Every horse deserves a treat – Kelcie’s partners with Unbridled
Kelcie’s Horse Treats announced a partnership with Unbridled Sanctuary and the reasoning behind the collaboration was simple – every horse deserves a treat.
Unbridled Sanctuary, based in New York, was founded by Susan Kayne over 20 years ago and what started out as finding new jobs and homes for Thoroughbreds off the racetrack, now addresses the issue of retired and abandoned equines across the board. “The only ethical engagement with horses is to consider the whole of their natural lifespan,” Susan said.
Kelcie’s are the go-to treat for high performance horses, Olympic competitors even. The company is the official treat of leading horse show venues in the USA, including Wellington International and the Winter Equestrian Festival, Desert International Horse Park, HITS – Horse Shows in the Sun – and TerraNova Equestrian Center. But the company’s newest partnership extends beyond championship ribbons and elite competitions to horses that are vulnerable to neglect and abandonment, were it not for Unbridled Sanctuary’s intervention.
“Kelcie’s recognizes that every horse has inherent worth, regardless of age, breed, performance record, economic value, or circumstance,” said Kelcie’s Horse Treats’ Founder, Kevin Nairne. “Unbridled is giving the same care, respect, and quality afforded to elite equine athletes to horses who have been neglected, discarded, or forgotten – and all horses matter.”
A large part of Unbridled’s work revolves around educating people as to the inherent absence of long-term care in the equestrian world. Unbridled Sanctuary welcomes hundreds of visitors each year – they meet the horses, and more importantly learn their stories.
“Many people are surprised to discover that animals once worth millions can end up neglected or discarded,” said Susan. ‘Treat tubs’ filled with carrots, apples and Kelcie’s are provided for guests to build a connection with the horses while feeding them healthy snacks. “It’s a small but intimate act, feeding a horse a treat,” said Susan. “But it opens the door to a conversation about care, responsibility and nutrition. Kelcie’s isn’t simply providing healthy treats. The company is helping foster conversations about ethical horsemanship and responsible stewardship.”
Susan’s journey began with one retired racehorse, Stalwart Member, a New York-bred Thoroughbred who had earned over $700,000 and who Susan elected to make her project by finding the horse a new life and a new home off the racetrack. Twenty two years later, she is at the helm of Unbridled Sanctuary, providing a home to some 65 rescued horses, donkeys and mules on a daily basis. Since its foundation in 2004 the charity has expanded to protect equines of all breeds and backgrounds, giving a safe haven over the years to hundreds of animals that might otherwise have been neglected and all too often, sent to slaughter.
Susan sees it as an ethical problem and one that can be addressed with the concept that every horse deserves to be treated well, given a treat, given care. “It’s about being responsible for the whole life of a horse, not just during its peak,” she said. “Your real equestrian champions aren’t just the winners. They’re the ones who take care of their horses for life.”
