After the holidays are over, are you left with presents and wrapping paper littered about your feet; your stomach bloated from too many cookies; exhaustion from spending the equivalent time shopping as you would at a part-time job; and the overwhelming sense that you somehow just missed the point? There is a cure. Simplify (set a price cap, pick names instead of buying for everyone) and, instead of spending all your money and time in a mall-spend it helping human and/or non-human animals in need.

If you don't have a favorite horse non-profit or don't know why you should give to a horse charity-when your own horse costs so %^$%# much-allow me to give you 7 reasons why you should give and 8 great Northwest Horse Non-profits to support.

7 Reasons to Give

1. Good horse rescues and aid groups value all horses regardless of whether they are able to be ridden or not; old or young. They take care of the horses that many of us may not want to buy. Isn't this magnificent animal worth protection regardless of whether or not it has the perfect conformation, brilliant movement, or is the ideal age?

2. If you have ever sold a horse(s), or fell in love with a school horse-are you sure you know they lived their lives out long and happily? If they were ever in a bad home-wouldn't you want to know there are people out there working to protect horses like yours?

3. These local groups are helping horses near you. They do not have big budgets and usually don't sell or trade your name with other national groups. If not all-most of your donation will go completely to the horses.

4. For the following non-profits-your donation is tax-deductible. *All are 501(c)(3) organizations-the Oregon Horse Welfare Council falls under Equamore for donations.

5. Most of the people who work for these groups are volunteers, yet they are on the frontlines dealing with some of the worst neglect and abuse imaginable. Many of the groups below, such as Second Chance, have been hit hard by the recession and are scrambling to provide for their animals. Don't you want to arm them with the right resources to help the horses?

6. It's easy-most of the groups listed below have an option to donate via their website using Paypal.

7. It feels wonderful to give to those in need. You might become so addicted to the hangover-less holiday that you end up becoming a regular volunteer with your favorite horse organization.

Following is information on a few fine Northwest Horse charities along with their wish list. I hope you will consider helping them out today! Most of the rescues listed below were recommended by others in the rescue community. I encourage you to take the time to research your charity of choice. Make sure you believe in their mission; if you have the time, visit their facility; and ask about their non-profit status (501(c)(3)).

8 Northwest Horse Charities

1. Clark County Executive Horse Council (CCEHC) Adopt-A-Horse Program

PO Box 65008, Vancouver, WA 98665, Attn: Adopt-A-Horse Program, www.ccehc.org
Contact: Pat Brown 360-666-7978; ptsy45@aol.com

CCEHC's Adopt-a-horse program was created to help horses relinquished to Animal Control because of neglect or cruelty. The program helps place needy horses into foster homes & ensures they have food, shelter & care until a loving permanent home can be found.

Wish List

Donations (to help with vet checks, vaccinations, hoof trims, teeth floats, etc.)
Local Horse Feed/Hay Store gift cards
Used tack for fundraising used tack sales
Wormer, feed, supplements
Volunteers: equine professionals to assist in training, vet care, hoof trimming; people willing to transport relinquished horses, deliver hay, help out cleaning tack for sale, etc.
Loving adoptive or foster homes

2. Ripley's Horse Aid Foundation (R.H.A.F.)

7609 Healy Road, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284; www.freewebs.com/rhaf/
Contact: Wilma Tronstad 360-770-6499; ripleyshaf@gmail.com

Ripley's Horse Aid Foundation is an all volunteer neglect prevention organization that provides short term assistance to horse owners in need, thus reducing the number of equines needing rescue services. RHAF is not a horse rescue, but rather helps provide feed & care vouchers to horse owners through local animal control agencies, along with educating the owner on proper horse care.

Wish List

Financial Donation to go to vouchers for hay, grain, hoof care, euthanasia, carcass removal & veterinary care. You can specify which Washington County you would like your donation to go to, provided there is a Ripley's representative in that county.
Volunteer program directors & onsite providers in your county to help administer Ripley's work with local animal control.

3. Wind Haven Horse Rescue

800 Luebke Road, Toutle, WA. 98649; www.windhavenhorserescue.com
Contact: Julie Jacobs 360-520-5628; julie@windhavenhorserescue.com

Wind Haven Horse Rescue takes in horses that are in dire situations. Collaborates with animal control to offer a safe rehabilitation home including vet, farrier, & dental care; training; & adoption to a permanent loving home. Also offering education within growing outreach programs.

