8-year-old gives up gifts to help rescue abused, neglected horses

CHINO HILLS, Calif. -- She's little but she has a big heart.

Eight-year-old Ryder Perryman is a lover of horses and a compassionate soul, captivated and inspired by the film, "Emma's Chance," which features the life-saving work of Red Bucket Equine Rescue in Chino Hills.

"Our horses have suffered from abuse, neglect, starvation or often times they were slaughter-bound," said the organization's founder, Susan Peirce.

Ryder and her parents visited from San Diego and the second grader came up with a way to help. She gave up birthday gifts, and asked her friends and family for donations.

After buying about $700 worth of items on the organization's wish list, Ryder delivered the donations in red buckets and shared an intimate moment with one of the rescues.

"It says a lot about her parents. It also says a lot about Ryder and this next generation of children who really care about the horses," Peirce said.

Red Bucket Equine Rescue has helped more than 350 horses over the past nine years and found homes for about 241 of them, says Peirce.

"Our life-saving work is not possible without donations," she explained.

Watching Ryder help change the world with her donation makes Erin Perryman a proud mom.

"I'd like to say we take a little credit but I think that we're really blessed with God giving us Ryder," said Perryman.