So...what's in a by-law, anyway? Apparently, a LOT of legal jargon! Bluebonnet Humane Equine Society (www.bluebonnetequine.org) sent us their by-laws, and Colleen had been preparing some for what would become Borrowed Freedom Equine Therapies (www.borrowedfreedom.org). Still, I had to download forms (thanks, Google!) as to what needed to be in the by-laws, what constitutes a director, how many you need, how you will… Continue

Gail from True Innocents Equine Rescue (www.tierrescue.org) gave us the heads up about the Ralph and Virginia Mullin Foundation. This is an organization that will assist groups devoted to animal welfare wishing to become 501(c)3.



I was doubtful: Special Horses isn't your run-of-the-mill kind of equine welfare organization, even though, at this point, we certainly had established ourselves as making an impact. We still applied, and surprise! we… Continue

As we moved along with our fundraisers, we also realized that Special Horses could fill an additional and different niche. With flooding of the Red River expected to reach epic proportions in North Dakota and Minnesota in April, 2009, Special Horses organized an emergency fundraising initiative to provide assistance to equines in need.



since we were not then 501(c)3, we assisted the Equine Sciences Department at North Dakota State University in coordinating incoming horses to the… Continue

Summerville, GA: Can you help?



17 year old paint mare, broke and friendly. Her owner has stage four lung cancer and is not able to care for her. Giveaway notices

have not yet produced a home. She is (understandably!) behind on all care but in good

shape. She needs someone to take her on and help find her forever home.

Jenny (her mom) deserves this peace in her final days.



Pic to follow.



contact:…

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Even before we had finished Secret Santa 2008, Colleen and I were kicking around ideas for another fundraiser. February is typically a very slow time for donations, because it's after the holidays (when those credit card bills come due) and before taxes. Working on our "dribble theory," we hatched an idea for a fundraiser that would, at the very least, give some equine 501c3 groups increased exposure, as well as net them a bit of cash.



The idea was simple: we invited the groups who had… Continue

When I sent out requests for "elves" for Secret Santa for Horse Rescues in 2008, one of the people responding was Colleen. Colleen had been active with Stable Movements, a therapeutic horsemanship facility in upstate New York. She had earlier gone on the Chronicle forums asking if people could send any kind of show clothing for their Special Olympics riders. Since the response had been overwhelmingly generous, she wanted to pay back in kind.



Colleen's expertise, amongst other areas, is… Continue

Through my Secret Santa efforts, I had become friendly with Lori Yonts of Sunkissed Acres Rescue and Retirement in Summerville GA. That December, just before Christmas, one of her barns had burned down. Through the wonderful generosity of so many on the Chronicles Forums, much of what had been lost - which was considerable - had been replaced. However, the insurance company did not come through with the actual value of the buildings and equipment, forcing Lori to take on additional work at… Continue

I was becoming more educated. The Chronicle Forums had allowed me to better understand horses at risk - after all, I knew there were dog and cat shelters. What did people do with unwanted horses? They're much bigger, and far more expensive to maintain. Which is how I learned about slaughter. I had never given it much thought - although I'm not a vegetarian, my poor graduate student days had left enough of an impact that even when I could afford it, I rarely bought meat. Almost overnight, I… Continue

I am President of Special Horses, Inc., a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to helping smaller equine 501(c)3s with exposure and fundraising. While we in no way can cover all the PR and fundraising for any group, we try to help.



It started from my "Dribble Theory." Someone on the Chronicle of the Horse Forum would post about a horse in need, and I'd send in a small amount - not very much, maybe $5 or $10. But I would think, what if 50 people did that? 100? $5 is a dribble...but… Continue

9year old English Shire black mare (no papers)

Approx 17hh, 2100 lbs

Started under saddle, English, roughly 60 days riding work to date. Xena is a big, powerful mare with tons of presence and even more…

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Name - Rocky Breed - Stock-type Grade Gender - Gelding Color/Markings - Sorrel Arrived: 1/16/2010 Bio: Rocky…

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