TRYON – Another great Tryon non-profit is getting national attention as Untacked Magazine featured Helping Equines Regain Dignity (HERD) in its January issue. Untacked Magazine is a bi-monthly printed lifestyle publication produced by the staff of The Chronicle of the Horse. The HERD article by Kieran Paulsen was featured in the magazine’s Charity Spotlight section. 

Tryon residents Heather and Scott Freeman started HERD in the spring of 2016 by. 

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be spotlighted in Untacked,” said Heather Freeman. “There are a lot of good horse rescues throughout the country and we’re proud to be listed as one to watch.” 

Today the 501(c)3 organization has helped more than 300 horses. However, unlike many horse rescues, rather than warehousing horses, HERD goes about their rescue efforts a little differently.  

Freeman credits the organization’s success to the idea of running it more like a business. While they occasionally take in babies or extremely debilitated horses, the organization typically focuses on young horses that have the best chance of being rehomed as a potential riding or working horse. In addition to good feed and veterinary care, HERD also professionally evaluates and trains their rescued horses to maximize the abilities and potential of each individual.  

The organization draws on the many wonderful resources in the Foothills horse community and across the country for a great network of volunteers to help house and care for the horses.  

“Our community has made it possible to do this,” Freeman said. “I don’t know of other locations in the country with so many people that love horses and with the diversification [of horse disciplines] we have in this area.” 

Many local veterinarians, farriers and trainers have stepped up to help rehabilitate and/or retrain HERD’s horses to make them suitable for new homes. While some of the rescues stay on the Freeman’s property, during their rehab, many of the horses are fostered out to not only local homes, but homes across the country. 

Freeman originally began finding horses from a local dealer who sold “killers” that would be shipped to Mexican slaughterhouses. Now, through social media, HERD is able to connect horses in need with potential homes throughout the country.  

Those adopting a horse donate and adoption fee to help cover expenses. HERD also has many good fundraising resources and a network of horse lovers to help raise the funds to cover the costs of rescuing, rehabilitating and retraining the horses.  

To read the entire article in Untacked, visit www.chronofhorse.com, or for more information about HERD visit www.herdrescue.org.