Things have really picked up in our foster horse program lately. More and more counties are reaching out, asking if we can step in to take a horse—or sometimes several—off their hands. On the one hand, this is a positive sign: people know that GERL is a resource and that we will show up when horses are in need. On the other hand, it puts us in a constant scramble to find additional foster homes so we can keep saying “yes” when those calls come in.
The challenge we face isn’t just the number of foster homes available, though that is a very real and pressing need. It’s also that many of the horses currently in our program have been with us much longer than we would like. Ideally, a strong rescue program looks like a revolving door—horses come in, receive care and good nutrition, recover their health and confidence, and then transition into new, permanent, loving homes. That’s how we know we’re truly making space to save even more lives.
Unfortunately, the reality is often very different. Many of the horses we take in don’t move on quickly, and it’s not because of lack of effort on our part or our fosters’ part. When you’re working with law enforcement, you don’t get to “cherry pick” the horses you rescue. We don’t get to choose the young, adoptable, well-mannered prospects. Instead, we are most often asked to take the older ones—the horses who have been used up by their owners, or who come with years of neglect or trauma that make them less appealing to an adopter looking for a ready-to-go companion.
To make matters more complicated, we’re seeing a steady increase in the number of feral horses we’re being asked to handle. Feral horses come with an entirely different set of challenges. They haven’t been socialized, they don’t trust people, and the process of gentling them takes time, patience, and often specialized skills. A feral horse may take months—or even years—to get to the point where they are safe, adoptable, and able to transition into a forever home.
Years ago, GERL was fortunate to have access to a remarkable man who was proficient at handling these situations. He had the skill and experience to safely dart feral horses when needed and get them onto a trailer without unnecessary stress or injury. Sadly, he passed away years ago, and since then, we’ve had a real void in this area. Donkey and horse wranglers—the folks with the unique blend of courage, finesse, and know-how to take on feral equines—are nearly non-existent these days. That leaves organizations like ours in a tough spot. The need hasn’t gone away, but the resources to meet that need have grown thin.
Still, one thing hasn’t changed: the feral horses are out there, and they deserve a chance. They need someone to give them the opportunity to step into a new future instead of being shipped off on the meat truck. And let me say this about that—I’m still game. GERL is still game. We may not always know exactly how we’ll manage each new situation, but we are committed to finding a way.
This is where our community comes in. We can’t do it alone. We need more foster homes willing to step up, more adopters willing to consider horses who may need extra time and patience, and more supporters who believe in the work we’re doing. Every foster home, every adoption, every donation makes a direct and life-saving difference.
Our mission has never been about taking the easy road. It’s been about doing right by the horses who have no one else looking out for them—whether they’re old, feral, or simply forgotten. As long as we’re here, we’ll keep showing up. Because at the end of the day, every horse deserves more than neglect, abandonment, or a final ride to slaughter. They deserve a chance.
