CROW
In February 2025, Crow—a nine-year-old black mustang from Nevada’s Silver King HMA—was sitting in a kill pen with a looming ship-to-slaughter date. Erin drove all the way from Utah to intercept him just before he could be loaded onto a truck bound for Mexico. While this petite gelding was incredibly intelligent and naturally forward-moving, he struggled with a hidden, unpredictable bucking issue that made him unsafe under saddle. It took time, but once we matched him with the perfect trainer, everything clicked. Today, the bucking is gone, and his friendly, charming, and tireless personality has taken over. Whether he becomes an endurance mount, a ranch horse for a confident kid, or a three-day eventing pony, Crow just wants to go. Big things truly come in petite packages, and this bold little gelding is officially ready to take an adventurous rider to the next level.
RIDGE
Born wild in Oregon’s South Steens Herd Management Area in 2022, Ridge was rounded up within the first year of his life. He initially had a highly promising start—pulled from BLM holding and gentled through a well-known program—but a string of unfortunate sales ultimately landed the young appaloosa in a Stroud, Oklahoma kill pen. We bailed him on March 31, 2026, and despite a scary bout with strangles that required extensive quarantine, this sweet, young-at-heart mustang made a full recovery. Today, Ridge is safely living at the Refuge, spending the summer learning herd dynamics and simply getting to be a horse again. He will begin under-saddle training soon and will be available to the perfect home in the late spring or summer of 2027. Ridge is going to make someone an incredible horse, and we actively encourage interested adopters to reach out early to get involved in his ongoing training journey.
SUNDANCE
Born wild in Wyoming’s Red Desert Complex in early 2020, Sundance lost his freedom that October during a massive BLM roundup. He spent the next three years in a crowded holding facility in Cañon City, CO before an advocacy group finally pulled and gentled him in July 2023. Tragically, like many "half-baked" mustangs, he fell through the cracks of a broken system, and his journey went dark until kill buyers purchased him at a June 2026 auction. Rescue Ranchito stepped in to save him from that fate, and today, this sweet but weary horse is safe in quarantine. He will enter our formal training program this summer to decompress and rebuild his trust in humans.
MANTIS
A striking gelding from the Adobe Town HMA in Wyoming, Mantis was captured as a foal in late 2021. After several years with his original adopter, he found his way to us to begin his next chapter. Mantis has transitioned into domestic life with incredible ease, proving himself to be a fast learner with a bright mind. Now well-started under saddle, he is showing us every day that he is destined for an exceptional future as a versatile partner.
Mantis
A striking gelding from the Adobe Town HMA in Wyoming, Mantis was captured as a foal in late 2021. After several years with his original adopter, he found his way to us to begin his next chapter. Mantis has transitioned into domestic life with incredible ease, proving himself to be a fast learner with a bright mind. Now well-started under saddle, he is showing us every day that he is destined for an exceptional future as a versatile partner.
SISKIN + Tern
Deemed "Three Strike" mustangs by age three, Siskin and Tern were sitting in BLM holding corrals—untouched and unsure of the human world—with a price tag of just $25. We refused to let their story end there. We stepped in, brought them home, and matched them with skilled trainers who helped them transform into curious, willing partners. Today, the "Bird Boys" have found their ultimate calling at At Ease, serving as intuitive healers for veterans and first responders battling PTSD. Their journey proves the incredible potential waiting within every forgotten wild horse.
FENNEC
An 18-year-old gelding from the Salt Wells Creek HMA in Wyoming, Fennec was intercepted from a kill pen in Eaton, CO, in January 2025. Originally believed to be much younger, a BLM freezemark check revealed he was actually a senior horse who had been out of the wild since 2014. After nearly a year of decompression, we decided that a career under saddle was an unfair expectation for a horse of his age. In October 2025, he joined Coyote in permanent sanctuary, where he is now living his best wild life.
Coyote
Rounded up as a mere foal from the Fox Hog HMA in Nevada, Coyote spent 14 years in the domestic world before we intercepted him just days away from being sold at a notorious Montana auction. While a deeply kind soul, he carried trauma that made a traditional riding career impossible. After four years of rehabilitation at our ranch, we honored his need for peace and transitioned him to a large-scale sanctuary, where he is successfully rewilding and is living his best life alongside other deserving rescued mustangs.
