People often ask, “How do you get started in rescue?” or *“What makes someone dedicate their life to giving a voice to the voiceless?”

For me, it began with one horse and a simple decision rooted in love, responsibility, and the unshakable belief that horses deserve more than we often give them.

Over a decade ago, I had several horses. Horses had always been a part of my life, as natural to me as breathing. Among them was a young paint named Maverick—a sweet, easy-going young horse who wasn’t picky about much, especially when it came to food. Unfortunately, where we lived, his grazing habits meant he was ingesting sand and small stones, a dangerous combination that soon led to a hospital stay.

Over the course of four agonizing days, I had to face a decision I never imagined: Maverick couldn’t stay with me. The environment we had to offer simply wasn’t right for him, we were surrounded by huge trees, no grass would grow and the soil was all sand, and his health would continue to suffer.

But the idea of selling him outright was terrifying. The resale market was riddled with risks, and I couldn’t guarantee his safety. The thought of him ending up in the wrong hands, or worse, entering the auction pipeline, was unbearable.

Desperate to find him a safe future, I began asking around for help. That’s when I was introduced to an incredible woman south of Colorado Springs who ran a reputable horse rescue. She not only helped me find Maverick the perfect home—one backed by the rescue’s contracts to ensure his safety—but she also became a mentor and a lifelong friend.

Through her, I stepped into the world of rescue, a world I had never fully understood until then. I started small, adopting a few horses myself. But as anyone in rescue knows, small beginnings have a way of snowballing. What started as a personal effort to help a few horses quickly grew into something far greater, a mission that consumed my heart and my life.

This woman taught me invaluable lessons—not just about rescue, but about compassion, creativity, and commitment. She showed me how to think outside the boundaries of traditional medicine to help horses others wouldn’t even consider saving. She reinforced what I had always believed: that horses have immense value beyond being ridden.

Horses like Maverick, and the many that followed, are not just animals; they are teachers, healers, and partners. They give endlessly of themselves, often without receiving the care and respect they deserve in return.

Today, as I look back on that decision to find Maverick a better home, I see it as the spark that lit a fire. What began as a way to help one horse evolved into a lifelong commitment to rescuing, rehabilitating, and honoring the inherent worth of every horse that crosses my path.

Rescue is not easy. It’s not glamorous. It’s messy, exhausting, and at times heartbreaking. But it is also one of the most rewarding journeys I’ve ever taken. Maverick set me on a path I didn’t know I was meant to walk, and for that, I will forever be grateful.

To those who wonder how to get started in rescue, my answer is this: start by volunteering at a reputable rescue. Learn everything you can—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Understand the sacrifices and the challenges as much as the joy. The truth is, we don’t necessarily need more rescues; we need more help. We need more boots on the ground, more hands willing to work, and more funding to support the efforts already underway.

Rescue is a team effort, and every contribution matters. Whether you give your time, your money, or your voice, you are making a difference. And it all begins with a simple decision: to care, to act, and to do what you can to help. Because when you open your heart to rescue, the life you change might just be your own.