People Helping Horses

I was a primary whistleblower for this travesty.

It started with finding a horse lamed by barbed wire, living knee deep in raw sewage, being underfed. He was further lamed by a rider 100 lbs. too heavy for his size, riding on gravel roads without shoes. His feet were overgrown to further crippling levels. He lived in a junkyard of rusty machinery, with hazardous broken fencing. He had come up to Canada from People Helping Horses, two years previous. He had been tangled in barbed wire while on their watch.

I was appalled to find he had been adopted from a rescue. It was clear from his Success Story on PHH's website, they knew of the horrific conditions. This horse was further adopted to Society of Creative Anachronism "jousters." These complete amateurs were going to ride a lame horse with one blind eye, at full gallop in competitions.

When I met them, they were yahooing the horses around recklessly on concrete with sewer holes and on gravel. They did not have even the skills to lead a horse out of a stall, let alone ride. To get their animals in and out of stalls, they cracked whips and slammed doors and gates directly on their bodies. None of the tack fit. Halters, bridles, saddles; it was all so tight and badly cracked from lack of cleaning, the horses were being rubbed raw just from this.

In the two years since the horse had been adopted, PHH did no reference checks and no follow up visits. The adopter transported the horse herself from Arlington WA to BC. If PHH did any sort of adopter evaluation, they didn't care that these people had 0 experience or facilities for a horse. I quite frankly wouldn't keep a rat on their farm.

I began investigating PHH. I wondered how a "rescue" that garners over $1 million annually, could not rehab and monitor a horse such as this. I also wondered why they were rehoming only ten horses per year. I have rescued animals for decades, responsibly, and could rehab and rehome dozens for just one year's worth of PHH donations.

I took prolific photos and videos, and of course called the SPCA. With the help of other horse advocates, evidence went to the WA Attorney General. Witnesses from PHH came forward, as well.

This rescue deserved to be shut down. God willing, it will make people more cautious in future.

The poor horse was moved to a decent facility after SPCA intervention. Unfortunately, a similarly abused senior cat horribly died of neglect, despite my efforts to save his life.

To further highlight the nature of the "adopters": I am still being harassed by their friends. An entire network of people were yahooing on their horses, and protecting them in their abusive endeavours.

The group's executive director, Gretchen Salstrom, skimming off the top...nice!. But what nobody knew at the time was that Salstrom was under investigation by the state's Attorney General's office for allegedly misusing charity money.

"They were raising the money for therapeutic riding programs for children when they terminated that part of the program," said Attorney General Rob McKenna.

The state accused Salstrom of using the money on her own horse breeding and dog breeding business. Now, the state, the charity and Salstrom have settled the case, but there are still some loose ends.

"So, she's not allowed to have a relationship with this charity, but she's not allowed to work for a non profit of any type for the next 10 years," McKenna said.

I also am currently fostering one of the horses from PHH. Gretchen S. was not removed due to irregularities or lack of caring for the rescue horses.Get your facts straight! Rescue horses take months to get them back to a sub-normal state. I was physically at the PHH facility in Arlington each month May-August of 2012(this year) and visited the horses in their care. They all were being fed and cared for. The last group of rescues were so emaciated who knows if they ever will recover, not due to the lack of trying of volunteers from PHH. Spreading rumors is so easy versus telling the truth. We need to make sure we have all the facts correct before spreading rumors. Unfortunately do to lack of funds , I believe PHH will be closing its doors/stalls. I beleive there still may be 5 or less horses that need homes. Hopefully someone will come forward and give these horses a home. Contact PHH for more information.

If you honestly believe that PHH under the direction of Gretchen Salstrom took outstanding care of horses then you have no idea what good equine management is. Gretchen was removed from PHH because of irregularities. After she was removed all horses were placed or fostered. I am fostering one of those horses and she was emaciated and dehydrated when I got her - and Gretchen had custody of the mare for about 4 months before I got her. There is no excuse for what was done to the horses in Gretchen's care. The mare I have is going to live but that certainly isn't a result of anything done by Gretchen Salstrom.

