We've all heard the expression "to eat like a horse." For anyone who's ever run a rescue shelter, that saying is especially meaningful: neglected, starved or even abused, rescued horses—many of them older—require great amounts of feed.
Providing nutrition to rescued horses
Since this program began two years ago, participating shelters have received donations of nearly 450 tons of Purina horse feed.
Purina Animal Nutrition gave shelters an affordable way to advertise adoptable equines using the "A Home for Every Horse" service on Equine.com; shelters were eligible for up to ½ ton of free feed per year to help rehabilitate these horses.
Since this program began two years ago, participating shelters have received donations of nearly 450 tons of Purina horse feed. “Providing care for horses in need is a critical issue across the equine industry and is at the very core of our commitment to animal excellence," says Brant Gilbert, director of horse marketing for Purina Animal Nutrition.
"Through our ongoing partnership with A Home for Every Horse, we’ve made a big difference in the lives of hundreds of rescue horses, providing premium nutrition to aid in their recoveries. This year, we’ve reached even more ambitious goals and helped more horses looking for their forever homes.”
It's a win-win for everyone, as Judy Glore of Heart of Tucson attests. "We go through a bag of Purina® Equine Senior® horse feed almost every other day," she says. "So when you add up the cost, this donation has been able to help us put our fund toward other types of care for the horses."
Joy L. Laudahl of Harmony New Beginnings Animal Rescue in Sheridan, Oregon, agrees. "A Home for Every Horse has helped us immensely," she notes. "It’s given us much-needed Purina®Equine Senior® horse feed. Purina® Equine Senior® horse feed is the most-needed food next to hay for our program.
"A Home for Every Horse has also provided us with a great way to advertise our horses, donkeys and mules," she continues. "Other sites want $40-plus for an ad with pictures. We do not have resources that would allow us to purchase picture ads on other sites. A Home for Every Horse has given our horses more exposure, and has allowed for most horses to be adopted within a month of their ad being placed."
Take Twinkle, for example. An 8-year-old Thoroughbred gelding who was earmarked for slaughter, he arrived at Harmony New Beginnings in poor shape. Started slowly on alfalfa and Purina® Equine Senior® horse feed, as well as an oil for added fat, Twinkle started to gain weight, shed his old coat and grow a new one. As he regained his strength, he started taking morning laps around the field. "He seemed to really enjoy running. He adopted a baby that was in the rescue as his own and spent his last month here as 'Uncle Twinkle,' " Laudahl recalls.
Within six months, Twinkle was a different horse, and a much healthier one. After passing his vet check with flying colors, he was adopted by the first family that met him. "He is now training to become a dressage horse and jumper," Laudahl says, adding, "Thank you to Purina® Equine Senior® horse feed for being a big part of what we do."
A Home for Every Horse is a joint effort with The American Horse Council’s Unwanted Horse Coalition, which seeks to place, foster and sponsor America’s 170,000 unwanted horses.
Partners of A Home for Every Horse include Tractor Supply Company, Purina Animal Nutrition, WeatherBeeta, the Bureau of Land Management and W.F. Young.
Nonprofit rescue organizations can post free listings on Equine.com, the industry’s largest website for buying and selling horses, trailers and farms. The Equine Network is using its connection with more than 1.5 million horse owners each month to promote the program.
To learn more about A Home for Every Horse and to view horses available for adoption.