My name is Julia and I am the founder of Canham Farm Horse Rescue, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to rescuing abused and neglected horses, and helping them to trust humans again.

Since our beginnings in 2017, we have been lucky enough to receive patronage and support from people like you who care deeply about horses and their welfare.

However, we are sad to say that the impact of Covid and the decline in the economy, many people have been unable to donate to our rescue. And that means that the horses in our care won’t get the support and healing, both physical and mental they so deserve.

While many of our rescued horses have gone on to find good homes, some of them have been so traumatized by humans they may never be able to leave our care.

But, with the trauma these horses have suffered comes a special gift — a gift that gives them a unique ability to connect with adults and children in a way that helps them cope with physical and mental challenges such as cerebral palsy, head injuries, anxiety, stress, addiction, loneliness, and other vulnerabilities, and perhaps most importantly bring joy and meaning into their lives.

I am determined to continue to rescue these abused and neglected horses and share the legacy of love and joy that these majestic animals and I have shared.

But for that to happen the horses need your help!

Horses like ZiZi, a beautiful pony who was found by Animal Services underweight and pregnant with a ladder stuck on her head. How long the ladder had been there we don't know but ZiZi was so traumatized she could barely stand to be touched or approached by a human. That was a few years ago and now ZiZi is one of our best therapy horses bringing immense joy and happiness to everyone who meets her.

ZiZi helping Cecilia, a lady with Downs Syndrome, learn the parts of a horse

Or Lola, an older horse who was no longer any use to her previous owners and was left alone in a field and fed just one flake of hay per day -- a flake

that she could not chew because her teeth were decayed and broken. Lola also had anxiety that manifested itself with constant swaying much like a child who rocks backward and forwards to soothe themselves. Yet once again, with the help of our volunteers and a re-feeding program she is now connecting with people and they in turn are connecting with her.

Lola and Barb - I don't think Lola is amused!

Or Yaya, a young horse that arrived emaciated and sick but with veterinary care and the dedication of volunteers found a loving forever home with an incredibly kind and caring couple.

YaYa is Showing off His Santa Hat to a Young Girl

And last, but by no means least, Cleo and Ruby, our two older wild mustangs were captured by the U.S. Forest Service while pregnant. Their fear when they first arrived was heartbreaking. They both gave birth to two beautiful fillies, April Moon and Cielo and we set about the task of helping them adjust to life in captivity and trust humans. Today, both Cleo and Ruby have no fear of humans, can be haltered and led and are now an integral part of our program.

Wild Horse Cleo Connecting with Volunteer Els

Wild Horse Ruby Tuesday Showing Her Affection

While Canham Farm takes up most of my time it is a labor of love. We have never been unable to care for our horses or offer our FREE Horses Helping Humans program to deserving adults and children, but times are hard.

And that's where you come in!

Goal # 1 - $30,000 - Will provide our horses with food, veterinary care, farrier (hoof trims) and medications. And maintain and upgrade our facility so we can continue our free Horses Helping Humans Program until the end of the year.

Goal # 2 - $65,000 - Will provide our horses with food, veterinary care, farrier (hoof trims) and medications. And maintain and upgrade our facility so we can continue our free Horses Helping Humans Program until the end of 2024.

Goal # 3 - $100,000 - Will help me realize my dream of expanding our rescue so we can accommodate more horses who have suffered at the hands of humans and offer more services to people in need with our Horses Helping Humans program.

While some of our horses come and go - many to good, loving, forever homes - every one of them has touched and enriched not only my life but the lives of so many people in need including our hard-working volunteers.

Please find it in your heart to donate even a few cents so I can carry on this labor of love with the peace of mind that these wonderful animals are taken care of and never have to experience abuse and neglect again.

I thank you wholeheartedly and your small donation will make a huge difference in the lives of horses and people in need. If you can’t donate, please share our story to help us realize our dream so we can keep improving the lives of these deserving, magnificent creature's lives now and in the future.

We all need a little help sometimes!

Thank you all so much.

Julia