At Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc., we rehabilitate and care for neglected, abused, surrendered, and abandoned horses. Often, horses have been injured, have not received needed medical care, some have been starved, abused and mistreated and no longer trust humans. We work hard to return each horse to its optimum health (mentally and physically) and we provide any necessary training and conditioning. When a horse is ready for a new home, our goal is to place the horse in a carefully screened, loving forever home where it will be asked to do no more than what the horse is comfortable doing. Horses at our rescue come from auctions, kill buyers, and some come from owners that no longer want them or can no longer care for them. Some come from caring owners that want to ensure that their beloved horse finds a good home.
Beauty’s Haven is a dream of 40+ years that came true for one of its founders, Theresa. She grew up with horses and always dreamed of helping the less fortunate ones –ones that other humans would likely give up on. Little did she know it at the time, but after she underwent surgery some years ago to remove a tumor that was growing inside of her spinal cord, her dream started to come to true. Theresa had been treated for over a year before the surgery for a viral infection of the spine but her symptoms continued to get worse. An MRI revealed a tumor, inside of the spinal cord, was almost severing the cord - she underwent surgery. The tumor was removed but not without doing permanent nerve damage. Theresa was left quadriplegic and was told by the doctors that she'd never walk again. But she didn’t give up. With much determination, physical therapy, and faith, she did regain use of her limbs. However, she has no feeling or proprioception below her neck. She has no idea where her arms and legs are unless she is looking at them. She was advised not to do many of the activities she enjoyed before her injury such as horseback riding because of risks that could her back in the wheelchair again, or worse. Theresa tried to return to her job as a Program Logistics Manager with the Federal Government but a couple of years later she experienced more health problems and had to retire on disability - only 3 months short of 20 years.
Another MRI showed that Theresa had three herniated disks at the same location along her spine where the tumor had been removed. Surgeons refused to do anything due to the high risk that she could end up quadriplegic again - she was told to learn to live with the pain. Not long after, Theresa and Bob started sending their kids for riding lessons. While the kids had their lesson, longing to be back on a horse again, Theresa started riding an Arabian gelding. A few weeks later, she received a call about a young Arabian mare that had been seized by the county due to neglect/abuse. Theresa knew she needed the mare as much as the mare needed her.
The mare, now named Beauty, had been traumatized and didn't like people. She was young, knew very little, and had to be trained from the ground up. Theresa spent a lot of time with Beauty and over the course of a few months she taught her to work off of voice commands in order to help her from being confused with Theresa's arms, hands, and legs that would sometimes tremble due to nerve damage. Beauty seems to somehow sense Theresa is "different" and takes good care of her. Theresa and Beauty developed a beautiful and trusting relationship and Beauty will be with her always. Theresa feels very blessed that Beauty chose her to be her human.
After Theresa's surgery, doctors explained to her, and her family, how very fortunate she was to be alive. Suddenly, everything in her life took on a different meaning. Words from the Tim McGraw song, "Live Like You Are Dying" have a special meaning to her. When faced with difficult challenges after her injury, she was determined to work hard to achieve her dream so she could help others. Horses are wonderful therapy for humans – mentally and physically. All horses deserve a chance - the young and the old - and breed doesn't matter. And all humans deserve the opportunity to experience what horses can give to them. Horses are all a wonderful gift from God and at Beauty’ Haven they are able to live without fear, pain, and hunger - they are treated with dignity and respect. To watch a horse that has arrived battered, depressed, and "lost" - recover and grow strong and regain their pride - it is a feeling that is overwhelming. And to see the smiles that horses put on the faces of humans that visit at Beauty’s Haven – well, it is very rewarding.
One of the goals of BHFER is to establish a therapy program for people with challenges such as Theresa’s. Horses are the best therapy for her - physically and mentally. People ask how, with no feeling or proprioception, she manages to stay on a horse and she tells them - she has no idea - it must be angels keeping her up there! She feels very blessed to have a family that has helped her achieve her dream of helping horses.
Beauty’s Haven needs assistance from caring individuals, groups, and businesses to continue to help horses. Sometimes we must pay to get the horse out of a desperate situation and then pay to transport the horse to our rescue. This alone is costly. Many have likely been neglected and/or abused and once they are here safe, they are in need of vet, farrier, and dental care which is also costly. Then come the routine expenses that come with every horse; feed, wormers, etc. Beauty’s Haven is also a sanctuary to many horses that have special needs such as Lucy who has Big Head Disease, Warrior who has COPD, Peggy Sue who is crippled, and many that are 30+ years old. We need help to do what we do - no donation is too small and all donations are tax deductible.
