The Building of a Public Adoption Site for HHT

Horse Haven of Tennessee was founded in 1999 as a network of individuals that would open their facility's to house horses that the local Humane Societies and law enforcement had no place to put.  Having a place to house horses, at no expense to the local counties, made local officials more willing to take complaints on equine more serious, and make an effort to do something about it.

Over the years HHT has realized the need for a facility to house the animals that come into our care in a more public type environment. Fosters are great for emergency and short term housing situations but we have found that until the judicial forces expedite the hearing of cases in their courts long term fostering does not work very well. This would also allow volunteers easy access to help with hands on rehabilitation and evaluation of both the horse and potential adopter.

HHT has been slowly clearing, priming and fencing 47 acres of "free lease" land over the past 3 years. This 47 acres has been divided into 6 tracts, each having a specific purpose. Most of this acreage was overgrown with cedar trees, raspberry bushes and thick brush.

2004 - The "Middle Pasture" is where the barn is being erected in sections. The barn will have the capability to be disassembled and moved should the need arise. This area will have a 60' round pen that will be used to work with the horses and allow an adopter to get acquainted.  Approx. 5 acres this area is still being cleared in areas but is being used for pasture at this time.

HHT SOUTH

2005 - UPDATE: Thanks to a generous donor we have erected a containment area in the front of this area. It will enable us easier access to the harder to catch animals. It also allows us an area that our truck & trailer can be pulled into to unload in a secure area. We have erected it in such a way that three animals can be separated at one time. The original run-in shed, that was being used for round baled hay storage, will be reconstructed and go back into operation as a shelter later this year.

UPDATE: We have been looking at these portable type stalls pre-built, but we feel the cost of $4,100 could be better spent else where. If anyone is feeling generous and would like to purchase one for us it would be greatly appreciated though. :-)

The "Mountain Pasture" was fenced in a little over a year ago by a great group of volunteers who donated their time and energy to wade through sticker bushes to put in fencing. It gives the horses a great view of the Smoky Mountains but they seem to be more interested in the lush grass that has been taking root since being cleared. Pictured below is the "BrushWolf" that made short work of clearing a path that leads up to the "mountain".

The "Middle" and "Mountain" areas are supplied with water donated by a gracious neighbor. 

The "North" area has a well and spring we hope to tap into. The cost of having a water meter installed on this property is $700 and we do not see this as an expense we want to incur at this time.            

UPDATE: This area was seeded last fall and coming in nicely.

2004 - The "North Pasture" is the secluded area that will be used to house horses from confiscation cases and horses in quarantine. This is the largest area that we have been priming for the last three years and has the nicest pasture. We hope to have this area fenced in by the spring of 2005. This has been the most exciting area to watch take shape. After our "BrushWolf" weekend we are almost ready to fence. In the future this area will get divided but until them we may try and have someone  hay it for us in the spring.        

While clearing the "North Pasture" we uncovered an old barn. The main structure is not useable but an added run in shed seems to be sound. The cleared area next to the barn will be fenced and used as our quarantine area.

There are two other large parcels totaling approx. 25 acres that are targeted to be used in the coming years. One has a pond on the property and the overgrowth is not too bad. We will start bush hogging these parcels in 2005 to start prepping them for use further down the road.

UPDATE: This area has been fenced and working out nicely.

2005 - Over The past few months we have been installing donated fencing. We still have a long way to go but we are getting closer to our goal with every nail pounded. The board fencing above replaces the previous barbed wire.

2005 - A 30' X 30' containment corral was added to the fencing plan. Temporary corral panels will be replaced with more board fencing at a later date. The blue barrels are used to store water in the event of colder temperatures and we are unable to run water. The cost to have a water meter for this property is $700 so we will continue to use the donated water from a neighboring property.

2005 - Donated white vinyl fencing was used to replace old t-posts and, five strand, web fencing. Being used it is still rather stiff to work with in colder temperatures so it hasn't been stretched tight yet.

2005 - This old barn was uncovered while clearing out the "North Pasture". We had originally thought it would not be useable. After a closer check, and some massive cleaning and securing, the barn will be able to be used as a run-in. The outside may not be a Morton Barn, but thank goodness our equine friends aren't fashion conscience.

2006 - We have added a containment area off of the rear of the barn.

2007 - Due to some recent storm damage this structure has been deemed unsafe for people and horses. We were able to use it for two years, but it looks like this barn will need to be torn down and something else built in its place. Finances don't allow for this demolition at this time, but maybe in the near future.

The road heading to this area has also been cleared and makes for a great walk!

Dinner Time!

2006 - Installing a 20' X 18' shed that will house round bales of hay.
The sides will be enclosed to keep out the weather.

Now that we have a super lady working on writing us some grants, we hope to someday have a tractor like this to
help make our daily work easier.

But...until such a time that God decides to provide this luxury in our lives, we will continue to push forward
with the tools he has provided us. 

2007 - The Lord Will Provide! YEAH!!!! Below: HHT Board member picks up tractor at Ritchie Tractor in Maryville.

2006 A New Facility for HHT

2006 - Do to the generosity of a great family we are excited about the opening of a new HHT facility in west Knoxville. 20 acres with three separate pasture areas. Six, heated 12 X 12 stalls. Two outdoor stalls with a 12 X 24 run in shed, and a smaller barn with 4 stalls. To top off the facility there is an evaluation riding arena. Our hope is to be able to hold horsemanship clinics at this site later in the year.

2007 - Due to the sale of the south property, after the death of the property owner, our original facility in South Knoxville will close at the end of the year. We appreciate the opportunity the use of this property for 8 years has allowed us. We will always remember how this person generosity allowed HHT to get off the ground and running. We'll miss you Ms. Margaret.

2008 Starts off with a Bang!!

In 2007 HHT volunteers cared for 52 horses. What a busy year. As we go into 2008 we currently have 26 horses in our care with 15 of these being housed at our West Knoxville Facility. We expect many great things for the coming year and look forward to meeting many more people who want to get involved. Volunteers are the HEART of HHT and we welcome all those who wish to help.

To start the year out right a generous donor has given us two greatly needed pieces of equipment.

     
Volunteers have been using the golf cart daily to make feeding out in the fields much easier and faster. The manure spreader will require some work, but we hope to have it operational soon.

 We will hold  "Work Days" during the year. Volunteers are needed to help fence, build and maintain our facility. If you would be willing to help please contact David at (865) 609-4030. The more volunteers we have the more we get accomplished.