This Old Horse Offers Green Pastures For Horses In Need

“The wind of Heaven is that which blows between a horse’s ears” … Arabian Proverb

Like many young girls, I went through my preteen and teenage years with an overwhelming love for horses—my walls were plastered with horse posters, my book shelves lined with Breyer horse models and stacks of Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley novels. I spent as much time as I could at the house of a friend who had a horse. We often ‘rode’ him…and by riding, I mean, we clambered up the barn gate, swinging ourselves onto his back sans a saddle, bridle or bit. Basically, we sat on him and let him wander at will until he grew tired of us and stopped in the middle of the field to graze. Or, once, when he was really peeved at us, he made his way through the smallest of the barn doors, neatly scraping both of us off his back into small, disgruntled, undignified heaps in a mud puddle.

I begged my parents for a horse, but the general answer of “we don’t have room for one” didn’t ring true even to a 10-year-old who knew that our farm consisted of several thousand acres. I figured out later that my dad reckoned that once the infatuation with the horse wore off, he’d be stuck caring for it while I went on my merry way to other interests.

Well, Dad…I’m in my mid-50s now, and the interest hasn’t worn off! Sadly, I’ve still never realized my dream of owning a horse and indulging in what I call ‘horse therapy’—pressing my face into their necks, breathing in that comforting, delightful scent of warm horse right under their manes. I was bemoaning this fact not long ago to Carey Bohman, part of the North Star Gay Rodeo Association, who suggested that I might get my horse fix by volunteering for a local organization known as This Old Horse.

I reached out to Nancy Turner and Jeanne Klein, representatives for This Old Horse, and had a wonderful conversation about this amazing organization and what they do.

Horses are not usually an animal that many think of when it comes to the idea of “rescue” and “adoption” in the way that they think of dogs and cats in those terms. Tell our readers how This Old Horse went from being a hope-filled dream of giving these beautiful creatures a soft place to land in their golden years to being the wonderfully successful rescue group that it is today.

People often wonder what you can do with a horse that is not rideable.  We ask them what do you do with your Labrador when you’re not duck hunting?  Mostly love them and enjoy their company. 

We recognized that older horses who had aged out of ‘production’ as sport horses, show horses, therapy horses, mounted patrol, breeding stock, etc. were particularly unwanted and vulnerable to neglect or ending up in perilous circumstances such as the slaughter pipeline.

These horses had loyally done what had been asked of them and our mission is to honor and revere their lives of service.  Regardless of their success, the horse ends up with no pension fund and no control over their fate.  And we wanted to help.

As opposed to a place, we imagined a community of like-minded, compassionate people who might band together to help horses.  And This Old Horse was born in 2012.

What kinds of horses do you generally take into your program? Do you tend to generally have former racehorses, or do you take in any horse in need—saddle horses, rodeo horses, ponies, draft breeds?

Since 2012, we have helped more than 700 horses representing 68 different breeds—from miniature horses to giant draft horses—and some donkeys and mules.  Most of our horses are surrendered to us voluntarily by their owners.  Occasionally we collaborate with the Animal Humane Society on neglect cases.  If we don’t have room to take a referred horse, we try to help by maintaining a waiting list and direct owners who are struggling to the Minnesota Horse Welfare Coalition to apply for microgrants to assist them with keeping their horse at home.

One of our initiatives we call Racehorse Reimagined helps transition Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses from the tracks to retirement or through a transition to a new sport horse career like polo, dressage, jumping, etc.  We have established a close and positive relationship with the Minnesota racing industry partners who provide support to the racehorses in our program.  

We also have a large program for miniature horses and ponies we call This Little Horse.  Several of the horses in this program are community ambassadors, visiting schools, nursing homes, libraries as service animals and promote community events.  It is always a surprise for drivers to look over and see a few little horses traveling to their gig in a minivan–a minivan being the obvious choice for a mini horse.

Your sanctuary isn’t limited to just one spot; you have facilities and host sites all over the metro area. Is that so that you can take in even more deserving horses who need your help?

We currently manage 12 different farms averaging 200+ horses under our direct care each day.  We also have a foster network of people with horse property who have room in their barn and in their heart for one or two more.

We own three large facilities. Our original farm is Wishbone Ranch in Hastings.  We also have large programs in Hugo, primarily supporting off track racehorses, and in New Richmond, Wisconsin. 

Tell our readers how they can be a part of This Old Horse—I’m sure you have a range of volunteer opportunities that are available, based on interest, skills and previous experience with handling and caring for horses.

