Bright Futures Farm Began With A "Brite Decision"

Bright Futures Farm began 13 years ago with one horse - Brite Decision - and saving him was the best decision Beverlee Dee ever made. When Bev saw Brite for the first time, he walked slowly, limping and unsteady, from the back of his stall to greet her. Despite his obvious pain, he was gentle and friendly. Bev connected with him immediately, and knew that there was something special about this beautiful, pitiful horse. When she asked a lady at the rescue about him, she was told that two veterinarians had recommended euthanasia because he was in such desperately poor health. Bev asked if she could adopt Brite to try and save him, and to her surprise, the lady at the rescue told her to "take him."

Bev knew that there was no guarantee that Brite would survive, but she wanted to help the sweet horse that had captured her heart, so she immediately took Brite home. She made an emergency call to the vet, and after many long and painful tests, she found out that Brite had several hairline fractures and founder in both front feet. Brite's prognosis was questionable, but Bev was determined to give it a try. After 36 long months of care and rehabilitation, Brite was finally healed enough to be able to live comfortably.

Today, Brite Decision is happy and healthy, and is the heart and soul of the rescue efforts at Bright Futures Farm. He is always kind, never complains, and will happily do whatever is asked of him. He even babysits new horses at the rescue like a doting father—almost like he knows it's his job to help the new horses heal and grow strong again. "Brite Decision" was the best decision Bev Dee ever made, and he is the sole reason that she founded Bright Futures Farm. 13 happy years later, Brite remains the inspiration to save other hurting and abused horses at Bright Futures Farm.

Pictures Of Bright Futures Farm

In September 2011, Bright Futures Farm moved to a beautiful, new farm located in Sarver, Pennsylvania. The pictures below are of our farm, and our many happy, healthy horses and kitties. If you have any questions or would like to tour or farm, please feel free to call us at (724) 496-4960.

Famous Residents At Bright Futures Farm

Bright Futures Farm is the retirement home of many famous former racehorses. Read more about our famous residents, including the last son of the great Secretariat to race, by clicking on the names below.

Gone, But Never Forgotten

Bright Futures Farm has cared for many special horses, cats, and dogs over the years, and even though they are no longer with us, they will always be dearly loved and remembered–and sorely missed. The author of the poem below is unknown, but it reminds us that our beloved friends are still with us in spirit and in our memories.

Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush. Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there, I did not die. I am still with you...

In Memoriam

Arturo First (Arturo)

Cardiologo (Largo)

Safari Sand (Buddy)

Bronson

Ziezo

Frack

Accountability (Tiny)

Board Of Directors

Beverlee Dee

Founder, Executive Director  

Bev Dee, the founder of Bright Futures Farm, had loved horses since she was a little girl. At the age of five, all she wanted was to be a "horse doctor," and her grandfather would let her sit on the back of one huge Shire as he plowed the fields. He also took her to The Meadows racetrack to watch Standardbred racing "up close and persona," and told her about Man O'War, Citation, Whirlaway, and Count Fleet. She quickly became a fan of the Thoroughbred breed, and in 1999 when she came across a website called The Blood-Horse, she took several virtual farm tours of breeding farms in Kentucky. She followed that up with a trip to Kentucky and saw Seattle Slew, Unbridled, Affirmed, John Henry and many other living legends in person, and at Gainesway Farm, she was mistaken for a reporter from The Blood-Horse when she asked to see Broad Brush.

At the time, Bev was naive and didn't know about the dark side of racing. She had no idea that these beautiful, magnificent creatures were sent to be slaughtered if they became injured or permanently disabled on the track, or just didn't have the desire to run. When she returned home from her trip to Kentucky and began researching horse racing, she came across some very disturbing news...more than 50% of all Thoroughbred foals born each year end up being slaughtered for human consumption. As of 2010, the number had grown to 70%. Bev wanted to find a way to help horses at risk, so she learned about rescue and adoption, contacted a rescue in her area, and adopted three horses. She decided that adopting three horses didn't really make a dent in the problem, so she decided to buy a farm and start an equine charity. The first horse she adopted was Brite Decision. She named her rescue Bright Futures Farm in honor of him. (To read about Brite, click on "The Story of Brite" on the tab on the left.) Brite Decision was the start of something wonderful, and since 1999, she has been saving horses in honor of Brite, the off-the-track Thoroughbred racehorse that captured her heart. 

Board of Directors*

Denise Conley, Dawn DeTillo, Ed Conley, Kristi Teklinski, and Janet Lacetera

*Bios Coming Soon!

Bright Futures Farm's Credentials and Testimonials

Bright Futures Farm has many 5-Star, non-profit ratings, and many top-level equine rescue credentials and testimonials. Check back soon to read more!

VERIFIED BY THE GLOBAL FEDERATION OF ANIMAL SANCTUARIES

True Equine Sanctuary/Rescue

Recently, Bright Futures Farm went through a very detailed application process (that included a farm inspection and interview) to be verified by the highly-esteemed Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, and we were approved as of December 17, 2012. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is the only globally recognized organization that provides standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries. GFAS has very strict standards of operation, so this verification is a huge honor. Verification means that Bright Futures Farm Equine Charity meets the criteria of a true equine sanctuary/rescue and is providing humane and responsible care of the animals. To be awarded Verified status, an organization must meet GFAS’s rigorous and peer-reviewed animal care standards, which are confirmed by a site visit, and they must also adhere to a demanding set of ethical and operational principles. Click here to read the Press Release and learn more about what being accredited by GFAS means to our rescue organization.

Updates On Bright Futures Farm's Adopted Horses

All of the horses at Bright Futures Farm are near and dear to our heart, and we work very hard to make sure that we place each and every horse in the perfect, loving, forever home. Our growing family of adopters knows how much they mean to us, and agree to provide regular updates, pictures, and vet records every year, proudly sharing how happy and healthy they are in their new homes. Below are lists of all of the horses that Bright Futures Farm has placed in loving homes, with pictures and updates. The horses are listed alphabetically, by their registered names on the tabbed panel on the left (if applicable), and by their nicknames on the tab on the right.

NOTE: This page is under construction, and we are in the process of adding individual pages for each horse on the list below. If you are interested in more information about a horse who's name does not link to a page, please contact us at (724) 496-4960 for pictures and updates.