Rescue, Heal, Empower
The Art of Rescue is dedicated to providing a safe haven for feathered horses as mental health therapy partners. Through our work, we aim to foster healing, resilience, and empowerment. Our work restores dignity—on both sides of the lead rope.
The process of rescuing and rehabilitating horses is a meticulous and intentional craft, much like a work of art. It requires patience, expertise, and an understanding of each horse’s unique needs. Just as an artist brings a creation to life, you are reviving and transforming the lives of horses to become mental health therapy partners
Our Equine Partners
“The best therapists have four legs”
Feathered Horses are unique, and the need for an equine rescue dedicated to feathered horse breeds—drafts, draft crosses, Friesians, cobs, and vanners—is urgent and pressing. As the supply of these horses continues to outpace demand, many are left vulnerable to neglect, abuse, and slaughter. The Art of Rescue has created a program that provides sanctuary, education, and hope for these noble animals. Together, we can prevent more feathered horses from becoming a tragic statistic and give them the chance to live out their lives in peace, dignity, and safety.
Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) has become an increasingly recognized and valuable approach to mental health care, utilizing the bond between humans and horses to foster healing, personal growth, and emotional wellness. However, the success of this therapy is deeply rooted in the careful selection of therapy horses and their preparation for the emotionally demanding work they will do. The ideal therapy horse isn't just any horse; it's one that has been carefully chosen, trained, and supported to handle the nuanced and, at times, unpredictable nature of human emotional needs.
Equine Emotional Resilience
Not every horse is capable of withstanding the emotional burden of equine-assisted therapy. Working with clients—many of whom are experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, or other significant emotional challenges—can be taxing for a horse. For example, horses that are young, newly rescued, or recovering from illness may not yet possess the emotional resilience needed to engage in this work. At the Art of Rescue we take pride in ensuring we have the most prepared and willing partners for our therapists, so that everyone can be successful in their healing journey!
Become a Benefactor
We’re building a community of horse lovers who believe in rescue, rehabilitation, and renewal—for horses and humans alike. We’d love for you to be part of that.
Entry Benefactor model will get you involved in aiding with our rescue horses needs such as hay/feed costs or farrior bills!
Top level Benefactor aid in the complete care of a rescue horse, as well as supporting mental health groups hosted by the nonprofit
The most popular model helps to sponsor half a rescue horse! You pick the horse and help cover feed, board, vet and farrier
Your Questions, Answered
Why feathered horses?
In recent years, a troubling trend has emerged in the equine industry, particularly among feathered horse breeds—draft horses, draft crosses, Friesians, cobs, and vanners. These majestic and hardworking horses, often sought after for their beauty, strength, and gentle temperaments, are experiencing a significant surplus. The recent surge in breeding and marketing of these breeds has led to an oversupply of horses on the market, with far fewer buyers than there are horses available. This has placed an immense burden on breeders, owners, and most tragically, the horses themselves.
Despite the growing popularity of these breeds, there has been a dramatic increase in irresponsible breeding, with little regard for the long-term welfare of the animals or the sustainability of their market. Horses from these breeds are frequently ending up in auctions, where they face uncertain futures, including being sold for slaughter. This crisis is largely due to the mismatch between supply and demand, compounded by a lack of breed-specific resources to support these horses once they are no longer commercially viable.
What is equine therapy and who benefits?
For both horses and humans, connection is a key part of healing. The process of rescuing and rehabilitating horses is not just about physical recovery; it’s about building trust and re-establishing relationships—whether that’s between the horse and its handler or between the human and the horse in therapy. The Art of Rescue embraces these emotional connections and how they serve as a foundation for both animal and human growth..
What is the Art of Healing?
For the Horses: The process of rescuing and rehabilitating horses is a meticulous and intentional craft, much like a work of art. It requires patience, expertise, and an understanding of each horse’s unique needs. Just as an artist brings a creation to life, you are reviving and transforming the lives of horses that have experienced neglect or hardship.
For Mental Health: The word “Art” can also symbolize the creative, non-linear process of healing, especially when it comes to equine-assisted therapy. Equine therapy, for both teens and adults, often involves the therapeutic relationship between humans and horses, which can be as transformative and powerful as creating art. Horses offer an emotional, non-judgmental connection that fosters healing, much like how artistic expression allows individuals to process emotions, trauma, and stress.
Let's Work Together
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