Retire & Rehome
Whichever way we ride or however we are associated with horses, we can all agree that horse welfare and rescue is extremely important. Learn about these caring places in our Rehome section, where money and time can be donated to help horses find, or remain, in their forever home.
Many charity events help fund the good work of equine rescue organizations. Parties and auctions to benefit rescue are included in the Calendar of Events for Retire & Rehome.
Have an old friend to retire? Find a place where your horse can live the life of leisure in our Retirement section.
Do we need to add an event or rescue? Please use the useful feedback link and let us know!
Holiday video raises awareness of horse rescue challenges.
Shoreview, Minn. [December 21, 2016] – Deeply caring for animals does not have a season for anyone who raises them – whether they do so for fun or a career. But, during this holiday season, Purina Animal Nutrition encourages all to think about the wishes of animals – and the expressed and unexpressed needs they have.
The emotional connection between animals and people inspire us, drive us, challenge us and reward us. In return, the inner passion, love, a sense of accomplishment and sense of purpose our animals bring can be the greatest reward of all.
Our team at Purina Animal Nutrition believes in the greatness in every animal. But before animals can reach their full potential, they need a good home which provides the right nutrition.
Unfortunately – as an example – thousands of horses across the United States are in need of new homes. This holiday season we ask you to help us raise awareness by sharing the story of Sam, a horse whose only wish is to find his person for Christmas. Thankfully, Sam’s wish comes true.
Together we can help the wish come true for horses across the U.S. and all other animals deserving the human nurturing they need to live their greatness. At the same time, millions of farmers, families and children are caring for these special animals. It is our challenge to recognize, support and encourage this bond and commitment.
To support horse rescues or to find a horse available for adoption, visit our partner, A Home for Every Horse, at ahomeforeveryhorse.com or go here.
Read more: Christmas: A Time to Remember the Year ’Round Wishes of Animals
by Patricia N. Saffran
To find out how the German army treated horses in Holland during WWII, I contacted renown Dutch horseman Harry de Leyer who lived through the German occupation on his family’s farm in Sint-Oedenrode. He spoke to me at length over the phone and then said, “Come visit.” Mr. de Leyer is the subject of several books and a recent film for having bought an Amish farm horse off a truck bound for slaughter. He named him Snowman. The pair went on to show jumping fame by beating far more expensive horses and winning many major competitions.
We arrived in Virginia and drove up to Mr. de Leyer’s farm. Two Jack Russell terriers and a small Saint Bernard gave us a rousing welcome. The farm manager greeted us and said, “It’s not necessary to have barn cats with a fast Jack Russell around. One of them chases after mice.” He showed us his three resident retired prize winning Thoroughbreds in stalls and explained the empty stalls, “Harry’s health isn’t terrific and he spends much of his time in the house now. Besides my horses here, Harry has his own retired Thoroughbred who is shy and likes to be in his own pasture.” We were led to the farmhouse and introduced to Mr. de Leyer, who was sitting in his living room surrounded by a huge number of trophies, ribbons, memorabilia, and photos all over the walls of his many triumphs with Snowman and other jumpers. The latest trophy, Mr. de Leyer told us, was from the documentary about him, Harry and Snowman, by director/producer Ron Davis, which had won a prize at the Equus Film Festival in NYC last November.
Read more: Harry & Snowman, Harry de Leyer’s View of Horses During WWII
Desi's Forever Home (Bring your tissues!)
Nineteen years later, one horse owner’s story begins again with a second adopted Quarter Horse from the Purina Animal Nutrition Center.
Every horse owner has had that one special horse, the one that has changed it all. For many, their iconic horse entered their lives after giving to others. This second career is possible through horse adoption.
“By adopting, people give horses a second career or a second chapter,” says Mike Jerina, equine research manager at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center in Gray Summit, Mo. “We are proud to be a part of this adoption story.”
Jerina says the Quarter Horses bred at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center spend their first few years helping millions of other horses by participating in feeding trials. Research specific to equine nutrition has been conducted for more than 87 years. Some of the horses stay on the 1,200-acre farm, while some go onto their forever homes across the country.
Award-winning photographer Carol Walker beautifully portrayed a band of wild Appaloosas in her wonderful book Galloping to Freedom: Saving the Adobe Town Appaloosas. The Bureau of Land Management maintains and manages wild horses and burros in "heard management areas" or HMAs. Adobe Town, located in south central Wyoming near the Colorado border, is one of those HMAs.
Carol Walker brings to life a band of horses, led by an Appaloosa stallion dubbed "Bronze Warrior" who is the patriarch of a colorful array of mares and foals. These Adobe Town horses were rounded up and separated - some family members sent to Colorado and others to Nevada. Their courage, playfulness, curiosity…and even fear is remarkably captured by Ms. Walker. Reading this book, we feel immersed in the heritage of the wild mustangs, and empathize with the complexity of providing them a dignified future.
Read more: Galloping to Freedom: Saving the Adobe Town Appaloosas
For as little as $15, you can help horses!
The Moneigh fundraiser program began over 10 years ago by ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption. After the Finish Line has partnered with ReRun to raise funds for both charities. The Moneighs have become known as the official horse paintings of the Thoroughbred racing industry, in part because the name “Moneigh®” is trademarked. Paintings have been created by more than 200 Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, and Breeders’ Cup racers and winners, Stakes raced horses, and the most popular stallions and broodmares in the country.
This extremely popular article is a tribute to one of the most generous equine advocates, Victoria Racimo, and is published as a tribute to her. Victoria Racimo passed away on November 29, 2020, nearly a month ahead of what would have been her 77th birthday on December 26.
Victoria Racimo was an award-winning filmmaker, writer, producer and actress. She created two animation specials, was Executive Producer of the HBO film "Casi Casi", and co-wrote "Blue Moon," a children's book and interactive app based on a story by singer Alicia Keys. Commissioned by the State of Virginia, Victoria wrote and directed the original drama "Journey of Destiny" in celebration of America's 400th Anniversary at Jamestown.
A passionate supporter of equine welfare and rescue, she wrote and directed the documentary, "One Day", about Our Mims Retirement Haven in Kentucky. The film won Best Director in the Equus Film Festival in NYC. In 2017, she co-wrote "All the King's Horses" (Regnery), which describes Elvis Presley's little-known equestrian life.
Victoria Racimo was a very busy actress but is now a writer, producer and director. Her latest project is the film "One Day", the story of the late famed thoroughbred, Our Mims, the 1977 Eclipse Award Champion 3-year-old Filly. "One Day" will premiere on Friday, October 9th at Equus Run Vineyards, Midway, KY, as a Benefit for Our Mims Retirement Haven. This is the true story of teenage Jeanne Mirabito who falls in love with Our Mims when she sees her race on TV. Jeanne makes a “cosmic claim” and vows “one day” she will own this champion racehorse. 21 years later fate brings them together.
EIE: Victoria, please talk to us about the transition from actress to writer, producer and director.
VR: I grew up in Manhattan and attended the High School of Performing Arts. I was one of only six students admitted for three different majors - music, dance and drama. I ended up selecting music and studied piano. After graduation, I attended Columbia and really started pounding the pavement looking for work in television, modeling and theatre. I would go meet with photographers, audition for commercials, and I landed some work. I became "Miss Hawaiian Punch", even though I am not Hawaiian. I’m Filipino and Spanish on my father’s side and Irish and Lenapi Indian on my mother’s side. I appeared in many commercials and was even on the box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes!
I later went on to pursue a movie career and starred opposite Charlton Heston and worked as a television series regular in shows such as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Doogie Howser, M.D., The Chisolms, and Falcon Crest among others.
