Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society

Home
United States
College Station, TX
Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society A non-profit equine welfare organization dedicated to helping starved, abused, abandoned and estray

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society is a nonprofit rescue organization and equine welfare community. We rescue, rehabilitate, retrain, and rehome horses from neglect and abuse cases, horses who have been abandoned, and horses whose owners can no longer keep them. Fueled by a growing community of owners, caretakers, and equine-related specialists, we offer owner assistance programs that help owners ca

re for, and keep, their horses. We also assist with disaster relief efforts and provide educational opportunities to improve the quality of horse care in Texas and beyond.

“A holistic approach to equine care not only improves the health of the horse but also enhances the emotional bond between the animal and its caretaker.”
Dr. John J. Krai, a veterinary behaviorist

“Strong, informed communities are essential for advancing ethical standards and fostering a culture of care within the equine industry.”
The Equine Welfare Alliance

Our community uniquely provides a vital network of empathy, understanding, and encouragement fundamental to fostering a sustainable and joyful relationship with horses and other equines. It has been well documented that when we immerse ourselves in a community that nurtures our interests, we do not merely pursue our goals; we excel in them. And we become more resilient, more dedicated, and ultimately, more successful. Our community is not merely a network of rescuers, horse owners, or equine enthusiasts but instead a sanctuary of compassion, a center of knowledge, and a beacon of holistic support for both horses and their caretakers.

03/28/2025

: Ventura came to Bluebonnet in 2021 when the rescue he was living at closed their horse program. He wasn't broke to ride before coming to us, and he spent time with two different trainers while at Bluebonnet. He was adopted most recently in 2023, and his adopters absolutely love him. They say, Venti has been a blessing!
God brought Venti to me when I needed him! He is the first one to meet me at the gate every morning and night!
He is playful and loving."

And we love hearing these kinds of updates of amazing horses and their humans together.

03/28/2025

Shedding season is in full swing and I feel like there's hair blowing around everywhere.

I can't wait to see what Olaf looks like under his winter coat and to see Chili, Nimbus, Bandera and the others all sleek and shiny again.

03/27/2025

Oh Nimbus, how did you not only manage to turn your mane into giant knots but also hide them on the underside of your mane?

Well, we had a nice spa session last night. Me, Nimbus, a lot of Cowboy Magic, and a chat while I untangled his mane. Any bets on whether I'll find all new knots this morning?

03/26/2025

I haven't posted an Olaf update in a while. He's the stray horse who arrived underweight and with a large growth on his eyelid. We thought we would have to remove his entire eyeball, but his vet agreed to try removing the squamous cell carcinoma with the hopes she coudl get it all and he could keep his eye, and it worked!

Look at his beautiful face now - no ugly growth making him uncomfortable (and threatening his life).

He also arrived with infections in all four feet and we've gotten those cleared up, too. Actually, I don't know how much credit we can take for that. Olaf seems to be a magically healing horse. Once we got him in a dry stall and cleaned his feet well and got him on a good feeding program, he healed in record time.

03/26/2025

I needed to measure Bandera today, because we're hoping to find him a good Training Challenge partner. He initially seemed quite scared of the stick used to measure height. He snorted, raised his head, and backed quickly away.

But he's come a long ways since he got here last October. Because it took a few seconds of me talking to him and then he settled down and came to investigate. I don't think it was a minute before I could measure him with him standing quietly.

I wanted to show off him investigating the stick, but I didn't have anyone to photograph for me today, and I couldn't manage it all. So I lead him outside, took off his halter, and started walking back to the barn to let the other horses out when I felt hot breath on my shoulder. I turned around to see this - he followed me back to the barn, wanting pets and attention (which, of course, he got).

He's come a long ways from the standoffish, nervous boy who arrived here. This is what makes the long days worth it.

03/25/2025

Jessica shares her Bluebonnet story. We're lucky to have her as a foster home, adopter, Donation manager, Website Coordinator, and more.

03/24/2025

If you have thought about being part of our 2025 Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge, it is time to get your application in! This year, we have prize money as well as many other prizes plus we have a Youth Scholarship and Professional Trainer Incentive - see below for info on both.

If you don't know about the Challenge: The Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge is a competition where professionals and non-pro horse lovers work with a Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society horse for four months and then compete in an obstacle course, basic skills challenge, and freestyle. The competition takes place on October 4th at the Williamson Co Expo Center in Taylor, Texas.

