Animal lover and a general surgeon, Dr. Beth Nickles, combined her passions and has made it her mission to provide sanctuary and rehabilitation for horses that are abused and neglected. She is the founder of “Rescue Animals Second Chance,” the largest horse rescue group in West Texas.
Nickles’ rescue work began back in 2000, but the group officially became a licensed rescue in 2013. Since then, she shared that most of the funding is paid out of pocket and through the tireless work of volunteers to provide the best life possible for the horses who find themselves on her property. Nickles shared that dozens of horses have come to her in the worst shape of their lives: beaten, neglected, malnourished, or rescued from kill pens.
However, thanks to a grant awarded to R.A.S.C. from the Community Foundation of West Texas’ Ruth Wright Endowment for Animals, more opportunities and resources will now be available to the rescue. Nickles said they will be able purchase feed and therapy supplies for the horses.
“It’s a very rewarding opportunity, and it’s a very peaceful atmosphere,” said Nickles. “We have routines, and they stay in a routine and they get very relaxed and comfortable. Ya know, they all have stories out here.”
Nickles explained that one thing people may not realize is that though slaughtering of horses is illegal, nearly 60,000 are shipped off for slaughter. She said the reasons vary: Whether the horse has become too ill or old to work, and instead of keeping the horse, ranchers will at times sell them to someone else, not realizing it’s a kill pen.
“Kill pens and slaughter still exist because it’s not talked about. Everyone thinks ‘I’m going to put my horse on Facebook or Craigslist, not knowing where it’s actually going to end up,” said Nickles.
Nickles has made it her mission to rescue these horses before it gets to that point, providing sanctuary to horses from all over the country. The center is now home to more than 60 horses, 40 of which are rescues.
For safety purposes, the location of the center is kept private in order to better protect the horses, however there are still several ways community members can get involved. The center welcomes monetary donations, and to volunteer, Nickles said the best way to do so is by reaching out to their Facebook page.
For more details, you can also visit their website by clicking here.