Rescued horses find new home

Equestrian center owner Mary Behrens, who has housed Red Bucket in her stalls since 2009, said the new location might be more beneficial to the approximately 85 horses that will move there.

"It is great to be able to rescue horses and find them homes, because there are horses out there in need," she said. "But I think also a public facility isn't a really good place to have a rescue [service], because there's so many things involved in rescuing. I think it's good that they have a private facility to go to and bring horses to if they need to."

Earlier this year, equestrian center management asked the nonprofit to move out to make room for paying customers. Peirce, who noted that management had extended its May deadline to move out, said there were no hard feelings.

"We are really grateful to have had an opportunity to be in Huntington Beach," she said. "We've been able to really garner the support of the community. You hear a lot of people talk about the horses, and they say, 'our horses, our horses.' I think we've become a big part of the community, and so have the horses."

Peirce said her group bought the land from a private owner. She would not say how much the property cost, but said donations from Orange County residents had covered the down payment. A business on the property, which will pay rent to Red Bucket, will also contribute income.

Even still, the nonprofit will need a steady flow of donations to stay afloat. In addition to fundraisers and horse shows, Red Bucket plans to offer a program in which individuals or groups can sponsor a horse for $600 a month. One of the incentives: a trading card featuring the horse's picture, vital statistics and personality traits, plus monthly updates on its condition.

At one of those shows, Peirce hopes to introduce Finbar before the crowd. The former stallion, who is now a gelding after being castrated, has trained steadily at jumping fences. Furthermore, his brawny physique could show the audience how much a rescue service can do for an animal who once looked a step away from death.

But even if Finbar doesn't become a performing star, Peirce is proud of her bond with him. And at times like Thursday morning, when he fought to stay at the home she created for him, she knows that the feeling is returned.

"When you save a horse and you're with them every day, they know," she said. "They're grateful."

michael.miller@latimes.com

Twitter: @MichaelMillerHB