Our History

L.E.A.R.N. was created from crisis and necessity. In the Spring of 2009, South Carolina Animal Control executed the second largest animal seizure in the history of the state; 47 severely neglected horses were removed from a local farm. Elizabeth Steed, the founder of L.E.A.R.N., assumed the care of thirty-three of these horses, including the most physically critical cases.

Mrs. Steed had engaged in private horse rescue in the Charleston, S.C. area for more than 20 years and served as Charleston County’s large animal consultant for ten years prior to this event. She recognized that the need for an officially designated Equine rescue organization had become essential to the Low Country of South Carolina and so began the process of creating L.E.A.R.N.

L.E.A.R.N. Horse Rescue rescues and rehabilitates neglected and abused horses in need with the goal of placing them in responsible lifelong homes.  We utilize the rehabilitation, general care and retraining of abused and neglected horses as a learning tool to educate our youth, owners and prospective owners in responsible and compassionate animal stewardship. The ultimate goal being to reduce or eliminate the vast numbers of abused and neglected horses through education and awareness.

Elizabeth Steed was raised on a working farm located on Johns Island, South Carolina. Elizabeth has been involved in equine training and care since childhood and managed Edisto Equine Clinic for Dr. John Malark. At that time, she also began veterinary technician training including anesthesia and emergency surgery work. She was employed by Dr. Mark Shambley, DVM, for several years in the same capacity.   Her employment with both equine clinics provided Elizabeth the opportunity to work with some of the best equine practitioners in the country, gaining invaluable insight and understanding of the whole horse.