Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebekah Lea.
Rebekah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey has taken a few different paths, but they all led me here.
After working in fine jewelry and spending years studying folk herbalism and different healing modalities, horses completely changed the direction of my life. The more I learned about the heartbreaking realities so many of them face—neglect, abandonment, and the slaughter pipeline—the more I knew I had to do something.
That’s how Sunny Days Horse Rescue began. I like to say my first horse Charlie guided me here.
The mission was simple: give horses a second chance and a place where they could simply be horses again—safe, free, and living as a herd. Never to be used as a tool.
I have always been very called to horse energy but I didn’t expect was how rescuing them would affect all the people involved. This is a very passionate calling and those that become part of it live it, breathe it and carry it. Watching the horses heal reminded me that healing isn’t something we force; it’s something that happens when we create the right environment. Horse medicine teaches patience, presence and listening to our own inner compass.
Today, that vision has grown beyond rescue alone. I’m building towards something very special where horses remain at the heart of everything—a place dedicated to stewardship, connection, education, and healing. My hope is that every horse we save inspires people to reconnect with nature, with themselves, and with the understanding that every life has immense value.
Sunny Days Horse Rescue is about creating a place where both horses and people can find their way home.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A major challenge is raising money to help. Donations are scarce. My hope is to educated people enough to want to help in any way they can. Rescuing horses is a hard fight to win in the big picture, but is life changing for those we can save, So we do this because we were called to, and purposeful mission can be as heartbreaking as they can be magnificent.
A nonprofit is a never a smooth road. This has been one of the most challenging decisions of my life. Learning how to run a not just the business side, the land we are on, construction, building a relatable and compassionate team but rescuing the horse has all been a bit of a whirlwind in humbling education. I can say safely that last year was extremely difficult, but I am very proud of what I am doing and plan to do.
The horse rescue world is make up of very passionate people that I know are angels in human form. We embody a certain fight and grit that is beautifully balanced with a soft heart and vulnerability.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My career started in the fashion world and wove its way into textile design and then in to fine jewelry. After going to gold smithing school and taking classes at GIA in NYC I stared my own fine jewelry company. It was an amazing world to be in, My designs were always inspired by nature and different environments we reside in. Art and design encompassed most of my career path.
During Covid a decided I wanted to reconnect the the earth and work with plants, I enrolled in herbalism school and spent the next four years learning, traveling, engaging with many different cultures and medicinal plants though the America’s and Mexico. These years were phenomenal and I started a small boutique line of herbal elixirs and skin care- all the while I was finding myself drawn more and more to horse culture.
I combined this world with the world out west, cowboy culture and herbalism. Yes they do mix.
It was about connection to the earth. Then one day while working in the round open with my Quarter Horse Stella, I had an overwhelming feeling that she was my purpose, I adored bonding with her though ground work, not even riding so much anymore. So, within a week I saved a 7 month old filly I saw on FaceBook in the “pens” I named her Rosie and two weeks later Sunny Days Horse Rescue began.
I haven’t looked back.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I feel this kind of work needs compassion, connection, strength, endurance and discernment. I have to be able to balance the sadness with the success. I can’t save them all so it’s important to find happiness and pride in the ones I can. Having a strong team and support system is imperative.
Pricing:
- Donations are greatly appreciated.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sunnydayshorserescue.org
- Instagram: @sunnydaysrescue
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/sunnydayshorserescue