While you are working with a horse for the Training Challenge, we pay for all pre-approved veterinary care, hoof trimming (and shoes if medically necessary and pre-approved), and deworming. We also pay $160/month as a stipend (paid after the competition) to help offset partial costs of hay, grain, shavings, etc. ($80/month for ponies, minis, and donkeys) Money spend on the Bluebonnet horse but not covered by the stipend may be tax-deductible since we're a 501c3.

The youth scholarship program: $500 to the Junior or Senior who receives the most points in the Non Pro Under Saddle Division and another $500 to the Junior or Senior who receives the most points in the Non Pro in Hand 14 & Over division.

Professional Trainer incentive program: Each trainer who competes in the Challenge competition and whose horse is adopted, will receive 20% of the paid adoption fee (half price of listed fee). On average, the adoption fee percentage will be $400 (some horses may be a bit higher, some a bit lower).

Also - for professional trainers: when you participate in the Challenge, we offer advertising on our website, our page, and vendor space at the event. And when we need to hire a trainer to work with a Bluebonnet horse who isn't in the Challenge, we try to hire past Training Challenge competitors.

You can read the rules, learn more about the scholarship program or professional trainer incentive, and apply to compete in the Challenge at http://www.bluebonnethorseexpo.com/blog/challenge

03/24/2025

Shelly is a previous Training Challenge horse who is back to looking for an adopter. She is a 14 year old, 14.2 hh, grade mare.

She competed in the Non Pro Division in the 2022 Training Challenge, was adopted, and then returned. Her adopters really loved her, but life threw them a curveball so she came back. While they had her, their children rode her and she did well. She did suffer an injury in a pasture accident, but her vet has cleared her for light to moderate riding.

Shelly's Training Challenge rider worked with Shelly over obstacles, and she felt Shelly would make someone a nice trail horse.

Everyone who has met Shelly agrees that she is one of the sweetest horses they've ever met. She definitely loves attention, and she likes kids.

She's available for light to moderate riding. This means no jumping, play days, endurance, hard trail riding, or extended canter periods. She could be ridden at a walk and trot with short canter periods as a pleasure horse or trail horse. She's available to an intermediate rider or a novice working with a trainer.

Her adoption fee is $700 and she's located in Montgomery, Texas.

03/23/2025

It is Rosie's turn to ask for an adopter to step forward and take her home. She's a pretty eight year old, 14.3 hh, grade, stock-type mare who came to Bluebonnet in 2021, was adopted and then returned. She's been enrolled in the Training Challenge twice but hasn't gotten to compete (no fault of hers).

Rosie is a very sweet and intelligent mare. She is light and responsive on the ground, as she tries to learn what her trainer is teaching her. She loads in the trailer well. She stands for grooming and fly spray. She has done well with her groundwork and is ready to be started under saddle.

Rosie has been introduced to lunging and will walk, trot, and canter in both directions on a lunge line. She took a ba****ck saddle well. Her foster has recently introduced her to a western saddle. She was concerned about it at first but looked for guidance from the foster and is doing well.

Her adoption fee is $850 and she's located in Liberty Hill, Texas.

03/22/2025

Today's Question of the Week: Do you have a favorite Bluebonnet horse? It doesn't have to be one you fostered or adopted, just one who touched you. There's been a lot of them over the past 20 years to pick from!

What makes your favorite Bluebonnet horse special to you?

03/21/2025

Have you ever wondered where your donation goes?

It helps horses who were formerly uncared for, unloved, and unwanted. Horses like Chili. He came to us from a rescue who was overwhelmed with horses and needed help. He was underweight and hadn't seem a vet. He didn't have much handling, either. One of the things your donation helps cover is the annual Coggins test for Chili and all the horses living at Bluebonnet foster homes.

For the non-horsey people among us, this blood test is required annually and tests for an incurable and often fatal disease, Equine Infectious Anemia.

We have budgetted $4,500 for Coggins tests this year, based on what we spent last year.

Your donations make sure our horses, horses like Chili, stay up to date on their veterinary care - which keeps them healthy and protects other horses as well.

03/21/2025

Time for an . Finnegan here came to Bluebonnet in 2017 as part of a neglect case. He was adopted and then returned recently when his adopter couldn't keep him. He went to a foster home where he thrived, and then was pretty quickly re-adopted. His new adopter had adopted a horse from us, Emmy, in 2011 and had her for many years until she passed away due to old age. She reached out to see if we had any donkeys who could keep her lonely donkey company, and Finnegan seemed like the perfect fit! I'm so glad we could quickly find him someone else to love.

