WINTER HAVEN — The site is 10 acres of care, compassion and potentially new beginnings for 40 to 50 neglected horses, mules and donkeys.
And it takes a lot of walking to get across the site of Hope Equine Rescue to tend to those animals’ needs.
That situation was somewhat alleviated Friday afternoon when Polk Sheriff’s Charities donated a new Polaris 570 two-seat 4×4 ATV with a dump bed to Hope Equine Rescue.
Hope Equine Rescue is a nonprofit equine rescue and rehabilitation center organization established in 2008 by Dani Horton and the Horton family after they took in their first rescue horse, named “Hope.”
To help the staff at Hope become more mobile and expedient in their care for the animals, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office stepped in through its Polk Sheriff’s Charities. Formed in 2006, the nonprofit supports activities, charities and organizations such as Hope that benefit the community.
During a 1 p.m. ceremony at the Hope stables, 3805 N.E. High St., Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd turned over the keys for the new Polaris to Horton. McKibben Powersports of Lake Wales sold the ATV, which retails for about $15,000, at a discounted price.