The Equine Sanctuary

02/04/2025

Rehabilitating traumatized ex-racehorses demands more than patience; it requires unwavering dedication, profound empathy, and a readiness to challenge conventional horsemanship beliefs.

These horses carry histories etched into their very beings—
each flinch, hesitation, and wary glance narrates a story of past hardships.

Rehabilitation transcends teaching new behaviors;
it's about reconstructing a shattered trust in a world that has previously failed them.​

Understanding the Traumatized Horse:

Safety Through Trust: A traumatized horse doesn't become secure by chance.​

- To be safe, they must first feel safe.​

- To feel safe, they need consistent, patient interactions demonstrating human reliability.​

- To build trust, they require repetitive, positive experiences that affirm humans as trustworthy.​

- To build trust, they must be given the permission to say NO so they can assess do you really SEE & HEAR them.

For horses scarred by fear, meeting basic needs isn't sufficient. While environmental enrichment aids, it doesn't erase deep-seated survival instincts.

Meticulous, consistent interaction is essential to allow the to reshape their perception of the world.​

Contrasting Recovery Paths:

- Non-Traumatized Horses: Typically resilient, forgiving, and capable of resuming training after breaks without significant setbacks.​

- Traumatized Horses: An inconsistent day can unravel weeks of progress; an unexpected event can resurrect old fears, necessitating a return to foundational trust-building.​ ( Although we are always working on the trust/bond issue )

Embarking on this rehabilitation journey is fraught with frustration, exhaustion, and moments of doubt indeed.

Yet, the smallest victories—the first unflinching touch, the cessation of avoidance, the initial genuine sign of trust—are monumental achievements.​

These moments are like winning a gold medal for me....when I have reached a true connection with these sentient beings... it is joyful beyond words.

The Reality: Working with traumatized horses isn't for the faint-hearted. However, steadfast commitment and consistency offer these noble beings an invaluable gift: a future where fear no longer dictates their existence.​

06/03/2025

The Horse will teach you the profound depth of trust.

Trust is not something we demand. It is not something we take. It is something we earn—in the quiet spaces, in the moments where words are unnecessary, and presence means everything.

It is not shaped by dominance, but by understanding.
Not by control, but by connection.

It is the soft sigh of a horse choosing to stand beside you. The flicker of an ear, acknowledging your presence. The rhythmic beating of two hearts finding harmony as you simply stand together, breathe together, and exist together.

Horses teach us that trust is a gift—one given freely when we prove ourselves worthy of it. And when that trust is earned, the connection is unbreakable.

What is a quiet moment with your horse that deepened your bond?

Share your story below.

28/02/2025

The Equine Sanctuary is a place of peace for all beings. Today, after the horses grazed in the quiet of the winter fields, a family of deer who were in another pasture made their afternoon rounds to our upper fields.

No fences, no fear, just a shared understanding between sentient beings who seek the same solace in nature.

This land belonged to the wildlife long before we were here. It is their home too... a place where all life is respected, protected, and allowed to simply be.

19/02/2025

And the winter wonderland continues......

24/12/2024

This Christmas, our hearts are filled with gratitude for you—a cherished member of our community who shares our vision of health, harmony, and hope for a brighter world.

The holidays remind us of the sacred responsibility we carry—not only to care for ourselves but to extend compassion to others, uplift those who are struggling, and cherish the lives we are entrusted with, both human and animal.

At The Equine Sanctuary, forgotten racehorses find new purpose as powerful healers, offering comfort and transformation to veterans, children, and families in need. Together, we are part of something extraordinary—a movement of love and compassion that reaches far beyond what we can see.

As you celebrate this sacred season, may you find moments of quiet reflection, meaningful connection, and profound joy. Remember the light you carry within and the incredible difference you make in the world around you. Your kindness, resilience, and hope are gifts this world needs more than ever.

From all of us at The Equine Sanctuary, we wish you and your loved ones—two- and four-legged alike—a Christmas filled with joy, peace, and blessings. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey.

With heartfelt gratitude and love,
The Equine Sanctuary Team

19/12/2024

🌟 A Sacred Bond, A Divine Trust 🌟

Don’t ever believe you truly own a horse.... You never did—and you never will.

They are gifts from God.
God entrusts you with the care of one of His most precious creations, allowing you the honor to be their steward—for joy and solace

At The Equine Sanctuary, we carry this sacred responsibility every day. We rescue unwanted racehorses, offering them not only a second chance at life but a chance to heal and uplift others.

Through their transformation, they become instruments of grace, helping U.S. Veterans, children, and families find hope and peace.

We do our very best to ensure when their time comes...that these beautiful horses are returned to God in better shape than when they were entrusted to us.

The Equine Sanctuary is a journey of stewardship and healing, one horse, one heart, one stride at a time.

14/12/2024

🐾 Be Your Dog’s Hero! 🐾
As a devoted canine steward, your mission is simple: to help your beloved pup live their happiest, healthiest, and most fulfilling life. 🐕💖

Your dog thrives on:
✨ Daily playtime and exercise
✨ Adventures and bonding time with YOU
✨ Feeling safe, loved, and cared for by their pack—aka their favorite human (that’s YOU!)

Dogs are beautifully transparent; their loyalty is limitless, and their love is pure. All they want is YOU and the love you give them—that’s the key to their joy and well-being. 💕

Want to take their health to the next level? Add TerraOceana’s Canine Power for Life to their daily routine. Our products are packed with certified organic nutrients designed to support their vitality, promote longevity, and ensure your furry family member stays happy, healthy, and full of life for years to come.

Because they deserve nothing less than your best.

PS: proceeds from this company are donated to support The Equine Sanctuary and our programs!

03/12/2024

Today, your kindness on Giving Tuesday can make an extraordinary difference.

At The Equine Sanctuary, we give forgotten & unwanted racehorses a second chance. These incredible animals, once discarded, are transformed into powerful therapy partners, offering healing, comfort, and hope to:

🐴 U.S. Veterans navigating the scars of war
🐴 Children in need of solace and connection
🐴 Families searching for emotional healing

Through your generosity, we provide these horses with care, love, and purpose—and they, in turn, transform countless lives.

🌟 How You Can Help 🌟

Every dollar you give today provides critical resources for our horses, from shelter and rehabilitation to therapeutic programs for those in need. Together, we create ripples of healing for humans and animals alike.

Your support doesn’t just save a horse—it creates a lifeline for someone longing to heal. Let’s make this Giving Tuesday a day of transformation and hope.

Thank you for believing in the magic of second chances.

Together, we’re changing lives—one stride at a time.

💖 Donate Today and Be the Difference 💖 link in comments

11/11/2024

To all our Veterans- 2 and four legged… We thank you for your service and sacrifice for this country🇱🇷🐎🙏

27/10/2024

Could not have said it better….

07/05/2023

Please tell your friends and neighbors
to NOT feed your horses their grass clippings…..

Feeding lawn clippings will dramatically upset the balance of microbes in the hindgut, potentially leading to colic or laminitis, as the amount of highly fermentable carbohydrates in regularly clipped lawns is dangerously high.

18/04/2023

Good to have a best bud

You can always lean on your best friend ❤️