Main fundraiser photo

Idaho Horse Rescue

Donation protected

In 1998 Robert Bruno rescued Wapello Road, a thoroughbred racehorse mare, at the Les Bois racetrack in Boise, Idaho. She sustained injuries to her ligaments too severe to be corrected, according to her owners, and was going to be euthanized at the track that day. Robert happened to be friends with one of the jockeys and was called to intervene. Robert provided Wapello with the rest and veterinary care she needed. In a short period of time, he found that Wapello was sound enough to be a companion animal, and Robert ended up riding her for over 20 years.  That incident inspired Robert to eventually start Horse Rescue Idaho, Inc. Wapello’s dramatic turnaround made Robert realize that an equine rescue organization was desperately needed in our area, thus propelling Idaho Horse Rescue into life. In 2010 IHR became a federally recognized Non-Profit Organization. Since then we have provided rescue and refuge to over 50 horses in our area. Robert has been nicknamed the “St. Francis” due to the endearing care and safe haven he provides to these suffering animals and what Idaho Horse Rescue has evolved into today.  

Currently, we have 14 remarkable horses in our care: Sprite, Buttons, Ruby, Jack, Paco, Chief, Sherman, Red, Honey, Granny, Shammy, Pony, JD, and Ryat. JD and Ryat are our newest rescues. Ryat's rescue was one of the most difficult equine rescues ever heard of, having to be lifted via helicopter off Boulder Mountain near McCall, Idaho. Ryat spent so much time trapped in the snowy conditions that he suffered frostbite as a result. Of our 14 horses, 4 of them are permanent residents at IHR due to age or permanent injury: Jack, Red, Ruby, and Paco. Some horses suffer such horrific abuse that they are never able to physically or mentally recover. 

One such case is that of Paco. He was first adopted by a cattleman and sold a year later with the name "Two Cents” because the man said he wasn’t worth two cents. For the next nine years, he was sold again and again and then given away to an abusive cowboy. This last person used clubs and rocks as a means of submission. Beaten, starved, and ignored, he was rescued by Robert in 2009. Paco was heartbreakingly thin and literally shaking in fear. He had long untrimmed hooves, a matted mane and tail, and numerous scars from years of beatings. He was untrusting, wouldn’t accept a halter, and tried to attack Robert in fear of more abuse. It took Paco six months to gain enough confidence to join up with the rest of the herd. After receiving a year of  TLC from Robert, Paco had a healthy weight, would allow himself to be haltered, and became a member of the herd. He can be lunged and approached by Robert with treats or feed and is accepting of blankets and brushes along his back. Paco’s success is testament to the power of rehabilitation. Despite the challenges he has overcome, however, he remains cautious and untrusting, a constant reminder of the lasting damage humans have the ability to inflict. Due to irreparable physical and mental wounds, Jack, Ruby, Red, and Paco will live out their days in the care of IHR. 

IHR’s primary effort and purpose is to rescue abused, abandoned, and neglected and/or starving horses; to coordinate adoptions into forever homes of rescued horses; to offer equine education and training to horse owners in our community; to give refuge by providing a peaceful, safe, and loving home for horses in need; and to facilitate the surrender of horses by owners unable to provide adequate care and horses referred by State/County Control Officers and agencies.

IHR is the only 501(c)(3) horse rescue organization in Southwest Idaho dedicated exclusively to our equine friends. The target audience for this project is Southwest Idaho, Southeast Oregon, and northern Nevada. According to the Idaho Horse Council, there are approximately 230,000 horses in Idaho. With a population of 1.634 million Idaho residents, that makes roughly 13% of Idaho a horse owner, not to mention horse lovers, animal advocates, and the $48 million that goes back to Idaho jobs associated with horse care, boarding, training, and more. This expansion would double our capacity for horses. IHR continually receives solicitations for rescue throughout the state of Idaho. We must expand.

As a young nonprofit operating on a small budget, we are extremely proud of the services we have been able to provide. As our organization grows, so will our positive impact. IHR is seeking a $10,000 donation so that we may increase our rescue and rehabilitation efforts and provide better quality of care to our current equine residents as well as incorporate a BLM mustang training program.  We are raising funds for a 10-stall horse barn with a veterinary room, riding arena, a dry lot area, mustang-proof holding pens, and round pens. With these new facilities, IHR will be able to rehabilitate more horses, involve more permanent volunteers, and provide a helpful meeting place in which we can provide education and awareness. 

You can read more about our residents and adoption program at www.idahohorserescue.org

Organizer

Kara Baker
Organizer
Eagle, ID

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.