early 20’s) can still be ridden and he’s perfect. This is the guy you can throw your grandkids on and he has all the buttons and years of experience. Living outside 24/7 is fine as long as they have shade/shelter. Please reach out if you have a heart to help these old souls. 🙏 They are kind, gentle, and perfectly mannered ❤️❤️*We are a rescue who performs due diligence with potential fosters and we maintain contact throughout the horse’s life. Once a horse comes through HTH they are alumni and we ensure their safety*
*Therapy animals seeking therapy work*We have a special group of bonded farm animals that LOVE people and truly enjoy taking selfies and hanging out with people… so much so that they’re kinda depressed that we don’t have the activity here that we used to. We try to spend as much time as we can with them as do our volunteers but these special animals want a job that involves human interaction. Please reach out if you have a therapy program or similar that can use these sweet animals. Guaranteed snuggles, laughs, and awesome selfies ❤️
Jack and Jill - sheep
Tucker and Dottie - small pigs
Bob - goat
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Our Mission
Using horses to break through physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and cultural barriers.
Early on at Horses That Help, we learned that everyone needs help in one way or another. Everyone has a story, everyone has a past, a hurt, or tender area and everyone needs love and to feel they belong.
What started as a ministry for special needs children has evolved into so much more. I think in the day and age, most children are “at-risk” and we aim to provide a safe, wholesome, loving environment where these kids can let down their guard and simply be kids. A child lights up when you point out their potential and they rise to the occasion when they are trusted to help. Something amazing happens when you take a kid from their everyday environment and expose them to nature and horses and hard work. They get to groom, ride, and wash down the horses but the best is when they are entrusted to help a special needs child that comes to ride. Now you have a kid that gets to experience the amazing feeling of helping and making a difference in the lives of others and instead of a victim of circumstance, this kid is a hero, an overcomer, a vital part of something special and that’s when the real miracles happen.
As the children heal, their families heal too. And it all starts with a kid and a horse.
Vision
Dream big… there’s a lot of people to help.
We currently serve 80-200 children a month. Kids with special needs, teens that are facing crossroads, youth that are considered “at-risk”, and teens in foster care. In this supportive, safe, caring environment, these kids are thriving and are empowered through each obstacle they overcome. They become family. These kids come to the ranch for mentoring, food, fellowship and learning. Learning not just about horses but life skills as well. But I envision even greater growth… I see mentors in place to teach mechanics and carpentry and sustainable gardening. I see teams fixing the cars of single moms and special needs families. I see teams building tables where families gather to eat the food we all prepare with the organic produce they helped grow.
I see hurting, starved, abused horses being loved on tenderly by kids who’ve been through the same. I see abandoned animals and people being made whole and given a new purpose and hope for their future.
I see good people in bad situations being helped.
I see urban youth going camping, roasting marshmellows, and riding a horse deep into the woods. Healing happens on long, quiet trail rides for both horse and rider and neither return unchanged.
I see kids that feel hopeless rising above their circumstance and becoming leaders and mentors.
I see community support and resources available to help their families and a network of people joining together to help however needed. I see lives changed for generations to come… and it all starts with a kid and a horse.
Horses
Just like people, each horse has a story…
Alvin
Mustang
Color: Bay
Age: 8 Years
Weight: 1200lbs
Moses
Tennessee Walker
Color: Blue Roan
Age: 19 Years
Weight: 1100lbs
Gus Gus
Tennessee Walker/Mustang
Color: Black
Age: 9 Years
Weight: 1500lbs
Pepper
Quarter Horse
Color: Grey
Age: 21 Years
Weight: 900lbs
Icee
American Shetland Pony
Color: Black
Age: 20 Years
Weight: 450lbs
Teddy
American Shetland Pony
Color: Black & White Paint
Age: 25+ Years
Weight: 600lbs
Rosette
American Shetland Pony
Color: Chestnut
Age: 5 Years
Weight: 500lbs
Simon
Mustang
Color: Chestnut
Age: 5 Years
Weight: 900lbs
Frisco (Cocopuff)
Mini Pony
Color: Black & White Paint
Age: 5 Years
Weight: 200lbs
Photos
Sponsors
We could never do what we do without all our amazing sponsors!
Help
Please fill out the contact form or call 561-281-8599.
Horses That Help is always looking for volunteers to help!
Ocala, FL
(561)281-8599
[email protected]
www.horsesthathelp.org