Sunshine Horses Inc

Sunshine Horses, Inc. is an amazing nonprofit organization that provides much-needed care for rescued horses, while also supporting the many wonderful volunteers that work hard every day to make it successful!

Sunshine Horses is an amazing rescue center. Volunteering has helped me to reconnect with my spirit--the horse has been my spirit since I was a small child. But it is more than the horses; it is the people too. The passion and commitment to the herd (and one another) stuns me over and over. There is generosity and grace at every turn.

I have served as a proud volunteer with Sunshine Horses for the past 8 years. Its motto, "Helping Horses, Helping People" could not be more true. The farm is a place of kindness, peace and caring for the horses, as well as the people who serve them. The approximately 150 + volunteers who dedicate their time and donations to care for our herd are truly a family, both on and off the farm. Whoever said, "Disneyworld is the happiest place on earth" has never been to Sunshine Horses!"

Sunshine Horses bought a farm that used to raise saddlebred show horses. I was very close to the owners and trainer as well as some of the horses so I was devastated when the sold the farm. I was so happy that the farm would once again be home to some horses but nothing prepared me for the arrival of these beautiful rescued horses and the loving, generous support from volunteers! I am so proud of Sunshine Horses, its purpose and dedication to these horses shown by our volunteers every single day regardless of weather or holidays. We all benefit from belonging to this organization, especially our beloved horses who are shown love and are cared for so professionally. There is nothing but love here.

I started volunteering shortly after retiring 4 years ago and it has been the most rewarding experience for me. I have always loved horses, but never had any experience with them. At Sunshine I have learned so much, starting with handling them, to reading their body languages, learning about horse health, and I continue to learn more every day. It's an absolute privilege to be able to spend time with these magnificent animals and the amazing volunteers.

After retiring from a life-long career in sales and marketing, and education, I was looking to volunteer and use my energy to help animals. in a place where the others working along side me, had the same passion for animals that I do.
Sunshine Horses not only helps horses find forever homes and a second life later in years, it helps the volunteers who all work as a team and learn something new every single time they volunteer.
It is such a growing and warm experience getting to help animals who really appreciate it and at the same time be surrounded by a group of equally dedicated individuals from all different backgrounds. On a scale of 1-10,, it has been my 10 and I came to Sunshine Horses with zero experience in horses. It is impossible to not fall in love with the place from day one. Every horse has a story as does every unique volunteer of which there are approximately 150, male, female, young, old, experienced and newbies like me. We make a difference every shift at a time and the horses benefit from it in every way. Nothing can be more rewarding in my opinion.

Sunshine Horses offer an excellent experience for volunteers. I have volunteered with them for 6 years. I have learned so much about horses, myself, and the people I work with. I am so inspired by the volunteers' love, dedication, and commitment. Working with horses uplifts your spirit and gives you the feeling of great accomplishment. Learning is always ongoing as you learn how to care for horses and become aware of the health problems they can encounter. Seeing them get adopted and find their forever home is joyful. I feel lucky to have found Sunshine Horses and appreciate all I have learned and the friends I have made.

Sunshine Horses means many things to many different people. As a 100% volunteer-run rescue, diverse community support of the farm is given allowing at-risk horses a safe landing until they find their forever homes. People are drawn from all over CNY wanting to help horses, when it is indeed the horses helping people.

I have volunteered with Sunshine Horses, Inc. for a number of years. They rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome horses who, for various reasons, end up homeless--some even ending up in the slaughter pipeline. Their motto is "Helping Horses; Helping People," and they more than meet this goal. Sunshine volunteers give each and every horse the care, attention, and love they deserve. It's a demanding job, caring for horses, and it's expensive, but Sunshine cuts no corners to ensure that every horse has everything he or she needs to be comfortable and happy. Stable maintenance, fund raising, and horse care is all performed by a well-organized and dedicated crew! They are also committed to fostering the human/horse connection by welcoming people to the farm in structured sessions to introduce them to the profound physical and emotional benefits of forming a connection with a horse. Sunshine Horses is Accredited by the Global Federation of Sanctuaries and has been awarded Guardian Status for several years by the Equus Foundation. I can't say enough about what a wonderful, professional, well-run organization Sunshine is.

As a Sunshine Horses' volunteer, one sees a new horse come into the barns every few weeks. We watch them settle in to their new surroundings with unfamiliar people and sights and sounds. Gradually the animal accepts the consistently kind and gentle interactions, learns the routine of feeding, grooming, handling and turn out into pastures and becomes a member of the herd. Likewise, individuals looking for a group to join to support such a effort in this community will find a welcoming and accepting atmosphere. I joined Sunshine Horses 15 years ago, when we had become empty nesters and the grandchildren were finding their own young adult interests. The variety of activities offered have fulfilled my need to feel productive. Each person is appreciated for the talent they bring to the Sunshine family, which can include caring for the horses on a regular schedule, farm maintenance, fund raising, or sponsorship.

