The Helping Hands group is an informal group of people (including members of the SMHC) who have banded together
with the goal of helping to save healthy, reusable Morgans from going to slaughter, and to take in unwanted
Morgans and find them a new, loving home. We are not a retirement centre for older or permanently injured horses.
Our main purpose is to rescue reusable and young horses from needless slaughter and return them to the equestrian
public. Not all Morgans that we help come from abusive/neglective situations, some come from private individuals
who want to find a good home for their horse, but don't have the time or knowledge to sell it privately and don't
want to send it to an auction, so they contact Helping Hands to find a good home. As you know horses that end up
at auctions do have a chance to get bid on by a caring family home, but they also risk the chance of being bid on
by a bad home or the meat man.
If you would like information on how you can become an adoptive or
foster home to one of these equines, volunteering info and other ways to help out, please contact the Helping Hand on
the Contacts page.
If you have a horse that you would like to surrender, or know of a horse in need please contact the Helping Hand
on the Contacts page.
What is Neglect? Neglect is defined as failure to provide sustenance and care sufficient to maintain an equine’s
good health. This includes food, water, shelter, veterinary and farrier care.
Recognizing Neglect
Poor weight: We have provided a chart outlining levels of horse body condition.
Open Henneke Chart in new window
Dehydration: Pinch the skin. If it takes more than three seconds to return to normal, the horse is dehydrated.
Shelter: Inspect the area. A horse should have at least a stand of trees. A three sided-shelter is recommended.
Veterinary Care: Equines need regular veterinary care to ensure their health. If a horse has signs of disease or
injury that are not being attended to by a veterinarian, it may be considered a case of neglect.
De-worming: De-worming is essential for horses’ health. Signs a horse is not receiving de-worming medication includes
abdominal bloating, and rub marks on tail and points of buttocks.
Farrier Care: Equine feet need to be cared for and maintained on a regular basis. If not, they will eventually
experience difficulty walking, or more serious hoof diseases. Inspect feet for condition, thrush and length. If they
appear to be too long, cracked, or infected, it may be considered a case of neglect.
