Volunteer Opportunities for Western Connecticut

In partnership with United Way of Western Connecticut

Our objective is to rescue, rehabilitate and find adoptive homes for any horse in need that comes to our attention. We work with the State of Connecticut Animal Control Officers and the State of Connecticut often asks H.O.R.S.E. to go with them to seize abused and starved horses.

Description:
H.O.R.S.E. has many different types of horses and ponies at different times. Our goal is to match the horse to the potential adopter by taking into consideration the skills and needs of both. Solely run by volunteer help, we need help caring for our horses, including grooming, cleaning stalls and paddocks, hand-walking and one-and-one attention. At this time, we have over 30 horses on the farm. H.O.R.S.E. receives no state, town or federal funding. Donations are always needed. If you can't volunteer, please consider a monetary donation.

History:
H.O.R.S.E. of CT was established in 1982 by Patty Wahlers to create a safe haven for horses in this part of the State of Connecticut. H.O.R.S.E. stands for the HUMANE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING SUFFERING EQUINES. Since 1982, we have rescued hundreds of horses and placed most of them in good, adoptive homes.

Contact people:

Patty Wahlers, President, 860-868-1960, (email) Laura McQuillan, Vice President, 860-868-1960, (email)

Address:

43 Wilbur Road Washington, CT 06777 (See a map)

Directions:

From New Milford, take Route 202 towards Litchfield. About two miles after Route 47, look for Le Bon Coin Restaurant. Wilbur Road is the first right after the restaurant. H.O.R.S.E. is right on the corner on the left-hand side. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: n/a   Nearest Bus Stop: n/a

Overall Experience   
It is an incredible and rewarding experience working with the horses at Horse of Connecticut.

Volunteering at Horse of Connecticut has been an amazing experience. Maybe a mid-life crisis pushed me into seeking a way to get involved with horses, and when I came upon the horse of CT website, there was no way for me not to get involved. I have very little experience with horses and I was worried I might not be able to learn at my age. I emailed to inquire and got a response from Sally encouraging me to come for a tour. The day I showed up, Sally took me with her on her grooming expedition and gradually worked me into the routine. That day I was introduced to Lady and Misty, Endora and Breezy, Cody and Charlie, and many other beautiful beasts. Soon I found myself grooming right beside Sally, and becoming familiar with the sounds and behaviors of these horses. I learned that Lady just wanted to know where I was while grooming her because she is blind on one side, but that she was so gentle and well behaved. I also experienced Cody butting me with his nose as I was brushing him, and I figured out that he was just pick-pocketing the carrots I had in my hardware apron! That's when I really fell in love. That funny communication just did it for me. What struck me most, was how well all of the horses had been cared for here, and how sad some of their stories were before they arrived at Horse of Connecticut. They all seemed to give off an aura of wanting human contact, and knowing some of their stories made it even more unbelievable that they could still trust humans. After thinking about it, it didn't surprise me. I've been a dog person most of my life. One of the dogs I own, I adopted. She is the most responsive and most attached dog that I have. She seems to thank me every day. I get the same sense from these horses, especially when I watch Patty or Sally caring for them. So what do I get in return for making Thursdays my day at the horse farm? An incredible sense of worth from having worked hard, satisfaction from having done something worthwhile with my time, great exercise, but most importantly, an incredibly sense of peace just derived from the touch, the smell, the sound the sight of these amazing creatures. Eye to eye with them is the most spectacular experience. Horse of Connecticut has done so much to make their lives so much better. Joan M. posted on February 3, 2006

Overall Experience   
Helping abused horses has been a very rewarding experience.

I have volunteered at H.O.R.S.E. of CT for about four years and have been directly involved in bringing starved and abused horses to the rescue. Seeing these poor animals - frightened, so thin they look like they can't survive another minute, no expression in their eyes except resignation - and then seeing them after we've cared for them, getting them taken care of by a veterinarian and farrier, watching them respond to our touch without fear and watching the weight come onto their frames - how rewarding is that!!! Animals put their faith in us as their caregivers - we, at H.O.R.S.E. of CT, are renewing that faith every day. That's why I keep going back! posted by Sally T on September 13, 2005

Overall Experience   
The rescued Horses are amazing and will enrich my life greatly!

I went the other day to have introductions to the Horses and to learn what they are all about as well as what there needs are in the way of volunteers and help. There are quite a few horses, all of them are wonderful. They also have chickens, cats and dogs roaming the grounds, that they have taken in as well. This is an absolutely wonderful opportunity for any animal lovers and I'm am honored to be a part of it. I am doing this with a group of my friends and most likely we will be volunteering once a week, most likely every Sunday. We haven't actually done any "volunteering" yet but will be starting to acutally do some work next week. We are all pretty excited about this. This is great even if you have very minimal experience with horses, they truly are just happy to see a smiling face, and maybe some treats in your hands. posted by Erieee629 on November 17, 2003