top of page
Because Every Horse Matters
We share the story of every horse we’ve helped because every horse matters and their stories deserve to be told.
We celebrate every gelding procedure knowing they will have better lives and won’t be contributing to the unwanted horse population. We honour every horse who was given the Last Act of Kindness knowing they were given a peaceful dignified ending. It means they were spared the horrors of the slaughter pipeline, which no horse deserves.
Some of the stories may be hard to read but please know they all knew love, even if it was only in the last season of their life. Many stories are heartwarming, a testament to the love between a horse and their person.
Thank you to our donors for making a difference in the lives of horses across the country.
In Just Two Years
Horse Aid Canada started in August 2024 and in that time we have given out grants helping 201 horses in 7 provinces.
But we aren't doing it alone!
We couldn't do what we do without the support of our donors. You make all of it possible. We hope the stories you read here inspire you to join us in saying "yes" to every horse who needs us.
Conformational Issues & Injuries
This sweet, beautiful girl was rescued at auction at only 6 years old. When her new owners picked her up they immediately knew something was very wrong. Unaware that she had significant pre-existing medical issues, they had her seen by the vet as soon as she was home. The findings were devastating. Despite not appearing to be particularly unsound, her legs were not good. Though she likely had poor conformation to begin with, she had bone changes in her leg joints and possible
Horse Aid Canada
1 day ago1 min read
Sweet Gretel
Sweet Gretel joined SPARK with her brother Hansel in June 2022 to be part of their equine assisted therapy program. Small in stature and gentle as can be, Gretel had a special way of making even the youngest clients feel at ease. She suffered with mild colic symptoms from time to time but recently she developed a much more serious bout. She fought courageously and was lovingly tended to around the clock for days. Sadly her body did not respond to all the treatment and it was
Horse Aid Canada
2 days ago1 min read
Three more good citizens!
We do share a lot of stories of horses we have helped receive the Last Act of Kindness. But a big part of what we do is also help stallions become good citizens, giving them a better life as geldings and preventing unwanted horses from being born. We are always so happy to receive applications for our Gelding Grant, especially when the stallions are young. 🐎 We met the owners of these beautiful boys when we were at the Horse Expo in Red Deer, Alberta in April. Unfortunately
Horse Aid Canada
Jul 251 min read
Rosie
There is an "unwanted horse problem" and the root of is not just one thing. Just as with any complex issue, there are many layers. But certainly it is perpetuated by indiscriminate breeding. Too often "spent broodmares", mares who have given birth year after year until their bodies can no longer produce a foal, will end up at auction where they are at high risk of entering the slaughter pipeline. It isn't unusual to see them in poor condition, sometimes even pregnant. They of
Horse Aid Canada
Jul 202 min read
Abbigale
In the fall of 2024, this beautiful senior found herself in the hands of someone who tried to sell her for slaughter. Thankfully, instead she was rescued by Hopeful Hooves Equine Rescue. They named her Abbigale. Years as a wild pony race pony and then as a bucking pony left her with deep trauma. Abbigale was terrified of people and would react in fear either by kicking, biting or bolting. She also had a lot of medical needs. Her teeth were in horrible condition, with some ne
Horse Aid Canada
Jul 202 min read
Needless suffering
Just like the story we shared yesterday, this is another one that is harder to tell. 😓 The owner of this beautiful boy had tried to rehome him several times. We don't know what came of all those attempts. All we know is that the RCMP became involved. Only 3 years old, he was suffering immensely. Thankfully his owner agreed to surrender him to Horse Heroes Alberta. He was immediately taken to the vet where they discovered he had a broken pelvis, among other health issues. Not
Horse Aid Canada
Jul 141 min read
We'll call her "Sweetheart"
We share the story of every horse helped by our grants. Some stories are harder to tell than others. 😓 We never want to shame anyone who reaches out for help, even if we can clearly see the horse has been suffering for some time. Neglect happens for a variety of reasons, sometimes it is lack of knowledge, sometimes it is financial constraints, and sometimes sadly it is just not caring enough. But bringing shame to people who reach out for help doesn't help anyone, especially
Horse Aid Canada
Jul 142 min read
Scarlet and Sasha
Scarlet, the herd matriarch and Sasha, her best friend for almost 20 years, together forever These two beautiful mares have been together since they were rescued as yearlings in December 2007 by Dare to Dream Horse Rescue. They were part of the the very first trailer load of horses they rescued, outbidding the meat buyer. Recently they found Sasha down in the field all by herself, unwilling to get up. One look and they knew she was in a severe colic episode. They were able to
Horse Aid Canada
Jul 132 min read
Love and devotion
You know that poem we shared the other day, by an unknown author, sharing their love and devotion for their horse throughout its life? Well it could have been written by this handsome gelding's owner. He was brought home from a cattle sale at only 6 months old for a 14 year old girl. He stayed with her through all the changes life brings. For 32 years they were together. Hard to imagine he was that old looking at his picture. He was very loved and very well cared for. Sadly h
Horse Aid Canada
Jul 81 min read
A lucky girl for sure!
