Funds were used for Leslie's own personal desires. Not the horses. Alder Hill is under investigation after Leslie watched her own horse starve while refusing vet care, and feed from volunteers.
Review from Guidestar
I have not seen a bad photo on facebook or heard a bad thing about Adler Hill Farms. If I had the money and the transportation I would adopt a horse there in a heartbeat!!!
Alder Hill Farm is run by a wonderful group of people who truly address the best interests of the animals that find their way to this shelter. They have had many successful placements and it is so much fun to watch as they bring these horses in and help them all through Facebook status updates and photos. It is such an inspiring group that I've even donated a few dollars here and there to help with transport of an animal. They certainly deserve to win that $5,000 which will help so many more animals.
Alder Hill Farm goes far and above the call of duty in regards to horse resecue. All of the horses are well cared for in every manner. Alder Hill Farms keeps all interested party's involved in the daily operations and development of each and every horse via facebook and thru its website. Once a horse is ready for adoption and is adopted, Alder Hill Farm continues it's relationship with that horse and new owner to insure the continued safety and health of the horse is maintained. If for ANY reason the horse needs to return it can, no questions asked. Alder Hill Farm plain and simple cares and shows it every day.
Review from Guidestar
This is by far the best horse rescue in the nation. Updates and Photographs posted daily on facebook. Sometimes hourly. Open and honest. This rescue cares about the horses from rescue, to adoption and beyond. Farm is open to visitors.
Review from Guidestar
I have personal experience with Alder Hill Farm and would recommend them highly to anyone. I visited them in person in Oct. of 2010 and saw for myself that their horses are very well taken care of, and are in wonderful shape. Their facilities are more than adequate for the number of horses that they have; they have many acres for the horses to live on in a natural herd setting, plus they grow their own hay. The horses were all in good weight, hooves were in great shape, and the horses were very friendly. You can tell how much Leslie and Scott, et al, love the horses when you see them interacting with them.
I also like very much that the owners of the rescue are professional people, so the rescue is financially stable. In addition, they are very knowledgeable about horses. Scott in particular works wonders with horses with problems.
The day I visited, Scott and Jonathan (Leslie was out of town that day) took the whole afternoon out of their busy day to show us around the different areas and introduce us to the horses. I was extremely impressed by their expertise and obvious caring for the horses in their care.
Another thing I really like is that when someone adopts a horse, Alder Hill will work with the adopter to make sure that they and the horse are a good fit, and will give the adopter training on the new horse. I'm sure that this would prevent horses having to be returned and facilitates happy new horse adopters.
I have gotten a bit cynical about some rescues because of a few cases where a rescue turned into a trainwreck. But I can attest that this rescue is one of the GOOD ones, and I look forward to supporting them (and visiting them again) in the future! Any horse that finds itself at Alder Hill Farm is a very lucky horse!
Review from Guidestar
Alder Hill Farm is a wonderful organization that actually cares about the horses and the people involved with each case. I have been friends with Alder Hill Farm on FaceBook for a couple months. Enjoying all the stories and pictures. Following their progress and remembering how much I love horses. I have donated what I could and sale items on eBay and donate part of the proceeds them. On Jan 22, 2011 some close personal friends of mine lost their home due to a fire. Worse still they lost two precious children. Both parents were in critical condition also. I contacted Leslie and told her the situation. There was no one to care for Paul their horse. Leslie raised the funds quickly and drove over 4 hours to come get him and care for him while his people were recovering. Leslie has been the best about keeping us posted on Paul's progress and condition. Leslie has offered the family several options for Paul. She never pushes and is kind and understanding. This is what a real rescue is all about. They stepped up when the family and Paul needed their help. God Bless her and all her helpers! Paul could have gotten into real trouble really fast with ALDER HILL FARM'S help. Thank you!
I have dealt with Leslie and Alder Hill Farm through a Facebook connection. She has shown me in our dealings to be a very upright, honest person, which I am beginning to realize in the rescue world is a rarity. If I were closer to her rescue, I would happily adopt a future horse from her. I feel that she has the best interests of the horse at heart, again, a rarity in the rescue world. I look forward to continue our relationship online and maybe one day soon, we will meet in person. Thank you for what you do, Leslie!
I have observed Alder Hill Farm for a very long time. I have watched closely and seen the way that they conduct themselves. I have found them to be completely above board, transparent and open and honest in their dealings. Their love of horses is evident. They work very hard to help horses in need - no matter the breed, age, sex or ability to work. They are good, honest and hard working people who make a huge difference in horses lives - horses that would otherwise likely be sent to slaughter. Alder Hill Farm is top notch in my opinion, and this money will be put to excellent use.