03/21/2025

Mack is tall, handsome, and massive! This gorgeous Belgian gelding is 19.2 hh and 20 years old - I think he's the tallest horse I've ever met. Fortunately, he's a sweet boy who is pretty gentle. And Mr. Tall, Massive, and Handsome is looking for an adopter who isn't intimidated by his size.

He knows his size, and he can be a bit pushy at times.He's good to catch and lead. He'll walk into a horse trailer if lead (Although he needs a big trailer!).

He stands tied, loves to be groomed, and stands for baths and fly spray. He's not comfortable having his legs handled, but his foster home is working on it and he's improving. He may, though, need to be sedated for the farrier for a while.

He's been lunged at a walk in the round pen, and he doesn't really seem to know what lunging is. His foster home does not have tack big enough to fit him, so we cannot verify whether or not he's broke to ride or drive, although we were told he was once an Amish workhorse.

His adoption fee is $800 and he's located near Jonesboro, Texas.

03/19/2025

Christa tells her Bluebonnet story. We're glad to have her as a part of Bluebonnet from the very first day!

03/19/2025

The very adorable Laramie is up for adoption and hoping to meet her own person. Laramie is a six year old, 14 hh, grade mare. She came to us after being removed from negligent owners. She's healthy and in good shape now, so it is time to find her a (hopefully) forever home!

Laramie was halter broke when she came to Bluebonnet but did not appear to have any other training. She's a nice age to start under saddle and could be trained to do almost anything.

She's available to a rider experienced with starting horses under saddle or a less experienced rider who will be sending her to a trainer. Her adoption fee is $650 and she's located near Glenn Rose, Texas.

03/17/2025

A belated adoption update - Giovanni has gotten adopted! This cute little guy met his new family recently and they fell in love. We can't wait to hear how they're all doing together!

03/17/2025

Indy is a previous Training Challenge horse who is looking for an adopter. She came to Bluebonnet in 2022 from a neglect case, was adopted, and then was later returned. She was in the In Hand division of the Training Challenge last year and did well, and then went home with a youth rider when she was not adopt.

The youth rider started riding her at the end of 2024 and the pair have been doing well together. Recently, they attended a 4-H practice where they rode in the arena with other horses at a walk, trot, and canter, played (and won!) Simon Says on horseback, and rode through several patterns. They've also taken lessons together and started trotting over poles.

Indy has had some poor handling and training in her life, so she needs someone who will be patient and give her time to warm up to them. Once she gets to know you, she really wants to please and seems to enjoy attention.

She's been ridden both English and Western now by an intermediate young teen rider. She needs very soft hands and gentle leg pressure - she gets upset with harsh hands and will not tolerate spurs. She currently has "more whoa than go" and could make someone a nice trail horse with more riding time.

She's looking for an intermediate rider. She's located in Poolville and her adoption fee is $950.

Address

PO Box 632
College Station, TX
77841

Website

http://www.bluebonnetequine.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society:

Videos

Jessica shares her Bluebonnet story. We're lucky to have her as a foster home, adopter, Donation manager, Website Coordinator, and more. #bluebonnet #bluebonnetequine #bluebonnetequinehumanesociety #texashorserescue #texashorses #horserescue #bluebonnetcommunity #equinewelfare #bluebonnethorserescue #helphorses #helpinghorses #20thanniversary #20yearsofhelpinghorses #20yearsofbluebonnet

Christa tells her Bluebonnet story. We're glad to have her as a part of Bluebonnet from the very first day! #bluebonnet #bluebonnetequine #bluebonnetequinehumanesociety #texashorserescue #texashorses #horserescue #bluebonnetcommunity #equinewelfare #bluebonnethorserescue #helphorses #helpinghorses #20thanniversary #20yearsofhelpinghorses #20yearsofbluebonnet

Seeing this gorgeous horse in the video, it is hard to believe when she arrived at Bluebonnet at the end of 2023, she was emaciated and lethargic. But she was. She came to us from a neglect case, and she immediately went to an experienced rehab home who helped her regain her weight and her energy. Later she went to a youth rider for the 2024 Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge. Her Challenge partner decided to adopt her, though, and she's now living her best life. They'll be at their first dressage show on Saturday, and her Challenge partner hopes to become a professional trainer one day, with Skyler, now called Brandis, as her partner. This is what we want for each horse who comes to us. To find their own person who will love them. And you can make that happen for more horses with a donation to our #AmplifyAustin fundraiser today: https://www.amplifyatx.org/organizations/bluebonnet-equine-humane-society #bluebonnet #bluebonnetequine #bluebonnetequinehumanesociety #texashorserescue #texashorses #horserescue #bluebonnetcommunity #equinewelfare #bluebonnethorserescue #helphorses #helpinghorses #20thanniversary #20yearsofhelpinghorses #20yearsofbluebonnet #whatarescuehorsecando #whatrescuehorsescando #adoption #adoptionupdate #adoptionlove

