Freedom and Whiskey Equine Rescue

Freedom and Whiskey Equine Rescue Freedom and Whiskey Equine Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabil

07/01/2025

check out our smart barn! šŸ’” who says technology and horses can’t go together?

if you are interested in more info or have any questions, drop a comment - we’d love to chat :)

Meet Titan aka Wreck-it-Ralph…Standing tall at 17.1hh, this half Friesian, half Percheron gentle giant is truly larger t...
06/30/2025

Meet Titan aka Wreck-it-Ralph…

Standing tall at 17.1hh, this half Friesian, half Percheron gentle giant is truly larger than life. Titan may look like a majestic war horse, but in reality, he’s just a big ol’ kiddo who hasn’t quite realized he’s not pony-sized. His favorite pastime? Playing in the sprinkler like a toddler on summer break.

Despite his playful antics (and accidental fence remodeling), Titan takes his job seriously as Ruler of the Pasture and Protector of Donkeys—keeping a watchful eye over his long-eared companions with pride.

With a heart as big as his hooves, Titan brings joy, laughter, and a little chaos to the rescue every day—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

06/25/2025

*clink* pour a glass, grab a seat, and tune into our very first whiskey wednesday where we’ll talk all things horses, rescue, with no b.s. we’re so happy to have you šŸ˜‰ 🄃🐓
Outlander Sam Heughan Sassenach Spirits Diana Gabaldon Basil Hayden
ā¬‡ļøfull episode below!

06/25/2025

*clink* pour a glass, grab a seat, and tune into our very first whiskey wednesday where we’ll talk all things horses, rescue, with no b.s. we’re so happy to have you ;) 🄃🐓

ā¬‡ļøfull episode out now!

06/10/2025

tuesday tip! talking about stall kicking…

06/05/2025

Honest horse talk, with a side of whiskey. Horses. Rescue. No B.S.

Whiskey Wednesdays, coming soon - cheers. šŸ„ƒšŸŽ

06/02/2025

Big thank you to our volunteer Ashley, who spent half her Sunday with us catching up on grooming and cleaning! šŸ™Œ

After all the rain, the horses were filthy, and we’ve been dealing with some stubborn thrush. Ashley gave everyone a good grooming and thrush treatment, then completely detailed the dry lot while I finished organizing the tack room.

Of course, a certain donkey (who shall remain unnamed… Gus) made it his mission to ā€œhelpā€ by inspecting every shovel load and attempting to push the wheelbarrow himself. Very helpful, Gus. Very (not).

We seriously couldn’t do this without our volunteers. They keep the wheels turning and the horses (and donkeys) happy. Thank you, ! šŸ’›

🦷✨ It was dental day at the rescue!Bright and early this morning,  Myles Hopton, EqDt - Pegasus Equine Services, and Jen...
05/31/2025

🦷✨ It was dental day at the rescue!

Bright and early this morning, Myles Hopton, EqDt - Pegasus Equine Services, and Jena Porto from Paragon Equine Veterinary Services rolled in with gear, and a whole lotta patience to get our herd’s teeth cleaned up and feeling good.

Everyone got their chompers checked, but the Best Patient Award (yes, it’s a thing now) goes to… šŸ† GUS!

At just 2 years old, Gus is still figuring out this whole ā€œdentist visitā€ situation. But with a tiny bit of sedative and a whole lot of curiosity, he was a total champ. Droopy lip, sleepy eyes, and all he powered through like a pro.

Huge thanks to Myles and Jena for keeping our horses healthy, happy, and chewing hay like it's their job. (Because, well... it is.)

Why We Don’t ā€œBailā€ Horses from Kill Pens AnymoreThis is a conversation we’ve had a lot lately, and it’s time we shared ...
05/27/2025

Why We Don’t ā€œBailā€ Horses from Kill Pens Anymore

This is a conversation we’ve had a lot lately, and it’s time we shared it with all of you. We don’t do mass bailouts. We don’t ā€œrescueā€ from kill pens. We don’t play into that cycle anymore, and here’s why.

We used to. Like many rescues, we thought we were helping. However, over the past year, we’ve learned more. About kill buyers, about the system. Mass bailing doesn’t solve the problem; it fuels it. (https://www.aspca.org/advancing-horse-welfare/truth-about-kill-pen-bail-outs)

Kill pens are not the beginning of a tragedy; they’re the end of a pipeline that starts with overbreeding, neglect, dumping, and lack of education. Horses wind up in kill pens after being passed from auction to auction, often malnourished, confused, and broken down. So we work to stop that before it happens.

