MISSION STATEMENT

  • To provide rescue, rehabilitation, and lifetime sanctuary to abused, abandoned, neglected, and unwanted horses
  • To promote awareness of the principles of natural horsemanship through educational programs at the sanctuary
  • To provide outreach assistance to horse owners in the community

 

About Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary

While there are other horse-related organizations in the Sarasota/Manatee area, Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary is the only nonprofit that exclusively rescues abused, abandoned, and unwanted horses. Many of our rescues were starving and/or ill, while others were abandoned and left to fend for themselves.  

We’re also unique because we promote relationship based horsemanship.  The “nature of the horse” serves as the foundation for our human-horse partnerships. We don’t use “traditional” measures, such as force, dominance, intimidation, and gadgets. 

Since the sanctuary was incorporated in 2007, we’ve rescued and rehabilitated more than 100 horses. They’ve come to us at all ages, and we’ve taken in more than 20 different breeds. All have received quality, loving care, and most have lived comfortably into their late 20s or early to mid 30s.

We are a 45-minute drive from Bradenton and a 60+-minute drive from Sarasota. Greater presence in the community and appealing/in-depth natural horsemanship training seem to have convinced visitors and volunteers to make the beautiful drive and enjoy their time at the sanctuary.