Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society A non-profit equine welfare organization dedicated to helping starved, abused, abandoned and estray

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society is a nonprofit rescue organization and equine welfare community. We rescue, rehabilitate, retrain, and rehome horses from neglect and abuse cases, horses who have been abandoned, and horses whose owners can no longer keep them. Fueled by a growing community of owners, caretakers, and equine-related specialists, we offer owner assistance programs that help owners ca

re for, and keep, their horses. We also assist with disaster relief efforts and provide educational opportunities to improve the quality of horse care in Texas and beyond.

“A holistic approach to equine care not only improves the health of the horse but also enhances the emotional bond between the animal and its caretaker.”
Dr. John J. Krai, a veterinary behaviorist

“Strong, informed communities are essential for advancing ethical standards and fostering a culture of care within the equine industry.”
The Equine Welfare Alliance

Our community uniquely provides a vital network of empathy, understanding, and encouragement fundamental to fostering a sustainable and joyful relationship with horses and other equines. It has been well documented that when we immerse ourselves in a community that nurtures our interests, we do not merely pursue our goals; we excel in them. And we become more resilient, more dedicated, and ultimately, more successful. Our community is not merely a network of rescuers, horse owners, or equine enthusiasts but instead a sanctuary of compassion, a center of knowledge, and a beacon of holistic support for both horses and their caretakers.

At the beginning of the month, we took in a horse from a neglect case. He's an old guy, and his legs were very swollen, ...
06/23/2026

At the beginning of the month, we took in a horse from a neglect case. He's an old guy, and his legs were very swollen, and he was critically anemic. I didn't think we could save him, really, but his vet and I wanted to try.

Today, I put together a comparison without backgrounds so you can really focus on the horse. It isn't perfect, but... you can see progress.

What do YOU see from intake to today?

Also - a big thank you to Nicole, Will, and Kris for feeding and caring for this guy, to Macie for transporting him.

Meet the newest member of Bluebonnet, picked up just yesterday from a law enforcement case in a county we haven't worked...
06/20/2026

Meet the newest member of Bluebonnet, picked up just yesterday from a law enforcement case in a county we haven't worked with before.

They got him started on refeeding but his hooves are awful and are going to need a lot of work.

Thank you to the officers who removed him from negligent owners and then called us and to Julie and Leonard who made the long trip to pick him up and for fostering him.

Your donations help with his care and allow us to keep doing this work.

06/19/2026

Meet Waverley, she's competing in the Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge, and this year she gets to move up to the Non Pro Under Saddle division with Toast.

Toast is a handsome strawberry roan Quarter Horse gelding. He is easy-going, loves to eat, and the perfect companion on a trail ride. He stands 15.1 hh and he is about 17 years old. He came to us when one of our long-time members and volunteers had to cut back and wanted someone who would watch out for him for the rest of his life.

There seems to be confusion about who we, as a rescue, are and are not.We are a rescue organization that takes in horses...
06/19/2026

There seems to be confusion about who we, as a rescue, are and are not.

We are a rescue organization that takes in horses in with a preference for neglect, abuse, stray, and abandonment cases. We were formed to work with law enforcement agencies across the state and will bend over backwards to help them. Right now, we’ve got two volunteers heading to far southwest Texas to pick up an older horse from a neglect case to see if we can rehabilitate him and find him a new home. This is why we’re here.

We also will take in donated or "owner surrendered" horses when we have space.

We evaluate horses, we make care and training decisions based on each individual horse but backed by professional degrees and many decades of horse knowledge and experience. Our Fostering Coordinator has extensive experience raising, handling, and rehabilitating horses. She also has experience with show horses as well as pleasure horses. I have a doctorate in Animal Science, specializing in equine behavior, learning, and welfare and have shown in a variety of disciplines, trained both show horses and pleasure/trail horses, and am a trained animal cruelty investigator. And that’s just the experience of two of us.

I also have a vet on speed dial (showing my age there) when I have a health question or lameness question. Most of the time, I know the answer, she's just confirmation. But I'm grateful to have her assistance when I don' t know something. Because if she doesn't know the answer, she has other professionals she can reach out to on our behalf.

We also have some very talented vets in other parts of the state who specialize in lameness and specific health conditions we can call on.

And we have some amazing trainers ready to help with behavioral problems. We're lucky to have these professionals on our side.

We ARE NOT a sanctuary. We don’t have a large field where horses can go to “live out their lives” (which is a fallacy anyway as senior horses, lame horses, injured horses need more care than younger, healthier horses). There are sanctuaries out there – but they’re few and far between because caring for older, ill, or injured horses takes quite a lot of time and expense, and not a lot of donors want to fund that. I respect the sanctuaries who are out there, and we’ve worked with some. But, if they do it right, they do have limited space.

