How Do You Start a Horse Rescue?
Question by Jennifer: How do you start a Horse Rescue?
Does anyone know how to start a rescue for horses. I have had so many come here this year to get fed…then I find them good homes. I am really wanting to see what I can do as far as funding and getting my name out there. Any ideas? I live in Mid MO and have 14 acres barns and an excellent farrier close by…
I forgot all about my excellent vet…LOL He is VERY important too….
Best answer:
Answer by alex
If you’re interested in starting a rescue, there’s this great book called How to Start and Run a Rescue by Jennifer Williams. I haven’t read it all but it’s informative. But I was reading an article in a magazine this month…I think was Horse Illustrated…about horse rescues and they lost a lot of money. Their budget was over $ 270k and they spent over $ 300k. Their income was negative $ 23k. It was an interesting article, whatever it was.
Answer by furkid
Your a wonderful person for doing what you are doing! Before going into an official ‘horse rescue’ status you need to look seriously at weather you can handle the heartbreak? Do you have the time to look after seriously ill horses? How much experience do you have handling and rehabilitating mentally traumatized animals?
I have rescued so many and always run at a loss. Most of those I’ve had, have been abused and neglected. The average cost of a rescue horse with minor medical issues for me, is around $ 500 – $ 800AU per month for the first 3-6months. I do my own farriery, and have a wonderful vet who supplies drugs and other medication at cost price. Also I don’t pass the horses on till medical, dental, and podiatry problems are either resolved or easily manageable.
I average about 1 in every 3 that I’ve had to euthanaise because of dead gut sections or cancer.
My last mare I had for nearly 5 years till the right person came along for her.
Ask around you may find there is a rescue organisation that would be prepared to take you under their umbrella. This means that they will send you only the horses that you are able to deal with and you wont have to take on those that are above your facilities and experience.
Also it would be a really good idea to spend a few months volunteering at an established equine rescue centre, to see the negative side of rescueing and financing and the obligations with being a charity.
Another idea after you have done this if you still want to go ahead with registering yourself as a rescue organisation, is to try and get other property owners involved. 14 acres is not going to go far if you have 10 or 15 horses at various stages of rehab and disrepair.
If you can get a few other properties involved, you can turn out those horses requiring time and feeding only, while allowing you to have more time for those that need intensive care, and medical supervision.
The other thing that is invaluable is finding a reliable feed supplier. I have a farmer that produces large bales of hay, and I stock up seasonally as it is cheapest at the time of baling, and I can be a bit fussy.
I also have a heavy transport fellow that ships horse feed products all over the state and therefore gets all my other feed at wholesale prices for me.
Personally I decided that the obligation of becoming a charity organisation would actually reduce the quality of individual care I could offer each horse as an individual. Therefore with all the animals I rescue I follow the motto ” It is better to save one animal properly than five animals poorly”
Unfortunately with me not being in the US I can’t help you with contacts, and we see a lot of drought here so everything is very much seasonal.
I have friends who were in Texas till a couple of years ago and I’ll see if they have any contacts that may be helpful for you.
Good luck,
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