Hidden Haven Farm began in 1991 when we adopted our first horse from the fledgling Equine Rescue League in Leesburg, VA. (www.equinerescueleague.org) Out of that adoption grew a desire to help horses find forever homes and to help people to better care for and relate to their animals. The concept for The Big Purple Barn emerged in 2010 as creating a place for people and horses to connect and have the opportunity to learn and grow together. We are pleased to announce our non profit application in 2012.
Currently, The Big Purple Barn provides a permanent home to 13 horses from various rescues and private placements. While the majority are rideable in some way, we have 3 permanendt retirees at this time. We provide them with food, medical care, exercise, mental stimulation, companionship and love. The majority of our horses have an ongoing special need like a chronic medical condition.
In order to help reduce the number of horses requiring sanctuary in the future, one of our major goals is education. We provide opportunities for people to learn about proper horse husbandry and to get hands on experience by getting involved in one of our programs.
We offer lessons in horsemanship which stress the importance of the relationship between horse and rider. In addition to lessons, we field an small and active show team which competes at a variety of horse show competitions throughout the season. We have active youth and adult clubs which teach members about the art of horse and stable management. We have a wonderful volunteer group which provides daily care for our horses while providing our volunteers hands on experience and involvement in horse care and management.
We assist the public in finding the information they need about horses. We offer guidance on choosing a lesson stable, acquiring a horse, keeping a horse at a boarding facility or on your own property, working through problems with your horse (behavioral, medical and training issues) and we try to help people learn to enjoy these wonderful animals responsibly.
We are working with local schools and private groups to custom taylor programs to get kids involved with horses. Horses can teach people so much and are regularly used in both physical and emotional therapy applications. In today's society of instant gratification and hi-tech saturation, it is important to learn to connect with and show compassion and responsibility for other creatures. Horses help get you off that couch, get outside outside and start interacting!
Many of our programs are free of charge or are associated with small donation fees. Our lesson and show programs generate a modest amount of income. The rest is provided by our family and the generosity of others. We have extensive costs each year so any and all donations are greatly appreciated.
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Our Residents At A Glance
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Hidden Haven Farm, aka "The Big Purple Barn," provides a permanent home to 14 equine residents. The majority of our horses are here because their adoption potential was limited due to behavioral or ongoing medical issues. We have taken the time to rehabilitate each horse and provide for their unique needs. Just because an animal requires some additional time and attention doesn't mean they are any less valuable than their healthier counterparts.
Many horses wind up in a rescue because of issues their owners are not prepared to address. Sometimes a horse lives such a long time that the children they were once the loyal companions of grow up and leave them behind. Then there are the horses who are seized by humane control officers due to extreme neglect and/or abuse and there are even stray horses.
It is our intention that none of our horses ever experience a life of despair ever again. We want to help other horses find their forever homes and teach the next generation to care for the animals in a more compassionate way so they don't wind up in shelters.
It is important to expose our youth to the joys of animals. Did you know that children who commit violence against animals often grow up to commit violence against other humans? By teaching our youth compassion and respect, we will build a better future for us all, humans and animals alike.
| Hidden Haven's Horses
At A Glance
14 Permanent residents
3 Morgan Horses
1 Arabian Horse
1 Quarter Horse
3 Thoroughbreds
3 Welsh/Shetland Pony Crosses
2 Appaloosa Ponies
1 Quarter Horse/ TB Cross
Resident Summary:
5 Mares
9 Geldings
TOTAL : 14
1 SUPER Senior (age 29)
2 Retirees
5 Ponies
7 Horses
Health care Issues include: Seizures/Neurological, Allergies, Chronic Gas Colic, Arthritis,
Recurrent Non- Malignant Tumors (Sarcoids)
Bowed Tendon, Hearing/Vision Loss, "Tying Up" Syndrome, Chronic Ulcers
Recurrent Uveitus or "moon blindness", Navicular Syndrome
and Dental Damage/Abscesses (from chronic wind sucking & aging), Equine Sqamouc Cell Carcinoma
Equine Metabolic Syndrome/Laminitis
Lymes Disease
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Tara Guevara: Program Director, Instructor
Barbara Wahle: Barn Manager, Volunteer Coordinator
Savanah Shade: Volunteer Staff, Lesson & Show Team Assistant Coach
Emily Leach: Volunteer Staff, Lesson Assistant, Show Team Assistant Coach
Manny Flores: Volunteer Staff
Volunteers Taylor, Anda, Emily, Bre, Elizabeth, Meagan, Megan, Zeke, Ruth, Maranda, Rebecca, Arvella, Sammy, Margaret, Leanna, Eric, Nicole, Melanie, AJ and an AWESOME list of more volunteers too numerous to manage...
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