You are not alone.

Running a horse rescue means carrying the full weight of responsibility for our animals’ safety and wellbeing—but often with little to no control over what comes our way. We’re responsible for every horse that comes through our program: for their healing, their care, their futures. Yet, we can't control the past traumas they carry. We can’t control the market forces that affect hay prices, or the weather that determines pasture health. We can’t control when the next emergency call comes in or if we’ll have the funds to say “yes” to the next horse in need. We can't control that all of our equine friends will respond positively to medical treatment- even when you are doing all the right things.

It’s a heavy burden—and we know we're not alone in feeling this. Caregivers, animal lovers, and anyone who has ever tried to make a difference knows what it’s like to give your all and still feel like it's not enough. That’s why mental health matters—especially in this kind of work. But here’s the hope: Every time a horse with every reason not to, learns to trust again… every time a friend and supporter helps us through a tough month… every time we get to witness the quiet, beautiful resilience of these animals—it reminds us why we keep going.

If you're someone who shows up for others (human or animal), please don’t forget to show up for yourself too. Take a breath. Ask for help. Know that you are not alone.

At Sanctuary Horses, we believe in second chances—for horses, and for people, too.