History of BEHS

BEHS was formed in March 2005 by a group of horse enthusiasts who felt there was a need for a new rescue to help horses and other equines throughout Texas and Arkansas.  The new organization was publicly announced on March 12th by President Jennifer Williams as an introduction to her talk entitled "How Rescues Help Unwanted Horses" at the American Quarter Horse Association's annual convention in St. Louis, MO.

The organization incorporated as a Texas Non-Profit Corporation on March 14, 2005 and then filed to do business as a foreign corporation in Arkansas on March 21, 2005.  Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society filed for and received certification as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization in 2005.

In the first year of operation, BEHS gathered over 180 new members and was able to help over 60 horses, donkeys, and mules in both Texas and Arkansas. The organization investigated over 50 neglect cases. Horses were seized from their owners in four of those cases and in four other cases the owners voluntarily surrendered their horses to BEHS. The rescue also placed 14 equines into loving, adoptive homes.

During BEHS' second year of operations, the organization increased membership to 319 members, and the organization's Arkansas membership more than doubled. The organization took in over 70 new horses and placed 36 into adoptive homes. BEHS received over 260 reports of neglect and was involved in several seizures and owners surrendered their horses in other cases. The organization also received its first grant, $9,000 from PETsMART Charities. The grant enabled the rescue to help even more horses than before.

2007 was another exciting year. The organization received its second grant, $5,000 from the ASPCA. The organization's membership swelled to nearly 450. Bluebonnet took in 86 equines in 2007 and placed 58 into new homes. The rescue received over 300 reports of neglect, and Bluebonnet held the first annual Bluebonnet Horse Expo. The event was a great success - raising nearly $15,000 and increasing interest in rescue and rescue horses.

Bluebonnet grew even more in 2008. The organization's membership grew to over 500, and the rescue took in 84 horses, participated in several seizures, and placed 78 horses with adoptes. The Bluebonnet Horse Expo moved to a new facility and attraced more spectators than the year before.

The first six months of 2009 have been hectic and exciting. We've continued to increase our membership and find homes for horses. We've held the 2nd Annual Texarkana Horse Fest and are working on the 3rd Annual Bluebonnet Horse Expo. We've participated in our largest seizure to date - 58 horses - alongside True Blue Animal Rescue. Join the rescue and become part of an exciting team that's helping horses!