Touring Little Brook Farm, a club aid recipient

PHOTOS BY BILL & APRIL DOWD

These bridles are part of a collection on display in the tack room at Little Brook Farm. Each signifies a horse rescued from slaughter.

The Little Brook Farm equine rescue and therapy operation in Old Chatham has received a $2,500 assistance grant from the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club.

Lynn Cross, owner and operator of Little Brook Farm, expressed her profound thanks for the grant, presented to her by Bill and April Dowd on behalf of the club. Lynn had made a presentation to the club in September, in which she explained that her 35-year efforts have saved literally hundreds of horses rescued from horrendous conditions around the country.

During a tour of the facility, the Dowds — accompanied by their daughter-in-law Amy Dowd, co-owner/manager of the horse operation Stone Hollow Farm in Saratoga County — saw that the animals appeared well-fed and cared for, with airy indoor stalls and roomy fenced areas.

It also became apparent Lynn’s compassion extends well beyond the world of horses, although they are numerous — placed on her land as well as 10 other facilities in the region. She also has dozens of cats, numerous dogs, several sheep, two donkeys, numerous chickens, even a large pig named Charlotte and a squirrel recuperating from a broken leg.

While many of the animals are awaiting adoption, many others have lived at Little Brook for many years. One small horse is 30 years old, many of the other horses are in their 20s — and even Charlotte at 12 is well beyond her normal life expectancy.

Lynn also introduced her visitors to Emmie, her energetic four-year-old “honorary granddaughter” who spends a lot of time at the farm and handles horses with ease, as well as riding and performing in various events at Little Brook.

Here are some scenes the Dowds captured during the visit: