Hope Equine Rescue rehabilitates abused horses, receives gift from Polk Sheriff’s Charities

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Dani Horton knows exactly how she will put to use a new 4×4 ATV donated to her organization by Polk Sheriff’s Charities.

“We’ll be using it for all kinds of farm chores to hauling feed and hay to dragging pastures to hauling fencing supplies,” she said.

She is president of Hope Equine Rescue in Winter Haven.

That organization has taken in hundreds of abused, neglected, starved and abandoned animals connected to Polk County criminal cases.

“We do mostly law enforcement cases because these horses have nowhere else to go. That’s kind of the last stop for them,” said Horton.

A horse named Lily was removed from a property in Bartow last March with a few other animals.

She was emaciated with skin issues and hair loss.

Since being at Hope Equine Rescue, she has gained a little over 200 pounds.

“Now she’s got all of her hair back. She’s really nice and pretty. She actually went to a horse show this weekend and placed really well against some other horses,” said Horton.

Once the animals are rehabilitated, they can be adopted out to forever homes.

“Everything about animal control is a partnership,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

Sheriff Judd says his agency calls on Hope Equine Rescue weekly.

“We are always working with her. So she’s either got some of our animals all the time and/or we’re bringing them to her with our ag folks,” he said.

Sheriff Judd said his non-profit organization, Polk Sheriff’s Charities, previously donated a tractor, which is still being used on the farm.

On Friday, he handed the keys to Horton for a brand new Polaris two seater 4×4 ATV with a dump bed.

“This is your money at work,” said Sheriff Judd, referring to the people who donate to his charity.

To learn more about Polk Sheriff’s Charities, visit https://www.polksheriff.org/about/polk-sheriff’s-charities.

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