I love everything about this rescue and their work. They always step in where it is needed and no task of rescue is too small or big. Each horse there is treated as indivual not a herd. The Williams and Scott do awesome work and thank goodness they are there to help where it is needed. KEEP up the great work! They not only save lives, but also heal the horses from inside out. Get them ready for a forever home!
I implore you to read this entire review!
I found Alder Hill Farm on Facebook while in a search to rescue a horse. This would be my second horse, my first had died a few months prior. I was devastated but I still wanted to take my time to find the right fit for my life. I was looking for a horse that would be my new trail buddy and friend.
They were very open and forthcoming to answering any questions I had about their horses. They also have lots of pictures of the horses during their training so you know what they say is fact. Several of their horses had caught my eye and I often visited their page on Facebook to see what was new or which horses were completing training soon.
I spent a lot of time, months, looking at different rescues online all across the United States looking to find the perfect fit for me and this very important relationship I wanted to have with my next horse. I live in California and I just wasn't satisfied with the horses I had met locally, even though they would be great fits -- but for someone else. I didn't feel a connection with those horses and I wanted to expand my search.
Alder Hill Farm has a huge selection of horses and I was drawn to them because of their trainer, Scott Litherland, and his candid descriptions of his experiences working with these horses. One picture of a horse on it's first trail ride was a picture I kept going back to. I liked how relaxed the horse looked, especially because there appeared to be no trail. The picture had a comment below by a person expressing desire to acquire the horse. I sadly dismissed it for a while until I decided to ask if that horse was still available. To great excitement and luck he was! That's when I chose to visit their facility in Missouri to meet this guy and make sure this horse and I got along.
I was very nervous flying out to Missouri from California all by myself to follow my heart. To see about a horse. Leslie Maxwell, the ranch owner, had offered to put me up at her place, which made me feel awfully special, put me at ease, and warmed my heart. Leslie is quite a woman! Very confident, friendly, humorous, sincere, a great person to be around and want to know.
We grabbed some snacks at the mini mart and she took me right out to meet my new friend. Upon arriving to the pasture they were in, they all came up to the fence to see her and this new person she had brought. First I met 5 or 6 of the horses, including the one I came to see. (He is now named Ranger, so yes, I adopted him)
The horses were all very friendly. Ranger kept following me around, let me pet his face and gave up his feet for cleaning willingly. He was a lot shorter than my last horse and this grew to be my only reluctance to adopt him. He nuzzled me and was very affectionate and trusting, sweet and confident. My guard was up but I still fell for him.
While I was there I even got to meet the 'wild' herd. The mass of horses that have had no more than halter training. They get to run and play, be the lovely creatures that they are. Even with a complete stranger (me) amongst them, they were gentle and curious.
During my stay I was reading a book by Louis L'amore. I came across a line that ended up convincing me that this horse's height didn't matter. "In horses, dogs, and men, it is character that counts." This horse certainly had character. I have a test I do with a new horse~ will it let me place my cowboy hat on his head? Well, as you can imagine he passed the test. Still, I didn't decide to adopt until a month after I had returned home. Leslie was very patient and understanding, and probably relieved that I would take such care to make sure he was going to be my new forever friend.
I highly recommend anyone searching for a great horse to make a visit to their facility and prepare to be wowed. They even transported him all the way to California for me at a discounted rate compared to a stranger's service. Amazing! Our future together is looking quite spectacular.
Review from Guidestar
Leslie Maxwell is open, honest and caring. I'd recommend her orgainzation to anyone who wants honest horse rescue!
Review from Guidestar
I adopted two horses from AHF in 2005. Unfortunately my financial circumstances changed and I could no longer care for them. When I contacted Leslie about this, she was gracious and understanding and immediately offered to come get them pursuant to AHF's guarantee that all of their adoptees have a permanent place at AHF. I am so relieved that "my boys" had a safe place to return and hopefully get re-homed. I have every confidence in AHF and in Lesiie... she is one of the most committed, dedicated people I have ever met. This organization deserves special attention for the incredible work it does.
Review from Guidestar
Had a wonderful time visiting with everyone! Will have to come back and stay longer! It was a very interesting time seeing how things were at the farm. It takes a lot of work to keep that place up and running. I think it was amazing that Leslie and Scott knew all the horses by name. I would have trouble! LOL! I enjoyed talking to Leslie and Scott. It's always nice to be able to share helpful information with other horse folks. I think its really awesome what u guys do and my hat is off to you all at Alder Hill!
Review from Guidestar
I took my 12 year old granddaughter to Alder Hill Farms first official Visitor’s Day and we had the best time! It was really interesting watching the dynamics that went on between a few horses and visitors.
Both Leslie and Scott know each individual horse which is probably the reason they are able to make such good matches/adoptions. Alder Hill isn’t just about finding a home of their horses; they know the importance of finding the right person for that horse.
