Q&A With Catherine Hudson, Founder Of Layla Rose Ranch Horse Rescue
- Layla Rose Ranch Horse Rescue
- Mar 30
- 6 min read
Layla Rose Ranch Horse Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Aledo, Texas.
What inspired you to start Layla Rose Ranch Horse Rescue?
During COVID, when we were all sheltered in, my husband and I would take a walk each afternoon to get him out of the house. He was not used to working from home. On the path we took, we passed a small pasture with a tattered horse in it. He was muddy and mad. You could tell he had had a hard life and that no one was paying any attention to him. He ran away every time he saw us approaching because he didn't like or trust humans. But what others saw as a problem horse, I saw as beautiful. So I would take an extra walk each day to just spend time with him. Slowly, he started to warm up to me. Eventually, I convinced my husband to knock on the door of the house and ask them to sell us the horse - which they did. And that was my first rescue. His name is Cletus. And the truth is, the more time I spent with him, the more I realized he rescued me as well. I had had a lot of difficult times in my life just like him, and we healed together. And that is when I knew I wanted to do more. I wanted to help forgotten, abused and neglected horses by connecting them to a loving Forever Home.
What is the process that a horse goes through upon arrival at Layla Rose Ranch Horse Rescue?
Every horse spends its first days in our Quarantine Center. This is a separate, self-contained facility on our ranch. It has its own stalls, tack, water and feed supply. And it is separated from the rest of the horses to prevent the spread of any contagions. The horse is seen by a vet as soon as possible and a treatment/ care plan is created. Typically, they spend about 30 days in the Quarantine Center, but we start their training/ bonding process as soon as they arrive. Once the horse clears medical, then we move them to a small pasture to allow them to begin to forage. An abused or neglected horse who spends 30 days being fed by humans has to remember how to forage. This time also allows us to see and know their personality to know what herd to move them into after quarantine.
Do you have a specific training method(s) that you prefer to use with rescue horses?
Absolutely. We use The Method by Clinton Anderson - although not all of it. Rather than grabbing a rope and forcing the horse into submission, we go at the pace of the horse. I believe that when a horse obeys because of force, it is out of fear. And that prevents the horse from truly healing or having a real connection with its human. If, instead, we go at the pace of the horse, then when they obey it is out of respect and trust and that will transfer to the Forever Home. This means that I’m often sitting on the ground in the paddock with the horse - allowing it to come to me when it’s ready. This process takes tons of time, but I feel it is the best approach for a rescue. Especially when you consider that we focus on the abused and neglected horses, who have a lot of baggage when it comes to humans. We know our process works since we have never had a horse returned. We start their healing and training together. So getting halter on or simple ground work is done in the Quarantine Center so they start healing their trust as well as their bodies.
From your viewpoint, what is the most common misconception people have about rescue horses?
That they are free! Actually, that the person is doing the horse a favor and therefore the horse should love them. We are very picky about who can adopt from us. We have spent so much time with the horse and know its personality and what life would be best for it. So that is what we are looking for when placing them. We talk with the potential adopters vet and farrier and do a thorough due diligence before saying yes. I think people often times think they will get a rescue horse because it’s easier. Not with us. Our goal it to make sure that when the horse goes to its Forever Home that it never has to worry about a repeat of its past.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in running a horse rescue?
Easily fundraising. We are unique, though. My husband and I built the facility (11 acres) as a horse rescue. And we pay for the facility and all of its care and maintenance. So any money donated to Layla Rose Ranch goes directly to the care of the horses. However, that makes us dependent on the generosity of our supporters. And the money for charities ebbs and flows. So the amount of horses we can rescue in a year is directly tied to the fundraising. I’ll admit, I am more focused on success of each horse than money. We do not go and pick up a bunch at a time from the auction (kill pen) because of our approach. You won't see us on social media at an auction trying to guilt people into donating to save the horse. In fact, the bail money to get the horse is the least expensive part. The vet bills and treatment plans cost way more money. And, the truth is, you have no idea what you are getting or how much those bills will be.
What role do volunteers play in your organization, and how can someone get involved?
We are 100% volunteer-based. We have no paid staff. Volunteers are what makes Layla Rose Ranch work. We see them as advocates for the horses. In fact, we don't call them volunteers: we call them Ambassadors because that is what they are. We are very blessed to have such loving volunteers. Many of whom are here for the same reason I started it - they need the therapy of a horse in their lives. If someone wants to get involved in helping a horse trust again, they can simply visit our website, laylaroseranch.org
What are the steps to adopt a horse from Layla Rose Ranch Horse Rescue?
First, a person must complete our application for adoption, available on our website. We will not have any serious conversation with someone about one of our horses until that happens. Second, we go through a due diligence process for approval. This process includes reference checks, facility checks and interviews with their vet to understand the care plan and history of care for horses, including dental. We also interview their farrier. Ultimately, we want to know that the home we are sending our rescue too is the right fit. Our application even includes a section on “intent” - meaning what you plan to do with the horse. This goes to our knowing the horse's personality and what it needs to be happy. For example, does the rescue horse need a job? Or does it need a larger herd? As a condition of adoption from Layla Rose Ranch, the adopter agrees to provide regular updates with photos to allow us to follow its progress. We share these updates with our followers and supporters.
Do you have any future goals for Layla Rose Ranch Horse Rescue?
Expansion is always part of our plan. In fact, we just completed a new addition to our ranch called MiniLand. We rescued our first miniature horse last year and decided to do more, but they require their own space. So we built it for them. Ultimately, we would like to move to more of a sanctuary versus rescue. Every week, we are contacted by someone with a senior horse who needs to find it a home. We have always learned over the years that some rescues will never leave your facility. They have too many issues and no one will adopt. So we keep them to give them the best quality of life we can until their story ends. Our prayer is for 1,000 acres to be able to take on as many as we can and transition from being just a rescue to also being a sanctuary. So if anyone out there has some land they want to donate….
What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own rescue organization?
First, horse rescue is a 24/7 proposition. So vacations and family time definitely takes a hit. Second, I was not prepared for the emotional strain. You get so invested in a rescue that if the last act of kindness is the right thing to do for the horse, you have to deal with that. More than once we have fought huge battles for horses including surgeries and special care only to lose them to cancer or past trauma. There is noting more heart wrenching then watching the last breath flow out of a horse you have fought so hard for. They deserved better. More than once, my husband has had to help me “recover” and not quit - which is what I want to do when it happens.
What is the best way for people to contact Layla Rose Ranch Horse Rescue?
We are on social media, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram - @laylaroseranch Our website is a great resource as well laylaroseranch.org Or you can simply email us trust@laylaroseranch.org.
We just published a book, Herd Mentality: Leadership Lessons from Rescue Horses available on Amazon, that takes the insights landed from working with rescue horses and applies others to business leadership. 100% of the proceeds go to fund the rescue.
Article is from the March issue of Equine Business Magazine
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