501c3

The name Xanthus has many meanings,
Xanthus is the river that runs through Troy, when horses drink from it, they will be safe and live forever.


We are dedicated to providing an environment where friendship and unconditional love can heal the souls of horses as well as people. A sense of purpose and absolution will give equines and people positivity in their lives, and will teach understanding to all involved.

Unfortunately, and fortunately, this rescue exists. It would be amazing and fantastical if all horses, big and small had a home; they could roam the open space and have endless amounts of grass, hay, grain and water. This is not the case.

Xanthus Equine Rescue was started by a young horse enthusiast who spent most of her time in the barn and learning from the United States Pony Club as well as trainers from all backgrounds.

My name is Christy Sami, and I found out about the need for horse rescue much later in my riding career. For 17 years, I rode all english disciplines, especially Eventing and Dressage, and have even worked for top Olympic trainers. I was shown the beauty of horses in the show ring and at farms that many friends owned. I did not know the harsh reality of so many horses in the USA are abused, neglected, and uncared for.

I accidentally stumbled across Camelot Auction's webpage (located in NJ) when I was researching trends for my job at a large equine toy company. It confused me as well as moved me to educate myself on the practices of horse auctions and equine slaughter. I learned that many of these horses who were once beloved riding horses and pets are sent to slaughter due to the financial difficulties from their owners, or just plain disinterest. The slaughter houses lie in Canada and Mexico, and horses are shipped there from locations from all over the USA, packed in trailers with no food, water, or veterinary care for days on end. From there, the meat is shipped all over the world, often disguised as beef. Horses are not for human consumption, especially with all of the drugs and medications that they are forced to take before they cross the borders. There is so much more to this underground world then can be said in this 5 minute presentation. My goal is to help as many as I can and raise awareness.

Paint horse #250 was put on my pathetic VISA that day; I secretly used my work phone in my cubical, and somehow charged a horse… This was of my finest moments, I picked him up on Saturday. I named #250, Danno. He was the saddest horse on the lot, about 300 pounds underweight, and terrified of people, he had no name and no history. He came home with me after three burly men and myself loaded him onto the trailer. He nearly trampled me on the way in, but I had faith in him.

He was not healthy, in fact he was terribly sick and I immediately knew that it was strangles. I couldn't take him anywhere where there were other horses. It would cause an outbreak, so whats left, home? I promptly called my mom. She did wonder why the horse trailer was gone, I explained that I had a horse in the trailer and to NOT TELL DAD. I assured her that Tractor Supply was on the way, so I promised that he'd be perfectly fenced in and well cared for. She agreed, and was a little excited and extremely supportive. What great parents I have.

Danno got home, and Brian fenced in the yard, Danno was given hay and water immediately and seemed very nervous, but happy to eat. He was very calm when he got to our house, he was safe. I had Dr. Gardener come out the next day and give him a check. Yes, I was right, strangles, a terrible respiratory infection caused by improper and unsanitary conditions for an extended period of time. It was curable, but gross, and highly contagious to other equines. Bleach foot baths and Purell was in no short supply at our house.

It took many days for Danno to come up and warm up to us, I sat by his food bucket for many days until he touched me with his nose, from then on we were great friends.
He started gaining weight in a healthy manner, his strangles cleared up, and we started light training. He followed me like a puppy would, and allowed me to sit on him and start basic riding training. He loved it! We trail rode everyday and he even jumped with no fear since he trusted me. He trusted me, and respected me. It was an amazing transformation. After several weeks, his condition improved significantly, and he was destined to be a fantastic riding horse for me. I would never let this guy go.
My company took me to California for the weekend, and I received a distraught phone call from my dad. Danno was down. I flew home and didn't care if I got fired, I didn't, but I made it home with help from a friend. I went right to my vet's office and told them to do whatever they felt was right, they tried everything until he passed away on the surgical table. His intestines were impacted with metal, rock debris, and plastic. He was so starved that he ate anything that he could in order to survive in his previous life. This was the product of horse abuse, and I just lost my best friend because of it.

Xanthus Equine Rescue was born in his memory and has saved 4 horses since Danno. Out of my own pocket, but now we are a 501c3 corporation and we have many goals. Our goals are to become equine advocates and raise awareness for the need for horse rescue. There are too many horses, and not enough resources or money to save them all.

I may not be able to save them all, but for each horse I save, it really makes an impact for them and their new owner. Together they can feel the joy and hopefully acquire the passion for each other, that so many animal lovers feel.

Our goals for this year is to raise awareness, and raise funds so more horses can be saved, and more people can be educated and learn the love that many of us have. Some of our horses can even be trained for therapy purposes, such as seeing eye ponies, and equine therapy, as well as teaching people with mental and physical disabilities how to move properly and think more clearly.

Let's chat, and get the conversation going about saving the horses.

Thanks for listening.