13 Hands Equine Rescue is amazing! Everyone there is so welcoming and knowledgeable with the goal of helping horses in mind! I'm a fairly new volunteer and I have to say, everyone made me feel right at home! I'm a super shy person but everyone is so friendly and caring. if you are not comfortable with something, there is no questions asked and it will quickly be resolved. In the short few months I have been volunteering here, it really has helped me so much. The work they do is amazing. Everyone is wonderful with the horses and they really help them heal and come out of their shell. The horses are extremely well cared for and get a second chance to live in luxury! I can not say it enough; 13 Hands Equine Rescue is the best place you can volunteer your time and money as all of it goes to an amazing cause!!
This place is magical and welcomed me in the worst of times. I lost my baby sister to cancer and now I too have it. Mary lou and team are so welcoming and unbelievable .True healing takes place as you enter. The stables and pastures are beautiful. The horses are amazing and the gods work that surrounds this rescue is beyond. Come see for yourself. Thank you to the 13 hands equine rescue. xxoo
Second to none, 13 Hands Equine Rescue gave a whole new life to my horse. Other rescues either could not accept my horse or would not accept her, and some suggested putting her down. My economic situation was becoming dire. After two years of searching for a better home for my horse, Marylou responded to my message requesting help and rescue for Guinevere and ultimately accepted her. Guinevere was rescued and her much improved life was a godsend and a real second chance for her.
I finally got to visit 13 Hands Equine Rescue where I got to meet Marylou and Angela along with others that toiled with love and care with various horses. Clearly, it was all about the horses! Having not seen my Guinevere in about a year, I was immediately struck with how well she looked and how improved she she was. Increasing her weight was always difficult and a matter of concern for me. Now, after a year at 13 Hands Equine Rescue, Guinevere filed out nicely. The improvements in her overall condition is significant. She is happy, healthy and adored.
Angela spent a great amount of time with us as well. Additionally, Angela had often sent me photos of Guinevere with frequent updates. This was really above and beyond anything I could have hoped for. During our lengthy visit we always felt welcomed and we were invited back. As for Guinevere, she won the lottery upon her arrival at 13 Hands Equine Rescue. Marylou rescued my horse as well as myself. Guinevere had the best life I could provide, but now she is in equine paradise at 13 Hands Equine Rescue!
Thank you Marylou. Thank you Angela.
Not only do they take GREAT care of the horses they rescue from the slaughter pipeline they use many of them for therapy with our veterans with ptsd and have now partnered with mental health of America to reach even more areas of mental health.
I have nothing but great things to say about this wonderful organization. Everyone I have met that is involved is so very dedicated to the cause. The horses they rescue are rehabilitated and given a second chance. This rescue has the horses best interest and heart in mind! Together the horses and people of 13 Hands come together to better not only the horses, but themselves and others.
I have been a volunteer at 13 Hands Equine Rescue for the past year. The environment at the farm is magical. You can feel the spirit of all who work and volunteer is the mission to save and rehome these amazing animals. It is so rewarding to see the horses who come to us looking defeated and worn brought back to enjoying life and getting great new homes. I am excited to continue this important work with 13 Hands.
After moving to Clinton Corners, NY In 2020, 13 Hands is even better than before. More horses are being helped in this tranquil amazing setting. The Equine Assisted EAGALA Therapy program, run by Dr. Glenn Albright, will expand to hold exciting new programs for Veterans, first-responders and others. Once COVID19 restrictions are lifted, we will host Open Houses for our neighbors. Come see what we are all about.
I have volunteered my time and supported this dedicted and caring organization. This is a wonderful, heartfelt equine rescue which provides cast off horses with a clean, healthy, happy life. The farm is nirvana for these magnificant animals whose lives are being reclaimed and rehabilitated to perhaps someday find their forever home. This is something worth supporting!
I've been a volunteer since 2018 and have seen first hand the care and time that goes into rehab and finding homes for the horses. There's a lot of thought that goes into finding the best strategy to get the horses ready for their forever home (food, supplements, the right paddock area, human interaction, etc...). All the volunteers become very close and even stay after hours to gather and talk about the day, and sometimes even share a meal. It's a special place. You have to come see it for yourself.
They do amazing work, saving countless equine lives and helping those that no one else will help. A wonderful group with endless patience and dedication.
13 Hands saves horses from slaughter and gives them a second chance at life. Thank you for saving Hershey and for everything you do!
A beautiful place with people who really care about the horses' best interest. I was very pleased with everything I saw and everyone I met at this facility. 13 Hands is the best rescue that I came across during my search for a horse. I saw their hard work everyday when I worked with my little guy that I adopted from them. I went back a year later and was able to adopt a second mini! 13 Hands is so welcoming and accommodating. The horses they rescue are well cared for and treated with dignity and love. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone! You won't find a more wonderful and caring rescue!
13 Hands is a wonderful place for horses in need, so that they can receive the care and quality of life they truly deserve. After graduating from college in May of 2018 I was looking for a way to give back to the community. I was riding horses at a barn down the street from the Rescue and heard from my instructor that volunteers were needed at 13 Hands. From the first time I visited, I fell in love with the mission and each individual horse, one by one. Seeing the transformation of these horses when they are given a second chance is a privilege. Volunteering at 13 Hands really makes you question who is saving who.
