ELBERTA, Ala. (WKRG) — Horses have a way of healing. A perfect example is the work being done at Shorty’s Safe Haven Girls Ranch in Elberta.
“We have girls that have PTSD, anxiety, been bullied in school, just honestly anything that a girl needs to learn her self-worth and her confidence, this is where it grows,” said Amber Buswell with Shorty’s Safe Haven.
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What started as a place for unwanted and neglected horses has quickly turned into a haven of sorts for damaged and neglected girls. It is work that requires a lot of money, and the charity raises the majority of that money. One of the ways they are doing that is with the 2nd annual Shorty’s Safe Haven PCA Rodeo.
“Bull riding, bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, you name it, it is a full rodeo production,” said Buswell.
The rodeo is Shorty’s Safe Haven’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Last year they raised close to $30,000, most of that money used to help get the rescue through the Winter.
“It is put on by Bo Campbell Rodeo Productions,” said Buswell. “We moved it to Pensacola this year so we have a nice covered arena, large grounds to be able to spread everybody out.”
This year’s rodeo will be held at the Escambia County Equestrian Center. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. There will be food trucks, live music, and a kids zone.
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More girls and more horses than ever are being cared for at Shorty’s. Supporting the rodeo is one way the community can help the rescue and help heal those who need it most…