Vindicate Horse Rescue & Training

Vindicate Horse Rescue & Training Located in Reardan, WA. As a 501(c)3 organization, we rescue slaughter-bound horses to retrain them and give them a new lease on life.

We also do supported self-rehoming.

12/14/2025

What Is Colic?

Colic is a general term used to describe abdominal pain in horses. It can range from mild digestive upset to a life-threatening emergency, and it is one of the most common—and dangerous— medical conditions horses face.

In Woody’s case, colic means:
• Enlarged intestines, causing pain and slowing digestion
• Excess water in the fermentation portion of his stomach, disrupting normal gut function
• A pelvic impaction, where feed material becomes compacted and difficult to pass

These issues prevent food and gas from moving normally through the digestive tract, which is why Woody must be refed slowly and deliberately while we monitor him closely.

Colic is unpredictable. Some horses recover with careful management, while others require hospitalization, IV fluids, or surgery if their condition worsens.

Right now, Woody is in the monitoring phase.

He is not out of the woods—but we are doing everything possible to support his recovery.

To help with his $1,011.07 vet bill, or to donate towards the ShelterLogic we need for him: https://www.facebook.com/donate/24584724131201649/

12/12/2025

The night before last was a windy night, one of those “perfect storm” situations every rescue prepares for—but hopes never to face.

High winds were throwing debris across the property. It was Woody and his brother’s first winter here, and we’d been monitoring how they adapted—especially to heated water, which some horses take a while to accept. Stress + weather + changes in routine created the unfortunate conditions for a small bout of colic.

Thankfully, Woody is recovering, though not out of the woods yet.

But it reminded us of something we already knew:
We need a reliable, portable sick-bay area.
We’ve been slowly building toward that goal—collecting used panels, accepting a donated round pen from our founders—but we’re still missing one essential piece:
a movable shelter that can be positioned anywhere it’s needed most.

This time, Woody didn’t require quarantine.
But next time—be it another horse, another condition, or another unpredictable event—we want to be ready. And having a flexible, portable shelter could be the difference between stress and safety.

12/12/2025

Well, Woody went down with colic yesterday morning during breakfast. This video was after several minutes of laying down and rolling followed by some walking to try and move things around. I took this for the vet so they had perspective, but sharing it here for education.

Keep watch, we will post updates on how the vet visit and last night went for Woody a little later today.

To All the Non-Horse People: 🐴🗣 Horses can’t talk - but they communicate all the time.Every flick of an ear, swish of a ...
11/21/2025

To All the Non-Horse People:

🐴🗣 Horses can’t talk - but they communicate all the time.
Every flick of an ear, swish of a tail, or shift of weight tells you something. A pinned ear might say “I need space.” A soft nicker might mean “I’m glad you’re here.” Even the way they blink, breathe, or move their feet is part of the conversation.

Horses don’t use words, but they speak volumes through body language. The challenge (and the beauty) is learning how to listen. 🌾✨

Spend enough time with them and you realize they’re always “talking”:
👂 To each other - in herds, they build friendships and set boundaries without a sound.
❤️ To us - teaching patience, awareness, and respect if we’re willing to pay attention.

Communication with a horse isn’t about making them understand us — it’s about us learning to understand them.

To All the Non-Horse People: 😅🐴 The horse laying flat out in the field isn’t dead.Non-horse people panic when they see i...
11/14/2025

To All the Non-Horse People:

😅🐴 The horse laying flat out in the field isn’t dead.

Non-horse people panic when they see it - and to be fair, it does look dramatic. A 1,200 lb animal stretched across the ground like they’ve given up on life.

But the truth? They’re probably just taking a nap. 💤🌞

Horses actually sleep standing up most of the time, thanks to a special “locking” system in their legs. But to get deep, restorative sleep - the kind we need too - they have to lay down. So every now and then, they flop over in the pasture, legs out, lips drooping, completely relaxed.

It’s not always a crisis. Sometimes it’s just a horse enjoying a sunny afternoon and catching up on Z’s. 🌾☀️

So if you visit a barn and see a horse laid out like they’ve passed on... don’t panic.

Chances are, they’re just dreaming about hay. 😉

To All the Non-Horse People: 🐴❤️ Bonds with horses are built - not bought.You can buy the most expensive horse, the fanc...
11/07/2025

To All the Non-Horse People:

🐴❤️ Bonds with horses are built - not bought.

You can buy the most expensive horse, the fanciest saddle, or the best trainer in the world... but none of that guarantees trust.

Horses don’t care about your bank account, your job title, or your trophies. What they care about is consistency, patience, and how you show up for them day after day. 🌾

A bond grows in the small moments:
✨ Scratching that one itchy spot they can’t reach.
✨ Waiting quietly until they’re ready to come to you.
✨ Learning their quirks and respecting their boundaries.
✨ Showing up in the cold, the heat, and the rain to care for them.

