Horse Shelter Heroes – S5E35
It’s been an absolute whirlwind at Horse Plus Humane Society! From hosting a national rescue retreat to handling emergency intakes and “buyout” days, our team has been pushed to the limit. But as always, the animals remind us exactly why we do this.
Here’s the breakdown of an unforgettable week!
🎥 Watch the full episode here: Horse Shelter Heroes S5E35 | Dino Gets Attacked!
The Power of Partnership: The Rescue Retreat
This week, we hosted organizations from across the country for our mentorship retreat. We believe that by strengthening other rescues, we save more lives!
Colorado Connection! Carrie from the Colorado Horse Rescue Network joined us and didn’t leave empty-handed. She’s heading back to the Rockies with a trailer full of hope, including 5 horses, 12 cats, 3 dogs, and Jack the senior donkey.
The “Mouser” Mission! Some of our “Frog Hunter” cats are moving to a Colorado historical society to help with a mouse problem. Talk about a dream job for a feline!
Heartbreak & Hope on Buyout Day
Our latest buyout brought in 20 horses from the slaughter pipeline. It was a day of extreme emotional whiplash.
The $40,000 Surprise! We met JC’s Champ, a stunning 6-year-old Thoroughbred. This sweet boy won $12,000 on the track and his father’s stud fee is $40,000. Seeing a horse of this caliber in the slaughter pipeline is a stark reminder that no horse is safe without protection.
He’s now safe and headed for our training program!
Sadly, not everyone could be saved. We had to say a peaceful goodbye to a skeletal senior Thoroughbred and a mare suffering from advanced, painful ligament degeneration (DSLD).
Providing the “Last Act of Kindness” is a heavy burden but it’s the greatest gift we can give to those in pain.
A Donkey Hero & a Tiny Miracle
Things got a little wilder than usual at the intake barn!
Dino the Brave! When a loose dog went after our mascot donkey, Dino, he stepped in to protect his buddy, Cowboy. Poor Dino ended up with over 20 puncture wounds and our team member, Jordan, even took a nip while trying to break things up.
Thankfully, Dino is a “perfect angel” and is healing up well with lots of treats and medicated cream.
A 2-month-old filly with a possible fracture was surrendered after a 7-hour drive. Her owners were told their only options were surgery or euthanasia. However, our vets determined her prognosis was actually excellent! The best medicine? Her mama.
We called the owners and they turned right back around to reunite the baby with her mom. Seeing them head home together was the highlight of our week!
Saying Goodbye to a Team Legend
We’re feeling a bit of a gap in the stable this week as we say goodbye to Kory, a talented trainer who has been with us for years. With the construction boom in Tennessee, we simply couldn’t compete with the rising wages.
We’re incredibly grateful to Kory for the years of dedication, hard work and heart he gave to the horses… his impact here won’t be forgotten. We wish him the best!
Join the Fight
After 20 years on the front lines, we know that rescue alone isn’t enough. We are regularly heading to Washington D.C. to advocate for federal laws to end horse slaughter for good. Your donations don’t just buy hay, they fund the fight to change the future for every horse in America.
Thank you for standing with us. Whether it’s through record-breaking heat or heartbreaking calls, your support keeps these heroes moving forward!
Every rescue, every treatment and every second chance is made possible by support. Your help allows this work to continue saving lives not just here, but across the entire rescue network!
Want to help more horses like the ones in this episode? Visit the Horse Plus Humane Society website to learn how you can support rescue, rehabilitation, and healing.
🎥 Watch the full episode here: Horse Shelter Heroes S5E34 – 21 Horses Rescued!
Your donations and shares truly make a difference — one horse, one rescue, and one story at a time.