I have been a volunteer since Feb., 2012. I have found this organization to be very caring and dedicated to the whole horse: body, mind and, yes, soul or spirit, however one wishes to define such an entity. PHH's heart is in the right place. I do think that The Board needs to be a Working Board and increased in number and filled with equine and financial people who are independently minded. I recommend this because it appears that there needs to be more planning, budgeting, fund raising and web site updating (advertising). All of that takes more resources, especially people, and a larger, working board could be of greater help to Gretchen. This woman has been doing this for 10 years and her depth of experience, combined with the backing of a Working Board, would raise this organization to the next level. All Creatures Great and Small

I cannot believe that anyone could put a bad review about this organization. Shame on you! These people put their heart and souls into these horses. I adopted a horse from them and he is a joy. So much personality and what a fabulous ride! And, I still stay in contact with them. Anyone who is interested in this organization and their program should go check it out for yourself, you will NOT be let down, I promise.

People Helping Horses is a one of a kind organization! The care, treatment, and training the horses receive to ensure a healthy, happy, sound horse both mentally and physically is phenomenal! All horses are well cared for and meticulously kept. The management team is both approachable and professional. Being part of this well run and VERY needed program it, helps me to feel like I am doing my part and making a difference. Thank you for all you do!

Wow, it’s sad to see such negativity from people who truly don’t understand what People Helping horses is all about. I have seen what then have done in the past 5 years in rescuing horses and I heard of the great comments of support and gratitude within the equine industry.

The economy has hit everyone everywhere hared in which families are struggling jut to put food on the table. But some how People Helping Horse has managed to continue with their mission to educate people and show abuse horses that there still is love and compassion out who are willing to love and care for them. Even in some of the most difficult times, there are people out there that are still willing to sacrifice for these beautiful creatures that deserve so much more. People Helping Horses is stepping up and bring awareness of abuse and being the voice for these beautiful animals that don’t have one.

Thank you People Helping Horses, for your sacrifices and for your donors who continue to give and make a difference. From the bottom of my heart thank you. May God bless you all and your families?

For those who continue to slam People Helping Horse, I hope some day your hearts will be warm again and not have all that bottled up hate and rage for others and organizations who are trying to make a difference. As much as I feel sorry for you, I too wish you all of God Blessings on this holiday. For hate on hate does not create acceptance or love it just creates more hate and this world has enough of that already. With all that hate who ends up loosing in the long run? The horses that need us the most to save them. So I with People Helping Horses and all those negative people all the good blessing and fortunes for the coming New Year.

Be kind to others for we only have one shot in this life so let’s make it a good one.

Truly Yours

Spartacus

I have volunteered and worked with People Helping Horses for almost 3 years now, and have enjoyed every minute of it. The horses are amazing, as well as the staff, and especially the other volunteers. They have helped so many horses, and continue to help more and more each and every day. From volunteering I have learned so much about horses, and its also taught me about responsibilty. Overall PHH has changed my life for the better. And will continue to be in my life.

People Helping Horses has beneifited not only the many horses that I have had the opportunity to work with but me as well. I have learned so much and can't wait to further my experiences here. I have grown very attached to many of the horses and cant see myself without them in my life and therefor I and the other staff who feel the same strive to make sure that these horses get the very best care and attention. We take lead from a very strong woman who has guided us on this path of success. I know PHH will do great things!

It sounds like almost all of the reviews on here are fake. Very disappointing. But very believable knowing what people can do these days. Like miss Gretchen. Good luck with karma. Horrible nonprofit organization. Needs to get a clue.

I have had great experiences with People Helping Horses. Volunteers and staff have always been very friendly and helpful. The horses are beautiful, always well fed and cared for. Some rescues out there are just scams, take your money and don't care for the horses. Here the people are real, the horses are real.

I volunteered and i also donated to People Helping Horses and recently i recieving an email pleading for me to donate to support the 39 horses that PHH has in their responsiblty. She said that they may not make through the winter in the cold. I couldn't remember there bieng 39 horses at PHH so i went to there website. Under residents tab there is only 25 horses. So where have they extra 14 horses come from that is causing PHH to be in such a finical bind.

I was a volunteer at PHH since march and i love all the horses there and their personalities. I always go on saturdays for the whole entire day. The people there are awesome there. I didn't always like how most of the people worked so hard and i have witnessed that some of the horses needed fly masks and they were never put on unless one of the volunteers did it or told someone else about the problem. No one should use their rescue facility as their own barn for their horses!! i will miss all the horses there but it was for the best of me to move to another barn to learn more about horses and actually get to work with them more hands on than just volunteering and never knowing if i get to do other things.

