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Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation
Many of the equine arrive at Serenity in poor physical or emotional condition. Whether through neglect (largely starvation) or direct physical abuse, they get off the trailer withdrawn and hopeless. Some have been seized by law enforcement, some are owner surrenders. Soon though, as we work through their medical and psychological issues, the light in their eyes come back and they learn to trust the human again. We have strict re-feeding protocols implemented to help the animal regain body condition. Once they are physically out of danger, we work on conditioning and training the horse using natural horsemanship methods.
Equine Training & Horsemanship
We are eclectic in terms of how we train the horses at Serenity. We don't 'break' horses and use a variety of techniques from some of the best horse and people trainers on the planet. Clinton Anderson, John Lyons, Buck Branaman, Ken McNabb, Julie Goodnight, Carson James Rhodenizer are a few we follow. Natural horsemanship is communicating and training the equine in the same fashion as they communicate to each other. First establishing yourself as a leader then making it so the horse wants to be with you. We offer volunteers, sponsors and adopters the opportunity to participate in the horse's training.
Equine-Assisted Services & Learning
SFES's Executive Director, a former licensed Special Education Teacher and Behavior Specialist and the team here, provide one-on-one support to help those with disabilities experience equine and farm animals. We can directly support a child's IEP or ISP goals through equine activities. We charge a small fee ($25 hourly) for one-on-one EAS/EAL horse experiences. However, there is no charge for an individual with a disability to join us as a "supported" volunteer.
Community Service Program
We have volunteers who need documented Community Service. Some have work requirements, others have school requirements. Some have court ordered requirements. Many have never been around horses but they learn. Some of our long term volunteers began that way, fall in love with horses and continue to come. All are welcome and we need the help!
Lifetime Sanctuary for At-Risk Horses
Some of the horses we rescue may not be suitable for adoption or are less likely to be adopted because of their medical or emotional needs. We have horses that are blind, those with arthritis or other degenerative diseases. If the perfect adoption scenario doesn't present itself, these horses will spend the rest of their life here at SFES to be taken care of and loved by the founders, volunteers and sponsors.
Help Us Help Them
SFES is 100% volunteer. No one here is paid. 100% of donations are used to DIRECTLY support our equine via feed, hay and medical costs!!!!!