How We Work

The People Helping Horses Rehabilitation Program

At People Helping Horses, we not only provide safe harbor for the most vulnerable of equines, but prepare them for a new life. Our ground-breaking process takes the whole horse into consideration and thoroughly addresses their health, training, and temperament.
PHH takes in horses from a variety of situations, including county seizures and owner surrender. A $750 surrender fee is required for owner surrenders to cover the cost of the horse’s initial evaluation and first 30 days of care—including dental and farrier work and vaccinations.

The PHH rehabilitative program is one that evolved from not only years of practice, but hours of considerate and thoughtful discussion. Through many iterations, one goal surfaced again and again: We must, as an active force in the equine community, stay true to our mission and insure that the horses who are going on to find their forever homes are safe, healthy, and prepared to give 110% to their new owners—and in turn, receive the same.

Our desire is to heal the whole horse—mind, body, and spirit. We accomplish this task utilizing both eastern and western medicinal treatments, patient training under saddle, and many hours of building the horse’s trust and confidence through positive human interaction.

Horses new to the program

The majority of horses who come into our care arrive with emotional and physical issues, making for an often stressful settling in period. We take this into consideration and allow the horse the time they need to adjust to their new situation and heal. It may sound odd, but for those horses who’ve been abused and/or neglected, the sudden onset of positive human interaction and a reliable source of food and water can be worrisome. Patience is the key at this point in the process, assuring the horse that they are safe and establishing a connection that continues to deepen throughout the rehabilitative process.

Once trust has been established and any health concerns have been successfully treated, the horse is introduced to ground manners, including leading, haltering, being bathed, clipped, cross tied, sprayed, and standing politely for the vet, farrier, and trailering.

As funds become available, He/She will go into training with one of our PHH trainers for evaluation. The training process at PHH takes time—and for very good reason. We’re not only readying the horse for a new home, but healing them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. All horses, regardless of background, will experience ups and downs in their training. Again, it is important to remember that the majority of our horses come from difficult circumstances, so it is natural to expect that their road to adoptability will not only take longer but require a patient head and hand.

If a horse is not rideable for any reason, He/She may be made available as a pasture pet or as a retirement home candidate. Many factors are involved in such a decision, including any special shoeing or supplement requirements, the horse’s level of happiness in a herd situation, and others. Each horse, regardless of their abilities, is unique and special to us. Therefore, each is considered on a case by case basis.

A young horse will remain with PHH until He/She is mature enough to be started under saddle. The quality of a horse’s life is founded in the care and consistency that they receive in their first three years of life. At PHH, our babies are shown the respect and love that they so richly deserve—and in turn are instilled with the understanding that respect for their human counterparts is a natural part of the human to horse connection.

The decision to humanely euthanize a horse

It is never an easy decision—nor one made lightly—to humanely euthanize a horse. In fact, it is, without a doubt, one of the most difficult responsibilities we accept with each new horse. But at PHH, we consider this a necessary part of our job—and one that respectfully considers the horse’s needs and quality of life as well as those of any individual who may come in contact with the equine.

With all of the dangerous situations that today’s horses face, including shipment to Canada and Mexico for slaughter, abandonment, abuse, and neglect, it is essential that each and every horse who comes into our care is given the best possible opportunity for a happy life. To allow a horse with severe behavioral or physical issues to be adopted out would only open them up to the horrendous fates listed above.

The decision to humanely euthanize is made only after the horse has been thoroughly evaluated and every option has been considered. The entire PHH Board of Directors is involved in every one of these truly heartbreaking cases as is the trainer assigned to the horse.