R.T. Fitch’s life has been anything but ordinary. Straight out of high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force Band during the Vietnam era, and while stationed in Hawaii, he spent weekends at Sea Life Park training penguins, sea lions, and whales. His path through life has taken many unexpected turns—including more than a few lessons in love—until meeting his wife, Terry, brought a lasting partnership and a shared passion for animals.
Over the course of his adult career, R.T. worked internationally in multiple countries, gaining a broad, global perspective that colors both his worldview and his writing. Now rooted in Texas, he and Terry live on a small farm surrounded by four-legged companions with paws, claws, and hooves. Together, they have devoted years to equine rescue and wild horse protection.
An ordained volunteer chaplain and professional Santa Claus for a local historical society—with Terry by his side as Mrs. Claus—R.T. brings warmth, wisdom, and joy to every season. His work reflects a life of service, wonder, and connection to both people and animals.
He is the author of Straight from the Horse’s Heart, a moving collection of true rescue stories and spiritual reflections, and Fangs of Light, a supernatural tale steeped in symbolic and metaphorical storytelling. The first in a planned trilogy, Fangs of Light blends myth and mystery to explore themes of identity, redemption, and the power of empathy—offering readers not only suspense and intrigue but a deeper look at the light and shadow within us all.
By Assemblymember Marie Waldron, Patch Contributor Protecting a National Treasure This year I was principal co-author of AB 128 (Gloria), which requires any person purchasing a horse at auction, many of which are rounded up on public lands, to sign a sworn statement that the animal won’t be […]
Excerpt from the book “Straight from the Horse’s Heart” by R.T. Fitch A Christmas Story for the Wild Ones Reprint from December 11, 2010: He checked the time again. Not an easy maneuver as he had to take his right glove off, shove up the left cuff of […]
By Cheri Mossburg and Steve Almasy, CNN A task force that looked into scores of horse deaths at California’s Santa Anita Park found no animal cruelty or criminal activity, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said Thursday. The number of horses that were being euthanized or dying […]
by Billy Kobin, as published on the Louisville Courier Journal Authorities are investigating after at least 15 horses were found fatally shot Tuesday near a strip mining site in Eastern Kentucky. The horses were found along a strip job near the Pike and Floyd County line by U.S. […]
By Ginger Kathrens as published on The Salt Lake Tribune A spending bill passed by the U.S. Senate on Oct. 31 offers the Bureau of Land Management a $35 million appropriation to reduce wild horse and burro populations in Western states by two-thirds. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty […]
Source: AWHC Monday, the House and Senate unveiled an agreement on the fiscal year 2020 spending legislation. The final bill rejects the efforts of bipartisan lawmakers to prevent federal funds from being allocated toward cruel sterilization surgeries and accelerated roundups. The vast majority of Americans, from both parties, […]
By Carol Walker as published on Wild Hoofbeats The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a Scoping Document with a 30 day public comment period on 5 of the largest wild horse herds in Wyoming: Adobe Town, Salt Wells Creek, Great Divide Basin, White Mountain and Little […]
by Chris Cwik as published on Yahoo Sports Two more horses have died at a Southern California racetrack. Mighty Elijah and Hot Spot, both 4-year-old geldings, died after the first race at Los Alamitos on Saturday, according to the Associated Press. The deaths are the latest in a long line […]
“We have annually posted Ace’s letter since 2012 and most regrettably, Ace no longer walks this earth and graces us with his physical presence; but his thoughts and insights continue to impact us as much today as when he first started touching the heart of our good friend, Grandma Gregg.
We miss you Ace and will continue to fight for those who are left behind; Freedom and Family, that is our battle cry. God bless you and yours, we carry your hoofprints on our hearts” ~ R.T.
By David Aaro | Fox News Police are investigating a case of possible animal cruelty after several horses were reportedly stolen and later harvested for meat in Florida. The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office posted a warning to local horse owners on Facebook Thursday after a Central Florida family found their 10-year-old horse named […]
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