Cate Lamm, an avid horsewoman, has been a part of Colorado Horse Rescue (www.chr.org) for 10 years. There, she’s served as head of the adoption committee, has acted as general manager and now works as a rehabilitation trainer. Lamm has owned a number of her own rescue horses and has 20 years of equine experience. Based in Longmont, Colorado, she’s also the editorial assistant of The Trail Rider (www.trailridermag.com), sister publication of MyHorseDaily.com.

Banjo and Opal

I once saw a bumper sticker that said, “Horses are like potato chips, you can’t have just one.” Well, I guess that’s true for me, because now I have two! My original rescue horse, Banjo, who I fell in love with at first sight, and now, Opal the mare I had been leasing for the last year.

Opals owner Jane told me she’d sell her at auction if I stopped leasing her and I couldn’t live with that, so she became my horse in a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Each year, many horses that have worked hard and served their owners well wind up at auctions when they’re no longer useful. It seems to me that if you’re going to own a horse, you should consider their life expectancy.

If you no longer “want” your horse, then you should try to find a good home for him. Or, if he becomes unsound, or you can no longer afford his upkeep, then you should donate him to a reputable equine rescue. Our equine companions deserve that much.

I’m very familiar with the plight of the unwanted Horse, having spent many years being a part of Colorado Horse Rescue. Another organization devoted to this cause is the Unwanted Horse Coalition.  In 2007, the UHC estimated the number of unwanted horses in the United States at 170,000. The UHC is an organization dedicated to reducing the number of unwanted horses and improving their welfare through education and support of organizations dedicated to care of the these animals.  Check out their website for great information about the responsibilities of owning a horse and how to help unwanted horses now.

Back to my rescues! Things were looking up; I moved my two large equines to a new boarding facility that was more affordable and closer to my house. And it had a huge field for my horses to graze and relax in!

Banjo’s training was coming along well. We were really starting to connect, and his ground work and lunging was getting better every day. We were ready for Ride #3. I very much hoped I wouldn’t land on the ground this time!

If you want more information on rescue horses or you want to locate a rescue near you, please check outAHomeForEveryHorse.com.

Equine.com and the Active Interest Media Equine Network have joined forces with the American Horse Council’s Unwanted Horse Coalition to launch A Home for Every Horse Project. This project helps find homes for America’s 170,000 to 200,000 horses in need of care and shelter.

Here’s how it works:
• Begin the search for your next equine partner at AHomeForEveryHorse.com. You can search horses waiting for homes at nonprofit shelters across the country. Browse by rescue horse, or find rescue organizations in your area.
• Visit the site’s “Services” section to learn about your local rescue organizations. Find out how you can volunteer, donate, or simply spread the word.
• Look for upcoming stories on EquiSearch.com related to horse rescue.

If your 501(c)(3) rescue organization would like to join the Home For Every Horse Project, call (866) 467-7323, ext. 100.

Equine.com is a part of Active Interest Media Equine Network.