History
A Lil' About Us
Horse Feathers Equine Center was formerly known as Horse Feathers Equine Rescue, located in Guthrie Oklahoma where it still has its facility in operation. Since 2006 HFEC, rescued, adopted and cared for many horses that were received either from cruelty cases, owner surrenders, or were dumped. Our specialized care of those neglected horses and our Standard of Care have brought us to a cross roads of focusing on those horses who would not receive a second chance due to needing rehabilitation from starvation, neglect, abuse or injuries. We have decided to move our focus in this direction, allowing us to utilize those horses also in Education of Equine Care to the public and with Veterinarian Students and Vet Techs. By working closely when possible with our Veterinarian to help those Intern doctors learn from these cases, and offer the horses a second chance at life and even a possible career where possible.
We also have over the years observed and learned much about how these horses interact with humans. The therapeutic effects that happen are beyond words. We have begun to work towards those horses where able to participate to help humans with various mental health issues. This is not only rewarding for humans but allows the horse to feel and live a productive life.
What Got Me Started
Found at Auction
Here to begin Rehab
Found at Auction
Many times I am asked what got me started in this or why do I do what I do here? I moved to Oklahoma in 2005 after being out of "rescue" work for over 3 years. My children had grown and moved away so I did some traveling just for me, enjoying a reprieve from the usual. In 2006 I attended an auction with a friend of mine, no intentions of getting anything and saw an old horse standing in a dark, disgusting stall, looking like she had resigned herself to death. I recall my jaw dropped as she was the worst case of a skeleton that I had laid eyes on. I called a "rescue" wanting to report it hoping that they would get her out, help her and rehab her. I didn't want to bid against them if they were, me not knowing how things worked at the time here in Oklahoma. Having been out of rescue for several years I wasn't there to rescue a horse. I was not pleased with the response that I got from them. I went to my friend at the time to see if we could pool our resources and get the mare to safety. So, I bid on the horse. I don't know who was bidding against me but eventually I got her for $120.00. We bought an old blanket to put on her as it was cold outside to get her home. I wasn't leaving her behind since the other place had no intention of helping.
Maddie
Here to begin Rehab
Found at Auction
Miss Maddie
Here to begin Rehab
Here to begin Rehab
Here to begin Rehab
So, there is where it began. I knew that for some reason I was being called back into doing what has come naturally to me and thus Horse Feathers came to Oklahoma. I started things back up, filed paperwork for 501c3 here, registered with the State of Oklahoma and we named the horse Maddie. Maddie was an awesome inspiration for what we do here. We give those horses a chance that would be passed over by someone who felt that they were beyond help. There are those cases, yes, that we determine upon consultation with our Veterinarian that as he says "need to go to heaven" and we humanely lay them to rest.
Shota
Tullie Burn Victim
Here to begin Rehab
Ignorance about how to handle and care for a horse.
Tullie Burn Victim
Tullie Burn Victim
Tullie Burn Victim
Tullie came to us in 2007 after her owner thought she had "mange" which horses don't get and had mixed lime and transmission fluid, then put it all over her. It burnt 70% of her skin off. She lived here for 10 years.
Miggado
Tullie Burn Victim
Tullie Burn Victim
Prime case of neglect and starvation.