Any horse owner that would happen to find themselves in the awful situation of needing to find their beloved horse a home needn't look any farther than this organization. The compassion, sincerity and professionalism of those that represent Alder Hill is truly a blessing.
If I were looking to purchase another horse I would most definitely give Alder Hill a call. Outstanding horses, any breed, any color.
Review from Guidestar
Last year we moved and were unable to move our 4 horses.
I was panicking trying to figure out where they would go.
I contacted several rescues.
I did not want my horses to end up in slaughter.
Leslie at Alder Hill Farm and 1 other rescue were the only ones who contacted me back.
The 1st rescue that contacted me, I felt really uneasy with what she was telling me.
Leslie contacted me and I immediately knew this was where my horses needed to go.
She has gone above and beyond for them.
2 have found forever homes. The other 2 are still in semi training.
Leslie and Craig are great folks.
I am so happy that I found them when I did.
Review from Guidestar
I'm committed to donating to legit equine rescues such as Alder Hill Farm. AHF's mission is rescuing horses at risk from slaughter and finding them good homes. I'm currently working on art work for the March Horse Fest. I am designing the colouring book, "The Horses at Alder Hill Farm" in order to help AHF continue its mission.
Tara Keytara - ©2011 KEYTARA DESIGNS
Review from Guidestar
Tell your story here and help others understand this charity after having a really bad experience with another so called rescue, i was leary of alder hill. it turned out to be a totally different and refreshing experience. leslie, craig and scott were open, friendly and obviously love what they do. i was impressed with the way the horses loved them! all the horses were well nourished and had nice tootsies:) scott is a true natural with horses and knows his stuff. nice to see a rescue with a fulltime, qualified trainer on board. leslie is always available by phone or email. alder hill is the real deal and i would strongly recommend them if you are looking to adopt.
I love this rescue! I donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of some of my horse paintings to help this rescue for several months now. I choose to support them on a referral of a friend. I was so happy to see they consistently do what is right for the horses, are straightforward and honest in their dealings with people and their horses look happy and well cared for. Also as a donor they do a great job of recognizing the contribution I and others do for the rescue which is icing on the cake and makes the supporters feel valued. I plan on continuing to donate and support this rescue so they can keep doing what they do so well!
My husband and I and our 13 yr old daughter recently went to Alder Hill Farm and I was impressed with them.. not only are they honest and straightforward.. they are able (and take the time) to answer questions in a way a person (even a new horse owner) can understand..
If u ask to come to look they will do what needs to be done to make sure they can be there to show u the horses.. they didnt give me the run around like other places have done..
I will return to Alder Hill as many times as I can They are wonderful and honest people that will not steer a person wrong on purpose... they do their best to match a person with the perfect horse for them Not letting a first time horse owner get a horse that is too much for them to handle.. They know all the horses by name which is amazing itself!!!
Please go visit and talk with them BEFORE u buy a horse or adopt from another rescue U wont be sorry
I can not say enough about the awesome job that Leslie and the Alder Hill Farm crew does for all the horses they take care of. I love the way people can see where all the donations go to and get up to date information and pictures. It's great how all visitors and potential adoptees are aloud to share their experiences to the general public through visits to the farm and spending personal time with the horses. Leslie goes out of her way to make sure everyone interested in the rescue and potential adoptions get a chance to spend time with the horses, trainer and recieve valueable education. One of the main goals at Alder Hill Farm is to make sure that these wonderful horses find forever homes and are placed with the right person. There are not many places that will evaluate the situation in it's entirty as they do at Alder Hill Farm. No matter what, Alder Hill Farm is NOT about making a quick buck! When all is said and done it's ALWAYS about the horses. If there were more places that would take time out to evaluate the horse and potential owners properly, there would be less failed adoptions and more forever homes. These horses couldn't have been rescued by any better people than the people at Alder Hill Farms. Now with Scott being on board, you can be assured these horses are properly being retrained. Scott has many years as a natural horseman and couldn't be anymore in tune with the horses unless he became a horse! Thank you Alder Hill Farm for all that you do and continue to do all over the country to help those in need.
Selena
(Missouri)
One of the most important things to consider in addition to the condition of the animals in the care of the rescue is how transparent the financial activities of the organization are.
At any one time we can trace the existence of any animal that AHF has custody of. And in addition all financial transactions are posted on the site for all to see. They are SO up front with their records I have never felt a need to even ASK where funds are going.
AHF has a full time trainer to help insure a good future to those animals that have a need. Do your homework....research the facility carefully.....donated funds are only as useful as the honor and integrity of the Rescue allows them to be.
AHF is my personal favorite....at the very top with their ability to care for the animals, train them for the future, and ensure that every dime that we donate is used exclusively for the benefit of the horses that we love so much.
Deb
(Kansas)