We recently connected with Linda Nemec and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Linda, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?

Since its founding, Happened By Chance Horses (HBCH) has been entirely volunteer-run. Every aspect of the rescue’s operations—from daily care and rehabilitation to facility maintenance, fundraising, and outreach—has been carried out by individuals who give their time, skills, and hearts without compensation. Throughout the years, volunteers have come and gone, but each and every one has left a meaningful impact on the horses in our care. Their dedication has directly contributed to the healing, safety, and second chances these horses receive.

At HBCH, having a team of like-minded individuals is essential. Working with abused, neglected, and at-risk horses requires patience, compassion, consistency, and a shared commitment to animal welfare. Volunteers who align with the rescue’s values understand that progress can be slow, that trust must be earned, and that the horses’ needs always come first. This shared mindset creates a safe, supportive environment—for both the animals and the people caring for them.

Over time, HBCH has developed a strong and reliable volunteer system, built on clear expectations, teamwork, and mutual respect. This structure ensures continuity of care, even as individual volunteers’ availability changes. A strong volunteer system is critical because it allows the rescue to operate sustainably, maintain high standards of care, and respond effectively to the ongoing needs of the horses. Most importantly, it ensures that the horses receive consistent, knowledgeable, and compassionate care, which is vital to their recovery and long-term well-being.

HBCH’s volunteers are the backbone of the rescue. Their collective effort, shared values, and dedication make it possible for the organization to fulfill its mission—giving horses a chance they might not otherwise have had. We are always excited to add new member to our HBCH family and are actively pursuing new volunteers.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Happened By Chance Horses (HBCH) was founded out of both necessity and heart. I am a horse advocate, a single mother of a special needs adult, and the founder of HBCH, which began in 2014 after I saw firsthand how many horses fall through the cracks due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or owners simply running out of options. What started as helping one horse quickly became a calling to do more—creating a safe place where horses who had been overlooked, mistreated, or discarded could heal and have a future.

HBCH is a horse rescue and rehabilitation organization, that also provides sanctuary for horses that aren’t adopted. We provide physical and emotional rehabilitation, and long-term care for horses in need. We also act as the horses’ lifetime safety net. Any horse we adopt is able to come back to the rescue if the Adopters life situations change, in fact it is required as part of our adoption contract.

Many of the horses who come to us arrive malnourished, injured, fearful, or shut down. Our work focuses on meeting them where they are—addressing their medical needs, rebuilding trust, and allowing them the time and space required to recover. Not every horse’s journey looks the same, and we honor that by prioritizing the individual needs of each animal.

One of the biggest problems we solve is providing an alternative to neglect, auction, or abuse to horses. We step in when resources are limited, when situations are urgent, or when no one else can take a horse. We also work to educate the public about responsible horse ownership, the realities of long-term equine care, and the importance of compassion over convenience.

What truly sets HBCH apart is that we have been 100% volunteer-run since day one. There has never been paid staff—everything we do is powered by dedicated individuals who believe in the mission and show up for the horses. Over the years, we have built a strong, values-driven volunteer system rooted in consistency, teamwork, and shared respect for the animals. This allows us to provide reliable, high-quality care even as volunteers’ lives and schedules change.

I am most proud of the resilience of the horses and the community that has grown around them. Watching a horse go from fearful or broken to safe, curious, and trusting again never stops being powerful. I’m also proud that HBCH has remained true to its mission—putting the horses first, even when that path is harder, slower, or less visible.

What I want people to know about HBCH is that this work is deeply personal. It’s not about numbers or appearances; it’s about impact. Every horse matters. Every volunteer matters. Every small step forward is a victory. HBCH exists because compassion exists—and because sometimes, the lives that change us the most truly happen by chance.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the clearest examples of HBCH’s resilience and unwavering commitment is the story of Maniac, a horse who was featured in Canvas Rebel magazine many years ago. At the time of that article, Maniac represented both the challenges and the hope that define rescue work—an animal with a difficult past, uncertain outcomes, and a long road ahead.

Since that article was published, Maniac’s journey has continued to evolve in ways that speak volumes about the heart of HBCH. Through consistent care, patience, and a refusal to give up on him, Maniac has made significant strides in his health and overall well-being. His physical condition has stabilized, his medical needs have been carefully managed, and he has grown stronger and more confident with time. Just as importantly, his emotional progress has reflected the safety and trust he has found within the rescue.

Maniac’s achievements since that original feature are not defined by ribbons or external recognition, but by something far more meaningful—quality of life, stability, and dignity. He is living proof that rescue is not a short-term effort or a one-time success story. Some horses require years of steady support, and HBCH stands by them for as long as they need.

This long-term commitment is where HBCH’s resilience truly shows. When the spotlight fades and the headlines move on, the work continues. Maniac is not just a past story—he is a present responsibility and a valued member of the HBCH family. His continued progress demonstrates that HBCH does not abandon its horses once attention or resources shift. We remain, consistently and compassionately, long after others might walk away.

Maniac’s life today is a testament to what happens when a rescue refuses to give up. His journey reflects the resilience of HBCH itself—steadfast, patient, and deeply committed to standing by our horses through every stage of their lives.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

HBCH’s reputation was built through consistency, transparency, and follow-through. In rescue work, words matter far less than actions, and over time people have seen that we do exactly what we say we will do—for the horses, every single day.

One of the biggest factors has been our willingness to take on difficult cases and stand by them long-term. We don’t give up when a horse is medically complex, emotionally shut down, or unlikely to have a quick or easy outcome. That commitment has shown the community that we are here for the right reasons, not recognition or convenience.

Being entirely volunteer-run has also shaped our reputation. People know that donations, supplies, and support go directly to the horses. Our volunteers, veterinarians, farriers, and supporters have become our strongest advocates because they’ve witnessed firsthand the level of care and responsibility HBCH maintains.

We’ve also earned trust by being honest and transparent about the realities of rescue—sharing both successes and challenges. We don’t present polished highlight reels; we share the work as it truly is. That honesty has helped build credibility and long-term relationships within the equine and rescue communities.

Most importantly, our reputation has grown because we put the horses first, always. Decisions are made based on what is best for them, even when that path is harder or less visible. Over time, that integrity has spoken for itself, and it’s what people associate with HBCH today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.happenedbychancehorses.com
• Instagram: happened_by_chance_horses
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Happenedbychancehorses
• Linkedin: Linda-Nemec
• Twitter: @LindaNemec1

Image Credits

All images are copyright of Happened by Chance Horses Inc