About Our Equine Operations
Deanna Hearn founded Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue in 2008 after years as an exercise rider and barn manager, and the Dover Plains sanctuary on Route 22 now cares for 42 horses, most of them retired Thoroughbred racehorses. The organisation states it does not buy horses, support auctions or kill pens, or take in horses whose owners want to rehome them; horses accepted here stay for life. Accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the farm runs ground-based Equine-Assisted Development sessions addressing communication, self-awareness and emotional regulation for veterans, first responders, youth and corporate groups. Under a New York State Office of the Professions waiver, a licensed mental health professional provides equine-assisted psychotherapy on site through an independent practice.