Horse Harbor Foundation

Mission

To rescue at-risk horses with no other options for survival and provide them with safe and caring lifelong sanctuary. To provide structured educational programs that will allow young people to learn not only how to ride horses, but also teach proper care and keep and provide a rich community. To make horses part of our member families' lifestyles without the necessity of owning a horse, and provide support to local horse owners that will improve their ability to properly care for their animals.

Description

At Horse Harbor Foundation, we provide lifelong care and sanctuary to horses who would otherwise face inhumane circumstances such as slaughter, untreated illness, abandonment, or preventable premature euthanasia. Founded in 1994 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1996, Horse Harbor has rescued over 80 horses, and acts as a local hub for other equine rescue partners helping to re-home over 800 horses in Washington state.

Horse Harbor not only fulfills a critical need within the world of equine rescue, but also provides a robust community for equine education and community support for horse owners, and teaches horse stewardship to all ages and experience levels.

Through our educational programs and Equine Assisted Therapy programs, Horse Harbor has empowered and changed the lives of over 100 special needs and disabled youth within Kitsap County, and countless other volunteers and students. Our volunteers range in age from middle-school aged to retired, brought together for a shared purpose and developing community leadership skills, responsibility, and a strong animal care ethic.

For many of our volunteers the foundation is a second family, with relationships formed through a love of horses and the power of animal-aided therapy. Students and volunteers are mentored through riding lessons, Summer day camps, and a spirit of volunteerism, while providing essential care to our rescue horses.

*COVID-19 and its impact on Horse Harbor Foundation*

During the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington State, Horse Harbor like so many other nonprofits and small businesses is feeling the pressure of social distancing measures and illness on our work. Our horses must be fed, cared for, and exercised, and our property maintained. This work is 24-7, 365 days a year, and while we would never trade it for the world, we are needing some extra support as we inevitably sustain financial losses during this time. If you have the ability to donate, know that there has never been a more critical time for us than right now! Your donation will go directly to the care and keep of our current herd of 25 rescues, all of whom play an essential role with our educational and therapeutic programs. These support needs look like:

- Hay and grain for all horses
- Vet care for all horses, especially seniors and retirees (medication, standard first aid supplies, supplements, blankets, etc.)
- Farrier care for all horses
- Facility maintenance, tools and equipment, pasture maintenance and reseeding, fencing repairs
- Support for educational programs and our riding school (tuition support for students, tack maintenance, safety gear)
- Sanitizing supplies and PPE for volunteers as they continue to perform essential tasks supporting our rescue herd during the COVID-19 pandemic (hand sanitizer, gloves, soap and paper towels, disinfecting wipes, etc.)

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Horse Harbor Foundation! We appreciate your interest and support. Please consider following us on Facebook and Instagram for continued updates about our herd and programs, and additional opportunities to support our work.

Recognition

We are grateful to all of our supporters, from our member contributions to our larger donors and grants. Organizations that have provided grants to the Horse Harbor Foundation include:

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
The Teddy Cole Foundation for Horses
The Birkenfeld Trust Fund of the Seattle Foundation
The Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island
The Suquamish Tribe