Southwinds Horse Rescue is hoping the public can help support their work. Founder Irene Patterson says just last week they only had about $400 in the organizations bank account, but they've seen donations coming in since their first call for donations. While they've started to see some relief, Patterson explains they have about 20 horses in their care at this time, and the expenses really start to add up.

"When a horse comes in, they're quarantined for three weeks, they're vetted, so that's another $200 to $2,000 depending on their condition. There are teeth and feet that are done immediately, so that's another hundred. Special feeds may be required if they have stomach problems, of if they're starved you feed them lots. To bring back a dog when they're starved it takes two months, sometimes --in the worst case-- for a horse it can take two years."

She admits fundraising can be difficult at times, spending about $11,000 of her own money to support the organization last year. However, citing the case of a thoroughbred that came into their care, she says the horses always make the work worth the challenge.

"She went through quite a bit of things, won money on the track and was injured. She ended up with me. She came with full gear, blanket, boots, all princess-like, she had all kinds of psychological issues from being in a stall. She'd sway back and forth and pace. I just took everything off her and let her go, let her be a horse. The next day she came running at me --this is a 1,500-1,800 pound animal barrelling at you in the middle of a pasture, and I thought 'Oh boy'. But she just came, dropped her head on my chest and rubbed. She was just so grateful to be a horse."

Patterson says all donations go directly to the animals, adding as a registered non-profit organization they're also able to provide tax receipts.

"The horses have their own separate bank account. If people want to make cheques payable to Southwinds Horse Rescue, they can get a tax receipt because we're the only registered non-profit charity for horses in Manitoba. I can give a tax receipt for anything over $20."

She says on top of personal or corporate financial donations, they also accept supplies such as feed, tack, and other items.