Down a winding road, back in Timberville, there is a new sanctuary for horses, within Flat Rock Equestrian Estate.
Many people are not aware of what can happen to a horse, when it enters the auction pipeline. Hopefully, the horse is lucky enough to have a soft landing in a caring home, but more often than not, without going into detail, too many of the horses end up on the way to Mexico for a not so happy ending.
Danielle Southerly and her husband, Tim, have established a rescue to try to help some of these horses. With a lifelong background in all things horse, her heart pulled her to start this rescue first with Willow, for whom the sanctuary is named, and then, Kyle.
Willow was first boarded at Flat Rock, by very caring owners who had adopted her not knowing she had many pre-existing health issues. They did their best, but Willow was unrideable, and that was where Danielle stepped in. She was familiar with Willow, so that was when she decided to set up a non-profit sanctuary in June 2023, and take in Willow as her first sanctuary resident. Nothing changed for Willow, she was still at the barn, and her former owners could still come to see her.
Kyle, the second horse to come under the sanctuary’s care, was a racehorse from Charlestown, WV, who raced under the name of Heezafrequentflyer. His breeder did right by the horse, who did very well at the track over the years. When sold, he ended being moved around through several owners, developing health issues that had not been addressed. He now has a safe and happy future, living out his life at Willow’s Haven.
There are several horses on the waiting list to be taken in by the sanctuary. The expense of keeping the horses, particularly when they come with health issues, is very high. Sponsors, fundraisers, and donations are necessary. Willow’s Haven’s Board of Directors and Danielle are working to create those fundraisers. They had a Fall Festival Fundraiser last year, along with having Dairy Queen, one evening, donating a portion of their sales to the sanctuary. Willow’s Haven t-shirts are also available on Etsy.
The knowledgeable and affable couple work dawn to dusk, caring for their 35 boarders at Flat Rock, cleaning stalls, feeding, turning out, all things that are a daily routine. Flat Rock Equestrian was nominated for the Daily News Record’s Best in the Valley. Hopes for the future of the sanctuary housed within Flat Rock include partnering with local mental health professionals to have a program of equine therapy- which would benefit both the horses involved and clients. Although Willow and Kyle are both unrideable, as the saying goes “ There is something about the outside of a horse, that is good for the inside of a (wo)man.” The trauma a person may have suffered, can, over time, be eased through connection with a horse.
The rescue is a registered 501(c)3. They are holding their first big fundraiser of 2024 on April 20- Hoof and Sole 5K Trail Run/Walk. Starting at 9am, it will be held on Flat Rock’s 55 acre property, where participants can run (or walk) along trails, with views of the horses and newly budding trees. The 5K Walk/Run will start at the barn, following the trail around the entire perimeter of the property. It will end with a short jaunt up Cold Spring Road out and back to the barn.
The proceeds will go to helping present residents Willow and Kyle, and afford Danielle the opportunity to bring more horses in need into the fold.
To learn more about the sanctuary, follow Willow’s Haven Farm Sanctuary on Facebook, where there is a link to the 5K. The race can also be found on www.runsignup.com The entry fee is $30, registration ends April 20, 2024.
Additional information about the race and Willow’s Haven can be found at
Willow’s Haven 19539 Cold Spring Road, Timberville, VA 22853
540.908.8454
flatrockeq.com
