Get to Know the Herd of 
​Hattingh Equine Rescue & Rehab Inc.

Dante
Dante is a Morgan that was saved from a horrific end at slaughter in 2018. He was not working hard enough; therefore, he was tossed out. He had shut down emotionally. Today, Dante is one on many beautiful souls in our barn and he is one of the horses that all volunteers get training with. He welcomes everyone with a spontaneous neigh!

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Emma
Emma is a thoroughbred who came off of the racetrack – ready to retire. She was considered washed up and an unnecessary expense to her owner. She was rescued in 2018. 

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Hank
Hank (racing name - Myth Master) is a thoroughbred who needed a second chance after doing what was asked of him while racing. After an injury, he retired and came to us by the way of a thoroughbred organization that looks for the perfect home for these gorgeous angels. Hank came to the rescue in 2018.

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Lily 
Lily came to the rescue from Texas and was narrowly saved from being slaughtered for meat in 2018. She was used to herd cattle. 

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Wasabi
Wasabi is Michele's personal horse. Michele’s love of Friesians led her to the lovely Wasabi.

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Winter
Winter is a Holsteiner that was from New York City. He sadly experienced severe abuse during his time with a Spanish trainer. Winter was rescued in 2019 from an impending physical breakdown that would have happened if he weren't pulled into a safe environment. He carried so many physical scars that it was clear life had not been gentle with him. Earning his trust meant moving slowly and giving him the time to believe he was finally safe. It took a while to earn his trust, but he is one of our gentlest horses.

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Spartan
Spartan is a Friesian and is the largest horse at the rescue. He had been "flipped" over and over again because those that had previously owned him did not think he was a hardcore working horse, as they intended him to be. Michele stepped in and paid the price that was expected at an auction, so that he would not be sent to slaughter. He is such a gentle soul!

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Gallico
​Gallico who was born in 2010, came off of the Charles Town Racetrack. He was covered in rain rot, scratches, and was emotionally and physically abused. He unfortunately knew the whip very well. Gallico came to the rescue in 2017. He is Michele's heart horse, her riding horse, and he knows that she loves him very much.

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Olga
Olga is an off the track thoroughbred who had been used as a broodmare. She and her foal, who Michele named Oscar (pictured on left) were both rescued off a derelict farm that was ran by a trainer who worked out of the Charles Town Racetrack.  They were part of 15 starving mares and foals.  Oscar and his mom were the worst of the herd.  Michele removed both of them immediately on February 27th, 2023.

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Oscar 
Oscar was rescued along with Olga when he was just 3 months old. He was the youngest to have been rescued by Michele.

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Asherrah
Asherrah also known as Ash came to the rescue in May of 2025. She is a 31-year-old Arabian X horse that was badly neglected. Upon her arrival, she had to have teeth removed as they were impeding her ability to chew food and hay. Ash has severe osteoarthritis in all four limbs and joint fusion in her right front fetlock with bone arthritis. Ash had not seen another horse for 15 years. She has settled in very nicely since her arrival and is getting all of the love and care that she always deserved.

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Comet
Comet came to the rescue in January of 2025, along with Dancer when their owner had determined that they had reached a point where they were no longer able to meet the horse's needs and provide the level of care required. When Cassie arrived in March of 2025, he graciously took the role as her mentor.

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Dancer
Dancer is an off the track thoroughbred who was rescued in January of 2025. Dancer and Comet were rescued together when their owner had determined that they had reached a point where they were no longer able to meet the horse's needs and provide the level of care required. Dancer has also graciously taken on the role of being Bonnie's mentor.

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Bonnie
Bonnie is a small American Pony who had no interaction with humans at all. She was left with another feral stallion (who was named Clyde) on a deserted farm in Berryville, VA. Michele was notified and brought them both to her rescue. Clyde was gelded and rehomed to Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue, who work solely with feral horses to gentle them. Bonnie was too young and too little at the time to follow Clyde; therefore, she stayed with Michele. She is still being gentled and soon will be under saddle. 

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Lady
Lady (racing name - Lemonsondesurprise) is an off the track thoroughbred who was born on April 26, 2019. She was recently pulled off of the Charles Town Racetrack in March of 2026. She is currently recovering from a fracture in her cannon bone. Her sire is Fiber Sonde and her dam is Lemon Lati. 

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Cassie
Cassie came to the rescue in March of 2025 when a "horse flipper" was unable to get his money back because she was injured while in an overcrowded pen. She is blind in her left eye and has a cataract in the right eye. She was scheduled to be dropped off at a kill pen when Michele stepped in and rescued her. It has taken some time to gain her trust, but she has made so much progress since being rescued.  Comet has graciously taken the role of being a mentor for Cassie. 

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Elsa
Elsa came to the rescue in 2016, with her daughter Bella. This was the rescue's first case of severe laminitis (also known as Founder). She had special boots made just for her. Elsa also went through a surgical procedure which is known as a Deep Digital Flexor Tenotomy (DDFT). This procedure involves cutting the deep digital flexor tendon to alleviate pain and improve hoof alignment in horses that suffer from chronic laminitis. She currently has severe scar tissue formation which makes her uncomfortable. She has a farrier every 2 weeks.

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Bella
Bella came to the rescue in 2016 with her mother, Elsa. She also suffers from laminitis (also known as Founder).

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Joey
Joey is the rescue's most loved Miniature Wooley Donkey. He was born in 2020 and was an unexpected delivery. He came to the rescue when he was just 4 months old.  

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Mia - Meg - Maggie

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For those who share the love of horses and wish to see them in safety, it’s important to note that these rescues were not free. Apart from Annie (who sadly passed in 2022), every horse was purchased at a price paid by the rescue and their ongoing care bear's significant expense. They weren't bought just to help them. Monies paid were what the auctioneer, kill buyer, abusive owners or trainers wanted in order for them to be released into the rescue's custody. Every horse in the herd came to the rescue with emotional and physical health issues; however, ALL of them are gifts from God to Michele.

The herd will stay together, in safety, and this will be their home for as long as we are able and living.

Will you consider donating to help us with our mission?​

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The Memorial Garden

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​Dedicated to the horses that are forever in our hearts

Casey

​Casey, who was Michele's first horse fought a brave battle with osteo arthritis. On September 12th, 2024, he let Michele know that he was tired and it was his time. Michele knew she had to let him go. Casey is buried on the farm, so he remains a part of all of us. Michele's barn has been dedicated to the memory of Casey. 

Annie

Annie was saved from being euthanized when she no longer offered monetary value to her owner after being with them for 23 years. Sadly, after a very brave 2-year battle against Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), Annie crossed the rainbow bridge on December 17th, 2022.

Disco

Michele was contacted by a vet to help Disco, who was suffering from a bad eye injury. Because her fly mask was never removed, the previous owner was unaware of the injury and was unable to financially care for her. Under Michele's care, the eye healed, avoiding the initially anticipated removal. Disco quickly became a cherished member of the herd; formerly a pasture horse, she blossomed, enjoying her new stall and all the love and attention she received. Sadly, Disco later passed away from an acute colic episode.

Apple

Apple came to Michele's farm after not being adequately fed or cared for in 2019. Sadly, she passed away from colic.