Saved from the slaughterhouse!
When Jennifer Astrop’s then-6-year old son, Alex, was released from the hospital after a lengthy stay, doctors recommended hippotherapy, an approach where patients ride horses to address physical, occupational and speech concerns. Alex fell love with his pony, Zorro, and after Chastain Horse Park retired him, Astrop, co-owner of Minotti by HA Modern at Buckhead’s Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, adopted the loveable equine and founded the horse sanctuary Zorro’s Crossing in Chattahoochee Hills.
Today, the 68-acre sanctuary has 11 rescues, mostly retired racehorses, and offers hippotherapy sessions with Sue Soha, Alex’s former therapist at Chastain. Zorro’s Crossing also trains therapy horses and hosts monthly events where children read to them.
“We want to save, rehabilitate and provide a permanent sanctuary for as many racehorses as possible,” says Astrop. “Some are raced before they are even old enough to ride, which makes them prone to serious injuries. Once they’re retired from racing, they require expensive treatment that many owners aren’t willing to provide. Instead, many are sold to slaughterhouses.”
Astrop, husband Doug, now 11-year old Alex and his twin, Max, do much of the work around the ranch themselves. “We couldn’t do without our amazing volunteers who help clean out the stalls, groom and walk the horses, and do other chores,” Astrop says. The organization relies on donations to save more horses.
ZORRO’S CROSSING
zorroscrossing.org
@zorroscrossing