We talk to owners, educate, and offer help. Through partnerships like the Virginia Partnership for Horses, we connect people to real solutions (https://www.partnershipforhorses.com/resources) so horses never enter the slaughter pipeline in the first place.

The truth is, kill pens are not rescue opportunities; they're a business. (https://paulickreport.com/horse-care-category/doom-scroll-thoroughbreds-bail-pens-and-horse-traders) Kill buyers are under contract to supply slaughterhouses. If a rescue buys a horse, they replace it with another. The quota gets filled either way. (https://www.animalsangels.org/investigations/horses/state-horse-slaughter-industry-annual-update-2025) And in some heartbreaking cases, horses ā€œrescuedā€ from kill pens are sent back to auctions or worse. Rescuing from kill pens can feel like a victory, but it’s not fixing the problem. It’s funding it. Supporting kill pen bailouts often means unknowingly funding that entire system. It creates urgency and emotional pressure, but little real change. (https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AHC-Ransom-Statement.pdf)

We choose to do things differently.

We primarily focus on owner surrenders and law enforcement seizures. We educate owners on the risks of selling or giving away horses without vetting buyers because, yes, kill buyers watch Craigslist, Facebook, and auctions too. If we take in a horse, they are safe. Period. Whether they are adopted out or live with us forever, we follow through. We do regular check-ins with adopters—30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months, a year, and more. We show up. We stay in touch.

And we don’t do this alone. We’re proud to stand with others who share our mission. Through groups like the https://www.partnershipforhorses.com/ and the https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/, we’re part of a growing network of rescues that support each other, share resources, and stand for real, responsible change. When we work together, we are stronger and the horses are safer. If a rescue stands alone, chooses not to band together with other rescues for the greater good of horses, participates in mass bailouts, plays the victim, and tears other rescues down, ask yourself why.

Small rescues like and Whiskey Equine Rescue struggle to get donations for the smallest of expenses. We don’t go on Facebook Live to show ā€œkill-penā€ horses with pleas and tales of woe. Mass bailouts hurt small rescues because the truth is, finding funding after horses arrive doesn’t pull at the heartstrings the way the message is portrayed in kill-pen bailout schemes. The donations we receive come from a few good-hearted people who have connected with one or more of our rescue horses. Every dime we receive goes straight to the horses. No salaries. No paid staff. Just care, commitment, and a clear focus on what matters most. We are not big in size, but we are big on commitment.

If you’ve supported us, thank you! You're helping us build something better. And if you want to support us, please donate or volunteer.

Most importantly, stop funding the cycle. Don’t fall for the hype. Do the research. Support rescues doing it right. (Photo curiosity of Fleet of Angels - https://www.facebook.com/FleetOfAngelsNews)

Huge thank you to Allison Reed of Bella Vita Stables for donating two (2) ShelterLogic shelters to our rescue! šŸ“šŸ’› These ...
05/19/2025

Huge thank you to Allison Reed of Bella Vita Stables for donating two (2) ShelterLogic shelters to our rescue! šŸ“šŸ’› These shelters mean the world to us and to the horses. They help keep our herd safe from the elements and give them a place to rest and feel secure.

To Allison and to all our supporters: your generosity makes this work possible. Every donation, whether it’s supplies, time, or dollars, goes straight to the horses. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

Thank you for standing with us. ā¤ļø

Today, we celebrate all the moms, human and equine, who nurture, protect, and love with every ounce of their being.From ...
05/11/2025

Today, we celebrate all the moms, human and equine, who nurture, protect, and love with every ounce of their being.

From the mares who fiercely guard their foals to the women who show up rain or shine to feed, clean, comfort, and heal… we see you. We are grateful for you. And we honor you.

ā€œA mother is not defined by the children she bears, but by the love she gives.ā€ – Unknown

To our volunteers, supporters, donors, adopters, and every woman who mothers with her heart, thank you for helping us build a safe and loving place for our herd.

šŸ’Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Freedom and Whiskey Equine Rescue.

Address

3480 Sanders Lane
Catharpin, VA
20143

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