Bergen County Horse Rescue at Mahrapo Farms

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Bergen County Horse Rescue at Mahrapo Farms

For any inquires please visit our website to contact us. Visits are by appointment only. bergencountyhorserescue.org

Bergen County Horse Rescue's Mission is Caring for Horses Mind, Body & Soul, and our focus is rescuing and rehabilitating horses in need. Our beautiful 17-acre facility provides a safe and healthy environment for our rescues to live and interact in a herd community. We provide reconditioning and behavioral training for horses who are fit and healthy in order to place them in a forever home where t

hey can be loved and cared for. For horses that are no longer capable of working due to a disability or old age, our facility provides a tranquil and safe sanctuary. All horses not adopted out will always have a loving home at Bergen County Horse Rescue. Our vision is to generate awareness within our community about equine care as well as act as an environmentally conscious resource for educational tours for groups and organizations. Bergen County Horse Rescue has been recognized as an EQUUS Foundation 2020 and 2021 Guardian. The purpose of the Guardians program is to encourage equine organizations to be transparent and accountable to the public through the disclosure of their equine care and use practices and to reward equine organizations that are operating at the highest standards for horse care and use. The EQUUS Foundation is the only national animal welfare in the United States 100% dedicated to protecting America's horses and strengthening the bond between horses and people. At the core of our mission is safeguarding the comfort and dignity of America's horses throughout their lives and sharing their ability to empower, teach and heal with as many people as possible. Like BCHR, Equus is committed to ensuring that horses are safe, protected and treated with dignity.

08/23/2025

Happy to meet you! 🐐

A little round of applause, please, for Rebel and Gizmo, our newly named goats. Chocolate Rebel and chocolate-vanilla Gizmo are in sweet harmony now with their elders, Lily, Noel and Holly. In fact, Noel has become a big sister to these charming siblings.

Announcing their names is also a perfect way to celebrate goats and acknowledge
a belated National Goats Day (August 21)

Certainly looks like Rebel and Gizmo are a perfect maaa-ch with their herd.

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08/20/2025

HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY, LEO! 🎉

Self-confident Leo is an exceptional horse who shares an enduring and affectionate bond of many years with Erin, our president, and her children. Early on, Erin recognized in Leo a quiet confidence, laid-back personality and natural authority that served him well as he became leader of his herd.

In those first years, as Erin and Leo were getting to know each other, she learned that Leo communicated best to both horses and humans through vocalization. Even today, Leo sends a loud whinny into the courtyard to greet Erin each morning she feeds his herd. He will also stand at the fence with his gaze laser focused on Erin’s house. Erin is definitely Leo’s favorite human!

Leo is just like one of the family for Erin and she trusted him completely as the lesson horse for her children. Like her daughters, many other children have learned horsemanship from hours spent with Leo. Those same children, now adults, continue to visit Leo and reminisce with Erin. Erin laughs remembering that Leo has been a “good babysitter horse” because of his natural ability to connect with children.

Leo also enjoys equine friendships, especially with Jack, our mule, and Murphy. Housed in adjacent stalls, this bonded trio entertains volunteers with their yawning ritual: first, Leo begins to crinkle his nose and start the yawn; then Jack lifts his head and opens up; and lastly, Murphy completes this scenario with a big finale.

Give Leo a challenge and he’ll accept. He’s such an intelligent horse that he has learned to open the locks on stall doors to release not only himself, but also his barn mates.

The quote “A horse is like a best friend…always there to nuzzle you and make your life better” really resonates with Erin. She and Leo are definitely each other’s best friend!

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08/17/2025

Please Don’t Trim the Whiskers!

Like cats and dogs, horses have whiskers, thick hairs that protrude from their muzzles. Whiskers can also be found around their eyes and between their nostrils and upper lips. This placement is not random because whiskers compensate for the blind spots horses have directly in front of their faces and underneath their noses. Whiskers are connected to a horse’s nervous system so they can send messages to the brain. All horses depend on these sensory messages to provide feedback about their surroundings. In general, whiskers are crucial to helping horses with movement and balance, the search for food and the perception of shape and texture.

Thank you to our models, Panda, Saturn, Prince and Jupiter.

