Kentucky Humane Society Equine CARE

12/08/2025

We wanted to let everyone know that we are aware of the palomino free-roaming stallion attacked by dogs. We appreciate each of the many people who have contacted us about him, and we truly hope he gets the help he needs. This photo was sent to us via FB Messenger and we didn’t feel it necessary to share the photos of the injury or infection in this case.

Having just taken in many ferals we are currently over capacity and cannot responsibly commit to helping him directly at this time. It seems many people are involved and hoping to help. One of our contacts has offered to capture him legally for treatment if allowed to do so, and yet another NPO contact has offered him a place to go for stray hold, care, and treatment if needed once caught, only if caught legally with documented permission from the required authorities.

We are very pleased to see so many people passionately interested in the wellbeing of this fella, and are happy to advise those directly involved if needed on how we have safely and successfully captured many horses from this area, as well as how we would proceed for an infected dog bite wound with vets for a feral horse to keep everyone as safe as possible during treatment.

Due to all of the reports surrounding this case, we must say that we cannot advise multiple people administering meds if not on some sort of controlled schedule because multiple people feeding the same feral horse buckets of sweet feed and bute could result in:
- laminitis from the high NSC feed
- gastric ulcers from high doses of anti-inflammatory drugs in the system at once. Treating with too little or the wrong kind of antibiotic could also lead to a worse rebound infection. It is already obviously draining infection.

Also, we’ve heard folks may be trying to get a rope on this horse and we cannot recommend AGAINST that enough on a feral-born untrained horse who has not ever been asked to give to applied pressure before. In fact, many folks contacted us a couple years ago because someone had tried to rope one of the horses leaving them dragging a long line and worrying everyone locally. It’s best done with a sturdy, tall, heavy gauge pen to best prevent injury to the horse and people.

We are so very sorry that we are unable to take him at this time, but we still hope there’s a happy-ever-after in store for him if possible. With so many kind people offering help at at least two qualified experienced offers for care and training for this horse we do not feel it’s necessary to insert ourselves into the situation, but want to be clear that we very much care and are glad others do too.

*photo sent to us via messenger of the injured fella, not one of our own.

12/08/2025

Photos at Willow Hope Farm today taken by team member Jackie W.
Thank you, Jackie, for the lovely shots of the weanlings and some of the newer feral boys.

*Yes, the last horse is a completely feral, untouched, untamed stallion, he will eat a comb if you tried to touch him with it, that’s if he didn’t climb out of whatever enclosure first in fear. Poor guy is just not interested in cuddles yet. We’d love to get that knot out, but feel it’s not worth terrorizing him over it at the moment. ❤️

12/04/2025

We LOVE all of our wonderful volunteers! This week, volunteer Barb (who is also a photographer) was using her talents to snap some great candids around the farm and she caught this one of sweet Bixby in the snow.

12/04/2025

Maude the mule wanted to remind everybody that we have an online list of stuff we would love to have at the farm if folks are in the mood to send the horses some presents. Maude said the list should only treats, but we like to include other helpful tools, supplements, or tack that helps staff care for all the horses and find them adoptive homes. Of course if you want to send something from another company or make an in-person donation of new or used stuff, just let us know!
https://a.co/4LxLfGk

12/02/2025

12/02/2025

It's and the shelter pets of KHS need YOU to paw-ticipate. 🫵🐾 Even better - thanks to our friends at MetLife Pet Insurance, ALL gifts made TODAY will be MATCHED up to $10,000! 🥳 That means when you donate at kyhumane.org/donate, your gift will DOUBLE to provide TWICE as many vulnerable cats, dogs and horses with the lifesaving care they desperately need and deserve. 🧡

Click the link below and join fellow animal lovers in supporting KHS on this global day of giving. ⬇️

https://www.kyhumane.org/donate/

Together, we can ensure that every animal who comes through our doors is given the medical care, love and encouragement they need and deserve. Thank you for caring! 🐶🐱🐴

11/28/2025

Stella and Gretchen were happy to see the sun out today and enjoyed a bit of a siesta.

