As we celebrate the fifteen year anniversary of the founding of California Coastal Horse Rescue (CCHR) one particular word keeps coming to mind: Hope.
 
Fifteen years ago CCHR made a promise. It promised to always be there for horses in need. To save them from neglect, abuse, and slaughter, to advocate on their behalf and to be their voice. As part of this promise, CCHR has played a role in saving over 600 horses by finding them new homes or letting them live out the rest of their lives at the Rescue.
 
We get to see that where there was sadness, doubt, pain all that now is replaced with happiness, certainty, and peace. We see that lives can be turned around and there is no better fuel for hope to continue burning. 
 
Incredibly, we are not the only ones doing the saving or the rehabilitating. Each day we are touched by these treasured animals, and they are our teachers, guides, and healers. The horses are always finding more ways to give back to us. Through the CCHR education program and the Pony Tales Reading Club (where children read to the CCHR equine residents), the horses are teaching children about compassion and empathy early in life which can help build moral character, reduce violence and create a sense responsibility.
 
The lives of the horses who are saved by CCHR often reflect a cruel world of abuse, neglect, and ignorance. Sadly, to many, horses are merely commodities that are meant to be used and then disposed of when no longer wanted. However, as these horses are saved by CCHR it also reflects what can happen if people start to want to make a difference even on a small scale. It's what can happen when people say "the misery and despair stop here." Thank you to all of the volunteers, donors, and sponsors who have made a commitment to the horses (and the Rescue) over the last 15 years and helped provide care and support. Your generosity has played a direct and critical part in the lives of so many horses and, indeed, the life of CCHR.
 
There aren't too many places where you see examples of hope all around you on a daily basis. CCHR is one of these special places. Hope that comes from knowing any life can be given a second chance at happiness and security and a life where these horses know that they are wanted and are loved and cared for. This is the simple basis of what we do at the Rescue with the horses who we do find new homes for and the ones who will live out the rest of their lives in peace in the sanctuary of the Rescue.
 
With your involvement, you will allow more of these stories to happen. With your generosity, you will help us to continue with our never-ending promise to rescue, rehabilitate and offer refuge to these magnificent animals. And with your continued support, we will create a long-lasting legacy of care and devotion for all horses in need.