Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society

BEHS is one of the very best non-profit animal rescue organizations that it has been my pleasure to be associated with as a donor and volunteer. Rescuing horses in neither easy nor cheap, but this organization has so positively impacted very many horses and the folks who love them. I feel that my time and money is put to the very best possible use by BEHS

We foster for Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. We have fostered 4 horse and adopted 1. Our involvement with this group has helped our daughter become aware of helping animals in need. She is learning to train horses and help them find their forever homes. We appreciate all the support from the Bluebonnet Board- it makes fostering easy and rewarding.

We have adopted a donkey and a horse from Bluebonnet Equine Rescue.
The two animals are a wonderful addition to our family.
We appreciate all the hard work they do to ensure horses and donkeys receive the care and the life that they deserve.

Claudia and John Grimnes

This is an awesome organization whose goal is the betterment of abused and neglected horses . They are professional, always working to improve the organization, and are well established. Their October showcase is well organized, and fun. Their goal is always adoption. They are not judgmental, they support any way they can, and allow volunteers to do as little or as much as they can to help the organization. They give incentives to train horses and to foster. My experience has been nothing but positive with them.

I rode H/J for 12 years before I had kids, and once my kids were past the baby stage, I was really eager to get back to "doing things" with horses. I just didn't have the bandwidth to drive somewhere else to do those things! I started fostering for BEHS in 2021 and it has been an amazing and eye-opening experience. First, I get to know and understand horses so much by working with them daily, in all weather, with all their various personalities and needs. It is way more intense and interesting than I expected from my experience "just" riding my previous horses, which were boarded at a training barn. Second, I have learned a lot about training through the resources BEHS provides, both connections to formal programs and informally through the foster email group. Third - and this is quite selfish - I appreciate the opportunity to do something that makes a difference! In addition to fostering, I volunteered at the Expo in 2023 and sometimes do an inspection if there is one in my area.

Fantastic organization that helps hundreds of horses each year and educates horse owners and those wishing to adopt

Bluebonnet is the first organization I go to when looking for a new horse. I regularly send friends to them as well. BEHS does a great job matching horses with adopters to find their forever homes. I have adopted several including a branded mustang, beautiful quarter horse filly, and 2 QH mixed geldings. These horses are healthy, smart, and wonderful mounts!

We are members of BEHS and are currently fostering for them. They have a tremendous group of volunteers which have been throughly checked out before being allowed to foster or adopt horses. Their process of twice yearly training challenges is a wonderful way to make horses more adoptable. Check out their website to learn more and consider donating today or becoming a member and fostering. They save MANY horses from neglectful and abusive situations.

First time I fostered for Bluebonnet, I was hooked for life. No better feeling than watching a horse "come back to life" and get to just BE A HORSE in a safe secure place with new friends and regular meals! Let me tell you, the folks that run BEHS know what they are doing and it shows in the horses and in the forever homes these horses find after landing with Bluebonnet. It is a great place to invest your time, money, space, knowledge & experience. Just do it - I promise you won't have any regrets......It's not the horses that are broken folks, it's the world they have been thrust into through no fault of their own. The animals don't have choices; but we do.

I can't remember how I originally came across Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. It was about 3 years ago when I found myself as a single mom with my youngest child about to "leave the nest". I found myself living in a typical large Texas subdivision home deep in thought of what else I wanted to do with my personal life. I was the little girl that grew up in a city in an area where I had no access to horses yet I dreamed of someday owning one of my own. That dream never faded. So, I decided to move to land where I could have a horse. As I knew nothing about caring for a horse, I figured that I find a way to connect with a rescue where I could give them some of my time in exchange for knowledge they could pass along to me. I got connected as a member, did my research, got my property ready and 6 months later, I had my first foster horse arrive. It was a dream come true and a day I will never forget. My 2nd foster arrived just a couple weeks later. My plan was to foster horses to make sure I could care for them and then if I felt overwhelmed, I knew that Bluebonnet would help. Well, I became so attached to my first two mares, that I adopted them within just a couple weeks. They truly bonded to each other too. I now have a 3rd adopted horse from Bluebonnet and not only is my barn full but so is my heart. Along the way, I have met many other staff, volunteers, and adopters and continue to grow in my knowledge. I choose to volunteer many hours a month and choose to donate as often as possible to this great organization. Bluebonnet can't save every horse that needs our help. But it does commit to the horses that it can save.

