We are a grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit equine rescue organization located in Florida. Proudly established 2006. At Beauty’s Haven, we believe! came to be!
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Beauty's Haven - Where Life Begins, Again!
How Beauty's Haven came to be....
After surgery to remove a tumor that was nearly severing her spinal cord, Theresa Batchelor was told by her physicians that she had permanent nerve damage and would therefore, never be able to walk again. Theresa isn’t the type of person who gives up without a fight. With the supp
ort of her husband, Bob, daughter, Katie, and son, Joshua, coupled with a large measure of faith and determination, she proved the doctors wrong. After months of grueling physical therapy, she regained the use of her arms and legs. She has no sensation or feeling below her neck however, and she must look directly at her arms and legs to know where they are in relation to her body. She is an incomplete quadriplegic. Even after Theresa was able to walk again, the doctors told her to refrain from any activity that might put her at risk for additional injury and that included horseback riding! Since Theresa had loved horses since she was a small child, she was determined to move forward so she would be able to ride once again. Several weeks later, Theresa received a call informing her that a young Arabian mare had been seized by the county due to severe abuse and neglect. The county was looking for someone who would provide a good home for the mare, a home where she would be safe and could recover from her mental and physical injuries. Theresa knew in her heart that she needed the mare as much as the mare needed her. Theresa lovingly named the mare, Beauty. Soon thereafter, Theresa and Bob leased a four stall barn located on five acres not far from their home. One rescue led to another and before long, more space was needed! They decided to sell their home and purchase property in the country where they could pursue Theresa’s lifelong dream of helping horses. They settled on a 17.5 acre parcel of land near Williston, Florida. Theresa named the farm after her beloved, rescued Arabian mare - and that is how Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc. Beauty’s Haven has quickly become a highly renowned and respected equine rescue facility with supporters from around the world.
07/02/2025
Blood test results on Valley Girl came back and her WBC is slightly low but she is still trying to recover from pigeon fever. She’s feeling better and the swelling in her back legs has gone down some. Hopefully, this will all be behind her/us soon. She was the first one here to get it in mid April and has had quite the time. But she’s been a good patient.
Mo and Addi are doing fine. We have had lots of rain which helps. The bacteria likes dry conditions.
07/01/2025
Still working with Pigeon Fever here which is spread by flies. Any help with the items on our wish list would be greatly appreciated!
06/27/2025
Today we welcomed a new volunteer. Welcome to the team, Rick!
06/24/2025
“Mommy Theresa are my pearly whites still pearly white? CaryLou says they’re not. I think he’s just jealous!”
06/22/2025
God is soooo good! I’m very happy for these little ones that we rescued out of the Goethe forest. Foster mom, Diane, has been taking great care of them. She is currently on her way to deliver them to their wonderful new home.
A new chapter begins for them. Had I not found them in the forest, which was a miracle itself, I’m sure they would have ended up dead - between the heat and the only water source being on the other side of a road where there are gators and there were other prey animals all around them.
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Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue
Where Life Begins, Again!
Theresa Batchelor, President of Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, Inc. is a courageous and compassionate woman who has had to overcome many obstacles throughout her lifetime. She was an active wife and mother of two children when she began experiencing neurological issues due to the presence of a tumor which nearly severed her spinal cord. The ensuing surgery to remove the tumor resulted in nerve damage which left Theresa quadriplegic and she suddenly had to face the grim reality that she would never again walk. As Theresa embarked upon this very dark period in her life trying to adjust to her physical limitations, she happened upon an abused Arabian filly that was fearful and untrusting of humans, humans who had starved and repeatedly beaten her. A connection was immediately forged and it became abundantly clear that the filly needed Theresa as much as Theresa needed the filly. Miraculously, through sheer will, determination, faith and an arduous physical therapy program, Theresa did regain use of her limbs, albeit she remains an incomplete quadriplegic, with no feeling or awareness below her neck. The unwavering bond between this remarkable woman and an abused Arabian filly, now lovingly called Beauty, coupled with the fruits of their relationship, led to the creation of Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue.
