When Fred Snow bought an old golf course in Ottawa, Kansas seven years ago, he wasn't interested in sinking putts or making it under par. He had a much different plan for the large parcel of lush land. With the addition of a few fences and run-in sheds, Snow turned the area into a haven for senior horses. Today, Lake Georgia-Sue Horse Rehabilitation has helped dozens of horses, and it's a place that inspires people to always choose compassion and kindness.
Snow's remodeled golf course is a place where senior horses go to find relaxation along with the care they need. Snow told local news reporters that most of the horses that walk through the gates simply have nowhere else to go. Once they reach a certain age, no one else wants them. Most are not abused or neglected, but Snow says many of his horses hadn't been ridden in over a decade. Without Lake Georgia-Sue Horse Rehabilitation, most would have ended up in kill pens.
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Photo via Facebook/Lake Georgia Sue Horse Rehabilitation
Snow said,
"We get a lot of calls, 'Would you take this horse?' We've never said no."
Every time a new horse comes to the center, the goal is to always do what's right for that horse. Sometimes, the horse needs a permanent place to enjoy their golden years. Snow and his team of dedicated volunteers are more than willing to care for the horses for the rest of their lives.
In other situations, horses need a temporary place for rehabilitation before they move on to new homes. Out of the 52 horses taken in last year, all but five ended up finding permanent homes.
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Life at the senior horse rehabilitation center is full of green grass, fresh air, and smiling faces. Volunteers of all ages handle the daily chores and ensure all horses receive the care they need. Their love of horses fuels their dedication, and Snow says his organization is neither a charity nor a business. He calls it a "variety of people coming together with a hobby." That shared hobby is a commitment to helping horses in need, and they set an example that shows people and horses that age is just a number.
Be sure to follow Lake Georgia-Sue Horse Rehabilitation on Facebook to support their important mission to give every senior horse a loving home.
Horse Courses by Elaine Heney
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- Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
h/t: WMC 5
