Horses have played an important role in the development of human societies around the world for thousands of years, ranking right alongside the ability to make fire and the invention of the wheel in importance. Until the beginning of the age of the “horseless carriage” just over 100 years ago, the horse was mankind’s principal means of ground transportation. The horse also provided much of our labor. These magnificent creatures were used to plough fields, deliver mail, pull wagons and carriages, and bear soldiers to war. In just one short century, however, the animal that served us so long and well has been relegated in most of the world to recreational use.

Unfortunately, the disappearance of necessity has also heralded the deterioration of the ethic of proper care and keep. Horses are now seen as a luxury or commodity, and many people that own or want to own one do not understand the level of dedication and do not have the sufficient skill or confidence it takes to care for one. Therefore, many horses suffer from forms of mistreatment simply because of ignorance. There are many stories of horses that “accidentally” starved to death, or slashed their hooves or flanks open on old barbed wire left carelessly in the middle of a field, or spooked and threw a rider and were beaten mercilessly for “misbehavior.” These accidents are not the horse’s fault; these are cases of human ignorance. Horses are not naturally vicious creatures, and the stories about horses that savagely kicked and bit their owners usually have another, darker back story: they were likely abused sometime in the past. Humans create horses like this; they are not born this way.

Therefore, a primary element of the mission of Horse Harbor Foundation is not only to rehabilitate and provide a sanctuary for mistreated and neglected horses, but also to educate both current and potential horse owners about the proper way to care for and use them. We believe that the more people who know about proper horse care and share that knowledge, the more horses will be saved from mistreatment or abuse and, ultimately, the slaughterhouse, before a problem even arises. The number of horses in need is staggering, and organizations like this one are few in number. Horse care requires a lot of time and energy, but it can be done right and a major part of our mission is to provide people with the knowledge and skills they need to do it right for the sake of both the horse and the human.