GROVELAND, Fla. — Florida is the third-largest equine state in the country, with 385,000 horses.

What may surprise you is how many owners abandon their horses each year.

One special place in Groveland helps give unwanted and abused horses a new lease on life.

What You Need To Know

  • Thousands of horses live in Florida and are used for recreation and competition

  • But many horses around the state are abused and mistreated and are given up by their owners

  • The Sanctuary at Lakota Farms in Groveland rescues horses and provides them a new home

  • Guests can visit and tour the farm and interact with horses

“Basically, we are saving whatever horses we can from horrific situations. Kill pens, abuse, gun shots, spears, it’s just endless,” said Bob McErlean, owner of The Sanctuary at Lakota Farms.

McErlean started the rescue by accident when someone asked him if he would take in an animal for which the person could no longer care.

The sanctuary grew from there and is currently home to 80 horses, all with a different story and needing a permanent home.

“I wish I had 500 more acres, 50 more barns and an endless bank account," McErlean said. "And then I would save every animal I possibly could.”

According to the horse rescuer, it costs the nonprofit $50,000 a month to keep the operation going.

Most of the animals that come to the farm need additional veterinary care and rehabilitation.

Kambrie Warner works for the facility and performs many of the rescues, picking up horses that owners no longer want or can care for.

Most recently, Warner traveled to Apopka, where an 83-year-old woman with health issues could no longer care for her mule horse.

“It’s got some horse in it, a little bit of donkey,” Warner said.

Warner loaded the animal into a trailer and escorted the 20-year-old horse back to the sanctuary.

“You know, he’s not current on any vaccines. He’s not current on any of his blood work," Warner said. "His feet have not been done since 2016.”

McErlean said he fields plenty of calls each week from people who can no longer take care of their horse but knows he can’t rescue all the horses.

“I wish I could save them all. It’s sad," he said. "But we work hard to save as many as we can.”

McErlean is happy to give the horses a second chance at life.

Tours of the sanctuary are available to the public, with a reservation required over the phone.

Those who have a love for animals and want to volunteer time working on the farm are encouraged to call The Sanctuary at Lakota Farms in Groveland at 786-521-2202.