Horse Haven of Tennessee was a long time dream of founding President/Executive Director Nina Margetson. Nina and her husband David moved to Tennessee from upstate New York in 1979 where Nina found employment as a veterinary assistant at a local small animal hospital. Over the years while working within the animal welfare community, Nina recognized the need for a place to shelter equine in the event of emergencies, abandonment or confiscation. County animal shelters were ill-equipped or unwilling to house equine if the need arose. Cruelty cases were not being investigated because even if reasonable cause was found to remove the animals, there was no place to house them  until a judgment was made by the courts.

 In 1997 Nina and David purchased a few acres and  began working towards building a temporary placement facility. An additional 47+ acres was made available for their use but would require clearing and fencing. During this time Nina began earning her Animal Cruelty Investigator certification from the National Cruelty Investigators School, offered through the University of Missouri Law Enforcement Training Institute. The plan was to have a small, equine holding facility and a network of foster people available in the Knox and surrounding counties, offered at no charge to the local officials, within three (3) years. By being able to offer this type of service HHT had hopes the local communities would be more apt to take a stand against neglect and cruelty to our equine friends.

June of 1999 (approx. one year before HHT was ready) Nina received a call from Roane County law enforcement in regards to 4 horses confiscated from their owner because of neglect. It has been full steam ahead ever since.

Not being 100% ready with an on-site adoption facility HHT has had to rely on the generosity of our foster network. Without their help HHT would not have been able to help the 161 horses that have found their way into our program. Many changes have been made over the last six years and all of us here at Horse Haven have been learning plenty along the way.

Horse Haven of Tennessee is an active member of the following groups:

       AATF Brochure.pdf

HHT Promo;  WBIR TV  aired "STYLE" 9/9/05

Things We've Seen:

Click on movie reel for presentation

Things we've learned: 

We have learned that buying thin horses at the local auction houses does nothing but encourage the local trader to find more to bring to the sale. Instead we strive to get law enforcement of the current laws regarding horse sales enforced. We also educate the public of the buyer beware policies that needs to be taken seriously before buying from a auction.

We have learned that not everyone has the same views as HHT when it comes to equine related issues. We have learned to except suggestions in the spirit that they are given and disregard those that are not within the realm of our mission. We are always open to suggestions and try to implement those that help with our long range goals.

We have learned HHT can not do it alone. It takes the support of all those within the state that have a warm spot in their hearts for our equine friends. Whether it is through your sweat or your checkbook, we welcome and need your help.

Horse Haven of Tennessee is a non-profit corporation run by a board of directors which currently consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and eight additional individuals.

Staying focused:

 Keeping our sights on our original purpose has not been easy. There have been many obstacles placed in our path, but we have held strong and worked hard to remain focused. We have learned from our mistakes and benefited from our accomplishments. Our probationary period with the state is over and we now have received full 501c3 status so we are excited and look forward to the future.

Accomplishments:

 229 horses to date (January 2008) have come to us for care from counties from all over the state of Tennessee

We continue to strive for better equine protection laws. HHT is working to build a statewide equine rescue network. Bringing awareness and help to equine in need in Tennessee requires people from across the state to come together with their resources and expertise. If you would be interested in helping in these efforts please let us know. Horse Haven of Tennessee is hoping the current Tennessee Equine Protection Bill - SB1290 & HB1988 will find its way onto the floor soon. Please contact your state representative and ask them to co-sponsor this bill.
    

HHT was on the planning committee of the Animal Abuse Task Force in Knoxville. The AATF help's with the placement of animals that are in need of temporary care when their owners leave their homes due to domestic violence.

HHT co-sponsored with the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension in 2005 and 2006 to hold the first Equine Cruelty Investigator Training Short Course in Tennessee. Bringing the appropriate training to those who handle abuse and neglect calls of equine within our state is an important first step towards helping our equine friends. This training is held annually, and will be held in 2008 at our new facility in West Knoxville.

KATRINA & How It Effected HHT

2005 brought new challenges to all of us here at HHT. Two of our members traveled to Atlanta to get trained to become Red Star Emergency Responders. Under the direction of the American Humane Association Nina M. & Tiffany J. are now a part of a nationwide emergency volunteer responder team. One week after returning from Atlanta the HHT trailer, filled with 2500lbs. of horse feed, medical supplies and water, headed to Gonzales, LA to help out at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center after Hurricane Katrina hit. We spent 5 days working in the blistering heat and feel we have brought back a lot of knowledge to share with our statewide rescue network.

A few weeks after returning from Louisiana, we got a phone call from a family who had lost everything in Slidell, LA and had temporarily moved in with relatives in another state. They did not have time to get their horses out and needed help. They needed to find a way to get them, and someplace to house their horses who needed to be moved from the local stable. Nina and David took a quick trip down and picked them up, along with their trailer, and brought them back to Knoxville to foster until the family can get back on their feet. If finances allow there may be more trips south in the near future to help out again. It has proved to be a good learning experience and we look forward to using this knowledge to make our Disaster Animal Response Team here in Tennessee the best in the country.

Mission Statement: Helping to protect our God-given equine from abuse and neglect in Tennessee. Educating the public on cruel and inhumane practices inflicted on our equine friends, by giving a voice to those that cannot speak for themselves.

After we realized the problem with lack of education the public has on the Premarin Farms for producing female hormone replacement drugs, Horse Slaughter for Human Consumption and cruel training practices within the Walking Horse Industry, HHT has extended their educational format to cover these topics.

Tennessee ranks 2nd.for horse population within the U.S. The Tennessee Walking Horse is our state horse. These majestic animals deserve our protection after serving us proudly, asking for nothing but humane care and treatment in exchange?

Horse Haven of Tennessee is chartered with the State of Tennessee as a non-profit organization. We have full 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Your donation is tax deductible.

2006 Horse Haven of Tennessee Financial Report

 We hope you find this site informative.
If you find it in your heart, please support this cause with your financial donation.

THANK YOU!

Click HERE to read the Policies of Horse Haven of Tennessee.

Horse Haven of Tennessee is not a retirement home for unwanted horses. We do not have the proper facility, or funding, to provide this type of service. Responsible horse owners need to understand that owning an equine is a lifetime commitment. Reputable retirement farms require a monthly board fee to be able to provide for the care of an animal in its final days.

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We have had some people contact us stating that we are only adopting out to people with fancy barns. I want to assure you, this is not the case. We judge everyone fairly and do not place the amount of money someone has over the welfare of the horses we place. Below you will see two shelters that have been provided by 2 of our adopters. One is a picture before the new owner finished cleaning it out and getting it ready. The other is in addition to some trees for shelter. The horses that were adopted out to these two owners are warm, safe and greatly loved.

Click any image to enlarge

"Rescued Hearts"

"The Bridge"