Big Hoof Horse Rescue and Sanctuary

06/04/2026

✨ Big Hoof Received a Wonderful Surprise Today!

Our amazing barn volunteer Carly Bottner, showed up with the kind of news that makes your whole week brighter.
Thanks to her nomination, the Honor Society at Genesee Valley BOCES selected Big Hoof Horse Rescue to receive a $250 donation.

We are absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful.

Thank you, Carly, for thinking of us, advocating for us, and always showing up with so much heart.
And thank you to the Honor Society students for choosing to support our sanctuary horses, your generosity truly makes a difference.

From all of us at Big Hoof, and from the horses who benefit directly from your kindness… thank you. 🐴💛

05/14/2026

Buster Has Officially Earned His Sanctuary Wings

Buster, one of our rescues from last year, has officially been placed in permanent Sanctuary status with Karen, our VP/Treasurer. Over the past months he has settled so deeply into her barn, her routine, and her quiet way of caring that it became clear:
he is home.

Because of his vision limitations, consistency and familiarity are everything for him, and he has truly flourished in the environment Karen has created. He even has his very own seeing‑eye horse who guides him with the kind of gentle loyalty only horses can offer.

Buster’s needs are simple and his expenses are minimal, but like all sanctuary horses, he will require lifelong care. If anyone feels moved to contribute to his ongoing comfort, whether through a one‑time gift or a monthly sponsorship; we would be deeply grateful. Every bit helps us continue giving horses like Buster the safe, predictable, love‑filled life they deserve.

Thank you for celebrating him with us, and for supporting the quiet, important work of sanctuary care.

04/14/2026

Hello everyone, my daughter passed away on Friday the 10th. As many of you know, I already pour my earnings and savings into the rescue. Therefore my resources have been extremely limited. I don’t like to ask for much if ever. But we are in a tight situation. Times are tough and as I have always said even if you can not donate, a share is just as much care.

I’ve started a GoFundMe ( https://gofund.me/a6e7fb5ff ) to help with the costs of bringing Winter home and arranging for her cremation. Because her passing occurred out of state, we’re having to work with two funeral homes, and the expenses will likely be significant. I know some folks don’t always feel comfortable using GoFundMe because of the fees, so I’m also sharing my personal Venmo for anyone who prefers that route.

VENMO: https://venmo.com/u/Colleen-Cole-28

We are still deciding whether her ashes will be placed at graveside. I’m fortunate to already have plots on each side of her Daddy, or whether she will stay with me. Either way, I know he has her in heaven, and that brings a small measure of comfort.

Thank you, truly, to everyone who has already stepped in with support, compassion, and love. I feel every bit of it, and it’s helping hold me up right now.

03/24/2026

Another shout‑out to Carly — a young lady we could sing praises of all day. Our organization is stronger because of her. She’s talented, dedicated, and wise beyond her years, and she shows up every single day with honesty, integrity, and reliability.

When the time comes for her to spread her wings — and believe me, she will — we’ll feel the loss deeply. She’s truly irreplaceable. But like all wonderful young souls, there’s a much bigger world waiting for her to experience and explore, and we’re proud to have been even a small part of her journey.

12/31/2025

🚨 Our friends at Dorset Equine Rescue urgently need help.

Nine horses were found in devastating conditions, including four who had been trapped in stalls for years, standing in over 5 feet of manure. Dorset, along with several partner organizations, stepped in immediately to get every horse out safely and into veterinary care.

Now they’re facing more than $25,000 in medical, transport, and rehabilitation costs as these horses begin their long road to healing.

If you’re able, please consider supporting their emergency fundraiser. Every donation directly impacts the care and recovery of these nine horses.

👉 Donate here:
https://dorsetequinerescue.networkforgood.com/projects/271562-one-last-rescue-before-the-year-ends

Or mail to:
The Dorset Equine Rescue
P.O. Box 92
East Dorset, VT 05253

Thank you for helping Dorset give these horses the future they deserve. 💙🐴

12/25/2025

🎄 From all of us at Big Hoof Horse Rescue and Sanctuary — two‑legged and four‑legged alike — we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a season full of joy.”❤️

12/17/2025

Today, we said goodbye to Willow and Kandee.

Both had been receiving Equioxx to ease their arthritic joints, but Kandee also began to show signs of DSLD. Despite our diligent care, the frigid winter temperatures made every step painful and stiff. Their bodies were struggling hard against the cold, and we could not let them suffer through a long winter ahead.

It’s hard to see otherwise healthy appearing horses’ lives come to an end—but they let us know they were ready. As always, we kept our promise: they left this earth in better spirits than they arrived, surrounded by love and care, and never had to endur fear based handling.

Thank you, ladies, for the joy and many memories you gave. You were so deeply loved. 🌹

12/12/2025

🐴 $5 Friday with Lil Bit!

“Hello… we’ve been trying to reach you about your extended auto warranty…”

Actually, it’s just Lil Bit, our pint-sized pony mule, peering through the barn doors to remind you that $5 Fridays keep our rescue mission rolling.

Lil Bit is already sponsored today, but a year ago your $5 donations helped us quiet her fears and begin her intake—just like they’ve done for so many others who’ve found safety here.

💵 Every $5 gift fuels hay, vet care, and the chance for another equine to step through those barn doors into a new life.

👉 Will you join Lil Bit in making this Friday count?

🤗Venmo : @ BigHoofHSINC

💯 , We are a 5o1c3 non profit organization, all donations go directly to horses in need.

Photo credit: Carly Bottner

11/29/2025

📣 We’re proud to share The Big Hoof’s 2024–2025 Annual Report—a year of grit, grace, and growth in every hoofbeat. 💛🐴

💬 Letter from the Founder

11/22/2025

🐴💸 $5 Friday: Don’t say neigh! 💸🐴

Willow, Kandee, and Buster are hungry for hay, not drama. 🌾
Skip the fancy latte—toss us a fiver and help keep their troughs full.
Because a little neigh-borly love goes a long way. 💕

👉 Donate $5. Share and Hay-lp the herd today!

👀See what we did there?

We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Every donation is tax-deductible, and all funds go directly into legitimate charitable business accounts. Your $5 isn’t just hay—it’s hope, healing, and a promise kept. 🌟

VENMO:
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6UBPXSV5DDJHG

Photo cred: carly bottner