Horse Welfare
Horse Welfare
The welfare of horses is of great importance to the Parelli Foundation. Nothing promotes equine wellbeing more than humans learning to communicate with horses in a way horses understand – naturally – ..
We fund education initiatives for horse rescue centers that improve the welfare of the horse and increase adoptability. We also support showmanship and competition when performed using natural horsemanship principles. Rescue center education raises awareness of how natural horsemanship can help rescued horses have a future particularly through our Rehoming 4 Life Challenge.
“We’ve seen first hand the difference that Natural Horsemanship can make for horses in need and we hope that Romeo’s life story will help reduce the number of equines in the rescue world by providing people with training solutions that work, not only for the horse, but for the human. Our best goal of all would be that horses like Romeo and the Parelli Rehoming 4 Life Challenge will be so successful for years to come, that it eventually puts all rescues out of business! ” Kim Meagher, Wild Horse Rescue, AZ
Grant Reports: If you are a grant recipient and need to file a report, click here.
The Parelli Foundation provides grants to horse welfare organizations.
Grant applications will be accepted between June 1, 2019 and July 15, 2019.
Since our inception, we have granted over $1,000,000 in scholarships and grants in our four program areas. (Includes amounts awarded through our predecessor, the Horsemanship Fund.) We grant funds for horse welfare projects within the United States which further our mission of:
“Helping create a better world for horses and humans through natural horsemanship education”
Here are some examples of the types of grants we provide:
- Funding to train your staff and volunteers in Natural Horsemanship
- Certification of staff members or volunteers by Natural Horsemanship related organizations
- Development of rescue horses by Natural Horsemanship professionals
- Public outreach through Natural Horsemanship Education
- Educating the public about issues of over breeding, the real cost of horse keeping and care, best practices in competition and care, etc.
Grants may be given for any combination of the above and will be considered for other related activities. If you are considering applying and need help to determine if your grant request falls within our mission, please contact us.
All grant applications are considered for funding without knowledge of the identity of the applicant.
If you are interested in applying for a grant, please proceed to the next step below.
The Rehoming 4 Life Challenge and Adoption!
When Festival Magnifico was over on May 7, 2017, all of the remaining Rehoming 4 Life horses had found homes. The Rehoming 4 Life program will now be part of the new grants for welfare centers program. Centers may apply to have horses developed by Parelli Professionals. Interested adopters should contact the centers directly to adopt horses.
We are demonstrating that rescue horses are not “throw away” horses, and can become wonderful partners through natural horsemanship training.
Rehoming for Life Workshops
Rescue horses have unique needs and safety is paramount for both horses and the humans who care for them. The Foundation’s Rehoming for Life Workshops were created to offer education by Parelli Professionals designed for the rescue staff and volunteers. We offer Rehoming for Life workshops regionally by request.
Resources for Horse Welfare
The Parelli Foundation focuses on Natural Horsemanship Education. We are making available a resource list for those seeking help in other areas related to horse welfare such as: .
- Failure to follow standards for facilities and care
- Insufficient resources for rescue/rehoming and long term care
- In-discriminant breeding
- Inhumane Treatment of PMU mares/foals/nurse mare foals
- Unintentional abuse
- Humane euthanasia and disposal
- Competition related abuse
- Wild Horse/Burro management
We are continually updating this list. If you have a favorite link or resource that you would like us to consider adding to the list, please send the link using our contact us form.
Inspiring Stories
Here are some powerful and impactful stories about how the Parelli Foundation through Natural Horsemanship efforts has improved the welfare of equines. We hope you enjoy these stories and we would love to hear how our efforts have helped you along in your horse welfare journey. You can submit your story using our contact us form.
What if your lovingly used Parelli Equipment —
could outfit a non-profit horse rescue, equine therapeutic
center or youth club with natural horsemanship tools?
Maybe …
… it’s finally time to create space in your tack room and reduce tool redundancy for a GREAT cause!
We accept Parelli and Parelli “type” equipment in good serviceable condition such as rope halters, carrot sticks and savvy strings, 12, 22, and 45 foot lines, bridles, hackamores, bareback pads, and saddles. These items do not necessarily need to be manufactured by Parelli Natural Horsemanship, but they do need to be of a type and compatibility for use in natural horsemanship.”
“We initially sought out Natural Horsemanship to better relate to our horses as our partners in serving the disabled. But so much more happened. We learned very soon that for this partnership to work we had to change. You have to become different in order to be successful in having this new relationship. But for someone who likes animals, especially horses, Natural Horsemanship will help them make their journey to personal strength, resiliency and finding some peace within. They will be taught from the first day that what they attempt will never be perfect.” Courage Reins is a Therapeutic Horsemanship Center. Their Instructor, Horse Enrichment Coordinator, Angie Moody works with 3* Parelli Professional Lillan Roquet.
