named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Equine Assisted Learning Programs
Therapeutic and educational programs using rescued horses to support healing and connection for veterans and children with special needs
Hitch’s Memorial Emergency Fund
Fund established to provide urgent medical and emergency care for equines in critical need, inspired by the rescue and legacy of Hitch
Sanctuary Program
Provides permanent, loving homes for horses that are not adoptable and require lifelong care due to age or medical conditions
Sponsor a Horse
Monthly sponsorship program allowing donors to support the care of individual horses, covering feed, veterinary care, farrier services, and more
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Equine Rescue and Retirement Care 6 activities
- Engaging volunteers in daily equine careInvolves volunteers in routine care tasks such as feeding, stall cleaning, and manure removal, with a supervised onboarding period to ensure safety and proper handling practices.
- Managing equine adoption processAdministers a structured adoption program requiring application fees, veterinary evaluations for riding horses, and companion requirements for donkeys to ensure responsible placements and long-term animal welfare.
- Operating a year-round equine rescue and care facilityProvides continuous rescue, care, and emergency response services for equines seven days a week, maintaining daily operations including feeding, medical monitoring, and facility management.
- Providing lifelong sanctuary for non-adoptable equinesOffers permanent care and sanctuary for rescued horses and donkeys that are not suitable for adoption due to age, health, or behavioral issues, ensuring ongoing support including veterinary care, nutrition, and socialization.
- Providing medical and rehabilitative care for rescued equinesDelivers comprehensive veterinary care, dental services, farrier trims, emergency treatment, and behavioral training to rescued horses. Includes quarantine, positive reinforcement training, and urgent care through dedicated emergency funds.
- Rescuing and placing horses for adoptionRescues horses from neglect and abuse, provides them with medical care and rehabilitation, and facilitates their adoption into permanent homes. The organization has rescued over 1,000 horses and completed hundreds of successful adoptions.
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Therapeutic Equine-Assisted Programs 1 activity
- Operating Equine Assisted Learning programsRuns equine-assisted learning programs for veterans and children using rehabilitated horses, promoting healing and personal development through structured human-horse interactions.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.29M
Contributions & grants$1.90M83%
Program service revenue$391K17%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.97M
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$98K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$5.66M
Cash$968K
Investments$0
Liabilities$4.44M
Net assets$1.23M
Liquid reserves5.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +64.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 5
- GLEN ALBRIGHT — BOARD MEMBER
- JOI MURTORE — BOARD MEMBER
- KIM ZIMMERMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- MARY LOU TORTORELLO — PRESIDENT
- TOM ZIMMERMAN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 8
Who they work with
- Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Funder — Provided grant support through the Northeast Dutchess Fund to expand equine programs.
- Fidelity Charitable Partner — Partner institution through which donors can recommend grants to 13 Hands Equine Rescue.
- Garret’s Promise Partner — Partnered to bring the indoor education center project to life.
- Overlooked Hearts Partner — Founded by board member John Cortopassi, this 501(c)(3) organization shares a focus on animal rescue and welfare.
- Pacific Farms Inc. Partner — Partner organization providing professional training, care, and rehabilitation for rescued thoroughbreds.
- Schwab Charitable Partner — Partner institution through which donors can recommend grants to 13 Hands Equine Rescue.
- SignUpGenius Partner — Uses SignUpGenius as the official platform for scheduling volunteer shifts.
- local fire department Partner — Provided emergency response for a rescued geriatric horse following a life-threatening fall.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Group-Based Rescue for Equine Well-Being 132 orgsmethodology: group-based_equine_rescueBy rescuing unhandled and untrained thoroughbreds as bonded groups, we preserve their emotional stability and reduce trauma, because horses form deep social bonds that are critical to their psychological health.shared approach: Reciprocal Human-Animal Healing →
- Horse-Human Mutual Healing 132 orgsmethodology: horse-human bondBy integrating rescued horses into therapeutic and educational programs, we produce healing and confidence in both horses and people, because the horse-human bond is reciprocal and restorative for both species.shared approach: Reciprocal Human-Animal Healing →
- Positive Reinforcement as Rehabilitation 132 orgsmethodology: positive_reinforcement_trainingBy using positive reinforcement training (R+), we improve the emotional and behavioral health of rescued horses, because trust-based methods are more effective for sensitive or traumatized equines in developing confidence and human connections.shared approach: Reciprocal Human-Animal Healing →
- Permanent Sanctuary Model 30 orgsmethodology: permanent_sanctuary_careBy offering permanent sanctuary to horses from abusive or neglectful situations, we ensure long-term welfare and dignity, because ongoing safety and care are essential for full recovery and quality of life.shared approach: Rescue and Lifelong Sanctuary →
- Symbolic Conservation of Mustangs 30 orgsmethodology: symbolic-conservationBy rescuing and providing lifelong care for Mustangs, we honor their symbolic role as emblems of freedom and resilience, because their cultural significance strengthens public engagement and mission alignment.shared approach: Rescue and Lifelong Sanctuary →