Horse community rescue

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Horse community rescue

Throughout 2009, Horse Illustrated and HorseChannel.com will be working with the Kentucky Equine Humane Center to bring you information about what goes into running a successful equine rescue facility. Find out more about the Kentucky Equine Humane Center here >>

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Rescue in Review
Throughout 2009, Horse Illustrated has taken you inside the Kentucky Equine Humane Center (KyEHC) in Nicholasville, Ky., for an overview of equine rescue. Hopefully the information you’ve learned has shed some light on the rewards and responsibilities that come with rescuing or adopting a horse.

By Kimberly Abbott, Horse Illustrated, December 2009

Getting Acquainted
Horses are products of their environment and social interactions. They take in everything around them and react accordingly, so first impressions are important. Give your new horse the best possible homecoming experience by slowly acclimating him to his surroundings.

By Kimberly Abbott, Horse Illustrated, November 2009

The Cost of Saving Horses
If the idea of caring for 50 horses isn’t daunting enough, consider all of the expenses that come with that endeavor. Then imagine relying on an unsteady income of donations, grants and fundraising to get by.

By Kim Abbott, Horse Illustrated, October 2009

Saving Hooves
When horses arrive at a rescue facility with their hooves in poor condition or a severe hoof ailment, it’s a major cause for concern—as the saying goes, “no foot, no horse.” Depending on the hoof issue, it could affect a horse’s chances of being adopted.

By Kim Abbott, Horse Illustrated, September 2009

Starting Over
Many horses have a long road to recovery when they arrive at an equine rescue. Whether they are suffering physically, emotionally or in both ways, their future and quality of life depend on the care they receive.

By Kim Abbott, Horse Illustrated, July 2009

Reporting Neglect
Adequate food, water, health care and space are the bare essentials a horse needs to survive. Unfortunately, there are many horses that don’t receive these fundamentals.

By Kim Abbott, Horse Illustrated, June 2009

Finding a Reputable Horse Rescue
In the search for a new horse, you dedicate as much time and effort as necessary to be sure the horse you choose is the right fit. If you make the decision to adopt a horse, you need to put the same amount of work into searching for a reputable equine rescue.
By Kim Abbott, Horse Illustrated, May 2009

Retraining the Rescue Horse
Horse rescues generally receive little to no background information about the equines they take in, which can make the retraining process difficult for the people who adopt these horses.

By Kim Abbott, Horse Illustrated, April 2009

Opt to Adopt
If you’re searching for a horse to call your own, consider the option of adopting before scouring the classified ads or surfing the Internet.

By Kim Abbott, Horse Illustrated, March 2009

Helping Hands
Caring for one horse is a large responsibility. Overseeing the well-being of 50 horses can be daunting.

By Kim Abbott, Horse Illustrated, February 2009

Helping Horses in Need
The current economic downturn and the closure of the United States’ three horse slaughter plants have caused a surge in the number of unwanted horses.

By Kim Abbott, Horse Illustrated, January 2009

Give Thanks and Give Back
Join the KyEHC for a fundraising party on November 20. Everyone is invited!

By KyEHC, November 12, 2009

Horse of the Week: Ben
Ben is a nice mannered gelding who is eager to learn and please.

By KyEHC, October 30, 2009

Horse of the Week: Brenna
Brenna is an adorable pony who will make a great companion for another horse.

By KyEHC, October 30, 2009

Horse of the Week: Rambo
Rambo is a good-looking 15.3 hh Thoroughbred gelding that is ready for a home. Rambo had a short career on the race track and has recently been ridden on the trails.

By KyEHC, October 23, 2009

Horse of the Week: Kyro
Kyro is a very adorable sweet pony that is easy to handle and groom.

By KyEHC, October 19, 2009

Horse of the Week: Phil
Phil recently arrived at KyEHC after his racing career came to an end due to a sesamoid fracture.

By KyEHC, October 9, 2009

Horse of the Week: Storm
Storm recently arrived at KyEHC so we are still in the process of assessing her temperament and disposition under saddle.

By KyEHC, October 2, 2009

Help the KyEHC for a Chance to Win Great Prizes!
Lexington tack shop Bob Mickler’s is helping the Kentucky Equine Humane Center as part of its anniversary celebration.

By KyEHC, September 29, 2009

Horse of the Week: Constant Velocity
Constant Velocity arrived just last week at KyEHC after his racing career ended with 62 starts and over $94,000 in earnings. In his short week at KyEHC, he has been easy to handle and groom.
By KyEHC, September 24, 2009

Horse of the Week: Investigator
Investigator a.k.a Gator came to KyEHC after retiring from racing with 33 lifetime starts and over $81,000 in earnings. Gator has a laid back personality and is easy to handle and groom.

By KyEHC, September 17, 2009

Kentucky Mansion Celebration: A KyEHC Fundraiser
In the summer of 2008 it was decided that the Old Governor’s Mansion, the nation’s oldest official executive residence, needed to be revitalized to serve as the official guest house of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

By KyEHC, September 3, 2009

Horse of the Week: Sassiness
Sassiness is a sweet mare who is quiet under saddle when we’ve ridden her at KyEHC. She would benefit from a structured, consistent riding schedule with an experienced rider.

