Oregon Horse Haven Restores Health and Dignity to Rescued Horses

NEWBERG, Ore. — Up a quiet hill in Newberg, Jillian Leighty is giving abandoned horses a second chance—and in the process, hoping to provide opportunities for others to experience horse ownership.

What began as a lifelong love of riding turned into a full-time mission when Leighty and her husband, Michael, launched Oregon Horse Haven, a nonprofit horse rehabilitation and rehoming service.

The nonprofit organization helps care for neglected or surrendered horses, rehabilitates them, and connects them with new owners, often making horse ownership more accessible in the process.

Leighty started riding at 8 years old and was leading lessons and working with trainers by 12. By 22, she had launched her own training business, originally called TGIF Farms, which later became Bay Light Farm when she founded in Bodega Bay, California and is now operating at the family’s farm.

“I feel like everybody used to tell my parents when I was little, ‘Oh, every little girl loves horses. She’ll grow out of it,’” Leighty said. “And I just never grew out of it.”

Along the way, she encountered her first rescue: an old Amish horse that had been abandoned. That moment stacked another layer onto her career: horse rehabilitation.

“I have a tough time anytime somebody says they have a horse that needs a home,” she said. “Every time, I think to myself, ‘Well, I have a home,’ and I take them in.”

She quickly learned she couldn’t keep every horse herself. Instead, she began matching rehabilitated horses with new owners—many of whom couldn’t otherwise afford the high cost of equine care. A rehomed horse through Horse Haven can be about 75% more affordable, Leighty said.

“It’s just knowing that they not only get a new life, but that people are able to find inexpensive horses and get to experience horse ownership when otherwise they may not have been able to,” she said.

In many cases, the horses aren’t coming from abusive homes, she added. Often, families face a medical crisis, lose a caregiver, experience financial hardship, or age out of their ability to care for the animals.

“It can be really difficult because in some cases it’s a connection someone had with their spouse, and now their spouse is gone,” she said. “But they know that horses deserve care and attention, and they know that we’ll give that to them.”

Leighty said the emotional bond between horses and people is hard to describe—but easy to feel. “Horses have a lot to give, and they take a lot as well,” she said. “But the people who know this connection want to share it with the world.”

A study found that adolescents formed attachment bonds with horses similar to those in human relationships. The participants described feeling calm, accepted, and emotionally supported around the animals, suggesting horses can offer comfort, self-reflection, and a sense of security.

One rescue, Dolly, arrived at Oregon Horse Haven malnourished and infested with lice, completely unhandled, Leighty said. After care and training, she went on to compete again as a show horse for a young equestrian. 

“That’s the goal,” she said. “Not every horse will get there, but they all deserve the chance.”

Her husband, Michael, who helps manage the property and operations, said the mission grew on him over time.

“I married into it,” he said. “But I really get it. I love it for her, I love it for my little kids, and I love it for me now. There are a lot of positive things surrounding this farm.”

The Leightys hope to eventually expand Horse Haven’s offerings to include equine therapy, which can support emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. They’ve also been approached by people interested in launching therapeutic riding programs for children with physical disabilities.

“There’s just something about being with a horse, whether you’re on horseback or on the ground, that connects with you and brings so much to you if you open yourself up to it,” Leighty said.

The couple moved from California to Portland in 2022 for Michael’s job, and then to Sherwood about six months later. In 2024, the opportunity came to purchase a 30-acre lot on Dudley Road. 

They currently have two rescues on the property, Badger and Laddie, who are likely permanent residents due to being non-rideable. Three other rehabilitated horses who have come through the farm have since found new homes. 

The Leightys decided to officially start Oregon Horse Haven to formalize their rehabilitation work and provide a nonprofit structure for financial and volunteer support. The nonprofit accepts donations, offers horse sponsorships, and maintains a wishlist of needed supplies to continue the work.

“Even just word of mouth and having our website up has helped a lot,” Mike said. “There’s a lot of work to be done up here, but we want people to know there are other options for their horses if they can’t take care of them.”

Oregon Horse Haven is located at 12661 NE Dudley Road in Newberg. To donate, volunteer, sponsor a horse, or inquire about rehabilitation services, visit the Oregon Horse Haven website.