Horse Shelter Heroes – S7E19
It’s just another action-packed week here at Horse Plus Humane Society and we are so excited to bring you behind the gates for our latest episode of Horse Shelter Heroes. Another unforgettable week unfolded as the team balanced emergency care, rescue prep, adoptions, training and exciting updates from the new World Horse Welfare Center in Florida!
Shiloh’s Eye Emergency
First thing in the morning, our focus went straight to Shiloh. While working in the round pen the previous evening, he got a little too excited and ended up with a nasty gash right over his eye.
Luckily, the amazing Dr. Dee was already scheduled to visit. With a little extra sedation to keep him calm in “happy land,” Dr. Dee successfully stitched him right up. Despite being nervous, Shiloh handled the procedure surprisingly well, showing just how much progress he has already made through patient handling and training.
Puppies Find Forever Homes
Lakota headed to PetSense in Columbia with a group of puppies hoping to find adopters and the day turned into a huge success! Every puppy was adopted and the store staff generously donated food and supplies to help support the rescue.
The partnership may even expand in the future to help cats find homes too.
Saying Goodbye Opens New Doors
If the barn feels a little quiet lately, it is because some of our long-term residents, including Admiral and Amelia, officially made the big move down to our new welfare center in Ocala, Florida.
Saying goodbye to animals we have bonded with always hurts but it is the best kind of sad. With residents settling into their new Florida home, more space is now available to rescue horses in need.
Sawyer’s Big Win
Remember Sawyer? We intercepted this sweet little colt from the slaughter pipeline back in September 2025. After months of monitoring, veterinarians determined he required a specialized cryptorchid surgery to remove an undescended testicle, something too risky to perform at the rescue facility itself.
Thanks to overwhelming support from more than 80 donors, the team successfully raised $5,000 to schedule Sawyer’s surgery at Tennessee Equine Hospital. Once recovered, Sawyer will finally have the chance to find a forever home!
Sunshine & Sweat in Florida
The team also welcomed several horses arriving safely at the World Horse Welfare Center after a long trip from Tennessee. Volunteers gathered for a successful meet and greet event, giving supporters a chance to connect with the horses and the growing Florida facility.
Meanwhile, Jason and Garrick have been braving the intense Florida humidity to put up 100 feet of new fencing.
Between melting in the heat and working with Thunder, a stubborn new resident who is slowly learning how to lead and back up, the Florida crew is working hard to expand our capacity!
The Buyout Intake Process
Back in Tennessee, Chris, Payton and Olivia took us on a rare, step-by-step walkthrough of exactly what happens when a rescue trailer arrives. From unloading critical horses and performing diagnostics to providing immediate food, water and medical care, they showed just how much coordination and compassion goes into every rescue day!
A Special Birthday Celebration
The episode wrapped up with heartfelt birthday wishes for Tawnee, honoring her more than two decades of dedication to rescuing horses and building one of the largest full circle of life shelters in the world. The entire team shared their appreciation for her leadership, compassion and unwavering commitment to helping animals in need.
Happy Birthday Tawnee and thank you for dedicating your life to helping animals in need!
None of this is possible without our incredible community of horse heroes. Whether you donate, share our videos or volunteer your time, you are helping us rewrite the futures of these beautiful animals.
Be sure to follow along for more updates and please continue supporting the lifesaving work of Horse Plus Humane Society!
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.
Your donations and shares truly make a difference — one horse, one rescue, and one story at a time.