Please, stop expecting us to be the place you put your old or injured and unrideable horses to live out their lives. Stop getting mad at me, or our other staff/volunteers, when we say we cannot help. Don’t get mad when we suggest euthanasia might be the kinder option for a horse you can’t (or don’t want to) keep but who is old, ill, or injured.

We’re good at what we do. But we also know we’re not going to be everything to everyone, and we’re fine with that. We just need others to be ok with that, too.

Megan Bowen and her family have been Bluebonnet supporters for several years, and this year she’s back for the Professio...
06/19/2026

Megan Bowen and her family have been Bluebonnet supporters for several years, and this year she’s back for the Professional Division of the Training Challenge.

Megan has been riding and working with horses since she was just seven years old. She’s competed in jumping, dressage, barrels, poles, cattle work, reining, ranch, Western pleasure, and English pleasure. But her favorite is ranch and versatility-style classes. She says that these disciplines really highlight the true foundation of horsemanship—the partnership between horse and rider, the willingness of the horse, and the clarity of the rider’s cues.

In addition to training horses, Megan loves giving lessons to horse lovers of all ages. She also adds, “Over the past couple of years, I stepped into more of a supporting role for my husband, kids, and students—but now I’m ready to step forward again and put my skills, experience, and confidence fully back to work.”

She and her husband, competitor Jeremiah Bowen, run SpirtHorse Horsemanship School in Castroville, Texas where horses are a family affair with her and Jeremiah training horses and their kids showing and riding.

Her Challenge partner this year is El Dorado, an approximately 11 year old, 14.2 hh, stock-horse type gelding. He came to us from another agency late last year, and he’s a friendly guy who has had some training in the past but has some baggage to overcome. Megan will help him through that and we hope he’ll find a loving home at the Challenge.

Paige Seymour has entered the Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge for the first time this year, and you’ll see he...
06/18/2026

Paige Seymour has entered the Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge for the first time this year, and you’ll see her participating in the Professional Division with horse Chiron.

Paige began her dressage journey at age six at a lesson barn she remained with until she was 18 years old. At twelve years old, she started leasing the mare that she would later purchase, who was a green broke, anxious, spooky six year old APHA. Paige says this mare taught her a lot, mainly about behavior management. The pair were schooling Second Level before Paige sold her to the aforementioned lesson barn. She then took on a few re-train projects, and was invited to nationals for First Level on one of them, while schooling Third Level with that same horse. Paige has worked with and for USDF Gold medalists, and she is currently continuing her dressage education to acquire her own USDF medals.

Paige is working with Chiron this year. He is a 12 year old Holsteiner cross, 15 hh, gelding. He came to us because his owner’s health issues made it impossible for her to care for her horses any longer. While he was much loved, he didn’t get much handling before coming to Bluebonnet.

Paige says that Chiron loves to learn and he likes to work! He is super smart, and he uses that big brain of his for good, Good brain, good heart, gentle demeanor, and fantastic work ethic. In about a month, after being given a whole other month to settle in, he went from just being halter broke to standing tied, being cross tied, standing for grooming and hoof handling, enjoying being fly sprayed, enjoying a shower or a bath, standing pretty nicely for the farrier, learning how to lunge, and wearing tack in the cross ties! He thrives on balance in his training and responds really well to praise. He can be picky with treats, but really enjoys his food.

Welcome Haley Lancaster to her second Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge. This year she's returning as an Elite ...
06/18/2026

Welcome Haley Lancaster to her second Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge. This year she's returning as an Elite Professional. Haley's jumped in with Bluebonnet whole-heartedly. Her students adopted Bluebonnet horses at last year's Expo and Challenge and this year she has students competing in both the In Hand and the Non Pro Under Saddle division. We love seeing the Challenge grow in a barn like this!

Haley’s been riding her entire life and started giving lessons and training horses in 2013. After working for other barns for years, she launched her own program in Boyd, Texas, called Emerald Equestrian, in 2022 with an emphasis on promoting Arabian horses.

Haley’s working with Ozzy, an approximately 18 year old, 15.2 hh, Paso Fino gelding. Ozzy came to us from another agency last year. Her arrived underweight, so Haley’s spent time before the Challenge began refeeding him and helping him settle in. He’s nervous in new situations, but that may be because he moved around several times over the last 6-7 months. He’s settling in where he is and we’re excited to see what he and Haley do together.

Time to welcome another awesome returning trainer to the Elite Professional Division of the 2026 Bluebonnet Rescue Horse...
06/17/2026

Time to welcome another awesome returning trainer to the Elite Professional Division of the 2026 Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge: Meet Jeremiah Bowen. The Bowen family has made the Training Challenge a family event - Jeremiah, Megan, and two of their children have competed in previous Training Challenges and this year Jeremiah has been joined by his wife Megan and his daughter Chloe. The Bowen family have also been dedicated Bluebonnet volunteers, picking up horses for us whenever needed, fostering, and volunteering in a number of ways.

