By Diana King
Photos by Jim Henkens
13 Hands Equine Rescue, located on a 100 plus acre farm in Clinton Corners since 2020, is making a big difference in our community by giving a future to unwanted animals, and by helping humans heal.
“We have a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers that are committed to helping wherever needed.” This from Marylou Tortorello, Founder and Executive Director of 13 Hands Equine Rescue, emphasizing her organization’s passionate efforts to rescue abused, abandoned, unwanted and slaughter -bound animals. The 200 plus farm residents, including horses, donkeys, ponies, mules, dogs, cats and some chickens, are testament to the success and scope of 13 Hands.
Helping Horses
The 13 Hands’ rescues are often sick, underweight, scared and in desperate need of care. Their rehabilitation starts with a minimum 30- day ‘quarantine’ during which they receive medical care and special treatment to help them recover and regain their strength. Only after this quarantine are the animals returned to the farm for adoption and/or used in our therapy program.
The adoption procedure, as conceived and directed by 13 Hands, is careful, deliberate and supportive of both the animal and their potential adopter. They take time and make a concerted effort to match the horse with the perfect home. Prospects are invited to meet and spend time with the herd and develop a relationship find a suitable match. This process is critical in making the right choice of animal to meet the specific needs of the adopter. When completed, every successful adoption is celebrated by all!
Healing Humans
Marylou explains that not all of the horses are up for adoption: Some horses have an innate ability to heal people and are so used for the 13 Hands equine assisted therapy program. This therapy includes the horses along with an Equine Specialist working together with a client/s on the ground. The programs are measurably valuable for veterans and their families, adults, as well as children, to help them deal with PTSD, anxiety, depression and a host of other issues.
13 Hands Equine Assisted Therapy can provide life changing results by the horses making us aware of our emotional energies and feelings and requiring us to be in the moment to interact with them. These horses are an invaluable resource available to any therapeutic organization interested in healing or mental health or for groups to experience the team building, healing and learning that occurs through working with the horses.
13 Hands Equine Rescue encourages visitors and offers many engaging volunteer opportunities working at the farm. You can also support the farm with a donation: All gifts are tax deductible as 13 Hands is a registered 501c3 organization. Your donation makes it possible for horses and humans – together – to heal.—13handsequine.org
