I began this rescue because I NEEDED to save equines. I thought about it and even dreamed about it all the time.  My own 4 horses (3 of which are rescues) have been my personal saviors during some of the worst times of my life.  My family owns a 90 acre property that was not being put to good use.  My career situation changed and I ended up with both the time and property to start the rescue.  I knew this was a huge undertaking and not something I could do alone.   I was lucky enough to find a core group of like-minded people that had that same “need” to save equines.  Everyone agreed that this type of rescue is needed in our area.   After much planning and many meetings, the Heart of Dixie Equine Rescue, Inc., was born.   In the beginning, I thought I would start a rescue.  It has since become clear to me that this is not MY rescue, this is OUR rescue.  Everyone that gives the smallest piece of their time or money will forever be a part of this adventure.  That’s when my heart began to soar and I knew I was a small part of something great.

 The name of the rescue, “Heart of Dixie Equine Rescue, Inc.” has a double meaning for me and I’m tickled that the other members let me name it.  Dixie is my Belgian Draft mare.  She was rescued from a closing PMU farm.  She came to me abused, frightened, untrained and pregnant. My struggle to find trust and peace with Dixie taught me more about horses and myself than I had learned in my previous 40 years.  Since the rescue is located in Brooklet, Georgia (45 miles west of Savannah), we truly are in the Heart of Dixie. 

 This rescue is my dream come true.  I hope you will share this dream with me.

Julie Barnes

Founder of Heart of Dixie Equine Rescue, Inc