Home Safe Horses
A refuge for rescued horses and children
A 60-acre farm in Lauderdale County is a Christ-centered sanctuary for mistreated, rescued horses and children of all ages.
The farm is owned by Kristina and Scott Rupp, who moved to Lauderdale County four years ago with their two children, Alia, 13, and Elliott, 9.
“We felt a calling from God, and we answered it,” said Kristina. The Rupps say they see God’s hand in what is happening at their farm.
“The miracles that happen here are incredible,” Kristina said. “It’s hard for some people to understand what horses and God can do together.”
The Rupps talk about Molly, a horse who spent 10 years in a 10-by-10-foot dog pen. They describe a child who was locked in her apartment with boxes of cereal for food while her mom partied.
“The lost child and the lost animal found each other, and they’re emerging into something much greater,” Kristina said.
The animals on the farm include two miniature horses, a donkey and several full-sized horses. All but one are rescues. The Rupps work with children 6 to 18 years old who come from different backgrounds. One child found them on the internet and is now flourishing as a horseback rider. Some parents find out by word of mouth or the farm’s Facebook page or website.
‘People feel at peace here’
Whatever their circumstances, Kristina said, “we go out of our way to make everyone who comes here feel incredibly welcome. People feel at peace here. They are free from judgment.”
A primary rule, Scott said, is that the child must want to be at the farm. Some want to ride a horse. Some just want to be around a horse.
“We’re a ranch where people can put their hands on horses.”
A parent or guardian must be on the property the whole time but isn’t required to participate in what the child is doing.
Each session is free, partners an adult with a child and a horse, and starts with prayer.
“We sprinkle in God and how he’s working in their lives,” Kristina said. “We teach them to lean into God for everything.”
Every child also receives a copy of the New Testament version of the Cowboy Bible.
The Rupps also lead the horse rotation in the summer camp offered by New Life Union Mission, a nonprofit that works with children.
The Rupps’ journey to having a rescue farm began when they were living in Florida. Kristina volunteered at a nearby horse sanctuary, and soon everyone in the family was helping.
‘God called us to look west’
After first looking for land in North Carolina and East Tennessee, “God called us to look west, and we found the farm in Lauderdale County,” Kristina said.
Scott and Kristina left the corporate world to start their own public relations consulting business. They work from home and can plan activities around their flexible work schedules. Kristina also homeschools their children.
Home Safe Horses, a registered nonprofit, welcomes donations of both time and money.
The Rupps just launched a program where folks can sponsor a horse for $100 a month. Scott would love to have volunteers lead sessions, work in the barn and help in many other ways. “There are ample opportunities to volunteer,” he said. “We can’t grow without help.”
He appreciates a group of Home Depot workers from Jackson and Covington who helped build the inside of their barn. “God is at work bringing people together to help these children,” Scott said.
The Rupps are excited about the future. They’ve already helped more than 400 children.
“People out there are hurting,” Kristina said. “We want to reach those families. What we’ve seen is remarkable. People heal from this.”
Open House April 19
The community is invited to an open house from 1-4 p.m. April 19 at Home Safe Horses, 1944 Woodville Road, Ripley.
For more information on how to be a part of the farm’s therapy, volunteer time or give financially, visit homesafehorses.com.
Above, top row: Kristina prepares to lead a session with a family and some of the horses. Next row: from left, a young child waters a horse, Kristina works with a young girl and Scott teaches another child, who uses a walker, how to ride for the first time.