Liberty for every horse.

Standards of Care

The following Minimum Standards of Care are required for equines housed at approved foster and adoptive homes — and the same standards we hold ourselves to at Liberty.

Feeding

• Nutritious grain in sufficient quality and appropriate nutritive value unless equines are receiving adequate natural forage. Diet shall be prepared with consideration for the age, breed/type, condition, size, work level and quantity of equine(s).
• Equines shall have no less than a body condition score 4 and no more than 6 on the Henneke Condition Scoring Chart (BC) to be considered of adequate weight. Exceptions are made for arrivals on premises less than six months and showing continued documented improvement or for equines under the continued care of a veterinarian.
• All feed and hay storage and feeding receptacles shall be kept clean and free from contaminants, such as feces, mold, mildew, insects, etc.
• If more than one animal is fed at one time or in one place, it shall be the responsibility of the owner/custodian to ensure that each animal receives nutrition in sufficient quantity.
• Minimum hay requirements shall be observed with the quality of hay representative of choice grasses in the local area. Equines should receive a minimum of 2% of their body weight in high-quality hay per day unless equines are receiving adequate natural forage. Exceptions may be made for equines who need less to maintain an acceptable Body Condition Score or for those who are on a diet for weight loss.

Necessary Veterinary Care

An annual vaccination schedule to be maintained and conducted by a veterinarian. This includes:

• Spring Vaccination protocol: Eastern and Western Encephalitis, Tetanus, West Nile, Potomac Horse Fever, Rabies and Tetanus.
• Fall vaccination protocol: Eastern/Western Encephalitis and Tetanus.

It is expected that the adopter will seek immediate veterinary intervention in the event the horse shows any of the following signs:

Shock · Colic · Founder · Broken bone · Deep tissue wound · Inability or unwillingness to eat or drink · Blistering or burns · Irregular or abnormal breathing · Partial or total paralysis · Abnormal discharge · Severe bleeding · Continued symptoms of heavy intestinal parasite load despite adequate deworming · Weight loss · Abnormal skin condition · Hair loss · Temperature fluctuation · Diarrhea · Lameness

Standard Care

• Hoof care — maintenance and trimming every six (6) to eight (8) weeks or as directed by a veterinarian or a farrier. Hoof care shall be done by an experienced person knowledgeable in standard farrier practice. Exceptions may be made for horses who are not yet tame enough to have their feet handled. Hooves should be cleaned out at least once per week.
• Parasites kept under control through either a daily deworming product or by deworming every eight (8) to twelve (12) weeks or as directed by a veterinarian. Annual veterinary procedures as outlined in the Standard Veterinary Procedures Policy shall be performed.
• Dental care — routine dental work (floating) shall be performed at least once per year by a qualified veterinarian or equine dentist. Floating may be recommended more often for certain equines. Non-routine dental work shall be provided as needed in a reasonable amount of time.
• Water — proper water is clean, potable water that is available at all times for all equines. Equines that are being worked or are in transport shall be provided water as often as necessary for the health and comfort of the equine. All water receptacles shall be kept clean and free of contaminants and be positioned to minimize spillage.

Space and Shelter for Each Equine

Each equine must be provided with space that is safe — free from standing water, accumulated waste, sharp objects, and debris. Any fencing must be well maintained and in good repair at all times. Each equine should be provided with adequate exercise. Exceptions are granted when equines are under stall rest per a veterinary recommendation.

Stalled equines shall be exercised or turned out daily. Exceptions shall be made for times of bad weather, injured or ill equines, or equines who are not yet tame enough to be exercised or led to turn-out areas.

While not all pastures or turn-out areas must have man-made shelter, man-made shelter consisting of a roof and a minimum of two sides must be available as needed for ill, injured, older, or underweight horses. The shelter shall be in good repair and free of standing water, accumulated waste, sharp objects, and debris. There should be adequate space for each equine that will be sharing the shelter at any given time.

Read Adoption Info →

Meet Our Horses

Every horse here has a story. Three groups: those ready for a forever home, those still in rehabilitation, and those who will live with us for life.

Adoptable Horses

Ready to find their forever home with an approved adopter.

Adoptable

Rusty

Appendix gelding · 8 years · 16 – 16.1 hh

Rusty is an eight-year-old appendix gelding. He is a big softy. We acquired Rusty last April from Camelot.