If you haven't donated yet, there's still time to help us earn a $25,000 matching donation for #AmplifyAustin! Donate at https://www.amplifyatx.org/organizations/bluebonnet-equine-humane-society Now, meet Lainey and Tessa. They came to Bluebonnet at the end of last year when their owner couldn't keep them. They were adopted pretty quickly - who wouldn't want these cuties?! From their adopters, "We are beyond grateful to Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society for helping us bring Queen Eleanor (“Ellie”) and Merida (“Rita”) to their forever home at The Stable Minded Ranch! These two sweet mini donkeys, a bonded mother-daughter pair, have settled in beautifully and are already stealing hearts. Ellie and Rita are thriving in their new environment, enjoying plenty of love, attention, and open space to explore. They are quickly becoming a favorite part of our hands-on farm school, where they help teach kids responsibility, confidence, and patience through daily care and interaction. At The Stable Minded Ranch, we believe that animals teach us just as much as we teach them, and Ellie & Rita are the perfect example of that. They’ll play an important role in educating and inspiring young minds as part of our unique farm-based learning program." Thank you for helping make their happy story possible! #bluebonnet #bluebonnetequine #bluebonnetequinehumanesociety #texashorserescue #texashorses #horserescue #bluebonnetcommunity #equinewelfare #bluebonnethorserescue #helphorses #helpinghorses #20thanniversary #20yearsofhelpinghorses #20yearsofbluebonnet #whatarescuehorsecando #whatrescuehorsescando #adoption #adoptionupdate #adoptionlove

It's #AmplifyAustin, and we're working towards a goal of $30,000 to help many deserving rescue horses! Horses like Robbie. He came to Bluebonnet last year. He was emaciated and in need of care, which he got from his amazing foster home. He then moved into a Training Challenge home where he got the training he needed to be a great riding horse. He competed at the Training Challenge where he placed in all of his classes and got the biggest prize of all, a new home with an adopter who loves him! His adopter says, "His training is going well, covered a lot on the ground, and started riding him sometime in December or so. Working with my trainer and thinking of what could be best for him. We're preparing him for trail rides, and after that maybe the goal will be for endurance trail rides." When you donate to our fundraiser at https://www.amplifyatx.org/organizations/bluebonnet-equine-humane-society, you make happy stories like Robbie's happen - from emaciated to beloved. That's what we want for every horse who comes to Bluebonnet, to be loved and cared for. #bluebonnet #bluebonnetequine #bluebonnetequinehumanesociety #texashorserescue #texashorses #horserescue #bluebonnetcommunity #equinewelfare #bluebonnethorserescue #helphorses #helpinghorses #20thanniversary #20yearsofhelpinghorses #20yearsofbluebonnet #whatarescuehorsecando #whatrescuehorsescando #adoption #adoptionupdate #adoptionlove

It is #AmplifyAustin and we're raising the funds to keep on helping horses and humans. We need your donations at https://www.amplifyatx.org/organizations/bluebonnet-equine-humane-society to go on changing their lives. Amethyst is an amazong example of our dedication to our horses. She came to Bluebonnet in 2022. She had been given to her owner, but the owner didn't really want her or know what to do with her. So after some time of living in a pasture with limited human interaction, Amethyst came to us. She went straight into the Training Challenge, and her Challenge trainer fell in love and adopted her. Unfortunately, Amethyst began bucking under saddle and was returned. We sent her to a trainer to evauate her and help her overcome her bucking problems. Her trainer thought something just wasn't right, though, so our next stop was a veterinarian. It turns out Amethyst wasn't bucking because she was "bad" or "naughty" (not that I think horses normally are bad or naughty), but because she hurt. Her veterinarian discovered fractures and calcification in her spine. No wonder she bucked, she hurt! It took us some time and funds to get there, but we had an answer: No matter how much we, as the humans, might want Amethyst to be a riding horse, her body just couldn't do it. So we sent her to a foster home and waited for someone to want a pet and companion horse. And we found it! She's a companion to another red-headed mare, and her adopter loves her. Now, that's a big win! And our supporters made that happen! #bluebonnet #bluebonnetequine #bluebonnetequinehumanesociety #texashorserescue #texashorses #horserescue #bluebonnetcommunity #equinewelfare #bluebonnethorserescue #helphorses #helpinghorses #20thanniversary #20yearsofhelpinghorses #20yearsofbluebonnet #whatarescuehorsecando #whatrescuehorsescando #adoption #adoptionupdate #adoptionlove

