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Howdy!
Welcome to Our Website
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| Michelle and Thunder |
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We are a small, non-profit horse rescue run by myself and a few friends and family. I started a horse rescue in 2008 when I took in Zoe, a starved horse found in Sanford, FL, and soon discovered there were a lot of horses in need just in my local community. I was compelled to help at least one horse through my rescue organization by taking care of it myself, and maybe more through fosters and networking with other rescues.
Along with that, I decided to hold clinics and events for folks to learn more about how to develop a good relationship with their horse and raise awareness in the community about horses, horse abuse, and how to help animals in need. I thought if people could meet my horses, they might connect with them and feel compelled like I did, to help make our neighborhood a better place for everyone...animals, included.
This has been much harder than I thought it would be as my heart is continually broken and there is way too much paper work! However, I also am healed and blessed daily by the people and horses I am fortunate enough to cross paths with since I began this new adventure. It is an awesome feeling to walk into my barn each morning and see the happy and healthy faces of those who were not long ago suffering in silence.
Thanks for checking us out and for your support to help save these beautiful and magnificent creatures.
Sincerely, Michelle Akers and The Horses
 
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Our Purpose
is To Help Horses Be Happy
Body & Soul
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Our Commitment
is To Protect, Heal, and Find Happy Homes for Hurting, Unwanted, and Problem Horses
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Inspire and Support People to Strive for Dignity, Confidence, and a Willing Partnership with their Horses
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we are an IRS 501(c)3 public charity
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Watch
Michelle and Her Horseson 
TUES April 13 @7pm
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Michelle Akers: Horse Hero
During her
stellar career as an international soccer star, Michelle Akers fought
through dozens of injuries and battled the debilitating effects of
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. After retiring from the game in 2001, she
took on a different battle and has devoted herself to saving abused
horses on her farm in Georgia. But, recent devastation to her Georgia
farm has threatened her cause. Reporter Tom Farrey details her struggle and the surprising measure she’s taking to save her horse rescue operation.
"It's hard to imagine an athlete who has sacrificed more than Michelle Akers," Farrey said. "This
is woman who gave everything she had to women's soccer, physically and
mentally, helping pave the way for generations of American girls. And
now she's sacrificing again, leveraging just about everything she has,
for the sake of horses others have given up for dead. Remarkable."
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If one were to look at 43-year-old Akers in barn boots and overalls, it would be hard to connect her to her previous life as the best and most
decorated female soccer player to ever play the game. At the inaugural
Women’s World Cup in 1991, Akers scored five goals in a single game and
led the U.S. to a World Cup Championship. That victory helped make
women’s soccer an Olympic sport in Atlanta in 1996. There, Akers led
her team to Olympic gold. Three years later, Akers led the U.S. Women’s
Soccer team to the 1999 World Cup title. Shortly thereafter, FIFA named
her women’s soccer ‘Player of the Century’.
In 2000, Akers retired from soccer and refused to look back. Her new
passion, one that has its roots in her childhood love of the book The
Black Stallion, was riding horses. Akers ultimate calling came in 2007,
when authorities were summoned to the scene of a man attempting to bury
a sick horse alive. The horse died, but its companion, a female horse
named Zoe, was clinging to life. Akers agreed to care for Zoe and after
months of careful rehab, Zoe survived.
Akers decided to start a non-profit horse rescue and rehab operation.
Last year, she used most of her soccer savings to purchase an
eight-acre horse property outside of Atlanta. Within a month, a
devastating storm hit the area, threatening the lives of her horses and
causing severe damage to Akers’ farm. As E:60’s Tom Farrey reports,
Akers is turning to the game she once dominated for help.
"It's hard to imagine an athlete who has sacrificed more than Michelle
Akers," Farrey said. "This is woman who gave everything she had to
women's soccer, physically and mentally, helping pave the way for
generations of American girls. And now she's sacrificing again,
leveraging just about everything she has, for the sake of horses others
have given up for dead. Remarkable."
PaddockTalk Perspective
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ESPN E:60 Production Notes
Journals and notes from the production staff of E:60.
Sutton, Ma. – Producer Heather Lombardo was drawn to a story about
Michelle Akers, the retired soccer great who has turned
her life to the
rescue and care of abused horses.
Lombardo’s youth as a competitive rider, and now as a recreational
rider, made her a natural for the story. And when she saw Akers’ photos
of the abused horses, and of a heroic rescue during a flood last
September, she was hooked.
