Rescue program is saving one horse at a time
Darlene Moore grew up with horses.
Her father had 100 horses on the family farm throughout her childhood, and the Greene County woman remembers breaking them, riding them and caring for them.
“Horses have been a part of my life, all of my life. My great-grandad, my granddad and my father all raised horses and now, my daughter also has a love for horses,” Moore said.
In 1982, she began purchasing horses at auction, for fear they would meet an untimely death.
She opened a stable and taught horseback riding lessons, horsemanship skills and more for over 30 years before retiring from the position and closing the public stables.
All the while, more people approached Moore to take another horse in because the owners were no longer able to care for them, or the horses were old and sick.
That led to Save A Horse Stables in Sycamore, a nonprofit dedicated to allowing those horses a second chance.
“My horses come here to finish out their life,” Moore said. “I love them all. I know them by their names, faces and personalities, and I love watching them grow from an abandoned, starving horse to happy and strong.”
Education, Moore said, is also important.
Many unwanted horses are sent to slaughter or simply turned out on their own. Much like other domesticated animals, horses that were once pets will not survive.
At Save A Horse Stable, Moore aims to spread awareness about improving the physical and emotional wellbeing of horses in addition to the conditions in which some find themselves.
“Many of these horses were just turned out when they got too old, and they can’t make it on their own. It breaks my heart when you see photos of one starving to death and no place to call home,” Moore said.
With more than 50 rescued and living on her 400-acre farm, Moore needed support with the expensive upkeep.
She created the nonprofit Save A Horse Stable in order to continue offering all the services necessary to bring the horses back to health. Her expenses also include the daily general upkeep associated with running a stable.
It’s not unusual to see a blacksmith, equine dentist, veterinarian and other specialty bills pile up to help a sick horse who has just joined the herd or for regular health needs. There’s also the food, brushing and daily care.
“A new horse will get a full workup so we know what needs they might have, and the older horses tend to need additional health care,” Moore said.
Volunteers and family members help Moore at the stables. Some pitch in financially, and others help with cleaning stalls, brushing and other daily needs.
Each fall, Moore hosts an open house, inviting the community to come to the farm for a meet and greet, hayride and photos with the horses.
“It’s a fun day, and each year a few new people join us, and each year they continue to come back,” Moore said.
Meet some of the four-legged residents, read about their stories or find out ways to help and donate at https://saveahorsestable.com/.