We adopted an TB from BEHS in 2014 and saw how well all of the fosters took care of her. We became volunteers and joined their yealy Expo Event and had a blast helping out and watching all of the clinicians. BEHS does a wonderful job in rescuing from law enforcement cases and rehabing the horses to become adoptable. So many have been helped. Love this organization.

Bluebonnet is dedicated to the care and placement of abused neglected horses. Hats off to Bluebonnet.

I do not currently own a horse but I volunteer by returning phone calls left on the BEHS answering machine. I try to do it within 2 days because if there is interest in adopting or fostering or if there is a horse in great need, I want to be part of the process. I love speaking with people who want to rescue a horse as they have put their hearts and wallets out for an equine with a history and a story-not always a nice one. I take copious note on the neglect cases with the hopes that we have a place for these desperate animals and I want to honor the folks who take the time and risk to call in for help for an equine they don;t even own or know. We have such a good reputation that I feel totally secure in my role. People thank me for calling so quickly and showing such interest..that makes it all worthwhile.

This is a very professional organization. I was lucky enough to be a part of large rescue in N.E. Texas. They cared for the equines in catching, loading and re- homing them all. They rescue and educate as well as save many horses.
What a great group of people working together to make a difference.
Run by Dr. Jennifer Willams who works day and night to help many counties with their abandoned or abused horses.
Pamela D.

In 2007, I adopted a registered Arabian through Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. I am grateful that this wonderful organization cared for my sweet, rescued mare until she found her forever home. I have since become a member of the organization and volunteer with them when I can. This group is amazing - helping, feeding, healing those equines who have been all but forgotten. BEHS maintains a solid foster program to house these horses until they, too, find their forever homes. I continue to be in awe of the individuals who are involved with this group. They do all they can to ensure the well-being of as many horses as they can because they care. You can't ask for more!

How to check "Your role"? Yes, I'm a volunteer, but also a client served. I'm an approved foster home, an inspector, past Art Booth coordinator for the BEHS Expo. My role as "client served" is validated by Serena, Dharma (aka Buckles) and Dottie (aka Spotty Dotty) who my husband and I adopted from BEHS. I found BEHS in another life, i.e. before BEHS. I've been a member since its conception. Serena was the first adoption completed with BEHS. She came to us as a foster. No one else wanted the little yearling. Her mom and little sister were also part of a seizure of 7 horses and ponies. We fell in love with that skinny horse who was left in triple digit temperature with no food or water. We have a pony from the pre BEHS rescue who is visually impaired and slighly deaf. She needed a donkey to stay in her paddock with her at night to keep her safe. Along came Dottie. When we went to pick her up at her foster home, we weren't sure she would load in the trailer. Donkeys can be unpredictable. She walked right in and never gave it a second thought. I wanted another horse (horse people understand), but thought it would be a foster who I could work with then hand over to a new family when someone wanted to adopt her. We went to pick Buckles up and thought she was beautiful. We decided to adopt her, then changed our minds. When we changed our minds again, someone had said they wanted her. Luckily for us, that person needed to make some changes on their property to get approved and we were again at the top of the list. We adopted her that time.

BEHS inspects the property where the equines are going to live, both foster homes and adoptive homes. This includes references on the people adopting. This is for the good of the equines. Although BEHS can't take all the horses/donkeys/mules offered by law enforcement because there aren't enough foster homes, they take a lot.

BEHS is run by dedicated people who are overworked and underpaid (if they're paid at all). It is truly a professional organization that all the members can be proud of.

Several years ago,as a horse mother of 2 gelding friends, I had the heart wrenching reality that my unexpected 'life changes' left me to financially support the continued care of both of my beautiful geldings.
After researching & speaking with several organizations , I reluctantly prepared for the day when 'Pitman' would leave us for an unknown life in a new home via Bluebonnet.
I remember the volunteer ladies being nicely surprised at how healthy & handsome he was (which tells me of the sad cases in need that they see with too much frequency)
This organization has honored & respected 'Pitman's unknown early years/history , which I believe left him scarred from probable abuse.
They STILL to this day, have him in a foster home because they will only relinquish his care to a forever home that will NOT ride him.
This organization is TRULY authentic in it's mission of not only rescuing horses , but also ensuring that each & every horse's remaining days are SAFE beyond their initial rescue.
I have followed Pitman's story where possible & now as 'Eclipse' I am fortunate to know that he is still 'lovingly' cared for without compromise.
I for one, am forever grateful to each & every volunteer from this truly amazing equine rescue facility of the highest caliber!