This organization does not meet my standards and I’m concerned that it may not meet your standards as well. Every volunteer meeting the Executive Director informs us that they are XX amount of money in the hole and yet she has 18 of her personal horses, 10 of which she personal bred, at the barn. She has more personal horses in barn then rescue horses. Currently she only has 6 rescues in the barn for training and 14 horses out on pasture. Some of those horse have been there for over 3 years, the amount time I’ve been there. I have been informed that the horses on pasture are waiting to come for training, when they can afford to put them in training they will.. I’m not comfortable having 18 of the Executive Director’s in the barn and having staff and volunteers clean up and take care of them, when they have 14 other rescues waiting to be worked with. I thought the goal of the rescue was to adopt the current horses so they can stop the 2 year freeze they have been on. I do not feel like this rescue is sincere about their mission or their funding.

I gave his organization one star for the following reasons.

The Board of Directors are personal friends of the Executive Director, and for the most part just puppets.

Misuse of funds is rampant. One problem is that there is no dissociation of funds. The Executive Director not only drives the company truck for personal use (it is her only mode of transportation) but has PHH pay for all of the gas as well. The Executive Director also uses PHH money to buy groceries for herself and to pay for vet/farrier/training for her personal horses.

The Executive Director is also guilty of putting down one of her broodmares because she did not raise a good foal and the horse was not good under saddle. Currently, she is trying to sell a broodmare that is sterile.

The Executive Director is a great marketer and tells you exactly what you need to hear to pull out your checkbook. It took me a very long time to figure out what was going on and it makes me sick to know it was happening right under my nose.

I suppose the most disturbing thing of all is how the Executive Director morally justifies breeding nearly half a dozen horses a year from her own broodmares when she has founded an organization whose very existence is predicated on an overpopulation of horses without homes.

Horses are suffering terribly, starving, going untreated with injuries, and so many other situations. Some of the horses at PHH were left to fend for themselves with no food or water. PHH was called and took them in. Suffering from rain rot, starvation, teeth problems, hoof problems.... each horse is treated and being rehabilitated so they can go to their forever homes. This facility PEOPLE HELPING HORSE has the most caring volunteers and staff I've ever met. I am proud to be one of those volunteers, though it is like joyful therapy for me. The horses always listen. Please visit our site www.peoplehelpinghorses.com and see for yourself the wonderful work they do. Pay a visit to meet my friend Jojo, one of the horses there. Please help our cause!! I, Jojo and the other horses thank you.

This group really has its heart in the right place. There is always a place there for an abused or unwanted horse at PHH. Their compassion and deications is amazing. I contribute to them as often as I can. Thank God for people like them out there. Thank You.

PHH is an incredible volunteer experience for me and I love what they do. These horses are incredibly lucky to have a place to stay like People Helping Horses. To me, I have no idea why anyone would want to abandon a horse, but in that case, if it does happen, PHH is a great place!

We have been receiving e-mails, pictures and mail from this charity for a long time. We regularly send donations to them as we can,,to help because be believe they really are caring and loving to the horses they rescue and are always looking for other horses to rescue from cruelty and inhumane conditions. The pictures they send show that the horses in their care are beautiful and well taken care of and show that they really care. We would love to go by and see their place, if ever we are out that way.

PHH works lovingly and tirelessly to rescue and save abused, homeless and slaughter-bond horses. There dedication is admiral. I try to support them as best as I can. I know that every penny goes to the care of the horses. I hope to visit one day. Thank you.

Both my grandfathers were horsemen. All of us loves animals and appreciate their affect on each of our hearts and souls. I love horses. I love the SMELL of a horse. I want to share how wonderful they are with everyone who has not been privileged to have a horse in their life.....I want them protected, whether in the WILD or in private ownership. Abusers, I simply cannot understand how one could do evil to a living creature of such majesty. But, I definitely want abusers to be punished and made public by name to alert other humans their is one among them who is NOT humane. Save our horses and educate the public en masse along with all the other voiceless creatures crying in the dark pit of abuse that abuse will not be tolerated by civilized society. Love to all and donate whatever your special gifts are to help save those who cannot speak for themselves...they need humane laws with meaningful punishment, volunteers, qualified owners, educators for humane treatment, and donations of cash.....

As a child, my parents introduced me to the love and companionship a horse provides. We were a military family but kept a home in Tom's River near Lakehurst Naval Base where my horse waited my return to the states. Riding was my passion as a child and has endured into adulthood. I now enjoy riding in Palos Vedes, Ca.
People Helping Horses is a wonderful organization dedicated to providing for horses in need. It's a great feeling knowing that the financial support or time you given saves the precious life of a wonderful animal. I so appreciate the work this group does for horses. Thank you. alana

People Helping Horses is a wonderful charity. Their dedication, caring, and devotion to horses is boundless. We appreciate all that they do and would love to help them even more. As a member of NYClass, a group that is fighting to get the horse-drawn carriages off the streets of NY and end the abuse of horses, we need People Helping Horses more than ever!

