Hooved Animal Rescue & Protection Society

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United States
Barrington, IL
Hooved Animal Rescue & Protection Society

HARPS aims to promote the humane care of equine and other hooved animals through rescue, education & legislation

HARPS is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation to abused and neglected hooved animals. In an effort to break the cycle of abuse, we believe that educating children regarding the proper care of animals, respect for others (animal & human), and demonstrating the powerful bonds between humans and animals can in fact stop abuse before it begins.

08/28/2026

Fun Facts Friday! 🐎

08/21/2026

Happy Fun Fact Friday, HARPS Family! 🐴

Did you know that horses can’t breathe through their mouths?

Unlike humans and many other animals, horses are obligate nasal breathers. That means they breathe exclusively through their nostrils!

A soft tissue structure called the soft palate forms a tight seal over the back of their mouth, keeping air flowing strictly through their nasal passages—even when they're running, whinnying, or munching on treats.

Why does this matter?
Incredible Air Filters: Their long nasal passages warm, humidify, and filter air before it reaches their lungs, protecting their respiratory systems.

08/18/2026

Looking for a way to support HARPS Rescue?

We’ve partnered with author Melissa Campbell, creator of "When Lilies Turn Grey", an inspiring memoir about determination, commitment, and the bond between a girl and her horse.

Every purchase directly helps the rescue:
* Books ($15): $5 from each copy goes directly to HARPS.
* Candles ($15): $5 from each candle goes directly to HARPS.

Ready to order? Scan the QR code in the image to place your order! (Note: All orders must be picked up at the rescue.)

08/13/2026

TPR—Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration

Knowing these three vital signs isn’t just for veterinarians, every horse owner should know their horse’s normal baseline. In an emergency, knowing what's "normal" for your horse can help you spot illness early and give your vet critical details over the phone.

Here is a quick refresher on standard resting ranges for an adult horse:

Temperature: 99.0°F – 101.5°F
Heart Rate: 28 – 40 beats/min
Respiration Rate: 12 – 16 breaths/min

Pro-Tip: Check and write down your horse’s TPR on a calm, normal day when they are at rest. Store those numbers on your phone or near your barn first-aid kit so you have an accurate reference point.

08/08/2026

Weekend vibes at HARPS Rescue! 🌾✨

It’s a lazy weekend around the farm, and everyone is taking full advantage of the downtime:

🐴 Out in the pasture: The horses are happily grazing and enjoying the cool green grass in their fly masks.

🐽 Barn snoozing: Our resident pig has mastered the art of the afternoon nap, snuggled deep into a cozy bed of straw.

🐶 Paws on duty: The farm dogs are keeping a watchful eye on the driveway (or just finding the perfect patch of grass to lounge in!).

🛖 Inside the barn: Clean aisles, quiet stalls, and a peaceful atmosphere all around.

Wishing all of our friends, volunteers, and supporters a restful weekend! ☀️❤️

08/07/2026

Handsome Cochise ❤️🐎

08/04/2026

Ever wondered why donkeys have such spectacularly big ears?

It turns out those long, beautiful ears aren’t just for looks they are a brilliant survival tool! Because the wild ancestors of donkeys originated in the hot, arid deserts of Africa, their ears evolved to act as a built-in superpower.

Here are two amazing reasons behind those iconic ears:

Built-In Air Conditioning: A donkey's ears are packed with tiny, shallow blood vessels. When they get hot, warm blood pumps into the ears, and the large surface area allows the heat to radiate away into the air. This cools their blood and keeps their body temperature down without wasting precious water through sweating!

Desert Radar: In the wild, resources are sparse and herds have to spread out. A donkey’s ears act like natural satellite dishes, capturing faint sounds from miles away. Plus, they can rotate each ear independently to pinpoint exactly where a sound is coming from.

Next time you see a donkey, give those ears some extra appreciation! ❤️

07/28/2026

🪰 Battle of the Flies: Keeping the Barn Comfy! ☀️

Summer means great riding, but it also means an absolute army of flies. Winning the bug war requires a multi-layered strategy to keep horses happy and stop the hoof-stomping.

Here is a go-to barn checklist to beat the bugs:

💩 Source Control: Flies breed in moisture. Keeping stalls clean, paddocks picked, and the manure pile far away from the barn is 90% of the battle.

🌀 Airflow is Everything: Flies are weak fliers! High-velocity fans in aisles and stalls create a breeze that keeps them from landing (and keeps the barn cool).

🧴 Fly Gear: High-quality fly masks, sheets, and boots provide the perfect physical barrier so horses can graze in peace.

🐛 Fly Predators: Releasing these tiny, harmless, non-stinging beneficial insects decimates the fly population by targeting the pupae before they even hatch.

💦 Traps & Sprays: Strategic perimeter fly bags and a daily spray routine catch the stragglers that make it past the front lines.

07/26/2026

Looking for a new best friend who gets along with everyone? Look no further than Herbie! 🐐

This handsome 2-year-old neutered Nigerian Dwarf goat came to HARPS after his previous organization closed its doors. He is officially on the market for a forever home, and he’s bringing a whole lot of love with him.

Herbie is a total socialite, he loves people, farm animals, and even dogs! He’s a little taller than your average Nigerian Dwarf, standing proud at 25 inches at the wither.

Herbie’s Big Wish: He desperately needs to find a home with some goat friends to bond with.

Could your herd be the perfect match for Herbie? Please send us a direct message for more information on how to adopt this handsome guy!

07/23/2026

CHALLENGE TIME: Donkey vs. Horse Selfie Edition! 🚨

Exhibit A: One of our resident donkeys "Chloe" demonstrating the best accidental selfie masterpiece. 🦷😂

We want to see if the horses can even compete with this level of modeling talent. Drop a photo in the comments of your horse or donkey’s best, funniest, or most awkward 'selfie' close-up!

Address

PO Box 94
Barrington, IL
60010

Telephone

+18473820503

Website

http://www.harpsonline.org/

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