We’re At Risk of Losing our Rescue - FINAL THANKS

Due to our most generous supporters we are able to continue our mission at Hidden Acres.

While we did not reach our goal of $100,000 to facilitate partial ownership of the property on which we reside we are pleased to announce that the property was sold and bought by a couple who is as crazy about horse rescue as we are.

So we will continue our mission to save even more horses and commit our services to our community who needs us the most. Please stay tuned for exciting announcements on new programs and improvements going on around the farm. You can find us on our Hidden Acres website at hartforhorses.org and on our Facebook page at Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY

HART, who has historically helped those at risk, is now at risk ourselves.

We're getting kicked to the curb!!! In February we learned that our landlord is selling the property our rescue and nonprofit operates from. Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds (HART) is a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) Accredited 501(c)3 nonprofit whose goal is to ensure we are never in this position again - we need to buy the farm

PLEASE HELP Port St. John keep this vital resource for horses and humans.

A World without HART

Our mission is to restore lives. Whether it be:

● Retired racehorses who face horrific slaughter (50k every year in the US)

● Abused or Neglected horses who would otherwise die

● At-risk kids who statistically, without guidance, become teen parents, addicted to substances or incarcerated by the age of 21

● A community who needs a place to gather to learn life skills and the importance of helping those who cannot help themselves

● Or veterans surviving with service-related trauma

We believe every life has inherent value and each individual deserves unique attention to rehabilitate, find purpose, and lead meaningful, productive lives.

Without HART those in our community are left with limited resources and opportunities to find their better self. We spread awareness of the devastating slaughter industry while providing our community with an opportunity to experience the incredible, healing benefits of horse connection. Without us, fewer people will become passionate about the immense value horses offer humans.

How You Can Help

Our ultimate goal is to buy the property. We have learned renting is just not ideal and doesn’t give the horses and humans we serve the stability they deserve.

$100,000 will give us the downpayment we need.

A World with HART

Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds (HART) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to rescuing not only retired or injured Off Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) but also the people and veterans in our community who need us the most. Our mission is to restore lives. In the 12 years we’ve operated we have:

● Rescued over 200 horses

● Remhomed 100% of our rescues

● Given hundreds of kids in the community a place to belong, develop life skills, and find purpose.

● Offered a place for community members to build meaningful, healthy relationships while working for a worthy cause.

Our Vision for the Future

Once we’re on safe ground we can execute our new strategic direction which has the following focus areas:

● Restoration - Helping horses and humans heal from trauma and discover a better life through equine-therapy.

● Engagement - Developing individuals’ strengths, life skills, and overall sense of purpose.

● Empowerment - Equipping our community with the skills and confidence to live meaningful lives.

Our strategic plan includes historical programs like our rescue, where we rehab, revitalize and rehome horses, our working student program - as well as new programs to serve our community such as horsemanship programs for at-risk youth and veterans initiatives. A focus on community service and how we can improve the lives of those who come to HART looking for a place to find their better selves.

Oct 2023 - Update

I guess this update is long overdue. We’ve been a bit busy caring for horses, feeding, watering, grooming, training, our rescues and caring for our boarder’s horses. But the public deserves an update - especially those who have donated. 

First, I want to ensure everyone who has donated to this GoFundMe that every single penny is safe and sound, stored away in an account that has not been touched. And will not be touched. And will only be used to help save this rescue. We realize we will never be able to buy this property outright. But hopefully through everyone’s generous donations we will be able to partner with a potential investor and secure our future.

Due to some recent backlash we should clarify a few things. The current administration took over March 1, 2023. We inherited the horses in their current situation: $5k for Midas’ surgery/recovery. We didn’t have the money but wouldn’t have changed that decision as the alternative was not an option. Tango (who was supposed to be sound) was placed on 6-month medical hold after extensive, and costly, diagnostics. Hope (appropriately named as our Ambassador and beacon of Hope that we could save this rescue) who we placed in our lesson program to replace the lesson horses we lost. Cab (currently up for adoption) was sent out on a trial adoption that went horribly wrong. Took quite an effort and money to get him back and trusting us again. We have not taken in any new rescues, with exception of Jake who was in dire need of a safe place, and won’t until the ones we have are adopted. That is the fiscally sound thing to do. So we have forged forward with determination to make this rescue not only survive, but to thrive. Even after all boarders left, rightfully so and again, due to the uncertainty. 

Those who remain have all vowed to make HART even better than before. Come see the care these horses are getting and the love that goes into HART. 

Every day, our team battles, exhaustion, anxiety, stress, constant onslaught of cyber bullying - and the health issues that go with all that. I’ve never in my life experienced so much negativity trying to save horses from slaughter, do the right thing, step up when I didn’t have to and nobody else would. Me, my staff and the people who walk our barn aisles every day giving of themselves when so few will deserve better.

Running a nonprofit is not for the thin-skinned. If you don’t support horse rescue, that’s your choice. But don’t spend your time tearing down those of us who care about these magnificent animals. I’ve been dealing with poor behaved adults for a long time. You won’t deter us from our mission. Our mission is bigger than that, bigger than you, bigger than the pettiness out there trying to put an end to this place. 

So we will continue to get up at 6:30 AM every morning (including weekends) to care for these animals who soothe our souls, remove the hurt, and make all the bad go away. If you’ve never experienced the calming affect and health benefit of the human-horse connection locate your local rescue center, neighborhood barn, even small animal rescue and give of yourself!! You’ll get so much more in return!!