Steve Cordle
news@greenepublishing.com
Many have had to move at one time in our lives, some more than once. Some have had to move on short notice, such as a week or two. Moving can be hard, but it gets a little more complicated when you have to move about two dozen horses. When the Rainbows Edge Equine Transition Center found out the Leon County property they were renting had been sold, they quickly had to find a new home. Rainbows Edge Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization that serves as an adoption and rehabilitation center for aged, neglected and abused horses in Jefferson County.
Rainbows Edge Director, Roxanne Spear, said the organization had been looking for about seven years for a place to which they could move, when, in the spring of 2020, they received word that property they were renting was in the process of being sold, which left them with no alternative but to find a new place. "We were seriously, actively looking for about three months," said Spear. With the help of Sarah Pike of Madison Realty Group, a 21-acre parcel of land was located in Madison County.
Rainbows Edge is a non-profit organization, so any donations to them are tax-deductible and, being a corporation, the organization will survive the passing of any owners. Spears stated, "most horse rescues are actually on someone's personal property. It is rare for a rescue to own their own property." The problem was that being a non-profit organization, banks were reluctant to loan them the large sum of money needed to purchase enough land to accommodate the horses. Pike and the Madison Realty Group were undeterred and kept looking for a home for the horses, while Spear and the board contemplated their options. During this time, Smith Abstract and Title, in Madison, came up with a solution. If Rainbows Edge could come up with $30,000 in 30 days, Smith Abstract and Title would carry the note. After a rigorous fundraising effort, Rainbows Edge came up with $27,150 in 30 days. Spears stated that it "was raised despite a pandemic and two hurricanes. We raised a crazy amount of money in 30 days!" Despite falling $2,850 short of their goal, Smith Abstract and Title held up their end of the bargain. The money raised from contributions and the assistance provided by Smith Abstract and Title covered the down payment and closing costs on the property. On Oct. 10, Rainbows Edge Equine Rescue moved into their new, permanent home. Moving 13 horses is hard work. Spears thanked Richard Connell of Georgia-Florida Aviation Search Team (G-FAST) for stepping up and moving five sheds from Leon County to Madison County.
With the number of horses in their care, Rainbows Edge is also trying to raise funds to build a barn that can house the horses and provide shelter, especially in bad weather. For day-to-day operations, volunteers are always needed to work with the horses. "All volunteers are hands-on with the horses," Spears said. Volunteers feed, brush and walk the horses. Since most of the horses have experienced abuse, they need human contact to show them that humans can care for them. Besides human help, cash is always appreciated to pay for the hay and other things they need. Since Rainbow's Edge is a 501(c)(3) all contributions are tax-deductible. Further information can be obtained by calling Roxanne Spears at (850) 878-8441.