It's time to introduce you to a member of the Bluebonnet Community. Carol Kothmann is a foster home, long time member, and supporter. Thank you, Carol! #bluebonnet #bluebonnetequine #bluebonnetequinehumanesociety #texashorserescue #texashorses #horserescue #bluebonnetcommunity #equinewelfare #bluebonnethorserescue #helphorses #helpinghorses #20thanniversary #20yearsofhelpinghorses #20yearsofbluebonnet

On our 20th anniversary, we invite you to join us as a member, a foster home, an adopter, a donor, or a supporter or to renew your commitment to Bluebonnet. Because there's power in numbers and we can make a huge difference when we work together. #bluebonnet #bluebonnetequine #bluebonnetequinehumanesociety #texashorserescue #texashorses #horserescue #bluebonnetcommunity #equinewelfare #bluebonnethorserescue #helphorses #helpinghorses #20thanniversary #20yearsofhelpinghorses #20yearsofbluebonnet #anniversary

And since I asked you to share your #mybluebonnetstory, here's mine. Don't forget - if you share and send us the link, we'll enter you in a drawing to win Expo tickets, an Expo gift certificate, or a free membership. And you'll be helping raise awareness to help more horses! #bluebonnet #bluebonnetequine #bluebonnetequinehumanesociety #texashorserescue #texashorses #horserescue #bluebonnetcommunity #equinewelfare #bluebonnethorserescue #helphorses #helpinghorses #20thanniversary #20yearsofhelpinghorses #20yearsofbluebonnet

It is our 20th anniversary today! Please share your Bluebonnet story with the hashtag #mybluebonnetstory! If you do and send us the link, we'll enter you in a drawing to win Expo tickets, a gift certificate to the Expo, or a Bluebonnet members. Plus, you'll be helping raise awareness about Bluebonnet and helping horses. #bluebonnet #bluebonnetequine #bluebonnetequinehumanesociety #texashorserescue #texashorses #horserescue #bluebonnetcommunity #equinewelfare #bluebonnethorserescue #helphorses #helpinghorses #20thanniversary #20yearsofhelpinghorses #20yearsofbluebonnet #anniversary

This week's story for Bluebonnet's Anniversary comes from Kelly Jefferson. If you've been to the Expo the past few years, you might have seen one of her presentations on equine body work. We're lucky and grateful to have her in the Bluebonnet Community! #bluebonnet #bluebonnetequine #bluebonnetequinehumanesociety #texashorserescue #texashorses #horserescue #bluebonnetcommunity #equinewelfare #bluebonnethorserescue #helphorses #helpinghorses #20thanniversary #20yearsofhelpinghorses #20yearsofbluebonnet #bluebonnetstories #20yearsofhelpinghorses #helpinghorsestogether #joinourcommunity #bluebonnetcommunity #bluebonnetvolunteers

Hello! We're continuing to celebrate our 20th anniversary at Bluebonnet - and we are getting to celebrate with all of our favorite people! Today, meet Claudia. She's adopted from us twice and is such a wonderful supporter. Her adopted horse Phoenix (Boomerang) spent several months with me before going onto his Challenge trainer and then to Claudia. We loved him so much here that we nearly didn't let him go, and my mother in law still talks about him. Claudia got a good one! (Well, they're all good ones, really). #bluebonnet #bluebonnetequine #bluebonnetequinehumanesociety #texashorserescue #texashorses #horserescue #bluebonnetcommunity #equinewelfare #bluebonnethorserescue #helphorses #helpinghorses #20thanniversary #20yearsofhelpinghorses #20yearsofbluebonnet #bluebonnetstories #20yearsofhelpinghorses #helpinghorsestogether #joinourcommunity #bluebonnetcommunity #bluebonnetvolunteers

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society

03/28/2025

03/28/2025

03/27/2025

03/26/2025

03/26/2025

03/25/2025

03/24/2025

03/24/2025

03/23/2025

03/22/2025

03/21/2025

03/21/2025

03/21/2025

03/19/2025

03/19/2025

03/17/2025

03/17/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Videos

Shortcuts

Share