There Really is Hope for Horses

Hope for Horses works with animal control in Buncombe and surrounding counties by assisting in rescues and providing valuable rehabilitation and adoption services throughout Western North Carolina. Our goal is to find quality homes for the many unwanted, neglected and abused horses in the WNC area.

Many of the horses that come to us are in poor condition - usually malnourished and often have had no handling in months or years. Hope for Horses works diligently to provide only the best care and quality of life to these beautiful and deserving creatues until they can be adopted. Often times meaning hours of time spent handling them and frequent, late night visits to the barn for extra small meals while a horse is being reintroduced to hay and grain.

Hope for Horses was established in 1998 to provide an adoption services for the equine popuation of Western North Carolina. This need became more apparent as horses were left to starve due to animal control having no place to house them until adoption. Many horse lovers have dreamed of owning a horse and Hope for Horses offers an affordable alternative to make this dream come true.

A long-term dream of founder Whitney Wright, Hope for Horses was given life largely due to the services of Dr. Ann Stuart of Appalachian Equine Mobile Veterinary Service, located in Barnardsville, North Carolina. Dr. Stuart knew of Whitney's dream and brought the very first Hope horse to the farm. With Dr. Stuart's guidance, Hope for Horses began.

The never-ending support of Drs. Stuart, Ted Wright and Karen Reynolds, provides the necessary medical care for horses brought in to the program. The additional support of approximately sixty-five dedicated volunteers and numerous local contributors enables this dream to continue.

As our mission statement spells out, Hope for Horses also provides education to potential adopters on what it takes to care for an equine, as well as informing the public about the permanent damage that is created by the neglect and abuse of horses.

Finally, Hope for Horses also provides an alternative to current horse owners in need of finding a new home for their horse through our HorseMatch Program.

While we believe there is a time and a place for euthanasia, we are steadfast in our belief that every horse deserves a safe and happy retirement whenever possible.