11/26/2025

On Monday we introduced you to 39 horses who had been previously collected by an individual who did not have permission from local authorities to do so. You've probably been wondering: what happens next?

Simply put, KHS does not have the capacity for all 39 horses at our Willow Hope Farm. In conjunction with the ASPCA, Kentucky Horse Council and Appalachian Horse Project, we were able to secure safe, peaceful holding sites for all of the horses.

As of today, a total of 9 horses are safe and sound at KHS's Willow Hope Farm. Our partners at Appalachian Horse Project graciously opened their doors to another 10 of these horses, and another reputable rescue also agreed to take in 3. The remaining 17 horses are currently housed at our holding site, but will soon be transferred to other reputable rescue organizations.

We can't wait to introduce you to our new arrivals! We'll be hard at work this week getting everyone settled, but we'll provide updates as we learn more about each horse as an individual. In the meantime, please support our ongoing efforts to rescue and rehabilitate horses in need by visiting kyhumane.org/equine/give

11/24/2025

We're working alongside our partners at the ASPCA, Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) and Appalachian Horse Project (AHP), to assist 39 at-risk horses who were previously collected from a reclaimed mine site in Eastern Kentucky from an individual who didn't have proper authorization from local authorities.

The 39 horses were returned and immediately vetted upon their arrival by Dr. Rocky Mason from Lexington Equine Medical Group, who graciously stepped up on short notice to provide all 39 horses with necessary health assessments. As you can imagine, this is an extremely large, unexpected intake case, and each horse will need months of rehabilitation, training and ongoing medical care before they are ready for new homes.

We're grateful to the ASPCA for providing emergency support, and to our many community partners who have stepped up to ensure these horses have a safe place to land. But we still need your help.

Providing a high level of care to this many horses isn't cheap or easy. It will take a large amount of work from our team, along with a significant amount of our resources to get these horses healthy and happy again. So, please consider donating today and together, we can make sure these horses experience the compassionate care and second chances they deserve.

Right now is an especially impactful time to give, as longtime KHS supporter Janice Cooper is matching ALL donations made to KHS through 11/30. That means your gift will DOUBLE to support TWICE as many horses in need! Thank you so much for your support of our team and the residents of Willow Hope Farm.

11/24/2025

*Guessing has been closed since the situation was announced publicly, please be patient while we check out the comments and thanks for guessing, it was THIRTY NINE horses in this case, with some going to partner orgs, some coming to KHS, and many in temporary pasture boarding to help stagger intakes of the rest of them to KHS.*

We've been toiling away with friends doing some hard things helping horses lately. We can't wait to tell you what we've been up to, but you'll have to check back when we've had time to let the dust settle and take a breath! 😅

In the meantime, would anybody like to take a wild guess how MANY horses were in need in this most recent case? If more than one person guesses the number correctly, we'll put the names in a hat, and draw a winner for a Kentucky Humane Society Equine CARE baseball cap.

11/23/2025

11/23/2025

In light of the current EHV-1 outbreak, the AAEP and the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) have organized a horse owner education webinar to bring you the most up to date information on this issue.

Next Tuesday, join specialists Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges (Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director and Texas State Veterinarian), Dr. Krista Estell (AAEP/EDCC) and Dr. Katie Flynn (USEF) for an informative discussion about what EHV-1 is, how to recognize it, and most importantly, how to prevent its spread.

This webinar is FREE, but registration is required. Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AnIoJrASj0vuX7Q_K87mKEjg5bxeMAkqp7fpSoOgVtVm_Zgo1g5m~AiiV7ZQ3bbmlEW2iSkeRTSAfMCYf2QhFMoprr7WRbM_MsiJRcBGT1oLj0Q

*PLEASE NOTE: the attendee limit for this session is capped at 1,000. However, all who register will be emailed a link to an on-demand recording that will become available 24 hours after the live session ends.