Trust isn’t instant. It’s earned, one soft nicker, one step forward, one ride at a time. And when it finally clicks? There’s nothing more powerful than a horse choosing you back. 💫🐎

🐾 Happy Shelter Appreciation Week! 🐾 This week, we celebrate the unsung heroes who pour their hearts into caring for an...
11/02/2025

🐾 Happy Shelter Appreciation Week! 🐾

This week, we celebrate the unsung heroes who pour their hearts into caring for animals in need - shelters, rescues, and their incredible teams all around the globe. From early morning feedings to late-night wellness checks, their dedication changes lives every single day.

At Vindicate Horse Rescue, we’re proud to be part of this mission, giving horses (and sometimes other critters) a second chance at a safe, loving future. 💖🐴

Want to show your appreciation? Here’s how you can help:
✅ Send funds to use for saving horses
✅ Donate supplies (tack, feed, blankets—we’ll put it all to good use!)
✅ Volunteer your time to make a difference
✅ Spread the word by sharing our posts!

Together, we can make every week a little brighter for the animals who need us most. 💕

What’s your favorite way to support shelters and rescues? Let us know in the comments!

To All the Non-Horse People: 💔🐴 Rescuing isn’t glamorous.It’s not pretty pastures, shiny coats, and easy happy endings. ...
10/31/2025

To All the Non-Horse People:

💔🐴 Rescuing isn’t glamorous.
It’s not pretty pastures, shiny coats, and easy happy endings. It’s long nights, early mornings, mud-caked boots, and vet bills that make your stomach drop.

It’s taking in the thin, the scared, and the forgotten - and slowly, patiently helping them heal.

Rescue is holding a horse who’s never known gentle hands and showing them kindness for the first time. It’s hauling hay in the freezing cold so bellies stay full. It’s heartbreak when you can’t save them all - and joy when you finally see the spark return to their eyes. ✨

Most people only see the “after”. The healthy, happy horse in a new home. But behind every success story are countless hours of hard work, sacrifice, and quiet determination.

Rescuing isn’t glamorous. But it is worth it. ❤️🐎

To All the Non-Horse People: 🐴🩵 Rescue horses aren’t “broken.”Horses end up in rescues for all sorts of reasons — health...
10/24/2025

To All the Non-Horse People:

🐴🩵 Rescue horses aren’t “broken.”

Horses end up in rescues for all sorts of reasons — health issues, financial struggles, a change in their owner’s personal ability to care for them, or life circumstances that make keeping them impossible.

None of these reasons reflect the horse’s worth or spirit.

Every rescue horse has the capacity to trust again, to learn, and to thrive. What they really need is patience, understanding, and someone willing to meet them where they are.

With time and care, fear turns into confidence, hesitation becomes curiosity, and uncertainty transforms into partnership. 🌾✨

Calling a rescue horse “broken” ignores their resilience, their spirit, and their potential.

They aren’t damaged goods - they’re survivors. And survivors? They have the power to teach us more about trust, courage, and second chances than we could ever teach them. ❤️

To All the Non-Horse People: Last week we talked about how falling off is part of riding. 😬🐴 Falling off and getting buc...
10/17/2025

To All the Non-Horse People:

Last week we talked about how falling off is part of riding.

😬🐴 Falling off and getting bucked off are not the same thing - and any rider will tell you, the difference matters.

A normal fall might happen when you misjudge a step, lose your balance, or your horse spooks a little. It’s a part of learning. You get back up, brush off, and try again. 💪

Getting bucked off? That’s a whole other story. It’s sudden, unpredictable, and can feel like being launched into the sky.

It’s your horse saying, “Nope, not today!” - usually because they’re testing boundaries, scared, or just feeling frisky. 🐎⚡

Both are part of riding, but one builds confidence slowly, the other reminds you how much respect and trust your horse deserves.

Either way, the lesson is the same: riding isn’t about perfection, it’s about partnership. And sometimes, that partnership comes with a little dirt on your boots. 🌾✨

To All the Non-Horse People: 😅🐴 Falling off is part of riding.It sounds scary (and it can be), but it’s also part of the...
10/10/2025

To All the Non-Horse People:

😅🐴 Falling off is part of riding.
It sounds scary (and it can be), but it’s also part of the learning process - for both horse and rider.

Horses are living, moving creatures with minds of their own. Sometimes they spook. Sometimes they stumble. Sometimes they just decide to move faster than you expected.

Falling doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re learning balance, building trust, and understanding your horse in ways that can’t be taught from the ground.

Every tumble teaches patience, resilience, and the importance of getting back on - literally and figuratively.

Riding isn’t about perfection. It’s about partnership, courage, and embracing the unexpected. And yes, sometimes that means dirt on your boots and wind in your hair. 🌾✨

Address

Reardan, WA
99029

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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