I have volunteered at 13 Hands Equine Rescue for over a year now and have enjoyed each and every minute caring for the most beautiful horses and mini ponies that have been rescued from the slaughter pipeline and auctions. It’s hard to believe and totally incomprehensible how these beautiful creatures have endured such inhumane abuse and mistreatment at the hands of humans before they arrived at 13 Hands. All of our horses and minis have amazing personalities and are all so loving and sweet. Providing the upmost care for all of our horses has always remained our top priority and mission at 13 Hands. Marylou Tortorello who is the founder of 13 Hands, is so dedicated and committed to ensuring all of the horses whom are rescued, are well taken care of and adopted into loving homes. All of the people who volunteer at 13 Hands are caring, committed, hard working, and work to ensure all of our horses’ needs are met. It is my hope that we will continue to receive more donations in the days to come, so that we can continue to provide our horses with the care they so lovingly deserve, as they wait to be adopted into a loving human family.
I started volunteering for 13 Hands a year ago after seeing a news segment about what they do for these amazing animals (rescuing, rehabilitating, re-training, and "re-homing" them through adoption) as well as how some are used in therapy to assist veterans with PTSD and others with various life challenges. I literally signed up within minutes of hearing their story and have not looked back since. What's more, I find It hard to believe most horses were destined for kill pens once you see how vibrant and responsive they are after a little TLC. In addition to working directly with phenomenal horses, 13 Hands exposed me to the nicest, most caring bunch of people I've ever met. Everyone, without exception, cares deeply about the horses, the people they help, and the cause.
I live in Bedford and had heard wonderful things about 13 Hands...but didn’t have any first hand experience with the organization until I had to find a new home for a pony that I love and adore. I really didn’t want to let Wyatt go; but Marylou and her staff of volunteers immediately put me at ease with their knowledge of and experience with all things Equine. Their facilities are unparalelled..beautiful paddocks for grazing and the most well-kept stalls/stables that I’ve ever seen. What really won me over though was everyone’s unwavering love and commitment to the horses and ponies that they rescue...giving them a safe and loving environment in which they not only heal but flourish. Mere words cannot begin to convey how impressed I am by the work they do at 13 Hands...so impressed that this former client is now a happy and proud volunteer!!! Please consider joining us in our mission to rescue, rehabilitate and find loving forever homes for these wonderful, deserving creatures...either by becoming a donor; or by joining our team of volunteers. We really do appreciate your support!!!
13 Hands Equine Rescue is an incredible place. It’s about the horses, but also about the people who work there. The care and genuine interest in the horses is easy to see. The concern for their well-being brings us all together working towards the same goal: saving them from slaughter and giving them the life they deserve.
These guys are out doing great things. Rescuing horses that are in the slaughter pipeline and either finding them great homes or re-training them for use in the Equine Therapy program for Veterans. They are a happy team and happy to please. You can't go wrong either getting a horse from them or volunteering with them.
We rescue horses that are on chopping block--for slaughter.
The owner and her team are wonderful people, with hearts of gold. And aim to save every horse we can.
The volunteers are fun, knowledgeable and caring. We help each other out, working in pairs.
We muck stalls, muck paddocks, water/feed/hay horses, groom and wash horses, spend time with horses, clean water troughs, spray them with fly spray so they aren't assaulted by flies during hot days and love the horses. We also do training on a regular basis to understand horses, learn how to handle them, what they might need or want in a particular moment, and we constantly assess their physical well being.
We need a steady stream of funding, but for now, we get by, on donations and some fundraisers. We just need more.
I started volunteering at 13 Hands Equine Rescue this year. This rescue founded by Marylou Tortorello is a place where slaughter bound and neglected horses come to be rehabilitated and rehomed. The love and care that every horse receives goes above and beyond exceptional. Horses that might not be adoptable live their life out at the rescue and some become therapy horses for our equine therapy program. This certified program helps veterans and others with PTSD. I feel proud to be part of this amazing rescue.
13 Hands Rescue does exactly what their name says- works very hard to save neglected, abused horses cast off by owners who no longer have a use for them. I have found everyone associated with 13 Hands to be compassionate and dedicated, offering up their time, energy and money to help animals who need human intervention to live out their lives in dignity and peace. Seeing a beautiful horse rehabilitated and adopted out to a loving family it is one of the most rewarding experiences I have known.
13 Hands Equine Rescue is quite an exceptional place. Located on a beautiful farm in Bedford Corners, NY, the surroundings are exceptional. More importantly they rescue slaughter bound horses, rehabilitate them, re-train them and re-home them. Some of the herd is evaluated for use in the Equine Assisted Therapy program which is particularly focused on veterans with PTSD, anxiety and other issues. The horses are restored back to the horse they were meant to be. Those that aren’t adoptable or used in therapy live out their lives in safety, security and the dignity they deserve.
They conduct community outreach and educational programs and use a mostly volunteer staff to accomplish all this! I have been a volunteer for over a year now and my life has been greatly enriched by these magnificent creatures. Thank you Marylou Tortorello for founding this wonderful rescue!
Our visits to 13 Hands Equine Rescue demonstrated to our family how committed this nonprofit is to saving horses & ponies from kill pens. We have never a met more dedicated staff, all of who cater to the special needs of these wonderful, loving horses. If you are looking to adopt or foster a warm, affectionate horse, who needs a forever home, definitely take a ride to Bedford Hills, NY. We couldn’t have been more impressed. The facility is full of love.
My story starts with chance. I called the farm after finding them on google maps as an equine rescue near me. I wanted to buy and then donate a few dozen bales of hay (after I used them for a party). Marylou answered my call and in addition to coming to pick up the hay, she inspired me with her story and that of the farm enough that I wanted to do more. I am now a volunteer and I can honestly say nothing makes me happier than to spend the day at the farm. The love, dedication and care they provide is exceptional. The miracles they work with horses that have otherwise given up is something that should not go unrecognized. This is an exceptional organization that truly is inspiring everyone around them.