“I know that ‘hard’ doesn’t mean ‘impossible,’” says Livestock and Equine Awareness and Rescue Network (L.E.A.R.N.) director Elizabeth Steed. “If the animal has the will to live, then I will work tirelessly to extend its life.” Each animal comes to Steed with its own story—from a Charleston Cup winner to a rescue from a meat auction to an imported horse that arrived at L.E.A.R.N. blind and left with cleared vision.
Since its founding in 2009, L.E.A.R.N. has helped more than 100 area horses who otherwise would have been sent to a livestock auction or slaughterhouse or perished from neglect and starvation. Of those saved, 70 have been placed in new adoptive homes, and many remain at L.E.A.R.N.’s farm in Meggett and other loaned pastures on John’s Island. But more than just rescuing these abused animals, Steed and her team are also dedicated to preventing future cruelty by educating potential owners of the immense financial, physical, and emotional responsibilities that come with owning a horse. www.learnhorserescue.org