Theresa’s physical challenges have made her stronger - she never gives up but, rather, finds ways to work around her limitations. She truly believes that regaining the use of her limbs was due to the intervention of a higher power which enabled her to fulfill her lifelong dream of helping equines, specifically those that other rescue organizations refuse, due to the time consuming and/or immense costs of rehabilitation. Theresa has devoted her life to the rehabilitation of more than 350 equines with birth defects, broken bones, mutilations, blindness, and a host of other maladies, as well as those who were starved, emaciated and near death. Equines that have been neglected, abused, and/or abandoned, babies as young as two hours old, pregnant mares, senior horses and most recently, a beautiful filly who was brutally shot multiple times while innocently grazing, are each an integral part of the Beauty’s Haven herd. Beauty’s Haven is a safe haven where equines find love, care and protection; it is also a place that provides sanctuary to volunteers and visitors alike, some of whom have special needs and/or PTSD, who find peace and healing through their joyous interaction with the horses.
There are countless stories that can be told about Theresa’s remarkable work, but there is one that particularly, exemplifies true courage, dedication, inspiration, and heroism by both humans and an equine. It is the story of Betsy Rose, a pony who was discovered on the ground, discarded like trash, nearing death. Betsy’s odds for survival were near zero and although the veterinarian recommended that she be euthanized, Theresa sensed that Betsy had strong determination and a powerful will to survive. Theresa opted to give her a chance as she promised to make all of Betsy’s tomorrows everything her past should have been. Betsy was too weak to stand and required 24/7 hands-on care while she lived in a sling that became her lifeline. Her heart rate, temperature, breathing, appetite, waste elimination, and overall demeanor were constantly monitored and her care protocol was adjusted accordingly. Bedsores were treated and when ready, Betsy began an intense physical therapy program to build strength and muscle so she could walk again. It took two months before she could function outside the sling without assistance. Betsy’s determination and love for life inspired people throughout the world to believe and to never give up. She defied all odds and today, this beautiful pony with the flaxen mane has a huge fan club that loves her very much.
Theresa has a natural, unspoken connection with equines. These magnificent, powerful beings intuitively sense that she is fragile and ‘different’ and relate to her on a higher level of understanding. Theresa also has a natural connection to special needs individuals who arrive at Beauty’s Haven seeking peace and healing. She has an innate awareness as to which horse would best serve the needs of the individual and pairs them accordingly; through this interaction between horse and human, Theresa has witnessed many miracles; a young child utter his first words after having never spoken, a veteran with PTSD calmly emerging from his shell and individuals with debilitating illness finding peace and comfort. Just as Beauty has healed Theresa, and Theresa in turn, has healed countless equines that suffered the most horrific abuse, her beloved horses are now, healing others by providing solace and hope to those in need. It is truly, the great Circle of Life. Theresa’s own story is nothing short of a miracle. The depth of her determination to overcome is rare. She is an inspiration and a hero, to those who have met her both personally and through social media. Theresa is truly the embodiment of Beauty’s Haven Farm and Equine Rescue, ‘Where Life Begins, Again!’
Although the life of a rescuer is oftentimes, fraught with heartbreak, it too, brings immeasurable joy. Beauty’s Haven is truly, a labor of love. Theresa’s knowledge, experience, excellence in care, and commitment to making the quality of life for each equine the best that it can be, is truly commendable. Theresa receives no salary; her reward is watching equines recover from the horrors inflicted upon them by mankind and seeing smiles on the faces of humans as they interact with these magnificent animals. She has high standards but manages on a small budget which operates solely, from donations and fundraisers. She is recognized and respected throughout the rescue community for her hard work, determination, strong beliefs, integrity, transparency and dedication.
“Life is about determination. Don’t give up just because of the obstacles. Regardless of what obstacles face you, just keep going! Go through, go around, or go over - but never give up!”