Jeremiah and Megan run SpiritHorse Horsemanship School in Castroville Texas where they work with horses and riders from a variety of backgrounds.

Jeremiah says, "Horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and over the years I’ve gone from wrangling c**ts to helping people build lasting partnerships with their horses. I believe in training with purpose, patience, and a whole lot of grit. My style is grounded in principle-based horsemanship—earning trust, setting boundaries, and always laying down a solid foundation that both horse and rider can stand on. Whether I’m working a green-broke rescue or helping a student find their seat, I’m in it for the long game. Around here, we don’t just ride—we raise up horses and people who know how to lead with confidence, compassion, and a touch of cowboy grit."

Jeremiah's partner for this year's Challenge is Aurora. Aurora came to us as a rescue transfer in 2023, was quickly adopted by her foster home who spend time and money rehabilitating her hooves and legs, and then was returned early this year when her adopter's health made training her difficult. She's a five year old, 14.3 hh, perlino, Appaloosa mare with a lot of potential and maybe a few opinions. In their training so far, Jeremiah says that Aurora likes to think through things and share her opinions, but once she understands what you are asking, she tries hard and learns fast.

I love this time of year, the time of year I get to start introducing you to the amazing folks participating in the Blue...
06/16/2026

I love this time of year, the time of year I get to start introducing you to the amazing folks participating in the Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge and the talented and fantastic horses they're working with.

First up is our first applicant for the 2026 Training Challenge, Cara Schroeder, who is in the new Elite Professional division.

Please welcome professional trainer Cara Schroeder back for her fourth Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge - this time with Liezel. Cara Schroeder grew up in the barn and competed in everything from eventing to halter, barrel racing, and driving. She’s developed a brand of horsemanship that is a combination of natural horsemanship with quality expectations. Based out of Emory, TX, Cara currently shows in cow events and liberty and enjoys bringing young horses along with a solid foundation. Fish Creek Ranch offers c**t starts, tune ups, and boarding.

Cara also makes the Training Challenge a family affair - this year her mom's competing, as are both of her daughters. What a way to make rescuing and helping horses a way of life for the whole family!

Cara's Challenge partner Liezel is a 16 year old, 15.1 hand Quarter Horse/Warmblood mare. She came to us when her owner's health problems made it hard to continue working with her horses, and Liezel hadn't been started under saddle or even had much consistent handling in a while. She came to us unsure about being caught and defensive about her legs but with patient daily handling she is learning to give to pressure, respect personal space, and relax during routine care. She is practicing walking beside her handler, taking the lead when asked, and staying focused through obstacle work that helps her think about where she places her feet.

Liezel is good in a herd and prefers a pasture over a stall, though she is easier to catch in a stall. She is also learning that being near a saddled horse and rider is not something to fear. With steady, confidence building sessions, Liezel is showing good progress and continues to improve each week.

Great news - we have a $10,000 matching donor for the The Bluebonnet Horse Expo & Rescue Horse Training Challenge, so yo...
06/16/2026

Great news - we have a $10,000 matching donor for the The Bluebonnet Horse Expo & Rescue Horse Training Challenge, so your donation or sponsorship goes further!

The Sarah and Bob Kee Giving Fund will match up to $500 each for every donation or sponsorship made, starting today, for a total of $10,000 total. Thank you, Sarah and Bob, for your generosity!

For those new to Bluebonnet, the Expo & Challenge is our only big event of the year. It takes place each October in Taylor, Texas, and people travel from across Texas as well as from other states just to attend. The Expo includes presentations by equine professionals, tack for sale, a great vendor area, a stick horse competition for the kids, horses for adoption, a saddle auction, and more. We try to cram as much horsey fun into one day as we can.

And the event also includes the Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge, an event where both professionals and non-pros work with a Bluebonnet horse for four months and then show off what they’ve learned at the Expo. Those horses are then available for adoption.

The Expo & Challenge are many things: a community event, an educational event, an adoption event, and a fundraiser for the horses of Bluebonnet. Without a successful Expo, we would struggle to help horses throughout the next year.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, October 3rd at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor, Texas.

You can learn more about sponsorship benefits and donor gifts and make your donation or sponsorship at https://www.bluebonnetequine.org/sponsors/.

You can meet the Challenge horses participating this year by clicking here and then clicking on individual horse names.

I really love the Expo – not only are we raising money for a good cause, but there are so many educational opportunities, so much shopping, and gorgeous horses to meet. Plus we get to see all the attendees in person: see old friends and make new ones. It really is an amazing day, and I hope you can help us make it the best one yet.

If you have any questions about sponsoring, donating, being a vendor, or helping out with the Expo in another way, please reach out. I’m always happy to chat about the rescue and the Expo!

Address

PO Box 632
College Station, TX
77841

Telephone

+18885425163

Website

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