Horse Riders Information | Horse Rescue Organizations

There are several ways to adopt a horse. Although a free horse sounds great, this may not be the best first horse for you. Many horses being given away are free because they are too ill-tempered for anyone to buy them. Or they may be in poor health or too old to ride. Don't take a horse just because you feel sorry for him.

Horse rescue groups that rehabilitate horses are a good place to look if you are interested in adopting a horse. Some of these groups have former racehorses that have been retrained to ride, and sell them for a reasonable fee.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When a horse dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run with the wind and enjoy the companionship of their own kind. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable; fear and worry free. All the horses who had been ill and old are restored to health and the vigor of youth. Those who were abused, hurt, or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we would want to remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The horses are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind, so long ago. In each mind there is a "someone" who was kind, gentle and loving. One someone who took the extra step, stayed the extra minute, reached out and touched with love, even once. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, galloping over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy nickering rings in your ears and a velvet muzzle nuzzles your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the big, trusting eyes of your special love and partner, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...

Silent Night
It was dark in the barn at the end of the day.
Beside his proud dam a newborn foal lay.
The mare she stood and bowed down her head,
the foal tried to listen to the words that she said.
Her words were too soft for his small ears to hear,
He struggled to his feet and she drew him near.
"Mama, I am not sleepy, I want to have fun.
I want to run with the others and lay in the sun."
"Hush, little one, this is the time that we pray,
for those who suffer at the end of the day."
"Dear Lord, we are thankful for all we receive,
the world's not as hard a place as we once believed.
No longer must we hunger, shiver or thirst,
our needs are now met, our ills are now nursed.
But there are too many horses, unfortunate still,
who survive every day, through force of sheer will.
They never are petted, pampered or brushed,
Have never had a human in which they could trust.
No blankets, no turnouts, no time just for play,
and Lord how they suffer at the end of the day."
"No child to whisper soft words in their ear,
no owner that comforts when they know fear.
No soft hands to pet them on neck and on back,
good food and warm shelters not all that they lack.
They get no attention when they are not well,
locked in their stalls filled with filth, they already know Hell.
Often beaten and starved they hang down their head,
to wait sweet release that only comes when they're dead.
They get no soft bedding on which to lay,
little food and no love at the end of the day."
The foal's eyes they widened with fear and concern.
The mare nuzzled him gently and licked him in turn.
"My son, do not worry, you'll never know hunger.
You're days will be secure and filled up with wonder.
Not long ago I was one of those suffering, deeply in pain,
no kindness, no soft words, no shelter from rain.
Before you were born our rescuers arrived,
and I knew when you came that you'd surely thrive.
Sleep now, my child, our Angels are near," softly she neighed,
"and know we truly are thankful at the end of the day!".