We have welcomed more than 3500 volunteers since our inception! Volunteers are the backbone of our mission. Most of our volunteers have had no horse experience at all before coming to us. It is a welcoming and supportive group of people and horses who are happy to share what they have learned.   While most of our volunteers work directly in the barns, we also have volunteers that do landscaping and gardening, volunteer for special events, fundraise, write thank you notes, follow along on adoption placements—there is a place for everyone. We have many family groups that volunteer together.  Children under 16 need to be accompanied by a responsible adult and we have lots of parents who like to spend time volunteering side by side with their kids—and have something in common to talk about.   

Many of our volunteers think of the barns as kind of a church of sorts—people gather around a common goal and practice of tending and kindness. Every morning after the morning feed crews finishes up, they gather for potluck meals–and take every opportunity to celebrate birthdays with cake! People who have met at the barn have become the closest of friends.  It is truly a happy place.

Some of our volunteers work just one event a year.  And some volunteer full time.  There is no minimum (or maximum) requirement.  Online applications are available on our website.

What if someone falls in love with a particular horse? Can they be adopted?

It is easy to fall in love with horses.  They are amazing partners—empathetic friends who can be trusted with your deepest secrets and heart’s desire.  Many people, particularly in metro areas, have just never had the chance to get up close and personal with horses.  But once they do…magical things happen.

Our adoption program is essential to our ability to create capacity to help more horses.  We have a placement team that helps match horses and adopters and follows along to assure the match is a good one.  Our safety net program assures that we will take back any horse placed through us at any time.

For folks who aren’t in the position to own their own horse or adopt one of the horses in your care, you have options to ‘sponsor’ one of the horses at Wishbone Ranch. Are people who sponsor a particular horse able to come down to the ranch to visit ‘their’ horse?

Our sponsorship program is primarily a recurring monthly donation on behalf of all or one particular horse—and sometimes it is to honor a horse or memory of a horse that never been in our program—just as a dedication. 

Sponsors are more than welcome to come and visit the horse they honor through their gift!

I saw on your website that you’re developing and implementing a new program called This Helping Horse, which looks like it will be focused on getting horses involved with different forms of therapy services. Can you tell us a bit about that?

If you ask us, all time spent with a horse is therapeutic.  But we also have several formal equine assisted learning classes and sessions facilitated by certified practitioners where participants pursue a connection with a horse as a way of connecting and understanding their own journey.

Horses are naturally empathic, and many people find it easy and comfortable to relate to a horse as they puzzle through life’s curveballs.

You have a number of fundraisers throughout the year that help support the mission, but one that is coming up quickly is The Polo Classic. When you hear “polo”, a lot of people think of those great scenes in Pretty Woman. Tell our readers about this event, and how they can come out and enjoy the hats, the horses, and the hoopla of such an exciting sport that raises much-needed funds for This Old Horse.

For many fans, the first Sunday in August has become a tradition of fun, friends, and fashion where they gather at the regional polo tournament known as The Polo Classic. It started as a charity fundraiser in 1989.  In 2021, the event was gifted to This Old Horse, and we made it our own as a fundraiser for equine welfare.   This is a perfect marriage where elite sport horses are engaged in raising money for their less fortunate equine friends.

The Polo Classic is first and foremost a thrilling sporting event with up to 100 elite horse and human athletes tearing up and down the 300-yard field. Spectators line both sides of the field—on the clubhouse side, continuous peaked canopies are reserved for groups. On the stable side, you will find a large general admission hexagon tent and reserved tailgate spots. Most people bring their own food and beverages, picnic style, but food trucks are available.  Beverages are sponsored by Heineken.

Guests will feel right at home in casual wear but both men’s and women’s fashion rules the day.  Martin Patrick 3 is our Style Sponsor, creating a Polo Classic ‘look book’ on their website.  Karen Morris Millinery sponsors a hat parade during halftime.  Local fashion and style icons provide fun commentary and judging.  And for the Pretty Woman fans—the halftime divot stomp and champagne toast will satisfy!

It is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and it is so much fun. The gates open at 11 am, the championship match starts at 2 pm and it is finished by about 5 pm.  More information and reservations for tickets, tents and tailgates can be found at www.thepoloclassic.com.

So, there you are…if you’re a horse lover like I am but unable to have one of your own for any number of reasons, check out This Old Horse and see all of the ways that you can help these deserving, loving animals. And, if you want to assist in a really fun way, consider coming out to The Polo Classic on August 6^th—I’ve already picked out my fascinator, dress and shoes to stomp those divots between chukkas!

This Old Horse
19025 Coates Blvd. Hastings, MN 
(651) 437-1889
www.thisoldhorse.org