My Nonprofit Reviews

I moved to the Augusta/Aiken area and was looking for a way to get more involved with horses even though I was relatively inexperienced. I am so glad that I found the Equine Rescue of Aiken!

Many of the volunteers have been there for years and it really is a big family of people who care. From the horses, to the cats, to the dogs, everyone at the Rescue is looked after with the highest attention to detail and compassion. And at no other facility will you get the same opportunity to have hands-on time with the horses you help care for, whether that means grooming, doing ground work, or even being able to ride (if you're qualified).

One of the most rewarding experiences is seeing a troubled horse who has either come from a harsh track/training environment or has experienced a traumatic event or loss of owner find their place and peace at the ERA. A horse that is head-shy, spooks, or just needs some extra attention to address bad habits will be a completely different horse after a week here at the Rescue. On a similar note, I think one of the best programs on site is the Saratoga War Horse Program. The War Horse program provides equine-assisted therapy to veterans that are often brought from thousands of miles away to participate and it is an incredible experience if you have the opportunity to participate as a volunteer.

And because there is so much love for the horses, it is always bittersweet to see one adopted out. But the adoption procedures and application are incredibly thorough and really qualify the adoptee to ensure that every horse goes to an appropriate and suitable home. Taking on the responsibility of an off-the-track thoroughbred is no flippant decision. This ensures that they can transition from a former life on the track to a new job with a new family, which might include trail riding, companionship for both humans and other horses, shows, jumping, you name it!

I cannot thank Caroline enough for her patience and the time she spent with me helping me to learn more about the horses and everything from haltering to veterinary care. And Jim was always around to crack a joke despite his huge task of making sure everything runs smoothly for over 70 horses, which is no small feat. I moved to a different state a few months ago and not being able to volunteer at the Rescue was one of the biggest drawbacks of my move. I learned a lot about horses, but I learned just as much about myself in the process. I am proud to say that my experience at the Equine Rescue of Aiken gave me the confidence and skills to take on my first horse, Dunny. He's a dun quarter horse that I hope to finesse and ride for many years to come, in no small part thanks to ERA.

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