This is Our inspiring Journey From 2006 To Today…
Times have certainly changed since we set out to work with equines. After adopting our first BLM mustang in 2006 and spending a year as a BLM Wild Horse and Burro volunteer in San Diego County, I became a Trainer Incentive Program (TIP) trainer for the Mustang Heritage Foundation to help promote the adoption of BLM Mustangs by gentling and then adopting out one mustang at a time.
In October 2007, the Witch Creek fire burned much of San Diego County, including many ranches and homes in Ramona. This disaster changed everything. As a family, we stepped in to help horses of all breeds that needed new homes for families who had lost theirs. We also learned about horse slaughter and started saving horses from kill buyers and auctions, then went on to find good adoptive homes for them.
In 2008, the economy hit horse owners hard, and it has continued to do so. Knowing of our ability to find good homes for horses, we started to receive calls from people losing their homes or desperately trying to hang on to them and needing to give up their horses. As heart-wrenching as it is to lose everything, knowing that your horses are going to loving homes makes a huge difference.
In 2011, hay prices skyrocketed. We could no longer afford to house horses at our ranch while helping find new homes for them. We started to create a wonderful network of loving horse owners and other rescuers to help us find homes.
Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status was effective on July 1, 2011. Unlike the prior five years, where as a private rescue we paid the bills out of our own pockets, Equine WellBeing Rescue, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation that can accept donations from people and businesses that support our mission and what we do.
All donations received are deeply appreciated and will help us help more horses from abuse, neglect, or other situations of need. Whether in the form of monetary contributions, goods, or services, your donations to the rescue are tax deductible.
In late 2012, my husband accepted a position with a company in Arizona. The following year, we purchased a 20-acre ranch in Snowflake, AZ. The cost of living is more affordable and allows me to dedicate myself full-time to the needs of the rescue horses without taking any salary. We maintain our status with California’s Registry of Charitable Trusts.
In 2015, we rescued our first donkey and have rescued many since. GuideStar USA, Inc. also awarded us Gold Participant Status. In 2018, we achieved GuideStar’s ‘Platinum’ status, the highest one can obtain.
In 2023, we won Best of the White Mountains for the best non-profit organization. We have continued to be highly rated with GuideStar and each year receive the TOP RATED status from Great Nonprofits. We continue our memberships in the United Horse Coalition, Homes for Horses Coalition, and A Home for Every Horse program.
I am a veterinary technician with additional equine certification through the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians and Assistants (AAEVT), a sister organization of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). I am able to give each horse brought to the ranch a thorough intake exam and, if tests are needed, a veterinary exam is scheduled.
We follow the equine rescue standards of the AAEP. For emaciated horses, we follow the refeeding guidelines from the University of California, Davis and have great relationships with veterinarians throughout many states where we rescue, have fosters, and adopters.
We have built working relationships with equine rescues and organizations throughout the country, in an effort to deal with the unwanted horse issues we are all facing. I do not like the term "unwanted" because, in many cases, the horses are wanted but the families are unable to provide for them due to the economy and other personal situations.
If you can volunteer your time or your services to help the rescue at our Snowflake facility, it would be greatly appreciated. It is also a great opportunity for people to spend time with equines that truly enjoy a gentle hand and kind heart. Foster homes are also needed from time to time. If you would like to help the rescue, please contact me at 760-703-4860 or via email at Christine@EquineWellBeing.com.
Equine rescue requires such a huge team effort from caring people who contribute in so many different ways. We welcome you to be a part of our team. Thank you very much for your love and support for horses.
Christine Griffin, Founder and President