From Rescue To Renewal: How Rescue Horses Are Transforming Lives in Mental Health Programs
- Hallie Sheade, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S
- May 15
- 7 min read
Once discarded, now healers — horses who have weathered storms of their own are helping others find their way back to hope.
Each year, thousands of horses across the United States find themselves unwanted. Not because they are broken or bad, but because life took a turn: an owner faced financial hardship, a horse grew older, an injury ended a competitive career, or circumstances simply changed. Behind every unwanted horse is a story — and often, untapped potential waiting to be seen.
The statistics are heartbreaking. According to Fobar (2023), an estimated 20,000 American horses — including former racehorses, show horses, work animals, and even beloved pets — are sold to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico every year. Quarter Horses are the most common, but even Thoroughbreds — including a past Kentucky Derby winner, Ferdinand — have faced such tragic ends. Many arrive in poor condition: starving, injured, neglected, and treated harshly along the way.
The reasons horses become "unwanted" are rarely clearcut. Lifelong care is expensive, and often misunderstood by first-time owners who don’t realize the commitment involved. Some people encounter unforeseen hardship and simply can’t afford their horse anymore. Others view horses like tools or sports cars — replaced when they can no longer "perform" or when the rider outgrows their skill level. Still others label a horse as "bad" when, in reality, the horse is struggling to adapt to an environment or expectations they weren't prepared for. It’s not about worthlessness — it’s about being misunderstood or misplaced. When safe rehoming isn’t an option, the outcomes can be devastating. But for some horses, there is another path — a second career where athleticism isn’t required, but heart is.
Equine-assisted services (EAS) centers not only provide safe havens for rescue horses, but also offer a preventive solution by giving homes to horses that may otherwise be at risk of ending up in undesirable situations, allowing them to thrive in a meaningful second career.
These horses often find not just a home, but a renewed purpose. Here, horses aren’t asked to jump fences, run barrels, or win races. Instead, they're asked to simply be present: to listen, to connect, to heal alongside humans. Some horses participate in therapeutic riding programs, carrying beginner or unbalanced riders with patience and grace.
They become vital partners in therapeutic riding or adaptive lessons, where qualities like calmness, forgiveness, and steadiness are far more important than athletic ability. Others, especially those with injuries or age-related limitations, step into counseling and psychotherapy work — ground-based sessions where no riding is involved. In these settings, horses are given autonomy. They choose whether and how to engage. They aren't forced, manipulated, or scripted. They are seen as sentient partners, not tools. It’s a role many rescue horses seem born to fill. Because they know something about survival. About resilience. About learning to trust again. And in their honest, unguarded presence, clients find something profoundly healing.
Rescue horses are uniquely suited for equine-assisted services because of the natural empathy they bring from their own lived experiences of loss, trauma, and resilience. Having faced hardship, these horses often develop a deep sense of understanding and compassion, responding authentically to the emotions of those around them. Their ability to model healing, trust-building, and personal growth is especially powerful in therapeutic settings, as they demonstrate firsthand the transformative process of overcoming challenges. With diverse backgrounds and personalities, rescue horses are able to meet the varied needs of clients, offering a range of emotional connections that resonate deeply with people who are navigating their own struggles, whether they’re processing trauma or learning to trust again.
While training horses in for the South Florida SPCA in Miami, I was often struck by how quick and strongly these horses connected to me once they realized that they were safe. In my current work in equine-assisted counseling, the impact has been undeniable. Lesson horses who once ran away from the halter in the pasture began approaching willingly after participating in counseling sessions centered on choice and connection. Spot, a neglected and minimally handled donkey, learned to be haltered and led — not through force, but through partnership with trauma survivors learning about trust themselves. Echo, a once-wild mustang, blossomed into a sensitive, wise guide for clients healing from abuse, loss, and fear. Her greatest "flaw" — her deep attunement to human emotion — became her greatest gift.
