It's a sad fact of information that a horse rescue even has to exist. Many people long for horses all their lives and then when they are older they finally realize their dream of owning their own horse......and here is where you insert the sound of screeching brakes.

A horse isn't like a dog or a cat. They need food, water, attention, training, vet care and love just like a dog or a cat - however unlike a dog or a cat - a horse needs it in even greater quantities. Many people buy a younger horse thinking they'll just feed him until he's big enough and then slap a bit in his mouth a saddle on his back then go trail riding.

It's not even close to that easy. Horses do not naturally trust humans and unless you give a horse a chance to examine anything you're going to use on him , such as a bit or a saddle, he won't even let you near him with it. Horses are psychologically wired to be prey animals, they are naturally a little skittish about anything new until they are sure it won't cause them harm.

A horse will also pick up on their owner's feelings. If the owner is afraid of or unsure of the horse - the horse will use that to his best advantage. If he finds he can control you by rearing back and acting aggressive, he will.

Fast forward one year to the happy new horse owner who isn't so happy with their horse anymore. At this point some people attempt to sell their horse who may or may not go to a good home or they begin neglecting the needs of their horse. Sometimes losing interest in veterinary care or feeding and watering their horse altogether. This is where a horse rescue comes in. The horses are removed from abusive and neglectful environments and retrained, and are given good food and loved.

The horses are kept, worked with on a regular basis and good homes are found. If you have room on your land for a horse, consider a rescue. If you don't have room but would love to help, please consider a donation to help with the costs of upkeep and care for the horses while good homes are being sought.

If you look at our horses available for adoption, you will see a good number of them are taking time to heal from bowed tendons.

That is an unfortunate side effect that mainly affects race horses and can be a career ending injury for many race horses who wind up in rescues when they can't have the potential of racing and pulling in a profit any longer.

A bowed tendon is a painful condition that will cause lameness in a horse. When the tendon is over exerted, it will stretch and when pushed beyond its limits, will tear causing great pain, irritation and swelling. Some horses recover from bowed tendons enough to resume racing but usually at a lower capacity.

Horses that have had bowed tendons usually make great riding horses once their tendons are fully healed. As long as the horse isn't pushed past its capacity, the bowed tendons will most likely not be an issue that is revisited.

It can take some horses 6 months to fully heal from badly bowed tendons, a light walking exercise beginning with 15 minutes per day for the first 30 days is the usual treatment then very gradually adding to the time walking. Most horses come out of having bowed tendons just fine and go on to make find companions.

If you're looking to add a new member to your family, don't overlook a horse that was a racehorse in his previous life, they usually make great friends and loving companions when treated with kindness and love.