Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Inc.

What Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Inc. does

Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit equine sanctuary founded in 2008 by Deanna Hearn and headquartered in Dover Plains, New York, on a 42-acre property with an 11,000 sq ft arena and main barn. The organization provides permanent lifetime sanctuary for more than 50 rescued, retired, and neglected horses — including Thoroughbreds accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, miniature horses, mares, and geldings — and operates equine-assisted therapy, youth development, wellness, and corporate team-building programs grounded in evidence-based methodologies (EAGALA, E3A, ARCH, Natural Lifemanship, CHA). It holds a Charity Navigator Four-Star rating, Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, and accreditations from GFAS, TAA, CHA, EQUUS Foundation, and the New York State Office of the Professions.

The revenue model is hybrid and nonprofit-typical: recurring individual horse sponsorships (horses cost $30–$40.77 per day to care for), one-time and monthly donations processed through Givebutter/GiveGab, corporate giving and event sponsorship, planned/legacy giving, fee-based services (Basic Farm Tours at $25, Founders Farm Tours at $75, equine-assisted psychotherapy, Bowen and Reiki wellness sessions, corporate retreats), and venue rental of the arena and grounds for weddings, photoshoots, and corporate events. Operational delivery is supported by 7 paid staff and more than 2,800 volunteer hours contributed in 2025.

The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube), earned media across regional and equestrian outlets (News 12 Westchester, Poughkeepsie Journal, Hudson Valley Magazine, Thoroughbred Daily News, USEF), direct corporate outreach, and on-site experiential bookings. Customer segments span veterans and first responders, youth and families, corporate and organizational groups, individuals seeking wellness support, and the general public attending tours and community events. There is no proprietary technology platform; all programmatic value is delivered through in-person, credentialed-facilitator interactions with the resident horse herd.

Name

Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Inc.

Legal name

Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Inc.

Website

https://luckyorphans.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Dover Plains, NY, providing permanent sanctuary for 50+ rescued horses and delivering equine-assisted therapy, youth development, corporate retreats, and wellness programs grounded in evidence-based methodologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Services & Animal Sanctuary

NAICS

Horses and Other Equine Production (11292)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sanctuaries & Long-Term Care (Farm, Equine, Exotic) (BPAGAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted therapy
• Horse rescue sanctuary
• Animal welfare nonprofit
• Corporate team building
• Equine wellness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dover Plains