I had such a great experience with Rescue Ranchito. Erin and Casey are incredibly genuine, and I’m so grateful for the work they do. I adopted Colter, a mustang they rescued in summer 2025, and he’s truly special.
From my first message through to meeting Colter, the whole process felt seamless, supportive and transparent. They took the time to guide me through every step, making sure I felt confident and comfortable, both virtually and in person.
It’s clear how deeply they care about each animal and the level of thought and attention they put into every placement. I feel so lucky to have Colter and can’t wait for all the adventures ahead.
If you’re considering adopting, I couldn’t recommend Rescue Ranchito more.
Mantis
A striking gelding from the Adobe Town HMA in Wyoming, Mantis was captured as a foal in late 2021. After several years with his original adopter, he found his way to us to begin his next chapter. Mantis has transitioned into domestic life with incredible ease, proving himself to be a fast learner with a bright mind. Now well-started under saddle, he is showing us every day that he is destined for an exceptional future as a versatile partner.
FLINT
Flint is a stunning, majestic black gelding with the eyes of a deeply wise, old soul. Born wild in Nevada’s Antelope Valley HMA in 2018, he was rounded up at two years old and sent to the Carson City Correctional Facility, where he was gentled through their renowned inmate-led natural horsemanship program. He was adopted out in late 2020, but the pipeline ultimately failed him. After bouncing through an unknown number of owners over five and a half years, he was dumped in a Stroud, Oklahoma kill pen. We bailed him in 2026, and after surviving a severe respiratory infection in quarantine, he finally arrived at The Refuge. Today, Flint gets to completely set the pace. He is spending the summer resting, rehabbing, and learning to trust again. We are not yet sure if he is trained under saddle, but we will explore that when he is ready. Flint will likely be available to the perfect home in the summer of 2027. We are incredibly honored to be part of his journey, and we encourage anyone who feels a heart connection with this special guy to reach out and get involved early!
Kestrel
Kestrel is an incredibly stunning, kind, and elegant mare who thrives on affection. Born in a holding facility in 2017, her journey has been complex, ultimately leading her to our rescue where she has captured all of our hearts. On the ground, she has impeccable manners and is a true "in your pocket" companion who simply loves to be loved. Due to unpredictable behavior under saddle, she is seeking a dedicated, non-riding home where she can safely be a cherished pasture mate and companion to a loving family.
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rescue ranchito hall of fame
While our mission begins in the dirt of the frontline, it finds its purpose in the success of our graduates. The Rescue Ranchito Hall of Fame honors the equines who have successfully transitioned from at risk to a life of partnership. These horses and donkeys are more than just adopted - they are ambassadors, proving that with the right foundation and a patient hand, even previously unwanted equines can become partners of a lifetime. From trail companions to equine-assisted healers, these are the resilient souls now thriving in their forever homes.
Crow
In February 2025, Crow - a nine-year-old black mustang from Nevada’s Silver King HMA - was sitting in a kill pen with a looming ship-to-slaughter date. Erin drove all the way from Utah to intercept him just before he could be loaded onto a truck bound for Mexico. While this petite gelding was incredibly intelligent and naturally forward-moving, he struggled with a hidden, unpredictable bucking issue that made him unsafe under saddle. It took time, but once we matched him with the perfect trainer, everything clicked. Today, the bucking is gone, and his friendly, charming, and tireless personality has taken over. Whether he becomes an endurance mount, a ranch horse for a confident kid, or a three-day eventing pony, Crow just wants to go. Big things truly come in petite packages, and this bold little gelding is officially ready to take an adventurous rider to the next level.
Mantis
A striking gelding from the Adobe Town HMA in Wyoming, Mantis was captured as a foal in late 2021. After several years with his original adopter, he found his way to us to begin his next chapter. Mantis has transitioned into domestic life with incredible ease, proving himself to be a fast learner with a bright mind. Now well-started under saddle, he is showing us every day that he is destined for an exceptional future as a versatile partner.
