Our Story
Willow’s Haven Farm Sanctuary was born out of the desire to allow Willow to live out the rest of her life in safety. While Willow had wonderful owners before the foundation of WHFS, she found herself in need of a new ownership arrangement through no fault of anyone involved. Willow’s extensive medical history and her larger than life personality did not make her a prime candidate to get adopted as a lawn ornament, rather it is far more likely that she would have bounced from home to home until she at some point found herself in the slaughter pipeline and thus, Willow’s Haven Farm Sanctuary was born. We don’t see Willow’s value in what she can do for us, we see her value in who she is. Willow’s story isn’t unique and while we recognize that many horses won’t end up in safety, Willow and all the horses we rescue in the future will get their happily ever after.
Impact
Willow is currently thriving in the care of WHFS. She enjoys her large stall as well as turnout with her friends and happily fulfills her role of perpetual toddler who has to “do everything herself”. She never misses the opportunity to grab a quick snack or say hi to anyone who comes to visit. Since WHFS is committed to keeping Willow’s life exactly as it was before she came into our care, her daily routine hasn’t changed and she is as happy as always...unless you are one minute late to feed her dinner!
Opportunities
Our horses are looking for monthly sponors!
In additon to the monthly needs of Willow and Kyle we also have a waiting list of horses needing sanctuary. We cant do this without you! In order for us to take a horse into sanctuary, their monthly expenses have to be fully sponsored in order to ensure that we will be able to provide them with the same excellent care that Willow and Kyle receive. Would you consider sponsoring one of our two waiting list horses today?
Monthly Sponsorship Perks
Your monthly donation of $10 or
more gets you a FREE t-shirt
Your monthly donation of $25 or more
earns you a FREE t-shirt plus quarterly letters from your sponsored horse.
Your monthly donation of $50 or more earns you all of the above plus a semi annual morning or afternoon with your sponsored horse! Spend time grooming, bathing (as weather allows), hand walking, and just spending time with your sponsored friend!
Scroll down to choose your sponsored horse and read their story!
Willow
Sponsor Willow
Willow is looking for monthly sponsors! She is a 22 year old Tennessee Walking horse who happens to be our sanctuary mascot! Willow's previous owners were wonderful! They purchased her from a less than favorable situation, sent her to Virginia Tech for surgery on three of her feet, spent countless hours grooming/doctoring, and loved her well! Unfortunately sometimes situations change and while it was out of their control, they had to find a new home for Willow. Willow's Haven Farm Sanctuary was born out of a desire to make sure that she had a safe place to land since Willow is unable to be ridden due to a variety of physical issues (some of which she has carried her whole life). These days she is on a mission to show our community that being ridden isn't what gives a horse value. They are worthy of love and care regardless of physical abilities. You can often find Willow out and about in our community doing what she does best... gently interacting with children, putting smiles on people's faces, and making sure that everyone feels seen. She leads with her kind heart and gentle spirit.
Your monthly donation to Willow's care will help us provide her with a stall at Flat Rock Equestrian Estate which she needs to help keep her comfortable and moving around at her best. It will also help purchase her feed and medical supplies; help cover her farrier bill every six weeks, and provide for her daily care. Would you help fund Willow's monthly needs so she can keep doing what she loves?
Kyle
Sponsor Kyle
Kyle is looking for monthly sponsors! Kyle is a 20 year old Thoroughbred who ran under the name Heezafrequentflyer. Kyle had a successful career on the racetrack and was retired in good physical condition by his incredibly devoted breeder/trainer team. Kyle's team provided well for him in retirement, ensuring that he had a good home and a quality second career as an eventer. Due to an unfortunate set of events, Kyle accidentally ended up in the wrong hands following a change in life circumstances of his young owner. In the wrong hands, he fell into a state of neglect and mismanagement. He was riddled with hoof abscesses, was severely underweight, suffered a bout of ulcers, and had turned aggressive as a way to protect himself. The Kyle today is much different than the Kyle we adopted. He is no longer fearful or distrusting, his coat glistens in the sun, his feet are in excellent shape, and his digestive tract has healed. Now he is lovingly referred to as the "Land Shark" not for the aggressive biting he came to us displaying, but for the playful and somewhat mischievous nibbles Kyle will occasionally offer. With Kyle, Willow's Haven has successfully done what we do best. We took a hurting and desperate horse and provided him hope and a future. Now Kyle can go show our world the power of kindness and healing. We hope to be able to use Kyle in an equine assisted psychotherapy program at Flat Rock Equestrian Estate as we've found that his grounded presence powerfully connects with the humans in front of him.
Your monthly donation to Kyle's care will help us provide him with a spot to live at Flat Rock Equestrian Estate for the rest of his life. It will also help purchase his feed and medical supplies; help cover his farrier bill every six weeks, and provide for his daily care. Would you help us fund Kyle's care as he cares for others?
Shasta
Sponsor Shasta
Shasta is looking for monthly sponsors! She is a 32 year old Quarter Horse who is living her best retired life. She is remarkably spry and sassy for her age and can be found hazing new residents at Flat Rock Equestrian Estate should they happen to be bunking next to her in the barn and taking nice, long, daytime naps. Shasta has been owned by the same kind and thoughtful owner for the last 29 years. While Shasta's owner loves her very much, life circumstances have dictated that she needs a new and permanent place to land. While waiting to become part of Willow’s Haven, Shasta is being cared for personally by our founder and has a few medical issues that will need to be addressed in the very near future. The most pressing need is a molar extraction. Due to her age, some of her teeth have started to die and this one particular tooth communicates with her sinus cavities and causes chronic sinus infections. Ouch!! Your monthly donation will help us adopt Shasta and provide for her immediate medical needs and her continued care. We hope to allow Shasta to continue her happy retired life for many years to come. It's not unheard of for horses to live into their 40s and with Shasta's fighting spirit, we aim to afford her that opportunity if she so chooses!
Your monthly donation to Shasta's care will help us ADOPT HER and provide her with a stall (which she needs for physical reasons) at Flat Rock Equestrian Estate for the rest of her hopefully long life. It will also help purchase her feed and medical supplies; help cover her farrier bill every six weeks, and provide for her daily care. Would you help us adopt Shasta?
Harley
Harley is looking for monthly sponsors! He is a 22 year old Quarter Horse/Arabian/Morgan cross who is unable to be ridden due to a stifle issue. Harley is a good, snuggly boy who likes to hang out with his friends in the field. He enjoys a good brushing and never turns down a treat. Harley is on our waiting list to be adopted by Willow’s Haven after his wonderful longtime owner was unable to continue to afford his care. Harley is Cushing positive and requires daily medication. He is currently cared for by our founder in order to ensure that he had a safe place to land while he is waiting to become part of Willow’s Haven. Your monthly donation will help us adopt Harley and provide for his continued care. We hope to allow Harley to become one of our traveling ambassadors! Look for him out and about in our community!
Your monthly donation to Harley's care will help us ADOPT HIM and provide him with a spot to live at Flat Rock Equestrian Estate for the rest of his life. It will also help purchase his feed and medical supplies; help cover his farrier bill every six weeks, and provide for his daily care. Would you help us adopt Harley?
Sponsor Harley
Events
We are thrilled to host our first ever trail ride this fall! Stay tuned for more information! If you have questions in the mean time, please do not hesitate to call/text us! 540-908-8454
Out in the Community
Board of Directors
Ruthie Vander Lugt
Sherri Kondash
Isabella Stunda
Willow’s Haven Farm Sanctuary
19539 Cold Spring Rd.
Timberville, VA 22853
540-908-8454
whfsanctuary@gmail.com
