My best straw hat drooped low on my head as a constant stream of rain flowed from the center front brim onto the mud that was building up on my equally good boots as I scurried to place each red bucket properly. The seemingly endless stacks of red buckets are filled every single day, rain or shine – winter, summer, spring and fall. The Red Bucket Brigade must go on! These red buckets symbolize hope for the horses at this unusual Texas rescue.

Red kettles are synonymous with the Salvation Army’s mission to feed and care for destitute and homeless people. Perhaps the red buckets of Happy Horse Haven Rescue (HHH) north of Goldthwaite TX will evoke the same response in horse lovers everywhere one day soon. Many horse rescues work feverishly across these fruited plains to provide safes place of recovery and peace for horses in need, but I doubt many have a more devoted and hard-working staff.