I love sunshine horses!! I have been volunteering there for over a year and I have loved every minute of it. The nicest people volunteer there. And it is so nice to be able to help horses that need love and care. I watched so many horses get their forever homes this year. What an amazing thing to see. Some of the horses that left were my favorite. And it was bittersweet to see them go but I was so happy that they found their forever homes. What a great organization! I am happy to have found such a great place to volunteer.

Sunshine Horses is very diligent to treat horses kindly, with consistent outdoor time, grain, grooming, barn chores and trainers who help the horses interact in a positive way with humans! Rehabilitation and rehoming is very effective here. Horses are cared for 7 days a week, (choose your own schedule) with many people ensuring the horses are loved and cared for. Great organization for both horses, and humans. Been here 2 years, and plan many more.

We became empty nesters. I had always loved horses and had had them in my life earlier. Found this group to be friendly, inclusive, educational, welcoming, and gave me lots of opportunity to be supportive of their mission. Those who have no horse experience are also welcome and care is taken introducing horse handling and barn chores.

We are a horse rescue and rehab farm, our ultimate goal to have healthy, riding capable horses adopted out to forever homes.

We have a crew working every morning and every evening to keep our horses fed and groomed, as well as taking care of medical issues not severe enough to require a vet’s care. Each crew also maintains the barns.

The best part of Sunshine, beyond our love of horses and our compassion for these animals rescued from the kill pens and/or abusive situations is the fact that we are 100% volunteer. We are older and children and everything in between. Community youth programs come to work with the regular volunteers, college kids come to help, and we include both the sound of mind and body and those considered disabled in mind or body anywhere else. Crews grow as close as family; we have each other’s backs in time of sorrow and joy.

I have worked with the Saturday morning crew for five (5) years, and my only regret is I didn’t start volunteering earlier.

Sunshine Horses is a fantastic nonprofit for many reasons. Every donation goes to the betterment of the farm and its horses.I have been a volunteer for seven months and have witnessed the care and compassion that is given to every horse in the barn. It has been a pleasure working with the other volunteers and returning to doing something I so enjoyed in my past. I have learned so much from those more knowledgeable than myself not to mention what the horses themselves have taught me.

I started in 2013 with my daughter and have had so many wonderful experiences. Learning so much about horses and meeting so many people. It just reboots my heart every time. Gives a better perspective on life and teaches you how find your limits and still go beyond with the help of a new or old friend. People helping horses, people helping people... They mean it in my opinion. Love this organization!

Love these horsies!!! They are my spiritual release.

Was not impressed with the open house. The horses were inside the whole time and chased with a whip when they were being "Shown." One "trainer" rode her horses hard without cooling them off and had the one of the worst seats I've ever seen (And I've been in the horse world for 20 years.) Her hands were in her crotch! That's rollkur! Plus it looked like they just let anyone ride these poor horses. Some of those people barely know how to ride!
Not to mention the horribly foundered horse they have-they should put that poor thing down! I would NOT adopt witout a prepurchase exam.
The one thing I will say is that their volunteer base is very sweet and want what's best for the horses. There was this one lady who would just bellow out instructions to the crowd-very rude and uncouth. But besides her they were all nice people. I just wish they had more horse sense.

I used to be an upstate new yorker, and familiar with Sunshine Horses. I really wish they'd hire back their old social media person. Whoever is running it showed a horse they already adopted and I thought they were trying to rescue him. I run social media at my job and if I wasn't on the west coast I'd help them.

Live nearby the farm. Nice enough neighbors and they're not getting anything good from the land owners. Theres a lady in chaRge who is kinda rude. I heard rumors about strangles at the barn recently. No one has answered my question about that.

Tried to adopt was lead on by two board members whose initials are BM and BS (Wat you get from them). They tried to push a horse I was not interested in on me rather than the one I wanted to adopt originally. The regular volunteers were very nice. I didn't adopt from them but the horses were good looking and healthy.

Well, I see these LIARS deleted my comment!!!!! I said I knew the family who had adopted a horse and suffered from DIVORCE and LOSS OF JOBS and could no longer keep it!!!! THey did the right thing and returned him!!! Now the lady who adopted him says he was negleted and abused!! That's NOT TRUE AT ALL!!!! Do NOT adopt from these people-there are better rescues!!!

I have followed Sunshine for a long time. They were a reputable, good organization up until recently. I don't know what changed but half their barn is made up of returned horses. As a professional horseman I can't figure out why there are so many returns unless there is something fishy going on at the top. I will not longer recommend this organization.