Horses and donkeys flourish when they are given choice, when they are heard, when they are met where they are. Just like people. And the healing is mutual. Clients see their own journeys mirrored in the eyes of these horses — journeys of fear, hope, boundaries, courage. They connect not through words, but through authentic, relational presence. No masks, no judgment.
For nonprofits like STEPS With Horses, welcoming retired or rescued horses also makes sense on a practical level. Lower-intensity work like counseling doesn’t require horses to be physically flawless — making minor injuries, age, or "imperfections" non-issues. Instead of needing to purchase expensive high-performance horses, nonprofits can partner with incredible animals who might otherwise have been overlooked. In return, these horses experience what every living being craves: purpose, connection, community.
For owners, donating or long-term leasing a horse to a reputable EAS center offers peace of mind. Centers affiliated with organizations such as the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) and The Equus Foundation are held to high standards of safety, ethics, and equine welfare.
PATH Intl. Member Centers commit to upholding a robust set of safety and equine welfare standards. Centers awarded the Equus Foundation Guardian designation represent an even higher commitment to transparency and lifelong care. Owners can rest easy knowing their beloved horses are valued not for what they can "do," but for who they are.
Transitioning a horse to a second career takes planning. Experts like Oakford (2021) recommend starting the process early, asking the right questions, and ensuring the new environment is truly a good fit. Resources like the ASPCA Right Horse program help connect owners with responsible options.
When considering donating a horse to an EAS center, it’s important to ask a few key questions to ensure the best possible care for your horse. Start by asking about the center’s experience with horses of similar breed, age, and temperament. Do the staff have proper certifications or experience in equine care? Are they endorsed by an organization such as The Equus Foundation? Similarly, if the Center provides any type of equine-assisted service, are they or their staff credentialed by a reputable organization such as PATH Intl. or CHA?
You’ll want to know how the center maintains the health and well-being of its horses. What’s their veterinary care schedule? How do they handle nutrition and farrier needs?
It’s also important to ask about the living conditions – will your horse have enough space to roam and interact with other horses?
Make sure to ask how the center integrates new horses. Is there a trial period to assess if your horse is a good fit? How will they be introduced to clients and the other animals? Additionally, understand what kind of work your horse will do – whether it's riding, ground work, or providing emotional support during counseling. It’s essential to know that your horse will have autonomy and not be forced to engage in activities.
If your horse has behavioral or medical challenges, ask how the center addresses these concerns. Do they have an experienced team to support horses with extra needs? Also, inquire about how often you’ll receive updates on your horse’s well-being and whether you can visit.
Finally, ask about the long-term care plan. What happens if the program closes or changes management? Is there a program in place to ensure your horse’s care is continued? Donating your horse could also provide tax benefits, so be sure to ask if the donation is tax-deductible and whether the center offers any post-donation involvement, like sponsorship.
Supporting programs that adopt or rescue horses makes a lasting difference, whether you donate your horse or make a monetary contribution to support their equine care and programming.
At the end of the day, rescue horses aren’t just survivors.
They are teachers.
They are companions.
They are healers.
When we give these horses a second chance, they give us something even greater in return: trust, hope, and the reminder that healing is always possible — no matter where you start.
Sources and Resources:
Dr. Hallie Sheade
Executive Director - Steps With Horses
Dr. Hallie Sheade holds a PhD in Counseling from the University of North Texas and is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Registered Play Therapist. With over 30 years of experience in the equine-assisted mental health field, I am passionate about using the unique bond between humans and equines to promote healing and personal growth. I am also a PATH International Faculty Member and a credentialed Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning and Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.
STEPS With Horses is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Fort Worth, Texas providing equine-assisted mental health services ranging from professional counseling to therapeutic horsemanship.
STEPS currently has 6 rescue equines and 4 retired show horses in our program. We are actively looking to add a new counseling and riding horse to our herd.
Support STEPS With Horses this May as part of the national Seen Through Horses campaign by donating to support equine care and client services.
This article is from the May issue of Equine Business Magazine
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