Rescue with Care

Speak Up For Horses, Inc. supports the rescue of slaughter-bound horses. However, because we do not yet have an equine facility to adequately house rescued horses ourselves, we partner with a variety of established equine organizations to rescue at-risk horses. We assist other equine rescues in matching available horses with adopters who contact us. We also assist CANTER Ohio and local thoroughbred trainers by photographing retiring racehorses at nearby racetracks for posting on CANTER Ohio's website.

We urge people interested in rescuing a horse from auction to consult established rescues in their geographic area. There are many excellent horses available at auctions and through rescues. Buying at auction can be a bit of an impulse decision, so weigh carefully the pros and cons of such a purchase.

If you are unsure of buying at an auction, please consider buying a horse through a horse rescue in your area. These horses have been evaluated and handled. Health problems or training issues have been identified, addressed, in most cases solved, and in all cases disclosed. You will most likely be required to fill out an adoption application, provide references, and photos of where you will keep your adopted horse. Some rescues will require a site check. Please recognize it is in everyone's best interest that the fit of horse to adopter be a life-long one. A horse that you think looks pretty in a photo might not be the right horse for you.

If you can't own your own horse right now, please consider supporting a rescue financially or by donating goods or services. Some rescues are nonprofit organizations where your financial donation is tax deductible. Others choose to operate outside the governmental regulations of federal nonprofit status. Either is acceptable. Pick a rescue with which you feel comfortable. Some rescues have sponsorship programs. Others have wish lists for horse supplies like hay and blankets. Many encourage on-site volunteering.

Our guiding light, Kona, was a rescue. Hers is a rather unusual rescue story; one which spanned our country from Washington State to Ohio. Here is her story.