It’s a new day in a new year and I will continue to believe that all things are possible. I feel very lucky as I see myself as a positive person. Yes, a very positive person who believes that I can accomplish almost everything that I set my mind to. Well, there are limits, of course, but I will continue to forge ahead with a strong back and a great work ethic.
That being said, I also want to wish everyone a happy, healthy and fulfilling New Year! It is because of the kindness and generosity of strangers that I can rescue and give long-term care to unwanted horses. So, to all of Rainhill’s friends, may God bless you for your continued support, kind words and loving thoughts. I could not do this important work without you!
Periodically, I like to introduce Rainhill to anyone who may be seeing our articles for the first time. Rainhill Equine Facility, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit horse rescue/sanctuary that has a special “focus” on blind horses. We currently care for 52 horses with various disabilities that make them unsuitable for riding. Most folks do not want a horse they can’t ride. At Rainhill, we don’t ride the horses. We give them a place where they can live out their lives in peace with people who understand their limitations. Thirty-nine of the horses are completely blind. When they arrive, they are scared and are probably thinking, “What now?” Many of the horses have been passed around several times – either sold or given away. Who can say no to a free horse? A horse that can’t see can be very dangerous, especially when frightened.
People always ask, “Why rescue blind horses?” and “Where do they all come from?” and “How did they go blind?” Well, they lose their sight for many different reasons – disease, injury, heredity. Some breeds, because of a limited gene pool, have a high occurrence of blindness. Usually, these are color breeds – Paints, Pintos, Appaloosas and Palominos.
They come from all over the United States – people find me. In the world of rescue horses, blind ones are the most problematic. There are very few blind horse rescues, if any. And the biggest question of all is, “Why blind horses?” The truth is this wasn’t my idea. I didn’t get up one morning and say, “What is the most difficult thing I could do with horses?” Nope. This was chosen for me. Custom-made, so to speak, by God. I was just livin’ my life, wondering what I was going to do with my 185-acre horse farm. I had started teaching horseback riding in 1984, and then in 1994 I was rehabbing racehorses, and then by 1998 I was ready for a new adventure. What could I do to help horses, I wondered? God was listening, as he always does. Bam! Suddenly, I was getting calls about blind horses… Really? I didn’t know anything about a thousand-pound animal that couldn’t see. Well, I learned – and the rest, as they say, is history.
If you’d like to help, we’d be honored. Caring for all these horses is very expensive and getting more so every day, it seems. We have a sponsorship program to help with the extra expenses. The cost is $25 a month or a one-time donation of $300.
The horse we are featuring this month is Estill. She was brought here by her owner in November of 2008 from Irvine, Kentucky. She is a completely blind mare who has a wonderful disposition and would love a sponsor (she told me!).
Rainhill has no paid employees. All money raised goes directly to the care and feeding of these beautiful horses. All donations are important to us and will be acknowledged with a receipt and letter of appreciation. Thank you for reading our little stories. God bless you for caring.
-by Karen Thurman
Rainhill Equine Facility
11125 Ky. Hwy. 185
Bowling Green, KY 42101
270-777-3164