Gratefully, Joanne Steele-Walker (Tomball, TX)

I have just recently become involved with Bluebonnet; joined as a member then applied to foster. I now have 2 fosters. Everyone that I'd come in contact with at Bluebonnet are wonderful, caring people. Their 1st priority is helping the equines recover from neglect and find them loving foever homes. Kudoos to Jennifer and the entire board for doing such wonderful work.

I had heard about BEHS in 2006 almost a year since it was started. I had called a few to get info on a couple of horses at the time that were available for adoption, I had a "bad taste" for BEHS after about 5-6 months trying to get some info, calling, emailing, etc.... after a while I just gave up. I said what the hell... they want people to adopt these horses but can't get someone to call people back.... But I kept going back to the website looking and I had found another horse that I liked and wanted more info on... So I thought ok, I'm going to try this again... If I can't get anyone to call me back on this one, I'll go some where else. I did recieve a call from a lady named Randy, I explained to her what had happened before and she apologized like it was her fault although it was another volunteer that just quit answering calls and emails! Well the horses that I was interested had already been adopted, but Randy assured me that things were back in order and if I needed anything else to please not hesitate to call or email again! Well a few short months later I was working at a little country cafe and one of my regulars came in and asked me if I trained barrel horses and I said no and asked him what was up and he told me about one of the horses that he bought and was suppose to be a barrel horse and asked me if I could help him out and find him a good home to go to. I said that I would and I would go pick him up once a week to take him to the barrel races at Salt Creek Arena and show him off one how gentle he was and all, well to make a long story short I ended buying him and put another 75-100 lbs on him and from that moment I knew that I needed to help more horses and in Nov 2007 I became a member of BEHS paid for a year membership. Well after alittle while I loved helping doing inspections, follow-ups, booths, etc, meeting some wonderful horses and people, I decided to become a lifetime member, I am a district coordinator and love everyone I have met since I have become a member! I do wish that we could get more foster homes to help these horses! I am also a foster home, the best experience I have is seeing a skinny horse who has lost his spirit come back to life!! I wish I could keep them all but just can't, but seeing them go to a forever home is a wonderful feeling! :-)

I have been easing into work with Blulebonnet. I started by listing horses on Horsetopia, then added contacting local sheriffs, etc. on abuse cases, and then progressed to having a foster horse. My foster mare has given me so much. Seeing her progress from being terrified of me to coming to the fence and nickering when she sees me is such a wonderful feeling. She has a long way to go, but I'm thrilled about the progress she has made. At first a small handtowel would put her on the ceiling, but now I can rub it on her without her standing and trembling. Each day brings a new surprise. I hope someday we won't be needed, but until then, I am so grateful for organizations like Bluebonnet and for all the volunteers that help these animals in need.

To the poster that wrote the nasty gram about Bluebonnet. It's quite apparent that 1) you have a personal issue with Jennifer Williams and 2) you don't have a clue about what transpired with LSER and Habitat for Horses. I do, I was a member of LSER at the time.

Bluebonnet is a good organization that does good for horses in need and the organization is not all about Jennifer Williams. Bluebonnet is a group of hundreds of members that foster, inspect, trailer, fundraise, etc for this organization; Jennifer is just one of those people. I am one of those members and I don't appreciate the bashing of a group of great people that are doing great things to help Texas horses in need.

Can we take in every horse when we get a call, heck no, we don't have enough foster spots. Would we like to helpd them all, sure would! The difference between a good rescue and a hoarder in disguise is the good rescue knows their limits and doesn't over extend themselves where they cannot properly care for the animals they are trying to help. It's called being responsible.

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society (BEHS) and their President/Executive Director, Jennifer Williams, PhD., are both highly respected in the horse rescue community.

Founded in 2005, Bluebonnet has taken in over 535 horses into their fostering program, a program implemented by Dr. Williams when she was President of Lone Star Equine Rescue which she co-founded in 1998. While many rescues operate from a single facility, BEHS has a large-scale foster home network, which can help more horses and the horses benefit from one-on-one hands on care and attention from their foster home.

