Welcome
The Jasper Project: A Hospice For Horses
Providing peaceful end-of-life support for horses.
How The Jasper Project was born
Jasper's Story
Jasper was found at an online auction in Texas, advertised as a "kid-safe" horse and still being ridden despite his condition. When founder Bri Graf placed the winning bid of just $25, no kill buyers were interested—they knew he'd never survive the grueling 22-hour transport to slaughter facilities in Mexico.
A veterinary evaluation revealed the heartbreaking truth: Jasper should have been humanely euthanized six months earlier. Years of malnutrition, lameness, and severe neglect had taken their toll. In that moment, The Jasper Project was born—dedicated to ensuring no horse suffers as Jasper did.
The Crisis We Face
Every week across America, horses like Jasper arrive at auctions with no veterinary care, no farrier services, and only the most basic needs met. Many die from prolonged suffering, left on the ground until rendering services collect enough bodies to make a pickup worthwhile.
Since horse slaughter was banned in the United States in 2009, an estimated 90% of unwanted horses end up sold to kill buyers who transport them on horrific journeys to Mexico or Canada. Unlike domestic animals, horses cannot be surrendered to local shelters, and legitimate horse rescue organizations are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of need and the astronomical costs of equine care.
Traditional rescues struggle to fund cases like Jasper's because there's no adoption fee to recover costs and no "happy ending" to share with donors. Yet these horses deserve compassion in their final moments, and end-of-life care for horses like Jasper is essential.
Our Work
The Jasper Project monitors auctions nationwide to identify horses in the most desperate condition. When we place a winning bid, each horse receives:
Professional veterinary evaluation to determine if rehabilitation is possible
Compassionate end-of-life care including abundant food, clean water, treats, and most importantly—love
Dignified, humane euthanasia when suffering cannot be relieved
A peaceful final chapter after a lifetime of neglect
Looking Forward: Prevention Through Education
We're also building a proactive program to keep horses out of the slaughter pipeline entirely. Through partnerships with local rescues and sale barns, we provide:
Owner education on the true costs and responsibilities of horse ownership
Proper care and nutrition guidance
Horsemanship and riding instruction
Why This Matters
Every horse deserves what Jasper couldn't have—a peaceful end surrounded by kindness rather than fear. While we cannot save every horse from this system, we can ensure that those in our care know comfort, dignity, and love in their final days, reflecting the principles of equine hospice care.
The Jasper Project exists because no sentient being should suffer alone, forgotten, or afraid. We are their voice, their sanctuary, and their final gift of compassion.
More Information
Events
Our Partners
Our Partners
The Jasper Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing end-of-life care for horses, specifically offering compassionate equine hospice care for auction horses in desperate condition. We rescue these forgotten souls, provide veterinary evaluation and tender loving care at our Elizabeth, Colorado facility, and then ensure they r
The Jasper Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing end-of-life care for horses, specifically offering compassionate equine hospice care for auction horses in desperate condition. We rescue these forgotten souls, provide veterinary evaluation and tender loving care at our Elizabeth, Colorado facility, and then ensure they receive the dignified, peaceful death they deserve. These horses have given so much throughout their lives; please help our horse rescue organization give them what they've always deserved in return.
Our Partners
Our Partners
Our Partners
The Jasper Project's mission of providing compassionate equine hospice care for horses is made possible through our partnerships with several dedicated local horse rescue organizations. These compassionate groups open their hearts and facilities to house horses in their final days, providing the peaceful, loving environment that every hor
The Jasper Project's mission of providing compassionate equine hospice care for horses is made possible through our partnerships with several dedicated local horse rescue organizations. These compassionate groups open their hearts and facilities to house horses in their final days, providing the peaceful, loving environment that every horse deserves during this sacred time. We are deeply grateful for these collaborative relationships that allow us to extend our reach and provide end-of-life care for horses in need throughout our community. Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance (CUHA) www.counwantedhorse.org Safe Landing Horse Rescue www.safelandinghorserescue.com Terolyn Horse Rescue www.terolynhorserescue.org The Horse Protection League www.thehorseprotectionleague.org
How To Help
Our Partners
How To Help
Donating to The Jasper Project provides deserving rescue horses with a dignified and humane end-of-life care for horses. Below are just a few examples of what your donations can provide: $400: euthanize services for one horse, $75: TLC package for one horse to ensure they receive equine hospice care before their passing, $100: Box of Prev
Donating to The Jasper Project provides deserving rescue horses with a dignified and humane end-of-life care for horses. Below are just a few examples of what your donations can provide: $400: euthanize services for one horse, $75: TLC package for one horse to ensure they receive equine hospice care before their passing, $100: Box of Previcox to manage the horses’ pain while they are with us, and $15: a bag of cookies, because that is always necessary! Want to double your donation? Please check with your employer’s human resources department to see if they offer a matching gift program! With their help, we can serve more horses in need!
Support The Jasper Project
Your gift provides comfort in their final moments, helping us deliver end-of-life care for horses through our equine hospice care programs at our horse rescue organization.