I adopted Lucky, a gorgeous thoroughbred found abandoned at a trail head with injury above her right eye (this turned out to be self-inflicted, not a gunshot as initially thought.) She has been through a lot, with two failed adoptions before me as well - but she now will never have to worry as she will be my life companion. After three months of natural horsemanship work, daily trail riding (her favorite!), bodywork to heal physical and emotional issues, lots of attention and love - she has made huge strides! We still have more to do, but she is so willing and has a huge heart. I will never be able to thank PHH enough for brining this beautiful spirit into my life. She has taught me so much about having patience and being brave, that healing does come - but it has its own time. Somtimes others don't understand, and I'm just glad I listened to my own heart on this one - and that together we have somehow always found the right way. I know now we can conquer anything, and she is truly the bravest trail horse I could ever hope for, and hopefully one day will come to enjoy dressage, too. My greatest wish is for others to find their special horse at PHH, to find healing for them and see how different they can become given the right tools and opportunity - thereby opening another spot for a new horse to come and begin their own journey at PHH to a new life. I knew the first time I came across PHH that this was a different organization. They are very limited in resources, yet very noble and sincere in their cause and efforts. Others will need to see beyond the limited training, the emotional issues still apparent, and just take the leap and make the necessary investment of time and resources to finish the job PHH has started.

People Helping Horses is a great place that takes care of horses that would otherwise be killed or sent to slaughter. I applaud there work. The people that run this are the true hero's. Putting in there time to help these beautiful creatures who deserve a second chance.

People Helping Horses does an amazing amount of lifesaving and rehabilitation with the tightest of budgets! They often train their foster animals to help them adjust to a new life of service and benefit to the adopting family.

I have been a donor of PHH for years and have always found them to be truthful, very hard working snd doing their wonderful and compasionate work in spite of very difficult conditions (bad weather, lack of funding, short staff).

This is one of the charities that deserves to be helped because they do not disburse monies like a great many of them do, but they provide the services themselves.

I have come to know and admire and respect PHH for sometime. Unfortunately, my finances have not allowed me to contribute as much as I would have liked because PHH deserve all the financial help they can get. It is a wonderful and compassionate organization that touches people's heart and soul. Every time I read how many horses they have saved from abuse and slaughter, it renews my faith in the human race. I have a passion for horses. I consider them angelic beings. They are intuitive and make wonderful companions and pets. Just look into a horse's eyes and you will actually recognize that these animals are more than human. Yet, they depend on human kindness which many times is very scarce. PHH is a rare organization in recognizing the sensitivity and loving nature of horses. The love and tender care they give to these beautiful angelic beings invites my admiration and respect. I pray that they receive all the financial help they deserve to carry on their sacred mission.

I have been contributing to this organization for the past few years, and all I can say is that I wish I could do more. Those behind People Helping Horses are among the most committed, caring people I've ever known. They use their donations wisely and efficiently so that the maximum amount possible goes directly toward the care of the horses.

I have been involved with People Helping Horses for some time now. Since I live in Florida, I have never had the privilege of visiting or meeting anyone in person. However, I feel close to them through email and regular mail correspondence and I always look forward to hearing about their extraordinary work and progress. They have always responded to my emails with personal responses and I believe in many, many ways they are beyond a top notch animal/horse advocacy and rescue organization and they will always have my full support and attention as long as I am able.

I wish them the best of luck and pray for them to always be provided with abundant resources to continue their extraordinary and compassionate work for the horses in their care.

Lisa Mazzola
Tampa, Florida

People Helping Horses is an INCREDIBLE organization. The shoe-string staff work their butts off, and take on the many challenges nonprofits face with resillience and a great additude. If you've ever been the barn, you know why: watching these horses - each with its own personality and story - transformed from nearly-dead to fully-alive is an incredibly inspiring thing to witness. They are always appreciative of a helping-hand, and they never miss an opportunity to turn a volunteer into an expert. As a volunteer, I feel incredibly fortunate to feel very truly like a part of the People Helping Horses family. These guys do a great job with the horses, but seem to need help with their operations. If you have nonprofit or business management experience, please consider lending it to this very worthwhile organization!

