We are a 501(c)(3) horse rescue focused on saving horses that are capable of being rehomed. We started back in October 2023 with a few horses headed for slaughter in Texas. Our goal is to pull horses nearing the slaughter ship date that we feel can rest, be rehabilitated and matched to a loving, committed new home. After decompressing at our barn, we help them learn how to trust people, be in a public barn and start retraining for their next chapter in life.

This process must be pursued with patience. A rescued horse often stays with us for over a year, working and healing. We provide vet care, dental care, vaccines, deworming and often extensive hoof care. The horses work with our awesome team of trainers to learn manners and reduce anxiety. We provide top quality hay, grain and dietary supplements to carefully get our horses back to health along a carefully managed plan. Our rescues have blossomed into healthy, happy companions in carefully vetted homes.

Some of our horses are ready for adoption. All adoption fees will go right back into the rescue to save more from slaughter. Any horse that cannot be rehomed will remain a loved member of our barn. Contact us today to discuss adoption, a tax deductible donation or volunteer opportunities!

Q. How many horses does New Life Equine Rescue and Lodge NFP care for?

Our maximum capacity at the current time is 10 horses. This number has been determined by our physical capacity to house horses, the manpower available to care for them, and our available funds to pay for their ongoing care. 

Q. Where does New Life Equine get their horses?

We actively pursue horses in the slaughter pipeline that are closest to their ship dates. We aim to help mares in foal, orphaned foals and those horses most in need of rest and rehabilitation. We do accept owner surrenders from people facing extreme situations in which the life, health, or safety of their horse is at risk. We do not take horses from auction.

Q. What is New Life Equine’s euthanasia policy?

We adhere to the guidelines for euthanasia as set forth by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) which can be found online at https://aaep.org/euthanasia-guidelines-2011

We may consider euthanasia as an option when one or more of the following is apparent:

1. The horse is suffering and that suffering cannot be relieved within a reasonable amount of time
2. The horse has a severe injury or illness, and the only alternative to euthanasia is some type of medical treatment that is not guaranteed to work or is beyond our financial means
3. The horse’s quality of life is poor
4. The horse’s problem is chronic/unfixable and cannot be reasonably managed
5. The horse is a danger to itself or to others, and training has been attempted and failed

As many of the above are subjective criteria, euthanasia will always be considered on a case-by-case basis. If euthanasia is deemed to be the best option, it will be performed by a licensed veterinarian using humane lethal injection.

Q. How does New Life Equine determine its adoption fees?

The general price structure we go by is as follows:

• horses that are deemed as riding prospects and in good health will be available for fees of $1,500 and up depending on age, training and general maintenance required,
• companion horses: $500

We reserve the right to reduce or waive fees as needed to accommodate a committed home. We do charge for our companion horses in order to further our rescue efforts and discourage resale. For those unable to pay the required adoption fee, we would encourage sponsorship or volunteer time to strengthen the relationship to the horse and supplement your application offer.

Q. Does New Life Equine allow adopted horses to be sold?

We are looking for loving, lifetime homes for our horses. We do not adopt to individuals simply looking for a resale project. However, we do understand that the need to rehome may arise due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, loss of a job or farm, moving out of state, etc. Our policy is that adopters may not transfer the horse to another party without written permission from New Life Equine Rescue and Lodge NFP. We will ask the potential new owners to submit an adoption application and go through our adoption process. Provided the new home meets our adoption criteria, we will approve the request and we will ask the new owner/guardians to sign an adoption contract. The goal is not to disallow an adopter from selling a horse, it is simply to ensure that a previously rescued horse never ends up in a bad situation again.

Q. What if the horse does not work out for me, can I return the horse?

During the first 30 days of the adoption, if a horse turns out to not be a good match for the adopter, we will allow the horse to be returned to us. Beyond the initial 30 day period, the adopter assumes all responsibility for the ongoing care and stewardship of the horse. Before signing an adoption contract with New Life Equine, all adopters must understand that New Life Equine’s mission is to rescue horses in desperate situations of abuse, neglect, and starvation. Once a horse leaves our program for its adoptive home, its space will be filled by another horse in need of our help. For that reason, we cannot take horses back after the initial 30 day period just because the adopter no longer wants the horse. If we have the capacity, we will try to provide sanctuary for the horse. Although it is our intention that every adoption will last for the lifetime of the horse, we understand that is not always possible, which is why we will permit adopted horses to be rehomed, provided the adopter notifies us prior to rehoming the horse, allows us to evaluate and approve the new adopter, and signs a new Adoption Contract with New Life Equine.

If circumstances arise that put the horse or its adopter in serious jeopardy, New Life Equine may allow the owner to surrender the horse back to us. This is dependent on having room for the horse at our facility, and may involve a waiting period until a space opens up and/or a surrender fee. These situations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we will work with the adopter to determine the best course of action for the horse.

Q. Does New Life Equine allow adopted horses to be euthanized?

Humane euthanasia, when conducted by a licensed veterinary professional, is considered a kind and acceptable end to a horse’s life. We ask we be notified about euthanasia of any of our former horses, but in cases of veterinary emergency, when euthanasia is intended to stop suffering, we trust the adopter to use his or her best judgement and do what is best for the horse without delay.

Under no circumstances may a horse from New Life Equine Rescue and Lodge be sent to a feedlot, auction or kill pen for slaughter to be disposed of. We consider these methods of destroying a horse inhumane and cruel and we do not permit any New Life Equine horse to be put down via any method except humane euthanasia performed by a licensed veterinarian.

Jodi and Derek established New Life Equine Rescue and Lodge NFP because they love animals and have a passion for rescuing horses. In the past year, they have organized a team of devoted volunteers, rescued eight horses and begun rehoming the safest, calmest and best suited candidates. The journey has been long with a daily commitment to horse care, desensitization and training. They work tirelessly to provide these horses the nourishment, love and security that they need in order to thrive in their new homes! With her extensive experience training and breeding horses, Jodi is particularly adept at monitoring mares in foal, gentling unhandled horses and monitoring young horse development. Jodi has more than a decade of experience in barn management and as a horse trainer.