For 12 years I have been a volunteer for Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary in one capacity or another. This sanctuary provides a haven for abandoned, abused, neglected horses and trains volunteers to use natural horsemanship with these physically and emotionally needy creatures so that they can have safe and healthy lives in herds as well as become happy companions to humans. SHHS goes beyond this to training people to be the leaders horses need and enjoy, again using natural horsemanship through partnerships with other professionals. I have seen the sanctuary from its earliest days grow into the organization it is, one which attracts great volunteers who find the work challenging, satisfying, and character building, all the while loving and caring for horses no one wanted or cared for. This is an amazing horse sanctuary!
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Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary rescues horses no one else wants and provides for them a lifetime sanctuary. The horses and donkeys receive whatever they each need, including veterinary care and oversight, special diets, compassionate care from volunteers trained in natural horsemanship, and the appropriate herd and pasture for the best social interactions among the horses. While no horse is re-homed, qualified people are providing foster care for some of the horses and ponies. The sanctuary provides natural horsemanship education to volunteers, which makes this non-profit very effective in handling horses in compassionate ways. Horses are saved. Everyone involved comes away feeling very good about helping the horses!
Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary is a wonderful a place to spend a day with horses and escape the hustle and bustle of my daily life. I like to call it my ZEN Friday. The Barn is organized and information about the horses and the chores are all clearly stated. There are many great volunteers that all work together and support the horses and all the barn functions. I have never really been around horses but I’m truly in awe of these beautiful animals. I went there with the intention of helping them and turns out they have been helping me find peace. I miss the horses and the barn when I’m away and can’t way wait to get back. If you are looking for a place to volunteer this is your place! Robin is awesome and I haven’t found a group of people who as work had and love these horses as much as Robin does. It is truly inspiring!!
I Love this place ! They do So much to help Save horses and improve their Lives, So that their All Happy, Loved and Healthy!! I Volunteer my little bit of free time that I get and if your looking for a place to Volunteer or just to be acquainted with horses then This is It !!! Come On Out and Give them a try ... Owners are Also Extremely Helpful with whatever Questions you may have .
I have been volunteering at Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary for over a year! It’s been such an amazing experience! Robin has such a beautiful heart and provides so much love and care to these horses. The horses and donkeys have provided so much healing for me in many ways.
Sixteen Hands gives these animals another chance to life. I’ve seen so much transformation in the animals. This is a wonderful nonprofit to donate money, supplies and volunteer!
I volunteered at this wonderful sanctuary for two years. Robin Cain has provided a loving, caring home for many horses since she started this facility, no matter their age, disability, medical needs, or personality. She is supported by many volunteers who love being in the presence of these majestic animals.
Loved every minute, visiting with each horse in the barn and sitting under the canopy watching horses perform with volunteers. Beautiful presentstion, and beautiful grounds, lovely afternoon!
My son and I went to an event at Sixteen Hands and were so impressed with both the place and people. You could see and feel the love, attention and care that is provided to the horses, ponies and donkeys. My son formed a special little bond with Elvis, a lovely donkey. This led us to volunteering which we have been doing since spring of this year. We have learned so much. The volunteers that we work with are amazing and Robin, the owner, is wonderful. The horses (and ponies, donkeys...) are beautiful. I am in awe when I spend time with them. Although we go when we can to try to give our time, what we get back is so special and rewarding. I feel lucky that we are able to spend time there.
I have been coming to Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary since its opening and it has always been all about the horses and helping them live out a comfortable, dignified, and a natural as possible life, receiving anything and everything they may need. The people who care for the horses are some the most kind hearted people you will ever meet. The founder (Robin) is a wonderful teacher and truly cares that all the horses, volunteers, and visitors are always in a safe and enjoyable environment. I love going to SHHS and wish I could be there even more.
In 2009 I had some time available to do something and I thought I would volunteer at a non- profit . I found Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary online and even though is was an hour and 15 minute drive, once I got there I loved every minute of it.
It was all because of the horses.
First it was the satisfaction of volunteering and physically helping the organization but then the hidden satisfaction was what I learned about horses and their horsenalities (personalities) and learned that you can create a relationship with a horse.
The sanctuary has enriched my life in boundless ways.
Love volunteering here! Not only by helping, but for what I have learned. SHHS is Constantly growing and changing for the better. The horses are the focus everyday. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing improvement in their health or when you receive a positive reaction from one so scared.
Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Most of the horses there were abused in some way, abandoned and left to starve. Now you can almost see the smiles on their faces. They receive the best care and attention. The volunteers receive guidance and training in Natural Horsemanship ongoing from Robin Cain, President and owner, as well as educating the community on the commitment of horse ownership. Everyone involved has one goal, the wellbeing of the horses. Great horses, people and lots of love .
Sixteen hands horse sanctuary is the best non-profit out there! They help abused, abandoned and neglected animals but mainly horses. Over my 6+ years of being a volunteer they have grown so much and helped many horses. I personally am lifetime fostering one of the rescue horses at my house who was to be euthanized by the vet, due to a broken foot but with 16 hands patience and care she is fully healed and able to do anything and everything. She's my everything. I also sponsor 2 horses currently at the sanctuary. We help 16 hands whenever we can and always help at their fundraisers. Robin Cain the founder of the sanctuary is an angel and deserves to have more publicity and acknowledgment for her very large kind heart.
My first contact with 16 Hands was in a phone conversation with the founder. I heard something in her voice that was so real and so caring. I was "chomping at the bit" to schedule a visit. Finally the day arrived and my husband and I drove to this beautiful sanctuary. Immediately, I was impressed. This sanctuary is all about whatever is best for the horses. The volunteers are loving, caring, hard-working individuals. Words cannot adequately express how wonderful the founder of 16 Hands is. She exemplifies pure dedication. It's a joy to be at 16 Hands. One cannot help but fall in love with the horses and feel inspired to lend a helping hand. I am grateful this place exists.
I have been visiting 16 hands on and off for over 5 years. I'm not always in the area, but any time I can drop by I always feel welcomed and am able to jump right in and help out. The owner and many if the volunteers pour their hearts into the horses here, and genuinely care. They treat their horses with respect and dignity, and give them a comfortable and peaceful environment that's as good for those visiting as it is for the horses.
I've been volunteering at SHHS for almost a year. It's been a wonderful experience. And if just being around the horses isn't enough, there's plenty of learning opportunities and a nice group of people. I would encourage anyone who lives in the area to volunteer and anyone who doesn't live nearby to sponsor or donate.
I have been volunteering at Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary for over 3 years. I am happy and content working with the other volunteers, the founder and particularly the horses. I LOVE how they smell. Can't imagine life without ALL of them. Can you see me smiling big?
It is a rare thing to find a sanctuary that has the animal's best interest in mind and is ran in both a professional and impressive manner, but Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary has managed to achieve that. The horses are allowed to live and interact in natural ways. The volunteers are caring and enthusiastic and add to the overall peaceful environment. The founder loves and understands horses and is wonderful with people.