I am one of the original co-founders of BEHS, I have served as an officer, a director and now a volunteer and foster home. Having been on both sides of this organization, it is well run especially considering there are over 500 members spread across Texas and parts of Arkansas and no single office/facility location. BEHS has an active volunteer staff and many more members who volunteer to foster, help with fundraising activities, inspections on the horses in foster care, inspections on foster homes before a volunteer can foster and inspections on adoptive homes. Many volunteers spend countless hours per week of their time, to help the equines through Bluebonnet.

BEHS' web site at www.behs.org will give you more information about this organization including policies/procedures and financial information.

  

My experience with Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society has always been quite satisfactory. Having been with several other rescue groups, I can say that this one does try to go above and beyond in its quest to help the horses that are in need. Sure there have been growing pains as they have grown over the past few years, but we are one of the most respected rescue groups in Texas and continue to help out with law enforcement agencies during these difficult times.

It appears that the disgruntled poster that is claiming that BEHS operates illegally, is just that....someone that is angry about some worng that they feel they received and wants to discredit a fine organization. If you know of some illegal activity that is going on and you have proof, you should be informing the authorities, not spreading false statements on review boards.

Bluebonnet is one of the equine rescue groups served by Special Horses, Inc. They do a remarkable job of serving horses in the wide expanse that is Texas. We are proud and pleased to be able to help them in their efforts.

My Bluebonnet story is an unusual one from most.

For the last 29 years I have been involved with AQHA and APHA show horses.

In 2009 my World Champion show horse was killed in a veterinary accident. I was heartbroken and didn't even want to go to the barn. There was nothing anyone could say or do to ease the pain.

A friend saw information about Bluebonnet's Rescue Horse Training Challenge. She e-mailed me the information and I logged on to the BEHS website to learn more.

I knew this was my chance to turn a horrible tragedy into something positive. I looked at the horses that were eligible for the Challenge and selected stock type horses (since that is my area) and was assigned to BEHS 252 AKA: Maximus.

Coming from the snooty world of show horses I figured I was in for a real lesson on what being a cowboy really means. I arrived at the foster home where Max was being held for me and found a chubby, little sorrel gelding standing quietly in a stall.

He stuck his nose in the halter and walked out to and into my horse trailer. No chasing him around trying to catch him.....no hour long waiting game begging him to get in the trailer....this boy was smart and tame. He surprised me.

Max rode 2 hours without so much as moving a hoof. He even stood quietly beside the Interstate while I helped a guy change a blowout on his horse trailer. Max unloaded quietly and we got to work, preparing for the Challenge.

Max learned a lot those few months, but most of all, he gave me a reason to go to the barn. Where I had previously dreaded going out there and seeing my show horse's empty halter hanging on the front of an empty stall, I now looked forward to working with Max and teaching him new things that would help him find a forever home.

Max won the 2009 and 2010 Rescue Training Challenge Non-Pro Divisions and was Reserve Grand Champion Overall, both years.

While at the 2010 Bluebonnet Expo Max found his family. It sounds weird, but HE literally picked THEM out. We all knew it was meant to be. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect family to adopt a more perfect horse.

Thank you to all the volunteers and donors who generously give of their time and money, to the foster homes who bring horses like Max back from the brink of death and to the families who open their hearts and barns to these wonderful horses.

And thank you to Max, the little, red horse with a "speckled" blaze, for helping to mend my broken heart. I truly believe that the time I spent with Max helped me a million times more than it helped him.

The group is not very organized. We are an organization of many members and only a handful really do much of anything. This could grow so much, but they do not allow it. People do not know how many animals are not being saved. Jennifer Williams was kicked off of Lone Star because of how she handled the financials. She pays herself now and should not be on the board and also getting a salary. Since she handles the group lists, she was able to stop all communication when Lone Star kicked her out. Horses suffered and volunteers had nobody to turn to. Luckily, Jerry Finch came forth and continues to make a difference. Bluebonnet turns down horses all the time and they are not in compliance with the law. Jennifer Williams tries to control everything and they have lost many people because of her and she should step down and let others make a difference.

I run Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society and serve as the President, Executive Director and volunteer.

I am fortunate to work with a great group of people who dedicate themselves to helping horses, donkeys and mules.