I have been inspired by the extents that this organization goes to in order to save abandoned and abused horses. I also admire the fact that the horses can remain at their facility forever if they are not or cannot be adopted into good homes. I have donated hundreds of dollars and will continue to do so. I encourage anyone who loves horses or just wants to help save animals to donate as well.

It's a good organization and one that is worthwhile because horses are large animals that are hard to find homes for.

This organization spent over $500,000 in 2010 on fundraising alone. Take a look at the financials of another horse rescue in the same area called SAFE (Save a Forgotten Equine) SAFE helped just as many horses as People Helping Horses last year but with an overall annual budget of less than $100,000. PHH is constantly begging for donations but they already have tons of money -- so much that they can spend enormous amounts on fundraising and salaries. If you want your donations to go to an organization that actually needs your help and will not waste it on expensive and excessive fundraising, I suggest you visit http://www.safehorses.org

I have been receiving emails and mail from this organization for a while now and I very much support all the work they do to help horses in need and contribute whenever I can. I believe they deserve all the support they can get.

I have never visited your facility, however I have been recieving your emails for quite some time now. I have been working hard as an animal rights activist for some ten years now. I have been keeping up on the subjects of horse slaughter, when the houses were closed, and how horrid the situation is today with trucking horses to Canada and Mexico under horrid conditions where horses suffer untold tragedies. I am fighting the BLM, fighting against their continuing round-ups, trapping wild horses with helicopters, then housing them in crowded unsheltered environments.

In Oregon today where I reside, humans are abandoning horses at an alarming rate. Our horses are suffering terribly, starving, going untreated with injuries, and so many other situation. From what I have read about "People Helping Horses" I simply can't thank them enough for actually saving unwanted horses and giving them the care they need so badly. I believe there is something terribly wrong with the human race to allow such neglect of our horse issue, and oh so many issues relating to all of our animals, domestic, and our wildlife. Much wildlife is being killed off, are going extinct, but because of greed, all these critical issues are never spoken about, does congress care about anything. All I hear about is tax cuts for the wealthy, it all makes me sick, and then of course the two billion the U.S. spends per week on a no sense war, nothing makes any sense. Thank you for your work, and thank you to all humans who really care about all horses in all situations. We are the minority, and somehow we must get more humans to understand, that if we are too survive, we must include the survival of our animals.

With a keen eye for efficient financial management and a compassionate heart, People Helping Horses is an organization that is very worthy of donors' support. My niece first told me about People Helping Horses a few year ago and I have been a donor ever since. I am proud to give to such a hardworking and kind group of people and to such an effective organization.

I hope many others will find it within their means to give to People Helping Horses.

I am a person who is very against people asking for money in General.

People helping horses is the only place I give to because of the wonderful work they do. I am confident that the money is going where they say it is and that they are really using it to improve horses lives.

PHH is amazing! They care about the horses and were the horses go. They will bend over backwards to place the right horse with the right people in the right home. We have one wonderful old mare that they placed with us. Every word that has been spoken has been honest and up front. I have had dealings with other horse rescues... PHH is the real thing! Check it out for yourself and please help their mission to save wonderful horses and to educate! Jan

I first went to PHH about a couple of months ago since I wanted to be around horses and learn how to deal with them. I love the place and love their care for horses. Laurie was amazing and told us a lot about things that they do at the stable, gave a very informational tour, and looked like a huge care taker of horses. I have been there a couple of times by now, and love the attitude of people who work there and how much they give to the horses. Love their rescue program, therapeutic riding, etc.

Lots of volunteers are needed for the annual "Celebrate the Horse" event. This is a fundraiser for PHH. I was an announcer last year for several of the clinicians who provided presentations. Not only did I enjoy the whole event, but I LEARNED A TON about behavior problems, nutrition, equine dentistry and much, much more. I saw some horse breeds up close that I had only read about in books and magazines. The amazing passion and dedication of the instructors was truly inspirational. I'll be volunteering again October 2 & 3, 2010. Check out the website: http://celebratethehorse.org/ and plan on volunteering for this weekend event. You'll be glad that you did.

This is a very responsible group and they do what they say they are going to do. They are trying their best to save the many horse who are being abandoned or neglected because of the poor economy. They can only save as many as they have funding for -- so they need our help!

I have been a contributor to this organization and I can tell by their dedication and sincerity that they are doing an extremely valuable service to neglected, abused and unwanted horses. I applaud them and their committment and sacrifice so these beautiful animals can have the lives they so richly deserve.

