Are you in search of an equine-related charitable organization to add to your holiday gift-giving list? It has been a tough year with the COVID-19 pandemic, but if you have some money to spare, GoHorseShow has compiled a list of ten great equine-related charities that need our help this holiday season.
Although there are several great horse charities, these are some of our favorites, several of which we have featured in articles highlighting their involvement in helping horses and people in need.
These ten charitable organizations include breed charitable foundations, equine rescue groups, a stallion auction service that helps ill children and their families, an animal sanctuary and counseling program for people, as well as facilities that provide therapeutic riding opportunities for developmentally disabled, sick children and veterans.
Take a look at our list below, and if one pulls at your heartstrings, please consider donating supplies, money, or even horses to help them continue all of their excellent work.
We are confident your donation dollars will be well spent. Happy Holidays!
1) Gallop Auction Service
The 2021 Gallop Auction is offering an incredible lineup of stallions from all over the United States. This year’s list includes Congress and National Champions and World and Reserve World Champions.
All net proceeds from the Gallop Stallion Services Auction go to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane, enabling them to continue serving hundreds of families.
CLICK HERE to view their website.
2) American Quarter Horse Foundation
The AQHF mission is to connect horses and people through charitable giving to develop and support programs or initiatives that preserve our horse’s legacy and further the American QuarteHorse’s overall well-beingse and the people who comprise the Quarter Horse family.
From supporting dreams through scholarships to changing the landscape of equine welfare and medicine to connecting thousands of people to the horse each year; the Foundation is dedicated to helping you make a transformative impact in our industry.
CLICK HERE to visit the website for more information.
3) NSBA Foundation
The NSBA Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 organization that provides funding to support the efforts of the Association through programming specific to the equine industry and the NSBA Membership. The foundation supports many programs including the Trainers Crisis Fund, Equestrian with Disabilities, Education, and Heroes on Horses.
The NSBA Trainer Crisis Fund was established to support horse trainers and their families who find themselves in a situation of financial need as a result of sudden and demonstrable hardship, the disaster of a severe and unexpected nature, or from serious physical illness or injury.
Each year, the NSBA Foundation offers a $2,000 scholarship to a NSBA youth member who applies and meets the scholarship criteria. The program is open to applications which will be attending an accredited college or university on a full-time basis for a minimum of 12 credit hours.
The NSBA Foundation began its involvement in the Heroes on Horses effort in 2011 by holding classes where veterans complete for World Championship titles and awards during the NSBA World Championship Show.
The EWD program provides a venue for a rider with physical and cognitive disabilities that love to complete by offering classes including showmanship, horsemanship, equitation, trail, western pleasure and hunter under saddle.
CLICK HERE to find out more about the foundation and how you can help.
4) American Paint Horse Foundation
The APHF is the heart of the American Paint Horse Association. It uses the power of Paints to inspire people to better their communities and educate our youth. The Foundation is dedicated to preserving the American Paint Horsheritage e and ensuring it remains a healthy, vibrant and respected part of our culture. Your gift will be used for one of four key initiatives surrounding APHA’s move to the Fort Worth Stockyards:
• Restoration/Relocation of Legacy of Color Bronzes
• APHA International Headquarters/Hall of Fame & Educational Outreach Center
• Completion of Youth World Show Scholarship Endowment
• Commemorative Bricks
For more information about the foundation or to give a gift, visit apha.com/foundation or contact the APHF  at (817) 222-6412 or foundation@apha.com.
5) Red Bucket Rescue
Red Bucket Rescue is committed to saving and serving slaughter-bound, abused, high-risk and desperate horses. Their dedicated team cares for the horses as they heal and are assessed, rehabilitated, and trained for their forever homes. Once the horse is carefully matched with an adopter, their Field Support Team partners with the adopter to remove any barriers to success and facilitates a happy and safe transition. Their program removes obstacles and provides the tools, training, and support that help keep the horses comfortable and secure in their new home.
CLICK HERE to view their website.
