July 10, 2016

I never knew about Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines until about three years ago, when we bought our current home. The previous homeowner provided us with a folder of documents about our property’s 200 year old history. From 1927 until 1933, our property (which I lovingly have named Fox Valley Farm) was part of Ryerss Infirmary for Dumb Animals, the first charity in the nation devoted to providing a sanctuary for retired working horses.

By 1933, Ryerss had outgrown our property in Devon; they subsequently moved to Malvern, and then finally to the farm’s current location in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Today, Ryerss houses about 75 horses aged twenty and older, a number of whom were rescued from neglectful or abusive situations. They currently have a waiting list of 350 (!) horses in need of a permanent retirement.

Ryerss is open to visitors daily. The horses happily seek out visitors, expecting treats in the form of sliced apples or carrots. We have visited several times, always with a bag of carrots in tow, and are delighted to support this wonderful organization. Ryerss is the oldest non-profit horse sanctuary in the United States, and they are always in need of financial support. Please consider donating to this wonderful organization!