Organization helps horses and children help each other

By CHRIS ALDRIDGE, Kentucky Agricultural News

Walter Murphy is concerned about the plight of unwanted horses, not only in Kentucky but across the nation.

“On their backs, we built this nation, so I think we owe them something, especially since we domesticated them,” Murphy said. “I’m primarily trying to find alternative careers for these horses because if somebody doesn’t do something, were gonna have wild horses running around Kentucky like deer.”

To address the growing number of unwanted or neglected horses, Murphy started 3-R Ranch two years ago on 271 acres that his family owns in Casey County. As its name states, the ranch is dedicated to the three R’s: rescue, rehabilitation and relocation of horses.

“Since Kentucky is the horse capital of the world, I really think we need to lead the way in this endeavor,” said Murphy. “The (U.S.) Bureau of Land Management is euthanizing over 30,000 horses a year.”

Determined to make a difference, Murphy uses his own money to run Horses Helping Children Inc. Murphy founded the non-profit organization two years ago. He trains the horses for use at equine therapeutic centers, 4-H clubs and camps, and placement at good homes.

“God blessed me with this task … so I know I’ll get it done,” Murphy stated in a letter to Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer. “As of now we are a grass-roots organization and are working out of our own pocket.”

Murphy, who works for 4-H through the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, has a vision of corporations and universities in Kentucky using their resources to work together on behalf of unwanted horses. He hopes that would result in a program that could serve as a model for other states.

“Public awareness and education is key to this situation before it becomes a bigger problem,” Murphy said. “If we can get several large organizations and colleges on board with this, it wouldn’t be such a financial drain or burden on one entity.

“In a year or two … we could be a model for the rest of the nation to follow. I think it would spread like wildfire. There’s no way we can save every unwanted horse – let’s be realistic – but we’ve got to do something.”

Murphy uses knowledge he gleaned 18 years ago, when a full-blooded Native American taught him how to train horses in a non-traditional way.

“I don’t break horses; I train them,” Murphy said. “I’ve never seen a horse I can’t fix. It’s a knack that God has given me.

“With horses, 90 percent of the problem is with the owners. I’ve taken some horses that were mean and kicking and, within hours, I’ve had them where their head is down and they follow me.”

Murphy says Horses Helping Children is the only rescue organization that also trains horses. He estimates only one out of 30 horses is gentle enough for therapeutic purposes, in which individuals with physical and mental disabilities such as autism and Down syndrome are able to ride the horse with assistance.

The horses that aren’t gentle enough for therapeutic riding are given to 4-H or owners who have the land, time and resources to care for them. “I gave one horse to 4-H,” Murphy said, “and the kids showed it last year in a horse show.”

When a horse arrives at 3-R Ranch, it is placed in a 1½-acre recovery center, several miles from the 269 other acres, where it is given a thorough examination by a veterinarian and a farrier. Once the horse has been given proper care, nourishment and a clean bill of health, it is placed in Horses Helping Children’s training program. 

Horses Helping Children has trained and placed 10 horses with new owners in the past year and a half. Currently, Murphy is caring for 19 horses at 3-R Ranch, but only eight belong to the program. The others belong to him and his cousin, who owns the land.

“Some have been rescued and some donated,” Murphy said. “I never turned down a rescued horse, but I have had to turn down some that were donated simply because of a lack of resources, since I’m doing this out of my own pocket.”

Murphy is always in need of hay, feed and veterinary supplies, but the best way to support Horses Helping Children is to make a financial contribution. You can help by mailing a check to: 3-R Ranch, P.O. Box 714, Liberty, KY  42539.