When the owner of this beautiful girl stopped paying her board, a friend of the barn owner stepped in. Not wanting to see her being sent for slaughter, she paid the outstanding boarding fees and made this lucky girl her own. A lucky girl for sure! At 25 years of age, this lovely mare had developed a series of health issues. PPID (aka Cushings) compromises the immune system, which also naturally weakens with age. A horse with PPID can develop chronic, recurrent infections that
Horse Aid Canada
Jul 81 min read
Auntie Rosie
Auntie Rosie 💞 Rosie found herself at auction in Dawson Creek on a cold winter day in November 2022. She was rescued by 5 Freedoms Ranch Rescue and Rehabilitation along with a group of other horses. She had been a broodmare and was most likely dumped when she could no longer produce any more foals. We are so grateful she was rescued as she was at high risk of being sold into the slaughter pipeline. Rosie became known as "Auntie Rosie" as she took the the new foals born at th
Horse Aid Canada
Jun 251 min read
An ex-Amish plow horse
This sweet girl was an ex-Amish plow horse. Worked until she could pull no more, she was taken to auction where she absolutely would have sold for meat had her rescuer not outbid the kill buyer. Instead she got to live out the last two years of her life peacefully in full retirement. She became a loving companion to a blind gelding. Her years of hard work and minimal care left her rear right hock severely damaged. Despite pain medication and various therapeutic treatments, it
Horse Aid Canada
Jun 211 min read
Gemini
Gemini's owner was no longer able to care for her so they reached out to Blackbird Ranch Equine Rescue and Rehab for help. We are so grateful they did that instead of sending her to auction where she likely would have been sold into the slaughter pipeline. Unfortunately Gemini had severe dropped suspensory ligaments in both of her front legs. As a draft cross, she was putting a lot of weight on those legs. She was in terrible pain and it was difficult for her to walk. The kin
Horse Aid Canada
Jun 151 min read
Ranger
Blackbird Ranch Equine Rescue and Rehab rescued Ranger from auction 7 years ago when he was just a yearling. His owner had originally listed him for sale on Kijiji for $50 but since no one bought him, his owner took him to auction. Ranger was beyond terrified, trembling when his rescuers went into his pen. Not only did he have string halt but he also had a catastrophic injury to one his rear fetlocks leaving it much larger than the other one. Over the years he let his rescuer
Horse Aid Canada
Jun 151 min read
A lovely Standardbred
Our hearts go out to the people who cared for this beautiful boy. 💞 But there is so much more to his story than his passing so we'll start at the beginning. He was a Standardbred and kept as a stallion for the first 19 years of his life. We can only speculate but he was likely used for breeding as he spent that whole time alone living in field. It is sadly not unusual for stallions to spend their lives in isolation. His owner had suddenly passed away and he was taken in by a
Horse Aid Canada
Jun 152 min read
Whisper
A stunning Arabian stallion, Whisper was thought to be a cryptorchid. Though he proved not to be it was still a complicated surgery. Thankfully he came through it ok and is now a good citizen. Thanks to our donors we were able to provide The Heart of Horsemanship with our Gelding Grant.
Horse Aid Canada
Jun 151 min read
Elio
Elio was a yearling when he was rescued. Sadly he was severely underweight and very sick. Thankfully he was taken in by The Heart of Horsemanship and given the care he so desperately needed. Here is the story they shared about him on their social media. “Hi everyone my name is Elio. I m a yearling colt. Life wasn’t always easy for me while I loved the time with my mom, it wasn’t long enough. When I was left to fend for myself, i didn’t have the strength needed to keep going.
Horse Aid Canada
Jun 152 min read
Rupert
Rupert's mom Rosey found herself 10 months pregnant at the Dawson Creek, BC auction in February 2025. A traumatized rodeo pony who had been bred to a Percheron draft stud. It is the worst of backyard breeding, a pony dam with a draft stud. It represents no regard for the well being of the dam or foal. Sadly, this is not uncommon in backyard breeding. Why? Because a horse purchased for meat is sold by the pound. For a kill buyer a pregnant horse, and especially one bred to a d
Horse Aid Canada
Jun 121 min read
Catori
Catori was rescued from auction in 2011 by Blackbird Ranch Equine Rescue and Rehab. At first she was wary of people at first. With time she has blossomed into a loving, cuddly girl who loved pets and being groomed. Due to conformation issues and arthritic knees, she was never able to be placed up for adoption, so she was designated as their first official permanent resident. Catori became their constant through the years. welcoming over 150 horses through their gates. Some st
Horse Aid Canada
Jun 121 min read
Kate the Great
Pony Pals Therapeutic Riding Association welcomed Kate the Great to their program in May 2024. She was a wonderful addition, serving so gently, so lovingly and so safely, changing the lives of people with physical and cognitive disabilities for the better. Kate was very suddenly found to be in distress struggling to breathe. She was immediately taken to the vet where an examination with a scope and discovered a large mass obstructing over half her airway. It was believed to b
Horse Aid Canada
Jun 121 min read
bottom of page