Fun Fact: Whiskers are so sensitive that a horse can feel a fly on a single hair. ✨

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08/14/2025

Our New Residents Maaaa-be the Cutest Ones Yet! 🐐

An adorable and very vocal pair of 4-month-old brothers have joined our small goat herd. From their tiny horns to their floppy ears to their soft furry bodies, they are just irresistible. Their loud maaaing echoes in the barn and resident goats Holly, Noel and Lily are certainly curious about the newbies. The little fellows already enjoy being cuddled and they’ll definitely become volunteer favorites. Hmmm, time now to name them and you’ll be the first to know!

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08/08/2025

Curious Chestnuts 🌰

Look closely at the inner legs of most horses and you’ll see callous-like, fleshy growths called chestnuts, a normal part of a horse’s anatomy.

They are formed from the protein keratin and have living tissue at their base. Chestnuts are usually found above the knee on the front legs and below the hock (think of the human ankle) on the hind legs. Quite harmless, they range in size from small and flat to large and lumpy. Most scientists believe that chestnuts are either the remnants of toes or the remains of foot pads which became unnecessary as the horse evolved.

Fun fact about chestnuts: Horses sometimes use them to scratch their faces. Yes, Panda, we see you!

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08/05/2025

At the rescue, there’s nothing that makes us smile more than watching the horses roll on the ground.

It’s both a pleasurable and functional social activity. If one horse rolls, then a second or even third usually follows. It doesn’t matter the season or the ground cover, horses naturally enjoy sinking down, laying on their sides and rolling to the right or left or even making a complete half circle.

In general, rolling relaxes horses, relieves gas and itching, sheds excess seasonal hair, stretches stiffness, maintains coats and regulates body temperature. Seasonally, rolling in dirt and mud during warm weather relieves skin irritation caused by dried sweat and coats their bodies to protect against swarming flies. In winter, rolling in snow helps to dry and fluff their coats and maintain warmth.

Perhaps the best reason for rolling is that horses just love a bit of fun!

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08/01/2025

Fierce Flies🪰

Torment, nothing but constant torment, is what horses experience during the constant swarming of irritating flies during summer.

Drawn to horses by warmth, movement and the scent of manure and bodily secretions, varieties of flies are relentless nuisances that make life miserable for horses. Watch the horses in the turnouts and you’ll see the continuous tail swishing, hoof stomping, muscle rippling, and head shaking. All prove ineffective in ridding horses of flies and insects.

The worst offenders are the large, aggressive horse flies, known for painful bites that send horses running, kicking and bucking. Aside from causing painful bites, irritated skin and allergic reactions, flies and insects transmit diseases, including Equine Infectious Anemia and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Fly and insect control strategies include protective coverings for horses, including face masks, fly sheets and fly boots, as well as regular removal of manure and urine-soaked bedding from stalls. Essential oils, fly sprays and diluted apple cider vinegar can be added to the arsenal of fly repellents. Veterinary assistance through appropriate vaccinations is a necessity, too.

In the battle of fly vs. horse, these nasty flies seem to have the upper hand…at least for the present.

Murphy is getting ready for the day with Pyranha Fly Spray, available for purchase on our Amazon Wish List.

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07/29/2025

Magic Music🎶

Love a bit of Beethoven? Well, horses do, too. In fact, music has a positive effect on horses, as long as it’s the right genre. No jarring jazz or loud rock, just soothing classical and country will be fine. Specially created equine music cds are available, too.

Playing music for horses helps them to relax, relieves stress, masks distracting noises like thunderstorms, eases stall boredom, helps with post-surgery recovery and calms anxiety during vet or farrier visits. Horses have extremely sensitive hearing so low volume and slow tempo are important, as is consistency so they’re not startled.

Horses love being serenaded, too. Volunteers often softly sing or hum everything from Beatles’ melodies to cowboy songs as they work or visit the horses. A gentle nudge or calm head butt is the best applause from a happy horse!

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07/28/2025

Mighty Muckers! 💪

Imagine starting off your day in work boots, braving all seasons to slog through mud or snow, slip on ice, flick away flies and lug carts of manure and soiled bedding.

Our volunteer muckers handle all this with tenacity and devotion because cleaning stalls is vital to the health and well-being of the horses.

