If this is the first time you have seen this article, let me take a moment to introduce myself and my non-profit organization, Rainhill Equine Facility.
We are situated in Warren County about 11 miles from Bowling Green on a 200-acre farm where we have been for forty years. In 1984, when I moved here, my goal was to board horses and teach horseback riding. Somewhere along the way my attention turned to the sad, unthinkable plight of unwanted horses. So many good horses going to slaughter, year after year… more sadness than I could bear. I would go to local auctions and buy the ones that needed me the most. It was a simple plan and I was saving these animals from a horrible death. Then one day I received a call about a blind horse and that changed everything. I must say, I had no idea what I was signing up for. A blind horse? How hard can that be? Really? A thousand pounds of scared, hurt and confused horse! Well, they say ignorance is bliss, and gosh, I was blissful!
Fast forward 25 years and many blind horses later, I would like to think I’m an expert at understanding and caring for horses that can’t see.
We currently have 50 horses at Rainhill and 30 of them are blind. They arrive from all over the U.S., each one terrified of what this new place will be. Slowly, most learn that love is spoken here. Touches are gentle, food is plentiful and there are no more trucks hauling horses away to the “bad place.” Rainhill is an equine sanctuary which means they live out their lives here.
I have learned that blind horses really are horses that can’t see, but they still have the same wants and needs as other horses. They all need buddies and fair, gentle treatment. They do best on consistent schedules and will love you as much as you love them. They are amazing creatures!
Rainhill is a 501c3 non-profit organization which receives its funding from donations from folks just like yourself, horse lovers who appreciate the beauty and intelligence of these animals.
There are many ways to help Rainhill’s horses. One of the easiest is to shop at Kroger and designate Rainhill as your charity of choice. You can do this by visiting www.krogercommunityrewards.com. A percentage of your purchase will be donated to us by Kroger. They mail out checks quarterly and the money really does add up. You can also donate via PayPal or personal check.
No one at Rainhill ever receives a salary of any kind and all money raised goes directly to care for the horses.
Thanks for reading our little stories. May we all have a happy and healthy 2025.
-by Karen Thurman
Rainhill Equine Facility
11125 Ky. Hwy. 185
Bowling Green, KY 42101
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