Horse rescue increases size, programs
When Tina Garrett and Matt Venaleck started South West Florida Horse Rescue in 2010 off Nalle Grade Road, neither had any idea it would become as large as it has.
Today, the ranch has 40 acres and cares for 10 horses on property just north of the Lee County line. Many of those animals would have had no chance otherwise.
On June 25 and 26, the rescue will host a horsemanship clinic with Carson James, who will teach people the basics in how to handle your horse.
Garrett and Venaleck are both FedEx drivers, but wanted to make an impact on the community by saving horses. It was the perfect time, as many people were forced to give them up when the economy turned sour.
“We never meant to be a big rescue, we were two people that wanted to rescue, rehab and rehome two horses at a time,” Garrett said. “That was on five acres.”
The following year, there was a situation where there were 50 to 60 horses on a breeding ranch in Fort Myers that went under. They were able to save 19 of those horses with the help of fosters.
Soon, the media got involved and the phones lit up. Garrett was stunned so many people were ready to support her cause.
“It wasn’t just here. People from Illinois and Atlanta were calling. People didn’t realize there was a horse rescue here and they just loved the story. It was different,” Garrett said.
One day, they got a visitor from a foundation, who spoke with them about how to get funding to get something a little bigger than hayfeed.
They would have to become a 501 c 3 non-profit, which would have cost lots of money and the partners were still funding everything from their own pockets. The foundation gave them the money and fast-tracked their approval, becoming incorporated in 2012.
The foundation wanted to find a larger piece of property and, in early 2014, they found 40 acres on State Road 31, just north of the Lee/Charlotte County line.
The rescue received a $450,000 grant to buy the foreclosed property. The property was beautiful, Garrett said, but it needed some work.
“Everything was overgrown. Pepper trees were smothering the oak trees. But we saw beyond that and saw what it could be,” Garrett said. “People who see it now are absolutely floored because it is a drastic change.”
While the new site across the county line has a Punta Gorda address, their organization is still registered at the Nalle Grade address in North Fort Myers.
Garrett has been working on the farm since they purchased the land. They have fostered out some of the animals since they are working on a barn project and working on the “north 20.”
Garrett currently has 10 horses on the property, but has saved the lives of more than 100 horses since 2010. She said they are picky about where the horses go because it’s all about the horses.
Of all the horses they have saved, some are voluntary surrenders. Others were surrendered, but the owners waited until the horse became sick. Garrett said only twice have they rescued horses in Animal Control, from Collier County.
“We don’t have authority to take horses, but when people contact us about a situation, we are able to research and find the owner,” Garrett said. “We have a way of telling the owner to let us take the horses and let them know we put the horses first.”
For those who would like to keep their horses, South West Florida Horse Rescue has invited Carson James on the last weekend in June to teach people how to control them.
Carson was discovered by Garrett online while doing a training session on his property. She and some friends drove five hours to see what he did.
“We loved his method and everything he’s about. We met his mom and asked them to come here for a clinic,” Garrett said. “We believe that most times the human needs to be trained.”
The show is already sold out, but everyone is welcome to come see the clinic. Those who are participating can make a donation to the rescue in lieu of paying a fee.
“He has such a way with horses. He can take a horse that’s all on top of you and within minutes, he has the horse’s full attention,” Garrett said. “Carson Green isn’t a big name now, but he will be.”