About Us

What began as a passionate hobby has evolved into a full time labor of love for Charlene and Brian Stephenson as they continue to expand their capabilities as a local horse rescue named East Point Horspice (EPH).

Located just west of the historic Nebraska Sand hills near East Point, outside of Alliance, Nebraska, the name EPH came about as a twist on the word hospice, a place for travelers or the underprivileged. They are, however, geared for horses, so naturally a "horspice" was born.

Established in 2006 and having earned a 501(c)3 non-profit organization status, EPH provides shelter, rehabilitation and adoptions for those animals in need of these services, animals that may have experienced neglect or abuse. EPH creates an atmosphere where any horse or person with which they come in contact will improve physically and emotionally with a goal to develop a rewarding and beneficial relationship for all concerned. EPH will take injured, owner-surrendered, confiscated, unwanted, and abused animals to rehabilitate, cure, mentally heal and retrain. EPH offers educational programs to the community through horsemanship training and riding lessons, with an emphasis on non-violent, or commonly called natural horsemanship, techniques.

Charlene's most recent undertaking is the establishment of a therapeutic riding program to be available to anyone who would benefit from such an opportunity. EPH wishes to provide the possibility for people with physical and emotional issues to be exposed to the horse's honest, genuine, and compassionate nature. Horses demonstrate daily an unsurpassed ability to provide a remarkable, life changing experience and EPH hopes to share this with those who need it most.

Equine movement provides multidimensional movement, which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The horse provides a dynamic base of support, making it an excellent tool for increasing trunk strength and control, balance, building overall postural strength and endurance, addressing weight bearing and motor planning. Equine movement offers well-modulated sensory input to vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile and visual channels. During gait transitions, the rider must perform subtle adjustments in the trunk to maintain a stable position. When a rider is sitting forward astride the horse, the horse's walking gait imparts movement responses remarkably similar to a normal human gait. The effects of equine movement on postural control, sensory systems, and motor planning can be used to facilitate coordination and timing, grading of responses, respiratory control, sensory integrations skills and attention skills. Equine movement can be used to facilitate the neurophysiologic systems that support all of our functional daily living skills.

EPH's operation is currently based solely on tax-deductible contributions and the generosity of its wonderful volunteers. While it is inconceivable for us to have a life without horses, the fiscal responsibility related to a horse rescue and equine therapy program can, at times, be overwhelming. Feed, veterinary care, facilities, and equipment all add up to substantial amounts of funding, which are on going. We appreciate your consideration in helping us any way possible which will provide a refuge for horses and people who haven't been fortunate enough to benefit from the therapy only horse's can provide.

Charlene and Buster with a ribbon from a bareback competition in college in 1987.

A Memorial picture of Buster with a small bronze that says it all "First Love"