Traveller's Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary

All proceeds generated by this Zazzle store will support the rehabiliation and care of the senior horses living at Traveller's Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary in Spotsylvania, Virginia. View all products

In a perfect world, there would be no need for an organization such as Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary. In a perfect world, aging horses would be cared for by the families they faithfully served in their younger days. In a perfect world, horses would not be passed to new homes with increasing frequency as their physical abilities fade and their care needs increase.

We do not, however, live in a perfect world.

Many elder horses are retired to back pastures to “let nature take its course” and allow the horses to die of “natural causes.” Many senior equine live for years in malnourished conditions because some people believe it is acceptable for old horses to be thin. Often, aged horses are sold or given to new owners as a safe “first horse,” when first time horse owners may not have the experience needed to recognize seniors’ changing needs.

Since we do not live in a perfect world, Traveller’s Rest was founded to promote the humane care of elderly equine through education and example. TREES is home to senior equine that have fallen victim to neglect, abandonment, or catastrophic events in their owners’ lives. Most are considered special needs, having physical challenges or long-term but manageable illnesses.

For more information on the Sanctuary and its residents, please visit the TREES website at http://www.equineelders.org. Keep up with the latest news on the TREES blog at http://www.equineelders.blogspot.com