They remove manure and urine-soaked bedding and replenish each stall with fresh shavings. This is crucial to reducing potential health problems, including irritated skin, infected hooves, and respiratory difficulty. By keeping stalls fresh, horses enjoy a more comfortable space free from unpleasant odors and swarming flies. Add to the chore list refilling water buckets, cleaning grain bins, scrubbing troughs and sweeping barn debris.

Our volunteers are certainly incredibly special people!

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07/27/2025

We are so appreciative of our Amazon Wish List donors. Thank you for helping us care for our horses. We could not do this without your support.

To learn more about our nonprofit organization and to access our Amazon Wish List, visit our website bergencountyhorserescue.org/donate

Slide 1 - Friendly

Slide 2 - Olive and Jupiter & Vegas and Dusty

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07/26/2025

Loving Wyatt - My Remembrance

I felt the whole world was right when I was with Wyatt. He was my breath of fresh air. He was kind, gentle and ever so trusting with me. I’d never had a bond so close with an animal than with Wyatt. Something drew us together. Our relationship was so uncomplicated.

Wyatt surely was a handsome guy. As I still do, I mucked stalls. Learning how to feed enabled me to be with Wyatt on a closer basis. Over time, Wyatt knew my voice. As I’d walk to his turnout calling his name, he’d whinny. Once there I’d say, “Come on, come here, and say hello.” Wyatt would turn his head toward my voice, start walking to me, swaying and nodding his head until he reached me. I’d ruffle his forelock. On my feeding days, he knew a 1/2 cut up apple in his grain may be hidden. If I needed to tidy up his turnout, he’d have his head on or near my shoulder or nudge me to get back to my sweet talkin’ to him.

As I groomed Wyatt, I’d ask him if I was doing a good job. l talked about the weather, where to be brushed more or complain with him about those menacing darn flies. I even sang an old TV theme song “Wyatt Earp.” Wyatt just put up with our one-sided conversation. That was Wyatt; patient and appreciative.

I loved taking photos with Wyatt, especially at holidays or BCHR events. I’d say, “Okay, let’s do this photo shoot.” I think if he could, his eyes would roll, but he just went with the flow.

I was there with Wyatt to his end comforting him, caressing his head. Erin and several other volunteers who cared so deeply for him were also present.

If I could just take another walk with him and spend a few more hours. I am so grateful for the time I had with Wyatt. I will forever love and miss him. Wyatt, I’ll see you again someday, my boy.

07/20/2025

We are very sad to announce the passing of our gentle Wyatt on Wednesday, July 16. Wyatt was a handsome leopard Appaloosa that came to the rescue two years ago. His former owner loved him very much. When she was no longer able to care for him, she reached out to Erin. At 30+ years and blind, Wyatt was in desperate need and Erin offered him sanctuary. Wyatt would now spend his remaining years in safety and peace.

At first, Wyatt was disoriented and hesitant. He struggled to adapt to his unfamiliar surroundings. However, volunteers made special modifications to his stall and turnout. Building edges, fence posts and stall corners were wrapped with cushioned fabric. Feed and water buckets were placed strategically. Volunteers spent time walking him around the turnout to familiarize him with the area. Wyatt gained confidence and settled into a comfortable routine. He was such a sweet soul that we couldn’t help falling in love with him. He had captured our hearts completely.

Feeling safe awakened Wyatt’s spark and brightened his demeanor. Volunteers spent extra hours with Wyatt, caring for him after finishing their farm chores. In his quiet turnout, Wyatt offered us a singular opportunity to experience the magic of being with such a trusting horse. It is no wonder that he was the favorite of many volunteers.

He responded to and followed familiar voices, and enjoyed being stroked and groomed. Wyatt was very affectionate and would nestle his head on the shoulder or arm of favorite volunteers. One sang old cowboy songs to him during the morning feeding and another formed such a close bond with him that she always said Wyatt had her heart. Wyatt also enjoyed the companionship of his pasture mates, especially Dusty during mutual grooming.

Wyatt was living his best life and we hoped he would have more years ahead. Unfortunately, the ravages of age took their toll. In his final hour, he was able to hear the voice of his beloved owner and feel the outpouring of love from volunteers who formed a circle around him. He passed peacefully and with dignity. Wyatt has imprinted himself very deeply on us. When we think of him, we will smile for having known this wonderful horse.

Address

350 Ramapo Valley Road
Mahwah, NJ
07430

Website

http://www.bergencountyhorserescue.org/

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