Horse Care

Over the years we have taken in unwanted horses, and helped them find permanent, responsible homes where they can flourish. It has taken countless hours and dollars to provide for these horses as they become solid citizens.

What’s necessary to make this happen is:

• Facilities where:

• The horses can live safely, with shelter and space to move

• Safe grooming area

• Storage barn for tack and feed

• Arenas for safe and productive training for development into safe riding horses

• Adequate quality feed and supplemental nutrition

• Veterinary care

• Farrier care 

• Skilled professional handlers and trainers

• Tack and equipment

Most of these resources are already available to Horse ReCourse. Maintaining this level of care is expensive. The more people we have who are willing to help support this endeavor with funding, time, and expertise, the more horses we can help.

Horses speak with their physical expression, the eye, and the wrinkles around it, the shape of the body, the tension in the muscles, the twitch of the skin, the swish of the tail, the elevation of the head, the rhythm of the footfalls, the breath, the flaring of the nostrils, the movements of the mouth. The horse cannot lie, try as they might to hide their vulnerability, they are laid bare in their need for companionship, for satiation, for comfort.  The horse is a prey animal, it’s instinct is to be reactive and wary of novelty. Their natural behaviors, while beautiful and compelling, can make them dangerous and intimidating for people. It is up to the human to learn to read their earnest expressions and meet their needs in a compassionate way.

The majority of unwanted horses present behavioral issues that are difficult for people to manage. These behaviors are an expression of deficits in the horse’s care, and it it the human’s responsibility to provide for the horse. It has been said that all poor behavior is rooted in an unmet need. Once a horse’s needs are met, behavioral issues can be addressed. Horse’s needs are relatively straightforward; beyond food, water, and shelter, they need their herd, and find comfort in community, reassurance in routine, security in stability.

Once a horse’s needs are met, and their behavior is stable, predictable, and compatible with humans, they become valued and easy to place in responsible homes. The majority of people looking for horses are amateur owners who need a safe, trustworthy horse to learn on. There are fewer people with the skills to enjoy a more athletic, sensitive, and well trained horse for upper level horsemanship, and these riders will generally have more specific needs of their horses. Some horses will fare better in a situation where they receive more pampering and TLC, and others will benefit from a more natural setting. We take our responsibility for these horses very seriously, and as we get to know each individual horse, we figure out what environment they will be most successful in, and match them appropriately.

Older, seasoned horses are usually easier to place in novice homes, but more challenging to support over time. They require more feed and veterinary care but provide a safe companion for less skilled riders. Younger horses are easier to keep healthy and have longevity, but generally require more training and skill from their handlers.

The length of each horse’s stay in the program will vary depending on their health and level of training upon arrival, and the ability to find an appropriate match for the horse. We might consider leasing horses, as well, to help support the monthly costs, while maintaining a connection and assisting with management of their care. If you are interested in being involved with helping train our horses, or in adopting or leasing a horse, please let us know. We are always hoping to help find the perfect horse for every person, and home for every horse.