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations & Sponsorship: Individual donors contribute monthly or one-time gifts to sponsor horses or general operations. One horse costs $40.77 per day to care for. The organization publishes specific per-horse daily care costs ($30–$40.77) to encourage targeted sponsorship.
2. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships: Companies partner through event sponsorship, program sponsorship, horse care sponsorship, volunteer days, employee giving, matching gifts, in-kind donations, and annual corporate partnerships.
3. Legacy & Planned Giving: Bequests, beneficiary designations, retirement account gifts, life insurance beneficiaries, memorial gifts, and named funds provide long-term fundraising revenue.
4. Event Hosting & Venue Rental: The sanctuary rents out its 11,000 sq ft arena, main barn, and 42 acres for events including weddings, photoshoots, dinner parties, family reunions, bachelorette/bachelor parties, and company events. Off-site pony visits are also available.
5. Farm Tours: The organization offers Basic Farm Tours ($25 per guest, volunteer-led) and Founders Farm Tours ($75 per guest, Executive Director-led) as paid experiences.
6. Equine-Assisted Programs: Fee-based equine-assisted psychotherapy, youth programs, wellness sessions (Bowen, Reiki), and corporate development programs are offered by appointment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue operates a 42-acre permanent sanctuary for 50+ rescued and retired horses in Dover Plains, NY, delivering evidence-based equine-assisted programs for individuals, youth, veterans, first responders, and corporate groups. The organization combines lifelong horse care (including Thoroughbred aftercare) with paid experiential services such as therapy sessions, wellness sessions (Bowenwork and Reiki), youth development, corporate retreats, farm tours, and event venue hosting, funded through donations, sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue operates as a single, unified nonprofit sanctuary offering multiple interconnected equine-assisted programs and services. The core offering is permanent sanctuary for rescued horses (Thoroughbreds, miniatures, mares, geldings) combined with therapeutic programming. The product portfolio includes: Equine Assisted Programs (EAGALA/E3A/ARCH/Natural Lifemanship certified therapy sessions for individuals, veterans, first responders), Youth Equine Assisted Program (ground-based youth development), Women's Equine Assisted Program, Equine Assisted Wellness (Bowen therapy and Reiki), Business Development Program (corporate retreats, leadership workshops, team building, executive coaching), Farm Tours (basic and premium founder tours), Event Hosting (venue rental for weddings/events using 11,000 sq ft arena and 42 acres), Horse Sponsorship Program (monthly donation program), and Education Programs (internships, school visits, field trips). The organization also operates a Volunteer Program and accepts legacy/corporate donations. All programs are grounded in non-riding, experiential interactions with rescued horses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Equine Assisted Programs
• Youth Equine Assisted Program
• Women's Equine Assisted Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,800 volunteer hours contributed in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Thoroughbred Aftercare AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLucky Orphans is TAA-accredited, providing retired Thoroughbred racehorses with permanent sanctuary and transitioning them to therapy roles. This accreditation is a core differentiator and prerequisite for certain funding.
• Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGFAS accreditation ensures Lucky Orphans meets the highest standards for animal sanctuaries, building donor trust and organizational credibility.
• EQUUS FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as an EQUUS Foundation Mentor Organization. The foundation supports Lucky Orphans' equine-assisted programs and veteran mental health initiatives through grant funding and visibility.
• U.S. Equestrian (USEF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed in the USEF Diversity & Inclusion Program Directory. Lucky Orphans participates in USEF programs and has been featured in USEF Equestrian Magazine.
• New York State Office of the ProfessionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLucky Orphans is formally permitted by NY State Office of the Professions to offer mental health and personal development support services, a regulatory prerequisite for its therapy programs.
• E3A (Equine Experiential Education Association)coreTechnology or IntegrationLucky Orphans is certified through E3A for equine-assisted experiential education, using their model to guide team building and leadership development programs.
• ARCH (Adventures in Resilience through Connection and Horses)coreTechnology or IntegrationLucky Orphans is an ARCH member, applying their framework for ethical, effective equine-assisted programs.
• Natural LifemanshipcoreTechnology or IntegrationLucky Orphans is Natural Lifemanship certified (Level 1), using their trauma-informed relational model for equine-assisted therapy.
• Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHA accreditation provides standards for facility operations and program delivery in Lucky Orphans' equine education and therapy work.
• Academy of Prosocial LearningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization applying prosocial principles to the sanctuary's equestrian education and therapy programs.
• Arenas for ChangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner of Arenas for Change, supporting ethical and transformative programming across the sanctuary's activities.
• Blue Dragonfly BodyworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWellness practitioner partner providing bodywork services; linked as a service provider supporting sanctuary programs.
• Marcs Clock Works NYminorOthersLocal business providing service discounts supporting the organization's operations.
• NYbredsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York horse breeding industry organization supporting thoroughbred aftercare and rescue initiatives.
• Savarese SepticminorOthersLocal service provider offering septic services at a discount to support sanctuary operations.
• Unwanted Horse Vets ReciprocityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition providing veterinary support reciprocity for unwanted horses, complementing Lucky Orphans' rescue care.
• Double 'D' TrailersminorOthersHorse trailer company featured in their partner directory, providing in-kind support for the rescue.
• Jack's Auto ServiceminorOthersLocal auto repair shop providing service discounts to support sanctuary operations.
• American TrucksminorOthersTruck company providing in-kind service discounts to support Lucky Orphans.
• BimedaminorOthersAnimal health company providing product donations supporting horse care at the sanctuary.
• Better in Balance BookkeepingminorOthersBookkeeping firm (run by Melissa Kizis, the organization's bookkeeper) providing professional services.
• Bolton Reuter PhotographyminorOthersPhotography studio providing professional photography services at a discount for the organization.
• Prime Print ShopminorOthersLocal print shop providing printing services at a discount for the organization's materials.
• SavareseminorOthersLocal business providing service discounts supporting Lucky Orphans' operations.
• Williams LumberminorOthersLocal lumber supplier providing building and maintenance materials at a discount for the sanctuary.
• BentleyminorOthersLocal business providing product donations to support the sanctuary.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: Large national animal welfare nonprofit with horse rescue programs in the Northeast — a broad incumbent that competes for donor dollars and corporate partnerships in the same giving market.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National scale nonprofit animal welfare organization with sanctuary operations and programs across species — a broad incumbent in the same charitable/welfare category.
• Humane Society of the United States: National umbrella animal welfare organization with equine protection programs, competing for grants, sponsorships, and major-donor attention across the broader animal welfare category.

Others

• EQUUS Foundation: National equine welfare foundation and grantmaker that funds and publicly lists Lucky Orphans as a Mentor Organization — an enabling/ecosystem partner that both supports and benchmarks peer sanctuaries.

Direct peers

• Equine Advocates: New York-based horse rescue and sanctuary focused on permanent care and welfare advocacy for horses — geographically overlapping and mission-aligned with Lucky Orphans.
• ReRun Horse Rescue: Northeast US Thoroughbred aftercare and rescue organization with rehoming and sanctuary programs, closely matching Lucky Orphans' Thoroughbred aftercare and Northeast geography.
• The Gentle Barn: California-based nonprofit animal sanctuary (including rescued horses) offering animal-assisted therapy, school visits, and corporate retreats — comparable as a multi-species sanctuary with paid human-programming experiences.
• Days End Farm Horse Rescue: Maryland-based 501(c)(3) horse rescue that provides permanent sanctuary and adoption for rescued equines — the closest comparable to Lucky Orphans in mission, scale, and permanent-care model.
• Horse Rescue of North Texas: Regional horse rescue operating a large herd with adoption and sanctuary elements — directly comparable in intake-to-care economics, though more rehoming-weighted.
• Habitat for Horses: Texas-based equine rescue and sanctuary operating a large-acreage facility with permanent care and adoption pathways — comparable in sanctuary model and operational footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Luckyorphans08
• Facebookfacebook.com/LuckyOrphans
• Instagraminstagram.com/luckyorphanshorses/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@luckyorphanshorserescue
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lucky-orphans-horse-rescue

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Inc.