Helping Hearts Equine Rescue

Just a note:  Happily, we regularly receive inquiries regarding home offers for our rescues.   Often however, the potential adoptor, while interested, wants "more" -- more training, more mileage, more background information before they take that step; and conversely, because the horse is a rescue, expects that the adoption fee should be less or non-existent!

Please keep in mind that for the majority of these horses, we do not have the luxury of in-depth background information.  I can often obtain rudimentary information, but the majority of these horses were sold to slaughter.   The information just isn't available.  Keep in mind that we're not a sales barn.  We gather as much information as possible and share it with you, but we can't be as in-depth as a sales barn.  But  we also don't hide facts about a horse - - if we see something - good or bad - -we'll share it on this site and when we speak, I'll make sure you know everything we know.

We spend a lot of time getting to know these animals before offering them out--evaluating temperament, current training, any physical issues or limitations, as well as getting them caught up on basic care - -vaccines, dental, farriery, Coggins, etc.  Once we have a handle on each horse, I add their info to the website.  Although I professionally run a training facility, since we deal in multiple horses, actual"training time" for the rescues is minimal -- perhaps once, maybe twice a week as time allows.  If you are waiting for a horse to reach a milestone, it may be quite a while. 

If one of our rescues interests you, please expect that you may need to invest in additional training and care to bring him to 'full bloom'.  Please be aware that there will be additional expenditures beyond the initial investment -- just like any other horse. And these animals deserve this investment.

As far as the adoption fees go:   When we set an adoption fee, we consider the out-of-pocket costs for the initial "save", as well as the horse's age, soundness, health, temperament and usability.  At the very least, the adoption fee normally reflects the cost of the kill pen pull fee ,vaccines, Coggins, Dental, Panacur PowerPac.  Also, if a horse does enter a regular training regime,  please do understand that the adoption fee is subject to adjustment as the training advances.  (the adoption fee may go from $500 for that kid safe horse to $750 or more once he's tuned up in and in shape).  Conversely, there are several horses whose adoption fee doesn't reflect all that -- ie: $250 for an aged companion horse that deserves a good, loving home--it certainly doesn't cover all his costs, but it helps, and it's a "good-faith investment" that demonstrates financial ability to care for a horse. We all know they're not cheap!   Rescues are not "free horses" - -sadly,  free horses tend to be treated like. . . . .  free horses.  Too often, the attitude is that the horse isn't worth putting extra investment in because he was a 'free rescue'.

Along with the responsibility we have to the horses in our care, it's also our responsibility to manage the funds that you, our supporters, donate as best we can.  Many, many of you  are very generous in joining us  in saving these horses.  If we can recoup your "investment" in one horse by placing him and then using his adoption fees to save a second life with the 'same' funds - - that's a real win-win situation foreveryone - - especially the horses. 

Finally,if you are considering one of our 'kids', please, don't wait and see how he comes along.   The sooner we can get them placed, the sooner we have room to rescue the next horse, and the next, and the next.