In 2003, my husband Scott and I entered into the beautiful world of horses. At first, riding horses was just a hobby for us. Something we’d do on the weekends to get away from the hustle and bustle of weekday life. Something we could enjoy together when we wanted solitude from our middle schooler and high schoolers, or something we could do as a group with our family and friends.

 

It all started when I got a call from my sister asking if we knew anyone who might be interested in taking in a retired horse. I told her that Scott and I might be interested and she began telling me she had a friend who was getting married and wanted her overly pampered show horse to go to a retirement home to live out the rest of his days. 3D was an appendix quarter horse who was 21 years old and deserved to trade his time in the show ring for greener pastures. Three days before we were to pick up 3D we got a phone call saying the other sister wanted her off the track retired thoroughbred, who was 18 years old, and very close pasture mates with 3D at one time to go to the same retirement home. Low and behold we go from talking about wanting horses to now traveling from Jacksonville, FL to Orlando and Port St. Lucie, FL to pick up these two geldings who we knew virtually nothing about. 3D and Teddy had been barn mates at one time due to being owned by these sisters. They had also been separated for quite some time and when they were reunited it was an incredible moment for us to watch these two horses pick up where they had left off; just like best friends do. Our hearts were captured at that moment by those two and this decision was one we’d never regret.

 

The love we felt for these horses ignited our flame and over time it became clear to us that we wanted to be more than horse owners; we wanted to open our home to retired horses that needed sanctuary. We wanted to provide a forever home for aged and retired horses as well as horses that needed special medical attention to live out their years with the dignity, care, and attention that all God’s creatures deserve. Proverbs 12:10a “A righteous man regards the life of his animal.”

 

Our primary mission is to ensure that the horses that need to be retired can do so in a safe environment. Our other goals are to continue these efforts and additionally become a resource to the community, especially since our horses are very social and most can still be lightly to moderately ridden. We are striving to become a place where local families can reconnect, by sharing a wholesome activity together, children without financial means or access to horses can experience the amazing gifts that these animals have to offer. People of all ages and ability levels can enjoy and experience time with these majestic animals, and most importantly Christian principles are shared with visitors through example, word, and deed.

 

We have since lost our beloved 3D (2005) and Teddy (2013); although not with us now they are forever in our hearts and part of some of the greatest horse stories ever told. Our ministry is named after 3D, who was Scott’s second love; me being the first, of course. 3D showed him how horses are more than animals, they are partners. He was a horse that would do anything Scott asked of him without hesitation and took care of his rider in the same way the rider took care of him.

 

To date, we have had over 25 horses come and stay with us until their final days of rest. We have poured many man hours, sweat, blood, and tears over each of them. We currently have 11 horses in our care; one adorable and velvety soft mini, 4 horses that are blind in one eye, and a mix of ages from late teens to late 20’s. Of course, we can’t forget our farm pig Petunia and our Pot Belly pig Daisy.

 

Please consider donating to 3D Ranch Ministries; so that we can continue our efforts to give retired horses the forever home they deserve.

 

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

 

From the bottom of our hearts we thank you and appreciate you.

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