CLICK HERE to view their Facebook page.
CLICK HERE to read an article we wrote about Red Bucket Rescue.
6) Horses of Hope
In April 1997, a dream was born to provide equine-assisted therapeutic services in Southeast Kansas and the surrounding four-state area. Horses of Hope Riding Center, Inc. in Baxter Springs, Kansas opened in the fall of that year and gained affiliation with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH INTL).
Horses of Hope – Missouri, Inc. was developed in 2003 with help from the Missouri Department of Economic Development Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program. Horses of Hope – Missouri, Inc. has received Missouri tax credits to establish programming and complete its new facility.
Both centers are not-for-profit 501c3 organizations dedicated to providing professional therapeutic, educational and recreational equestrian services to all populations. It is a volunteer-driven organization that reaches over 1000 people annually.
CLICK HERE to view their website.
CLICK HERE to read an article we wrote featuring one of their therapy horses.
CLICK HERE to read an article we wrote featuring one of their EWD riders.
7) Re-Ride Quarter Horse Adoption
RE-RIDE Quarter Horse Adoption Program provides homes for unwanted or displaced registered Quarter Horses. The horses in their program have become displaced for a variety of reasons; some are abused, neglected or unwanted while others are former show horses with owners taking the responsibility to place the horses that have been their show partners in a program where they can once again guide another to their first championship. Through rehabilitation and retraining, these horses are offered a purpose and therefore a bright future. Their program focuses on giving back to the horses that we love as well as the community and features such programs as the Riding Thru It Program for patients undergoing treatment for cancer.
CLICK HERE to view their website.
CLICK HERE to read an article we wrote about this program.
8) Ranch Hand Rescue
Ranch Hand Rescue is a sanctuary for animals and a counseling center for people founded on hope and healing made available to all regardless of ability to pay. They reach out with helping hearts to change our world by recognizing the inherent worth of every living being in their community. Working with their animal partners and Licensed Professional Counselors, their programs help each child, each adult, and each family experience transformative change available through trauma-informed animal-assisted psychotherapy. They believe that victims, especially children, are innocent and it’s our moral obligation to help provide them with a way to heal from these terrible traumas. The segment of the population they serve desperately needs their help. Currently, the program serves the entire Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex and is expanding.
CLICK HERE to view their website.
CLICK HERE to view their Facebook page.
CLICK HERE to read an article we wrote about this nonprofit.
9) Victory Junction Camp
Victory Junction Camp enriches the lives of children with serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, at no cost to children or their families. Free from the confines of disease, illness, or disability, children discover that they can be kids. As they conquer activities like riding horses, zip lining, and archery or experience bowling, fishing or swimming, children build confidence that will shape how they view the rest of their lives. The magic happens on 84 acres in the rolling hills of Randleman, North Carolina near Greensboro.
CLICK HERE to view their website.
CLICK HERE to read an article about a famous horse that was donated to this program.
10) White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue
Their mission at White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue is to rescue and rehabilitate abused, neglected and at-risk horses. They provide shelter, care, medical and rehabilitation services to horses in need. Whenever possible, the rescue places them in loving and permanent homes. Horses that cannot or should not be adopted are given permanent sanctuary so that they may live the remainder of their lives in safety and dignity.
The rescue currently has a new book that you may purchase named Big Belle – All net proceeds from this book will be donated to feed and care for the horses at the White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue. – Paperback $10.50. Click here to purchase the book.
Belle is a small pony who hates being short. She is mean to everyone around her and she has no friends. One day, she meets a blind horse named Pebbles. Pebbles is a big girl, but she is sad and afraid. Belle decides to help her. Little does Belle know what will happen when she does! Big Belle is about the importance of being kind, and how we can grow by helping others. The Activities Section includes discussion questions, games for children and fun facts about horses and ponies. Belle and Pebbles were real horses.
CLICK HERE to visit website.
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Do you have equine-related charitable organizations that you donate to every year? Let our readers know in the comments.
