By Tessa Griffin
Three thousand miles from the California coast, I never imagined I’d end up in a Connecticut barn, learning how to care for rescued horses. With no experience working on a horse farm, I moved to Hartford Connecticut to attend Trinity College as a student and Division III rowing recruit. Growing up, I always loved horses but never had the opportunity to be around them as my busy life with academics and rowing took priority. Plus, horse farms were not a big part of my community at home.
Arriving at Trinity, I didn’t know a thing about the horse world. But that’s the greatest part—it was all a new adventure. I found US Horse Rescue and Welfare one Sunday evening while researching the internet for more ways to get involved in the community. USHRW is a certified non-profit organization that strives to keep America’s horses out of slaughter, delivers nationwide education and advocacy, and provides the best healthcare and nutrition for the rescued horses to ensure they are happy, healthy, and strong.
Inspired by their purpose and mission, I immediately sent an email out to the director of USHRW, introducing myself. I explained my lack of experience but willingness to learn. What interested me most about their volunteer position was the manual labor aspect. I love to work with my hands and I am constantly thinking how movements from my body can translate to my skill in rowing, a very technical sport.
When I read that my position of interest involved mucking, lifting heavy equipment, and tossing hay, I realized I wanted to do this with a partner. I immediately knew who to ask. I called my friend and teammate, Riley Reynolds who grew up riding and working with horses and who shared a similar passion for the horse world. Riley and I have done amazing things together on the Trinity women’s rowing team, including medaling at the 2024 NCAA’s for the first time in 10 years. Our competitive natures work hand in hand but my favorite quality about Riley is how she is a natural-born leader. She takes charge and never looks back. And she also has a car here on campus… which may have influenced my choice in her, but let’s go with the other admirable qualities! In all seriousness, she is a true and forever friend.
The following morning, I received an email from the director inviting Riley and I to visit the farm in Avon, about a 25-minute commute from campus. Upon arriving atop Nod Hill in Avon, CT, I felt transported to an alternate world that was no longer 25 minutes away from my college life, but more like a sacred oasis secluded from society where happy horses lived in beautiful surroundings and all my problems went away… for 3 hours at least.
Just being in the presence of these stoic creatures that are too good for humanity made me feel a connection unlike any other experience. I’d say the rest is history from that point forward. Riley and I filled out and signed applications and before we knew it, we were driving every Saturday at 3:30 pm to work turn-in from 4-7 pm.
The story of how I became involved in horse rescue is to promote and inspire others to take action and peruse an interest they perhaps didn’t see coming. As previously stated, I had no experience with horse care. But through my time volunteering, I learned a lot. I believe that the horses helped me more than I helped them. Anyone who is interested in changing lives and the well-being of animals can find a place in their community and I am proud to say I am a USHRW volunteer!
Tessa Griffin is an undergraduate student at Trinity College, where she studies English and Cellular Biology. She is passionate about caring for people, animals, and the planet. She has been nationaly and globally competitive in rowing for nine years, and is team captain at Trinity College.
