Broken Horses Healing Broken Kids in Colorado

Providing rescue and sanctuary for horses in the slaughter pipeline is part of our mission. Once rescued and rehabilitated, we identify those horses who we feel would thrive in a private home and place them for adoption. This past quarter, we have successfully placed 6 horses in their forever homes with loving adopters! Our vetting process consists of reviewing applications, checking references, doing home checks to ensure the greatest measure of success for a happy placement for our beloved equines.

Atlas was rescued as a foal in 2018 and this August, adopted by our trainer’s acquaintance, Meg. We gave Atlas 60 days of training and decided he was better suited to partner with an adult rider to complete his training and grow up. 

Cleo was taken in from a friend who was dispersing her herd in 2012 and Padah the pony was rescued from the kill buyer’s feedlot.  They have both served our kids faithfully in programs and lessons for years. In October 2021, we decided it was time for Cleo and Padah to have their well deserved retirement. Nicole, a former volunteer, asked if she could adopt them together and since Cleo and Padah are good friends, we were thrilled! Now they enjoy 70 acres of wide open spaces every day! 

In 2017, Cooper had been a volunteer’s friend’s horse and found himself the subject of a neglect case with the Sheriff’s Department. Cooper was surrendered to us to avoid seizure. We brought Cooper back to health and he was best friends with another senior horse of ours, Babe, until Babe went to the rainbow bridge in June, 2021.  In August, we saw a Craigslist ad for a very skinny horse who had been left behind when his family moved to the Western Slope. Bus was standing alone in a paddock with no food, visibly starving at his old home. We knew he was in a dire situation and had to take him immediately. When we opened the halter to put on his head, he shoved his nose down into it, seemingly saying “get me out of here!”. He practically jumped onto the horse trailer to leave. Since Cooper had lost his companion and Bus needed a friend, we put them together and they have become a comfort to one another. They are both senior “bucket babies” who receive their nutrition from soaked hay pellets only. Cooper and Bus were adopted in early December 2021 by a lovely family looking for companion horses for their rescued mare, Mama. Now Bus and Cooper receive special attention every day from Catherine, their 16 year old daughter and live with Mama. They have shelter and their new family loves them both so much! 

Abigail was rescued after being dumped at auction in 2017 by outbidding the kill buyer and has been adored for years by our faithful volunteer, Lisa. After years of special attention from Lisa whether it be late morning grooming sessions or sunset walks together, Abigail finally officially became Lisa’s in December 2021. Lisa’s comment was, “I can now say what I have dreamed of saying since I was a little girl, ‘This is MY horse!’”. 

It is likely that these six horses would not have found sanctuary had we not been able to provide it. Because of support from our donors and community, we can provide a safe place to land for these at-risk horses and continue to partner them with underserved youth.  We are so grateful to have the opportunity to serve our community through helping horses and kids.