On Friday, March 13, 2026, Sunshine Horses, Inc. received an emergency call from Oswego SPCA regarding a hoarding case that involved 150 animals in Red Creek, New York. Among these animals were 11 neglected horses that were seized and needed a safe place to go.

Dr. Emily Wyman of North Country Veterinary Services was part of the rescue team that assessed the horses' condition before their seizure.

Oswego SPCA turned ownership of four of the seized horses - Annabelle, Charlie, Sam, and Sadie - to Sunshine Horses, Inc. The condition of the seized horses was dire, with Henneke scores ranging from 1 to 3. They arrived at our facility covered in painful rain rot, feces, multiple lacerations, and signs of dehydration.

The four horses were placed into quarantine, separate from the rest of our herd. Dr. Wyman, who also serves as the veterinarian for Sunshine Horses, provided instructions for their care over the weekend until she could fully examine them the following Monday. That Wednesday, the horses were seen by our farrier.

Sunshine Horses, Inc. is extremely grateful for the financial support received through the EQUUS Foundation Brooke USA Bridge Grant program that helps support the care of these horses, which we affectionately call the Fab 4. They have made significant progress thanks to the love and care provided by our volunteers.


The Brooke USA Bridge Grant Program has two components:
1) to support EQUUS Foundation Guardian charities in desperate need of financial support brought on by unplanned, unexpected, and/or extenuating circumstances, including but not limited to catastrophes and disasters.
2) to support the safety net programs of EQUUS Foundation Guardian charities aimed at helping to keep horses with their owners, assist with re-homing horses, and provide counseling and end-of-life services.

Financial support, ranging from $500 to $2,500, is awarded to underwrite the cost of services, such as feed/hay banks, veterinary, dental, and farrier care, gelding assistance, euthanasia, and maintenance and repair resulting from catastrophic weather conditions or significant accidents/fires, etc., or an organization's involvement with significant law enforcement seizures, as well as circumstances arising from the inability of the owner to continue to care for a horse without assistance and/or from the death of the owner.

Brooke USA's Bridge grants are awarded on a rolling basis and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as grant funds are available. Brooke USA dedicates $10,000 annually although Brooke USA reserves the right, from time to time, to increase the funds made available. Selections are by a committee of EQUUS Foundation and Brooke USA representatives.

To apply, the EQUUS Foundation Guardian will need to log into its organization profile, select "BROOKE USA BRIDGE GRANTS", and complete the online application. Applicants must address how the funds will be used, and within six months of receipt of funds, grantees must report on the use of the funds, including bills for services rendered.


ABOUT EQUUS FOUNDATION: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, is the only national animal welfare charity and accrediting body in the United States that is 100% dedicated to equine welfare and with the dual mission to protect America's horses from peril and strengthen the bond between people and horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: equusfoundation.org.

ABOUT BROOKE USA: The mission of Brooke USA Foundation is to significantly improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people they serve throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas and the Caribbean by raising funds and responsibly directing them to the areas of greatest need. Brooke USA raises funds to support a wide variety of programs for working horses, donkeys and mules to help them become (and remain) healthy and happy now and in the long-term, which also benefits the very poor families who depend on those animals to help them earn a living. For more information visit www.BrookeUSA.org.