They never answer the phone, email or Facebook! It took me weeks to get through only to be rudely dismissed by the secretary lady. Told me I wasn't allowed to adopt even though I've had horses for fifteen years! Shame on them.

Lie about horses they have. Horses are lame or need experienced ridders and they pass them off as safe. Say they don' t hold hoses when they do. Ripoff with demanding sponsors for horses when they're giving a discount adoption fee. The board is a joke. The treasurer and secretary ladies are both weasels who outright lie to your face Making promises about adoptions that they don't let happen because they don't like the adopter for whatever reason. Drove off half the volutneers (my freind volunteered iwth them until they bullied her away. They have "trainers" ridding who are breaking the hosres backs to make them look fancy. Their standerdbreds not warmblods. Do NOT adopt from them.

Sunshine Horses is an amazing organization. The people are extremely nice and the horses are delight. Kate Starr has done an amazing job!

Sunshine horses has provided our family a whole new way of life. My granddaughter began volunteering for them several years ago. Then as things go we all got involved and it's a great family activity. The best part is when we adopted our horse Maura . She has become the light of our lives. If not for the wonderful people of sunshine we probably wouldn't have this wonderful girl in our lives. They taking so many and retrain and rehome retired racers even taking them from the feedlots and the auctions. We takin neglect cases and the unwanted and give them sanctuary. The wonderful group of people at Sunshine are so welcoming and wonderful it is a joy to see everyone working together for the betterment of the horses. It's a lot of hard work especially in these northern New York winters but it always gets done and they are always smiling. Sunshine is one of the best nonprofits I have ever worked for and there is no more deserving group of people. Dedication and love Drive everyone.

My 10 year old daughter and I have been volunteers for about 2 months with Sunshine. She has learned a lot and loves working with the other volunteers. These are some of the most loving and dedicated people I've ever met.

I have been a volunteer at Sunshine for just over two years now and the camaraderie among my fellow volunteers is amazing. To give so unselfishly to something bigger than yourself is so moving and rewarding. Kate Starr is incredible in her mission to provide the best possible future for these amazing animals. Through extreme temperatures in summer and winter, we persevere knowing that our purpose is to provide the best life possible for these animals that cannot provide for themselves. Knowing you have a purpose and having the support of so many fellow volunteers is priceless. I love Sunshine and everything it stands for!!

I am a donor and adopter. I adopted two wonderful horses from Sunshine Horses in 2011. The process went smoothly and was validating of my values as a horse lover. These folks are thorough, dedicated, knowledgeable, creative, welcoming, serious about their mission, as well as being oh so positive in the face of great need for their work. I found Sunshine Horses through an online search, and their Website at the time completely impressed me. For a number of years I'd been exploring horse rescue/adoption Websites, knowing I would one day be hoping to adopt, so had seen a LOT of sites and approaches to use for assessing; Sunshine's was and continues to be informative, professional, and upbeat, and as they've expanded to Facebook and Twitter, they are able to inform and educate more people about the many aspects of their work, events, and the heavy and complicated issues the horse world faces. I fully intend to adopt more horses from them when life permits.

Dedicate and devoted to their animals. Well done indeed! My Daycare children fell in love on their outing. Today we met the Mother Theresa s' of Horses. The horses themselves, all majestic and magical. From their routine to their skills, all so professional.
I was most impressed with the degree of dedication the volunteers exhibited. Today in heat well over 90 degrees, these hardworking individuals shrived to create an environment that these rescues would flourish in . From task to task it was evident that each person there has both the knowledge and commitment to provide the absolute best !
The horses displayed were magnificent! My daycare children were in awe the entire time, (a 2 hrs tour). It was apparent even to my youngest, (our 2 yr old) that these animals are indeed special. As a daycare provider I'm in awe that these children were able to experience such grand animals.
Every effort must be made to insure the longevity of the stables and preserve these animals .

I've been a volunteer for about a year now. Giving Reiki treatments to the horse that need it. My daughter is also involve, this year she decided not to receive birthday gifts instead she wanted donations for Sunshine Horses. It's a great organization!!

I have been a volunteer at Sunshine for a couple of years now,I have to tell you I have never been involved in any organization that fulfils every word in the purpose they seek. Race,Retrain,Rehome,the more horses we place in loving homes,the more that mission statement means to me. Everyone involved is there for the horses,and the other volunteers....we have each others back,we have become family with the horses as our children. I can't imagine not doing my shift 2xs a week ,and being involved with all that goes on with their care. I admitt I cry each and everytime one of them leave to go "home"..But they are tears of JOY......