Adoptable

Eli

Paint / Arab cross · ~7.5 years · ~15.1 hh · Sorrel, flaxen mane & tail

Saved from the Camelot feed lot the week of 7/21/10. A beautiful sorrel with three white socks. Moves beautifully, lots of energy, loves human companionship.

Eli has probably suffered some abuse in his past — he needs time to trust. Was very head-shy but has improved. He does better with women than with men.

Eli loves to play — and jump. He's often seen jumping over just about anything. Best suited for an intermediate to advanced rider. Contact us if interested.

Thank you to the kind hearts who saved Eli from the feedlot: Nancy S., Lori G., Barb J., Rebecca G., Beth B., OHAAT, Debbie D., Evon H., Beth R., Carolyn J., and Sherry M.

In Rehab

Still healing — physically, behaviorally, or both. Not currently available for adoption.

In Rehab

Dale

Quarter Horse type gelding · teens · ~15 hh

Chip and Dale were the last horses in the #10 pen at Camelot in April 2011 — unhandled, bonded, and very ill upon arrival in QT (influenza + secondary bacterial infection). They've slowly gained trust, now enjoy being groomed, and stand for the farrier.

Dale is roundish, patient and kind, never in a rush. He "begs" for grain by holding his leg curled under him until the bucket arrives. Bottom of the herd hierarchy — which endears him to volunteers.

Dale has chronic Lyme disease, which flares without warning and requires further treatment. Please consider sponsoring Dale to help manage his illness.

In Rehab

Chip

Thoroughbred-type gelding · teens · ~15.2 hh

Pulled from Camelot Pen #10 with Dale in April 2011. The pair has since broken their tight bond — Chip now prefers Roper's company. Because of his inability to trust and accept change, Chip is not currently considered for adoption.

Chip is slim, long-legged, and very insecure when removed from the herd. He has fallen in love with treats, so he's first to the gate hoping for a hand-out. He's so relaxed during brushing that he's been known to fall asleep mid-groom.

In Rehab

Rumba ("Barney")

Mini gelding · 2.5 years · Owner relinquishment, Feb 2010

Rumba came into Liberty's care as a 2½-year-old via owner relinquishment in February 2010. He'd had two respiratory illnesses as a foal (3–4 months) and never properly recovered weight — arrived with spine and hip bones visible through his coat. He has since filled out beautifully with no side effects.

Shortly after arrival he developed Equine Papilloma Virus, with growths over his muzzle that gave him the nickname "Barney" (after the barnacles). The virus ran its 60-day course and he recovered fully.

Rumba is learning a few tricks — though he tends to invent his own. He can unzip a jacket in seconds and has become an accomplished escape artist. We hope to train him to drive — if you have driving experience, we'd love to hear from you.

Gelded March 2011. Thank you to Sharon M., Lisa H., Sharon W., Laura K., and Jocelyn S. for the support.

Retirement Sanctuary

"Horses are being tossed aside because they are in their later years and deemed 'useless.' That horse is then sent to auction, and potentially on his or her way to slaughter."

Sanctuary

Goldie

Mini mare · 20 years · Retired broodmare · Arrived Feb 2010

Goldie arrived from a breeder who wished to retire her. She severely foundered ten days after arrival. We nearly lost her — and during the founder crisis discovered she is insulin resistant (similar to Type II diabetes in humans). She now lives on a forever low-starch/low-sugar diet. No more grazing in the grass.

She foundered again in March 2011 — less severe, but every episode takes its toll. Goldie is extremely sweet, part of our Educational Program, and a children's favorite at the barn. She whinnies a greeting to anyone who visits. She is bonded to Rumba. Allowed one sugar-free treat per day.

Goldie is sponsored every month by "Auntie Deb". Thank you, Deb!

Sanctuary

Roper

Quarter Horse gelding · 12 years · Former lesson horse

Roper is a 12-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, formerly a lesson horse. He did not succeed at his stable and suffered an injury that rendered him "unusable." We stepped in to prevent his trip to auction. His vet determined the injury was from a fall or kick that caused muscle loss at the site.

Thank you to Fae and Parents, Anne P., and Robbie F. and Family — your generosity made Roper's rescue possible.

Volunteer With Us

Liberty Equine Rescue is in need of volunteers in the following areas. You must be at least 18 years of age.

Request a Volunteer Application

Get in Touch

Questions about adoption, sponsorship, or how to help? Reach out — we read every message.