Big Hoof Horse Rescue and Sanctuary

10/21/2026

The final MyGivingCircle Grants Round of 2026 is here, and every eligible charity that reaches 15,000 votes is guaranteed a grant this December!

We already have 1,194 votes, and with your help, we can hit the target and secure a guaranteed grant before the year ends. 💖

Please take a minute to vote for us for free at
👉 https://mygivingcircle.org/big-hoof-horse-rescue-and-sanctuary-inc/vote?affiliate=mgcCshare

Every free vote brings us closer to a grant that helps us continue our important work and you can vote once a week at https://mygivingcircle.org/big-hoof-horse-rescue-and-sanctuary-inc/vote?affiliate=mgcCshare

Plus if you make a donation to us at MyGivingCircle we get 1 vote for every $ you donate - even more if you become a monthly giver!

Donate here:
👉 https://mygivingcircle.org/big-hoof-horse-rescue-and-sanctuary-inc/donate?affiliate=mgcCshare

It only takes a minute to help, and your support truly makes a difference. Thank you for helping us get one step closer to a guaranteed grant!

💞 Vote and donate today at
https://mygivingcircle.org/big-hoof-horse-rescue-and-sanctuary-inc/vote?affiliate=mgcCshare

p.s please share this post with your friends and family to make sure we reach 15,000 votes

Each year MyGivingCircle gives $2,500,000 in grants and donations

10/21/2026

10/19/2026

A weekly Vote is free! However, You can give more to increase our chances to win. A share can reach so many as well.
Thank you

Takes 10 seconds. Share this and make it count.

09/28/2026

Voting closes Wednesday 30 Sep 2026 6:00AM at MyGivingCircle and we could be sharing in a $66,000 grant with your help at

https://mygivingcircle.org/big-hoof-horse-rescue-and-sanctuary-inc/vote?affiliate=mgcCshare

All we need to do is finish as a Top #20 USA & Canada charity to get a grant.

Please vote for us for free before 30 Sep 2026 6:00AM at https://mygivingcircle.org/big-hoof-horse-rescue-and-sanctuary-inc/vote?affiliate=mgcCshare and share this post so others can vote as well.

Thanks for your generous support and please remember to vote at https://mygivingcircle.org/big-hoof-horse-rescue-and-sanctuary-inc/vote?affiliate=mgcCshare

Share this and help them win. It costs nothing.

06/15/2026

💛 Celebrating Our Graduate, Carly Bottner

Today we get to celebrate someone who has become a true cornerstone of our barn family, Carly, our brilliant, big‑hearted barn guru, who is officially graduating high school.

Carly, you’ve shown up for our horses and our humans with a level of dedication, compassion, and grit far beyond your years. You’ve mucked stalls in every season, hauled water in every kind of weather, soothed anxious horses, handled the spicy ones with patience, and cared for each member of our herd like they were your own. The trust they place in you, that quiet, honest horse‑trust , is something you’ve earned through consistency and kindness.

From all of us at Big Hoof, two‑legged and four‑legged alike — we are so proud of you.
You’ve made our barn better, our days easier, and our horses happier. Your work ethic, your heart, and your steady presence have left a mark on this place that won’t fade.

As you step into this next chapter, know that you carry our love, our gratitude, and a whole herd cheering you on.

Congratulations, Carly. The world is lucky to have you trotting into it.

All our Love,

Colleen, Karen, Ginger

And of course the whole herd!

06/04/2026

✨ Big Hoof Received a Wonderful Surprise Today!

Our amazing barn volunteer Carly Bottner, showed up with the kind of news that makes your whole week brighter.
Thanks to her nomination, the Honor Society at Genesee Valley BOCES selected Big Hoof Horse Rescue to receive a $250 donation.

We are absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful.

Thank you, Carly, for thinking of us, advocating for us, and always showing up with so much heart.
And thank you to the Honor Society students for choosing to support our sanctuary horses, your generosity truly makes a difference.

From all of us at Big Hoof, and from the horses who benefit directly from your kindness… thank you. 🐴💛

05/14/2026

Buster Has Officially Earned His Sanctuary Wings

Buster, one of our rescues from last year, has officially been placed in permanent Sanctuary status with Karen, our VP/Treasurer. Over the past months he has settled so deeply into her barn, her routine, and her quiet way of caring that it became clear:
he is home.

Because of his vision limitations, consistency and familiarity are everything for him, and he has truly flourished in the environment Karen has created. He even has his very own seeing‑eye horse who guides him with the kind of gentle loyalty only horses can offer.

Buster’s needs are simple and his expenses are minimal, but like all sanctuary horses, he will require lifelong care. If anyone feels moved to contribute to his ongoing comfort, whether through a one‑time gift or a monthly sponsorship; we would be deeply grateful. Every bit helps us continue giving horses like Buster the safe, predictable, love‑filled life they deserve.

Thank you for celebrating him with us, and for supporting the quiet, important work of sanctuary care.

04/14/2026

Hello everyone, my daughter passed away on Friday the 10th. As many of you know, I already pour my earnings and savings into the rescue. Therefore my resources have been extremely limited. I don’t like to ask for much if ever. But we are in a tight situation. Times are tough and as I have always said even if you can not donate, a share is just as much care.

I’ve started a GoFundMe ( https://gofund.me/a6e7fb5ff ) to help with the costs of bringing Winter home and arranging for her cremation. Because her passing occurred out of state, we’re having to work with two funeral homes, and the expenses will likely be significant. I know some folks don’t always feel comfortable using GoFundMe because of the fees, so I’m also sharing my personal Venmo for anyone who prefers that route.

VENMO: https://venmo.com/u/Colleen-Cole-28

We are still deciding whether her ashes will be placed at graveside. I’m fortunate to already have plots on each side of her Daddy, or whether she will stay with me. Either way, I know he has her in heaven, and that brings a small measure of comfort.

Thank you, truly, to everyone who has already stepped in with support, compassion, and love. I feel every bit of it, and it’s helping hold me up right now.

03/24/2026

Another shout‑out to Carly — a young lady we could sing praises of all day. Our organization is stronger because of her. She’s talented, dedicated, and wise beyond her years, and she shows up every single day with honesty, integrity, and reliability.

When the time comes for her to spread her wings — and believe me, she will — we’ll feel the loss deeply. She’s truly irreplaceable. But like all wonderful young souls, there’s a much bigger world waiting for her to experience and explore, and we’re proud to have been even a small part of her journey.

12/31/2025

🚨 Our friends at Dorset Equine Rescue urgently need help.

Nine horses were found in devastating conditions, including four who had been trapped in stalls for years, standing in over 5 feet of manure. Dorset, along with several partner organizations, stepped in immediately to get every horse out safely and into veterinary care.

Now they’re facing more than $25,000 in medical, transport, and rehabilitation costs as these horses begin their long road to healing.

If you’re able, please consider supporting their emergency fundraiser. Every donation directly impacts the care and recovery of these nine horses.

👉 Donate here:
https://dorsetequinerescue.networkforgood.com/projects/271562-one-last-rescue-before-the-year-ends

Or mail to:
The Dorset Equine Rescue
P.O. Box 92
East Dorset, VT 05253

Thank you for helping Dorset give these horses the future they deserve. 💙🐴