Our mission
The Equine Rescue League is a non-profit organization that was established in 1990 that supports the responsible use of working, sport and pleasure horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Our goals are to prevent the neglect or abuse of any equine, to offer educational programs to the community and to provide rehabilitation and adoption for those animals in need of our services.
About us
The Equine Rescue League was founded in April 1990 by Pat Rogers -- check out our history to learn about Bitsy, the little mare who started it all.
Located at Promise Kept Farm on 20 acres in Lovettsville,
Virginia, the ERL has a full time farm manager along with
several part time employees and dozens of volunteers
providing around-the-clock care to all residents, including
those with special needs.
We work to provide a safe haven to equines in need, to care for them as they embark on the challenging road to recovery and to place them into loving forever homes.
Beautiful Babe
1965 - 2002
A Member of our Family
A Teacher, A Confidante
And the Best Friend Anyone Could Ever Have!
You Will Always Be Missed
Rest In Peace Hoggie
What is an "equine"?
An animal referred to as an "equine" is any member of the genus Equus. Wild members include Zebras, Asiatic Asses and Przewalski's Horse (also known as the Mongolian Wild Horse). Domestic members include Donkeys (or Burros), Horses, Ponies, Miniature Horses and Mules.
Our Goals
- To continue providing care, rehabilitation, training and adoption to qualified persons for horses and other equines at the shelter.
- To provide transportation and holding facilities for animals seized by county and state humane officers and for unwanted animals.
- To create educational programs (on the subjects of basic health care and horse abuse) for horse owners, youngsters and humane officers.
- To create public awareness about horse neglect and abuse issues.
- To investigate, in coordination with humane officers, to reduce abuse and neglect occurrences in the Greater Washington D.C. area.
- To offer counseling and support to owners facing the loss of an equine or experiencing the need to euthanize their animal.
Why a Rescue Organization for Equines?
In today's society, many horses are owned as companion or sport animals rather than as a working part of a farm or other business.
As such, horses are subject to the same forms of mistreatment as cats, dogs and other companion animals. They are victims of outright neglect. They are sometimes abandoned in fields or left locked in barns. They are whipped, beaten and kicked into "submission". They fall victim to poor health as a result of inadequate care from well-meaning, but uneducated owners. And they are subject to one cruelty our dogs and cats are not... the slaughterhouse.
The ERL provides a haven for mistreated, neglected and abandoned horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. We also take in horses whose owners can no longer, for whatever reason, care for them properly. In essence, ERL provides the same services as a humane organization dedicated to house pets, just on a "larger" scale.
Bubba Love
1983 - 2014
"Bubba" guided us and taught us. He let us know our faults and virtues and he always brought us joy. He will live on in our hearts and souls forever and forever he will be one of the biggest and best parts
of the Equine Rescue League.