Rapidan Equine Sanctuary

Providing sanctuary to neglected equines while embracing the bonds they share with humans.

Rapidan Equine Sanctuary (RES) is a registered 501(c)(3), founded in 2025. We envision a world where every equine is valued and respected, and where their human partners grow in confidence and ability. By strengthening trust between equines, humans, and communities, we strive for a future where no horse suffers neglect, and all can experience the transformative power of equine stewardship. 

RES is situated in Fredericksburg, Virginia on a 40-acre property near the historic Ely's Ford in Culpeper County. The land supports herd-based living and the daily care elderly and formerly neglected equines require. 

Instead of a horse rescue, which rehabilitates and rehomes animals, RES is an equine sanctuary, focusing on lifetime care. Many of our residents are elderly, chronically injured, medically complex, or emotionally guarded. Most cannot be ridden. Several have been rehomed multiple times. 

We believe an equine’s value does not depend on what they can do for people and we learn daily from our residents about nature, ourselves, and the significance of connection. At RES, we find that people who care for others’ wellbeing feel better themselves. These experiences commit us to the values of integrity, courage, compassion, education, and fun! 

RES is currently a volunteer-only organization committed to helping heal equines, people, the local community, and the land itself. Our priorities include expanding our herd to a sustainable size, increasing education and community engagement, maturing our organization, developing sustainable and diversified fundraising, achieving Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries accreditation (we are first eligible in 2028), and perhaps someday securing permanent ownership of the sanctuary property and converting the land into conservancy.

We hope you will join us on this amazing journey of helping equines, people, communities, and the land. Success for us isn't a viable animal welfare nonprofit but an embodiment of the word "sanctuary", for equines, humans, communities, and nature, passed on to future generations. The work ahead is significant, but so is the opportunity: to build something lasting, credible, and worthy of the equines, people, and communities who depend on it.