I first became aware of the wonderful work that PHH does for horses after hearing about the organization on RFD-TV's Ken McNabb Show. He said that he had adopted some horses from PHH, so I looked into the organization and saw how dedicated and caring the volunteers are to helping the horses find good forever homes. PHH truly cares about these animals. I hope that anyone looking for a horse will consider adoping one from PHH.

Two years ago I was looking for my very first horse ever (I am now 50). I happened upon People Helping Horses while searching for horse rescues on the internet as I had already decided that I wanted to give a horse that needed help a forever home. When I contacted People Helping Horses I was extremely impressed with their dedication to finding the best match for both me and for the horses in their care. I had to visit their facility and meet the horse/s that I was interested in and spend time with them to assure that we were both an emotional and a training level match. Over this matching period I also had the privilege of watching the volunteers at PHP work with some of the recent rescues of that time and seeing how far they came in both their physical and mental well being! I have had my gelding, Balder, for two years this coming September and I couldn't be happier with him. He is everything they told me he was and due to their policies, he was in their care long enough for them to get to know him well enough that there have been no unpleasant surprises. He is my partner and mt friend, and sometimes he is my psychologist :-). The staff at People Helping Horses have kept in touch, commenting when I post photos or stories about Balder and my ever evolving relationship and the things he has learned and taught me. I follow PHP on facebook and through their webpages and still donate to help out whenever I have a few extra dollars to spare. If I am ever in a position to adopt another horse, this is the first place I will look. I expect it will also be the last!

I love horses and this organization helps them out so much. There's s definent love and passion given to these animals that may not have ever been given to them anywhere else.

My 6 year old daughter is horse crazy and while we are not quite ready to get her a horse of her own, we currently support PHH monthly and enjoy following the rescues on the website. We did make a visit to the facility and the staff was incredibly accomodating in showing us around and letting Katie interact with some of the residents!! We look forward to the day when she is ready to have a horse of her own and will definitely look to PHH to adopt one that they determine will be a good match for both horse and human:)

PHH give horses the help to heal from whatever trauma has happened to them. You give them patience, love and the opportunity for them to 'adopt a family' that will take them into their hearts. What you do for horses is incredible. I am so proud to be a supporter.

My niece first told me about PHH a few years ago, and I visited their website to research their organization. I have made donations to PHH for a few years and I found them to be a profoundly caring, motivated, dedicated and efficient organization. While PHH would love to help ALL horses in need, they do as much as they can with great love for horses. As far as I know, PHH is the only non-profit organization that helps horses in the Pacific Northwest area and they should be a household name nationwide. I am grateful for the compassion, care and love they give these great animals. People Helping Horses is truly one of a kind!

People helping horses is an amazing organization. My wife had established a refuge for abused and abandoned horses. We had cared for over 50 horses She lost her life in an accident. People helping horses came to the rescue and found homes for all of the horses. Without organizations such as this there would be no hope for the horses as I had no expertise or time to give propper care. Gretchen Solstrom and her organization helped to arrange proper vet care, transportation and feeding untijl homes could be found

People Helping Horses gives an opportunity to people like me to make a humane difference in the world. PHH is a facility where skilled trainers, vets and therapists work with rescue horses giving them the care and time they need to heal. But that’s not all. City kids, middle aged horse dreamers and cowboy wanna-bes help out too. I spend most of my volunteer time working on barn repairs and pasture restoration but hanging out with the residents is a vital part of my work too. I have seen how the volunteers stretch the resources of the rescue- a human physical therapist learned equine massage from the visiting vet and I learned native plant restoration to manage manure runoff and protect our groundwater. We stuff envelopes, clean paddocks and stalls, groom and walk the critters. There were many neglected horses and ponies needing services before the economic hard times hit. Now it’s worse. I admire the undaunted effort I have witnessed the PHH staff put into meeting the challenge. It takes planning, often long term planning when horses come in not only skeletally thin but in foal. It takes skill, patience, trial and error and detective work when an animal’s abandonment, mistreatment, or injury must be puzzled out. PHH is dedicated to giving all of the horse residents the best possible chance at health, happiness and a forever home. They provide needed hands on training and access to horsemanship clinics for volunteers, adopters and the community.

I'm just glad there's an organization that helps and care for horses. It seems we tend to forget about them needing our help too.