By KyEHC, September 2, 2009

Horse of the Week: Ticket to the Poor House
Ticket’s career on the race track came to an end when she bowed her right front tendon. After three months of re-hab she is now being ridden at KyEHC and will be assessed by a veterinarian.

By KyEHC, August 27, 2009

Horse of the Week: Native Tell
Native Tell came to KyEHC when he was retired from racing because his owner and trainer wanted him to have a second career.

By KyEHC, August 20, 2009

KyEHC Benefit Horse Show
The easiest way to help the KyEHC may also be the most fun. On Saturday, September 12 the KyEHC hosts its annual all-breed charity horse show in Lexington, Ky.

By Leslie Potter, August 10, 2009

Horse of the Week: Shadow
Shadow is a great little gelding that is ready for a new home and a new career. He is easy to handle and groom, gets along great with other geldings and loves attention.

By KyEHC, August 7, 2009

Horse of the Week: Josie
Josie came to KyEHC after a brief stint at the racing training barn. She never made it to the starting gate because her owner felt racing wasn’t the right career for Josie.

By KyEHC, July 31, 2009

Horse of the Week: Legend
According to his previous owner, Legend has been ridden on trails. He is easy to groom and handle.

By KyEHC, July 24, 2009

Identifying Equine Neglect
Identifying Equine Neglect is a two-hour seminar covering the volunteer role in supporting law enforcement efforts in investigating equine neglect.

By KyEHC, July 23, 2009

Horse of the Week: Spurt
Spurt came to KyEHC from Churchill Downs. She was retired from racing after she fractured a sesamoid. After a physical exam and radiographs, she received the rehab time and care she needed, after which she was declared sound and able to begin retraining.

By KyEHC, July 20, 2009

Horse of the Week: Demi
Demi was formerly a pleasure horse. She somehow wrapped her back legs in barbed wire resulting in slight scars but no permanent injuries.

By KyEHC, July 6, 2009

A KyEHC Success Story
Last Monday I attended the Woodford County fair to cheer on my friend’s niece and nephew. I couldn’t help but look at a cute paint mare riding in the green cross-rails classes.

By Allison Griest, July 2, 2009

Horses of the Week
These KyEHC horses will be available to view for adoption at the Ky Horse Park’s John Henry Memorial Adoption Fair Saturday, June 27th.

By KyEHC, June 25, 2009

Horse of the Week: A.C.
A.C. recently retired from racing and is now being ridden consistently at KyEHC. He has a great temperament and is easy to handle and groom.

By KyEHC, June 19, 2009

Horse of the Week: Easy Going
Easy Going was bought from an auction house and donated to KyEHC. We do not know his history.

By KyEHC, June 15, 2009

Horse of the Week: Strawberry Sugar
Sugar is a big beautiful mare with great conformation. She is easy to groom, handle and gets along with other mares.

By KyEHC, June 5, 2009

Thoroughbreds Whose Racing Careers End Have Another Option For A New Career
The Kentucky Equine Humane Center offers Kentucky Thoroughbred racehorse owners an immediate option for horses whose careers have ended on the track.

By KyEHC, June 3, 2009

Read previous entries in the Diary of a Horse Rescue archive >>

16 years ago

Abigail Boatwright

Abigail Boatwright is a freelance writer and photographer based in Texas, and is the editor of Horse Illustrated’s sister publication, Western Life Today.

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View Comments

Anna says:
December 2, 2008 at 7:59 am
Cool!
trina says:
December 3, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I live very close to this center and it is amazing the work they do. Kentucky is having a lot of horses turned over or abandoned due to the economy
M. says:
December 4, 2008 at 10:58 am
I wish I could vistit. I love to help raise money for my local animal shelter.
Kathy says:
December 9, 2008 at 9:04 pm
It's so nice to see your shelter as this ia a very needed service. I'm just disappointed that you would advertise horse breeders on the same site when too many are bred without thought to the fact that there just aren't enough homes for the horses that are out in the world now. I know that the old adage is,"I don't breed that many so I'm not flooding the market", but add all those people together and yes, they are.
Alix says:
December 11, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I just read your article in the magazine and was so happy to see the rescue of the month. I adopted a horse from Days End about 3 years ago and I can't say enough good things about him. I've loved every second spent with him. He has taught me so much and has really helped to build my confidence up. My dad rides him and he's a beginner. I use to volunteer at Days End and I loved every second of it. I wish I could continue to volunteer there but with two horses it's very hard! What these rescues do for these horses is amazing and they don't get nearly enough recognition for it. So thank you for giving them the spotlight they deserve.
F says:
December 28, 2008 at 7:32 am
I adopted "April", a mixed breed that was 2 years old, but looked like 1... she had wounds all over her body and a terribly feet. Now, she is bigger and so pretty! You can look up her profile here,to see her pic. She is a lovebly horse! I wish I could help more horses like her, but we don't have enough space here...
ki says:
January 12, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I wish I could adopt more horses!
Anna says:
January 14, 2009 at 7:04 am
Diary of a Horse Rescue is an awsome idea! I love hearing stories about rescued pets- hopefully it will inform people more about rescuing, instead of buying. Great job HC!
Ana G. says:
January 14, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I agree with Anna, good job HC, I plan on buying a horse from a rescue SOON,(i hope) I love horses and cannot wait to start showing this summer... I think rescue articals are a good idea....
XXXXX says:
February 27, 2009 at 8:56 am
Thanks for this great article!