California Woman Runs A Ranch In The Country That Is Home To 500 Rescue Horses

Mar 15, 2020 by apost team

A woman from California has created a paradise for horses after learning that many were in danger of being killed in slaughterhouses. Back in 2012, Alicia Goetz established Freedom Reigns Equine Sanctuary in San Benito County, where hundreds of horses now roam free in peace and beauty. Alicia created the sanctuary when she heard an alarming statistic: about 80,000 horses are killed each year in slaughterhouses.

In establishing Freedom Reigns, a 501c charity, Alicia used her own money to buy a 3,800-acre ranch. After fixing the ranch up, Alicia bought her first 150 horses in one year, she says in the video. Over the next four years, Alicia took in another 350 horses, so that the total population at Freedom Reigns sanctuary now rests at just over 500 horses, reports I Heart Horses.

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In an interview with the official Freedom Reigns Equine Sanctuary’s YouTube page, Alicia explains her process in adopting horses. The venerable animal lover says that most of the residents of Freedom Reigns come from feeding lots in Fallon, Nevada, the last stop that many horses have before being sent to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada. Alicia usually meets with other animal rescuers and those looking to adopt a horse at such places.

Alicia explains that while most horse sanctuaries are content to only adopt the foals, Alicia adopts mothers as well. From the perspective of the animal’s life, Alicia explains that she feels that adopting the mothers is important because they teach their foals proper horse behavior. Oftentimes, Alicia leaves the feeding lots with an entire family of horses.

Looking at the situation facing horses, Alicia feels that much of the problem rests with irresponsible horse owners. Alicia says that many of these individuals take in horses to have them as pets and then quickly discard them. Just as you would never abandon your dog or cat when they got older, Alicia says that people must come up with a larger solution for the long-term care of their horses.

Summing up her view of Freedom Reigns, Alicia says that while she cannot save all the horses from slaughterhouses, she can still save some. Although saving one horse will not change the world, Alicia is confident that it will change the life of that one horse, she explains in the video. Alicia looks forward to continuing her charitable deeds and giving her horses a good life well into the future.

What do you think of Alicia Goetz and Freedom Reigns Equine Sanctuary? How do you think we can better ensure that horses can enjoy a more ethical treatment in the world?