My wife is on disability and can't afford the cost of a horse. She has MS and a horse provides hippotherapy to improve her balance and strength (http://tiny.cc/m7e6t). We found a sponsor who pays People Helping Horses (PHH) for the entire cost of horse care. PHH in turn pays the horse boarding facility on San Juan Island, WA for boarding, shoing and vet care for "Sugar". The donor receives a tax deduction from PHH for the total amount paid. My wife has greatly improved her balance and strength and now thorougly enjoys arena riding and trail rides on local Dept of Natural Resources property. This activity is a great contribution to her health and well-being. PHH has been extremely helpful in choosing the right horse for my wife and in delivering her to the island. They are very supportive and cooperative in working out any issues that arise that need their input. We highly recommend PHH as a worthy and dependable recipient of funds from people or organizations who care about abused horses. As far as we know, they are the only nonprofit in the Puget Sound area that cares for abused and mistreated horses.

I have been helping People Helping Horses financially for some time and am always interested in their newsletters and updates. I feel they are contributing a great deal to the plight of horses in this present economy and can use all the help they can get.

After several month of riding horses at People Helping Horses in their arena my autistic Grandson really opened up and began to have more eye contact,laughter, and generally was better behaved and less destructive. I hope everyone will see the great work they do by helping needy horses and special needs children. Please give all you can to this cause. I donated a banner ad on my business listing web site for People Helping Horses, at ElloMarysville.Com . This ad is worth over $800.00 in any advertising media. Please do your part in supporting this great organization!

I committed to volunteering at People Helping Horses once a month in July, 2008. By October I was up at least weekly. The staff at People Helping Horses care about each individual horse: they know their story, their likes and dislikes, and work very hard to find the right human partner for their forever home. The staff also care about the volunteers. They saw that I loved grooming and helping the horses that were a little more difficult to handle, so they then facilitated for me to attend clinics and receive extra training in teaching the horses ground manners. People Helping Horses is a place where one's heart is opened to the possibility/ reality of recovery from terrible situations as they put every effort forth to support that process. Each horse, no matter how old, is given the support it needs, including nutritional, body work, and expert training, to achieve his/her highest potential.

People Helping Horses is my favorite over all charity. They have saved so many horses. I love how they reabilitate them and train them so that they will have a better chance at adoption. I am going to get another horse in the next couple of years and am hoping to get one from them. Horses are big animals who need alot of care so it is an expensive undertaking. I am so grateful that they are there for the needy horses.

I love People Helping Horses. Their work is compassionate and merciful. I love how they keep people up to date on the progress of their rescues. I am so inspired by the stories in their newsletters that I am planning to enter into animal rescue full time myself as soon as my granddaughter is old enough to live on her own.

Everything I have constantly read and reviewed about People Helping Horses proves that it is a fantastic organiztion. They are saving lives of wonderful horses all the time!! They have devoted themselves to providing safe homes for abused, neglected, or discarded horses. God Bless them!

People Helping Horses is a wonderful organization that truly cares about their well being. They follow-up on leads and travel throughout the country to ensure the humane treatment of these beautiful creatures.

I met Raven a beautiful black quarterhorse mare that had just been rescued and taken to people helping horses. My horse was alone and needed a companion. From the moment I met Raven she was in my heart. Gretchen interviewed me and came to my house to make sure my facilities were appropriate and to interview Jilly my quarterhorse mare. Well needless to say Raven became Jilly's new stable mate and she was the best. We estimated her age at the time to be 23. She was approximately 150 lbs under weight and a little timid but a very sweet girl. Raven lived with us for 2 1/2 years before she passed away. The neighbor girl rode her weekly and I always took her with Jilly and I on our trail rides. Without Gretchen and People Helping Horses we would never have gotten the opportunity to have such a wonderful old lady in our lives. The stables at Black Raven (where People Helping Horses operates out of) are very nice, the volunteers are so caring and Gretchen herself has dedicated her life to helping all types of horses. They are the best. Andrea Kirby Gallacci

What a gift this program is for horses in need. I would recommend this organization highly. They have saved countless lives and have proven to be a trustworthy charity.

I have worked with Larry & Mary Jensen for a couple months now. They are fun to be around & work very hard for their horses. They are passionate about this group & spend many extra hours outside of work donating talents and money of their own to the cause--feeding other people's cast away horses. Many have been placed in good homes due to their diligence. Thank you Stacey Mayer for introductions to this group of caring friends!