But how to tell it? She knew Akers’ still photos would play an
important role because they were the only visual record of a crucial
part of the narrative. Her challenge was to use the photos effectively.
“I wanted to try and stay as organic as possible,” Lombardo said.
Most still photos are filmed in a studio. But Lombardo decided to film
the photos outdoors, and to try to copy the feel of Akers’ Florida
farm. Photographer Tony Melfi suggested Waters Farm, which was settled
in 1757 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lombardo, Melfi, and grip Eban Hathaway arrived at noon, as sun broke
through and wind rustled trees and bushes impatient for spring. The
non-working farm was deserted.
They looked over the 120 acres, the stone walls and wooden gates, the 2-bay and 6-bay wagon shed, cook barn, and shingle mill.
Soon, thirteen still photos, taped to the gate, fluttered in the wind.
Melfi dropped in a Tiffen filter to darken the sky. Lombardo watched
the HD monitor and asked Melfi to come in tight.
Later, more photos were filmed against a gray fence next to the 2-bay
wagon shed. Still later, another set was filmed inside the shed, in the
shadows. Melfi shot through a hole in the shed’s wall, while Hathaway
held a reflector above the photos, for minimal light.
“These photos are somber,” Lombardo said. “The background should be somber.”
- posted by Steve Marantz, March 25, 2010
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TO INQUIRE
ABOUT INTERVIEWS, APPEARANCES, ENDORSEMENTS with Michelle
PLEASE CONTACT:
ROBERT RAJU
Axiom Sports and Entertainment
28 W. 44th Street
16th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-404-2200
Fax: 646-429-1411
www.axiomsport.com
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click on their pictures
to learn more about their story and how they are doing now
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Zoe was taken from her owner in Sanford, FL after he tried to bury one of his other horses alive with a Bobcat. The authorities had to euthanize the one horse and found Zoe emaciated and near death hiding in the corner of the pasture. Click on her photo at right to learn more about her story.
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| Zoe |
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| Ruby Feb 2008 |
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Ruby was abandoned by her owner at a boarding facility in Eustis, FL and they stopped feeding her because board was owed. Her former owner discovered her situation and called us to look into it. She was around 300 pounds underweight and was very fearful from past (and possibly) present abuse/neglect. To read more about her story, click on her photo at right.
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| Carlos July 14 2008 |
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This is Carlos.
He was neglected by a man in Geneva, Florida and taken into custody by Seminole County Animal Services on July 7, 2008 after a neighbor called authorities concerned about him laying down a lot and being thin. He was badly underweight, had severe Laminitis, and his owner admitted he hadn't done anything for him in over two years... and yet somehow there was still strength in his eyes.
To learn more about Carlos, click on his photo at left.
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How We Can Help You
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How
YOU can
HELP
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WISH LIST
Beet Pulp
PINE STALL PELLETS
PYRANA FLY SPRAY
FENCING MATERIALS
Hay
CASH DONATIONS
Probiotics
TRACTOR
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SHOP AND HELP SUPPORT OUR HORSES
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We are grateful for the many folks whose generosity has enabled us to help our horses have healthy and happy lives. Each person contributes in their own way and we are thankful for their involvement and commitment to our organization.
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To read about more of the awesome people involved in our organization,
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SHOP at iSearchiGive and we get a donation
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| Michelle and Thunder |
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HOWDY
from
Michelle & Steve
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| Steve and Cody |
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Steve and I got married in Aug 2003 and had Cody in 2005.
I (Michelle) am basically the horse and animal lover (freak as some would say) and Steve is more on the "normal" side... he loves them, but patiently puts up with the two dogs and cat sleeping in our bed and my wanting to take in every lost puppy or kitten.
One of the strong beliefs we both share is that each one of us has been put on this planet to live out and share our God-given gifts and passions with the world around us... starting with our own home and reaching out to those who cross our paths each day... after taking in Zoe, our first rescue horse in Sept 2007 and seeing the vacancy in her eyes slowly, day by day, fill up with life we became even more impassioned and determined to do more.
We know it is impossible to save every horse in need, but we can make our best effort in making the world a better place for these abused and sometimes forgotten horses by reaching out to you... and inspiring and educating those in our backyard (and maybe a little beyond) about compassion, integrity, leadership, and the beauty, strength, and vulnerability found only in a horse.
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To REPORT HORSE/Animal CRUELTY,
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To GIVE to Our Horses
Click On the DONATE Button
Thank You
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