Beauty's Haven Farm & Equine Rescue Inc.

Beauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc. is a grassroots organization which was established in 2006 to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome equine.  At Beauty’s Haven, horses that have been neglected, abused, and/or abandoned are granted a second chance at life - a life without pain and worry, a life with dignity and respect.  We often take horses that other organizations turn away due to their extensive and/or costly rehabilitation.

Beauty's Haven is dedicated to educating the public about proper horse care and the steps which one should take if they come across a horse that is being abused or neglected; we provide assistance to horse owners going through a short period of financial hardship; and through education and awareness, we try to get youth involved as they are the horse owners of tomorrow.  

When resources permit, we also help other animals (dogs, cats, goats, birds, etc.) who find themselves in precarious situations through no fault of their own.   We network with other organizations and individuals to help animals, and we provide lifelong sanctuary to a limited number of horses with special needs.  

We also help people, some of whom have PTSD or other special needs, overcome their fears and foster a belief in themselves through their interaction with horses.  

Theresa Batchelor, the president of Beauty’s Haven, is a remarkable woman who serves as an inspiration to those who have met her whether in person or via social media.  She is the embodiment of all that is ‘good’ in this world and her philosophy of life is exemplified by the following quote: ‘Life is about determination.’   Theresa has had to overcome many challenges in her lifetime.  Many years ago, a tumor was discovered inside of her spinal cord which nearly severed it.  Surgery to remove the tumor resulted in nerve damage that left her quadriplegic and although her doctors stated that she would never again walk, through sheer will, determination, faith and an intense physical therapy program, she regained use of her limbs. 

Theresa remains an incomplete quadriplegic today, with no feeling or awareness below her neck.  Her physical challenges have made her stronger - she refuses to give up, but rather, finds ways to work around her limitations to fulfill her dream of not only helping innocent, unwanted and abused equines, but helping people through the horses as well.  She believes that humans oftentimes tend to underestimate the body’s ability to heal, a belief which stems from her own injury, a belief that has not only helped her to accomplish the impossible, but has resulted in the saving of numerous equines.  

Horses are intuitive and can connect with people on a higher level without the judgment or biases most often associated with human beings.  They can inspire people to overcome fears, to believe in themselves and to believe that they can overcome great challenges, just as a rescued horse named Beauty, helped Theresa to overcome her challenges following her spinal cord injury.  These magnificent, powerful equines intuitively realize that Theresa is 'different' and if you ask her, she will tell you, that the horses are the heroes.  She has a natural, unspoken connection with equines which fosters a great amount of respect and trust.

Volunteers and visitors, some of whom have PTSD or other special needs, are welcome at the rescue where they can interact with the horses.  Theresa has an innate awareness as to which horse would best serve the individual in need, an awareness that has resulted in a hearing-impaired young child utter his first words after having never spoken, and witnessing a veteran with PTSD calmly emerging from their shell.  

Perhaps the words of Bonnie, written on May 5, 2018, as she reflected upon her first visit to the rescue, and who, soon thereafter, became an integral part of our BHFER family, best exemplifies the ‘Magic’ of Beauty’s Haven, ‘A Place Where Life Begins, Again!’ 

When a friend told me, she was going to volunteer at a horse rescue, I rolled my eyes.  As a horse person, I'd seen plenty of so-called ‘rescues’ (we all know the type), and I didn't have any reason to expect BHFER would be any different.  But, from the moment I set foot on the place in July of 2013, a few weeks after Betsy Rose's arrival, I knew this place was different.  Not only was it maintained physically and the horses given the very best in care, BHFER had a healing spirit that enveloped everyone who came there.   My friend hasn’t been but a couple times, yet I've spent every bit of time I could there.   I was struggling with PTSD myself, and being a part of that energy with all the horses and meeting Magic, I believe with all my heart, literally saved my life.  Beauty's Haven is my place of peace, and I consider it home.

B.B

Please visit www.bhfer.org to learn more about our organization and we would be forever grateful if you would share this information with family and friends as well.