People Helping Horses was contacted by a client in California. It seems he had sent a group of mostly older horses to a "sanctuary" in Texas where they were supposed to be able to "live our their days on green pastures....". When multiple horses began to be reported dead, he investigated and found that his deceased wife's beloved horses were starving, injured and not receiving Vet care or ferier attention. An Equine Protection Agency near Ft. Worth seized the horses - now down to a group of 13 and of those 6 could not be certified to travel. That was where we came into the picture. We have a 500 acre cattle operation in East Texas (about 1 hour from where the horses were being temporarily pastured and fed). Because People Helping Horses knew us and about us - Gretchen has actually spent a night at our farm - they called us to help. We took two days and multiple trips with our trucks and trailers to load and transport the starving, but wary group to our place - three had to stop at a vet first. Worming, feed, free choice hay and green grass gradually was the first order of business. Ferier spent two days getting their feed in better shape - except for "Willa". She had an injury that had been left to "heal on its own" and had such a terrible infection that it took huge doses of antibiotic - we're talking 43 pills twice a day - for 30 days; but that left her infection free. We put 3 Tons of "One and Only Feed" plus several 100 pounds more of a special Senior feed for one fellow who could not chew grass. We fed them twice a day and gave them free choice hay and open grazing. Between all our family they got the attention and grooming they had missed. One month later, they were all passed as fit to travel, met the transport truck and arrived at their new "real retirement home" just 24 hours later.

Over the past four years I have been competed in the benefit horse shows that People Helping horses has put on to help raise money for their rescue. I not only was able to better my riding through these schooling show oppertunities, I was able to witness their horse rescue program grow and evolve into a larger more productive system that was able to help more horses and help more people. I was at thier barn once a month throughout each spring and saw damaged, abused horses transform into healthy,quality animals that even rode in classes at the shows.

PHH is one of those organizations you just wish you could clone as they do such a stellar job in all they seek and decide to do. I have been working with Gretchen and she and her organization were instrumental in helping me rescue 13 horses that were being starved and neglected in the middle of Texas. The lengths they all went through to make sure all were getting exactly what they needed was tremendous. It was a very difficult situation but one that turned out good. Had it not been for Gretchen and her team, I doubt the ending would of been a happy one. More horse rescue organizations should use PHH as a perfect example of what can happen with the correct effort, thought, good and common sense, and ofcoarse love and caring which is why anyone does this type of work in the first place. Thank you PHH from the bottom of my heart and those of all the horses you have saved!!

A herd of rescue horses were at a facility that did not provide the proper care. They were malnourished and many of them had died.People Helping Horses arranged their rescue and provided the horses with food, vet care, and transportation to a wonderful environment with people that love and care for them. Without the efforts of this amazing organization, these horses would have suffered a terrible fate. The compassion and drive of this organization is incredible and hope to see them grow.

They helped 11 horses from being abused and coordinated with other organization. Now the horses are being treated well and are doing good! Thanks you guys :)

I began helping with the Therapeutic Riding program, where you are able to get the horses ready for classes and assist the disabled riders. Then I began to help in the Rescue barn. I tended to the horses in the stalls to ensure they had clean water. I also was able to groom some of the horses and take them for short walks. I helped in the office with data entry and maintaining the facilities.

I had the privilege of visiting the PHH barns and helping at fundraisers with my daughter and granddaughters, all volunteers at PHH. I watched the experience bond them together and saw the character building in my young granddaughters as they helped care for the horses. Helping abused and damaged horses is a wonderful learning experience for children - while falling in love with horses and ponies, they grew in empathy and understanding for all living things. I believe they've developed what will prove to be a lifetime interest in caring for animals. Clearly, PHH not only rescues endangered horses, they also provide an invaluable learning experience for humans who have the opportunity to participate in their good works.

The work being done at PHH is life-changing--and that's not overstating it. Horses come into the program abused, neglected, starving, suffering. Within weeks PHH transforms these sad, desperate animals into the beautiful, healthy, and loved horses they always deserved to be. And it's not just the horses that benefit from PHH. Every single person who steps into the barn is given the opportunity to grow and learn through their experiences with the horses. There is a spiritual connection that is formed that nourishes one in a way that is hard to describe. As I said before, it is life-changing.

In working with People Helping Horses in a marketing aspect, I came to understand this organization has great vision. The leadership of PHH is constantly innovating how best to help the horses and the people who want to give to them, and how to do that most effectively. Their care and desire for all involved, horse and human, goes way beyond basic care and feeding, they truly get a second chance at a wonderful life.