Wish List

Financial Donations
Home Depot & building supply gift cards
Volunteers including professional, farrier, veterinarian, carpentry
Building materials/sheet metal
Hog Fuel/Sawdust
Orchard/alfalfa hay & oats
Horse equipment
Field Harrow
Sponsorship
Free advertisement
Loving adoptive homes

4. Second Chance Ranch

PO Box 899, Elma, WA 98541; www.secondchanceranch.org
Contact: Katie Merwick 360-861-8056; info@secondchanceranch.org

Second Chance Ranch specializes in Thoroughbred rehabilitation, retraining (from racing) & rescue. 40-plus horse residents come from the track, auctions & feedlots, & after being confiscated by authorities. Most of the horses are adopted out, although room is reserved for a limited number of permanent retirees who need sponsors. While priority is given to race horses coming off the track & homeless horses or those in dire need, services are extended to horse owners in the community through education, community outreach & virtual placement programs.

Wish List

Financial donations (to pay for feed & veterinary & hoof care)
Feed (hay, alfalfa pellets, senior, Probiotic, salt)
Gift Card to feed store near Elma
Desperate for foster homes to care for horses over the winter (see our “Home for the holidays” program via our website).
Sponsors to donate to a resident horse
Loving adoptive or foster homes

5. People Helping Horses

24717 43rd Ave NE, Arlington, WA 98223; www.peoplehelpinghorses.org
Contact: Gretchen Salstrom 360-435-9393; info@peoplehelpinghorses.org

PHH is dedicated to improving the horse to human relationship by providing Therapeutic Riding, Rehabilitation, Adoptive Services & Community Outreach. Currently have 47 rescues in the program, from newly born to 20+ years old. Providing Therapeutic Riding to 30 disabled children & adults in Snohomish & King counties.

Wish List

Financial Donations
Fleece Coolers
Wormer
Shampoo/Conditioner
Waterproof Turnouts (66” - 72”)
A PLUMBER!
Volunteers to help with programs
Loving adoptive homes

6. Equamore Foundation

4723 Highway 66, Ashland, OR 97520; www.equamore.org
Contact: Linda Davis 541-482-5550; Linda@equamorefoundation.org

The Equamore Foundation fosters compassionate & responsible treatment of horses through outreach, education, & intervention by training volunteers to provide a safety net for abused, abandoned, or aged horses without alternatives for their care. Cooperation with animal welfare groups, public & private schools, & law enforcement extends reach into the local community & throughout Oregon. Supported entirely by tax-exempt donations, the Foundation depends on your support to care for its 28 equine residents.

Wish List

Cash Donations
Hay & Straw
Truck
Golf Cart
Fencing Supplies
Horse Trailer
Warm outdoor clothing & riding apparel for students in Equamore training programs
Hay Storage Barn
Chain Saw
Garden Cart
Loving adoptive homes

7. Oregon Horse Welfare Council-Oregon Hay Bank

4723 Highway 66, Ashland, OR 97520; www.oregonhorsewelfarecouncil.com
Contact: Scott Beckstead 541-530-8509; sbeckstead@hsus.org

Oregon Horse Welfare Council is comprised of representatives from rescue organizations, horse professionals, state officials, law enforcement & concerned citizens from throughout Oregon to help horse owners struggling to provide for their animals; & to save horses from abuse, abandonment & neglect. The Council provides: hay & feed assistance, temporary foster home network, veterinary assistance, & euthanasia. Equamore (see above) financially administers the haybank program.

Wish List

For Oregon Hay Bank: cash donations, hay, pelleted feed, mineral blocks, horse blankets
For Free Horse Health Clinics: wormer, vaccine, veterinary service, farrier service, training service

8. Strawberry Mountain Mustangs

PO BOX 2133, Roseburg OR 97470; www.strawberrymountainmustangs.com
Contact: Darla Clark 541-784-5522; darla@strawberrymountainmustangs.com

Strawberry Mountain is dedicated to the rescue & rehabilitation of all breeds of horses (not just mustangs). Emphasizes owner assistance programs (castration & euthanasia assistance) & an active member of the Oregon Horse Welfare Council & the Oregon Hay Bank - providing hay to qualified owners or law enforcement in dire situations. High standard of care has gained the respect of law enforcement & humane officials throughout the state.

Wish List

Financial donations
Foster homes that provide training & care to a horse in need.
Senior Grain & Hay
Loving adoptive homes
Vet care is a huge expense. Donate directly or to our vet on our behalf: Bailey Vet Clinic (Strawberry Mountain account), 248 Garden Valley Blvd., Roseburg, OR 97470