Flint
Flint is a stunning, majestic black gelding with the eyes of a deeply wise, old soul. Born wild in Nevada’s Antelope Valley HMA in 2018, he was rounded up at two years old and sent to the Carson City Correctional Facility, where he was gentled through their renowned inmate-led natural horsemanship program. He was adopted out in late 2020, but the pipeline ultimately failed him. After bouncing through an unknown number of owners over five and a half years, he was dumped in a Stroud, Oklahoma kill pen. We bailed him in 2026, and after surviving a severe respiratory infection in quarantine, he finally arrived at The Refuge. Today, Flint gets to completely set the pace. He is spending the summer resting, rehabbing, and learning to trust again. We are not yet sure if he is trained under saddle, but we will explore that when he is ready. Flint will likely be available to the perfect home in the summer of 2027. We are incredibly honored to be part of his journey, and we encourage anyone who feels a heart connection with this special guy to reach out and get involved early!
SUNDANCE
Born wild in Wyoming’s Red Desert Complex in early 2020, Sundance lost his freedom that October during a massive BLM roundup. He spent the next three years in a crowded holding facility in Cañon City, CO before an advocacy group finally pulled and gentled him in July 2023. Tragically, like many "half-baked" mustangs, he fell through the cracks of a broken system, and his journey went dark until kill buyers purchased him at a June 2026 auction. Rescue Ranchito stepped in to save him from that fate, and today, this sweet but weary horse is safe in quarantine. He will enter our formal training program this summer to decompress and rebuild his trust in humans.
Fennec
An 18-year-old gelding from the Salt Wells Creek HMA in Wyoming, Fennec was intercepted from a kill pen in Eaton, CO, in January 2025. Originally believed to be much younger, a BLM freezemark check revealed he was actually a senior horse who had been out of the wild since 2014. After nearly a year of decompression, we decided that a career under saddle was an unfair expectation for a horse of his age. In October 2025, he joined Coyote in permanent sanctuary, where he is now living his best wild life.
coyote
Rounded up as a mere foal from the Fox Hog HMA in Nevada, Coyote spent 14 years in the domestic world before we intercepted him just days away from being sold at a notorious Montana auction. While a deeply kind soul, he carried trauma that made a traditional riding career impossible. After four years of rehabilitation at our ranch, we honored his need for peace and transitioned him to a large-scale sanctuary, where he is successfully rewilding and is living his best life alongside other deserving rescued mustangs.
Kestrel
Kestrel is an incredibly stunning, kind, and elegant mare who thrives on affection. Born in a holding facility in 2017, her journey has been complex, ultimately leading her to our rescue where she has captured all of our hearts. On the ground, she has impeccable manners and is a true "in your pocket" companion who simply loves to be loved. Due to unpredictable behavior under saddle, she is seeking a dedicated, non-riding home where she can safely be a cherished pasture mate and companion to a loving family.
Colter
In August 2025, we outbid a kill buyer at a Colorado auction to save a six-year-old mustang named Colter. When we traced his brand, we uncovered a shocking reality: Colter was never wild. He was born inside a privately owned holding facility to a pregnant mare who had been rounded up from the Antelope Valley. His early life was the product of a broken, closed-loop system that removes mustangs to make way for corporate cattle, only to pay those same corporations millions in taxpayer dollars to warehouse the displaced horses. Despite being tossed aside by this system—likely due to a fear-based bucking problem—Colter proved to be incredibly bright, energetic, and willing. After three months of professional training to help him relax under saddle, this resilient gelding caught the eye of his perfect match. Today, Colter is living his best life in Ogden, Utah, with his adopter, Michele.
Siskin + Tern
Deemed "Three Strike" mustangs by age three, Siskin and Tern were sitting in BLM holding corrals—untouched and unsure of the human world—with a price tag of just $25. We refused to let their story end there. We stepped in, brought them home, and matched them with skilled trainers who helped them transform into curious, willing partners. Today, the "Bird Boys" have found their ultimate calling at At Ease, serving as intuitive healers for veterans and first responders battling PTSD. Their journey proves the incredible potential waiting within every forgotten wild horse.
Ridge
Born wild in Oregon’s South Steens Herd Management Area in 2022, Ridge was rounded up within the first year of his life. He initially had a highly promising start—pulled from BLM holding and gentled through a well-known program—but a string of unfortunate sales ultimately landed the young appaloosa in a Stroud, Oklahoma kill pen. We bailed him on March 31, 2026, and despite a scary bout with strangles that required extensive quarantine, this sweet, young-at-heart mustang made a full recovery. Today, Ridge is safely living at the Refuge, spending the summer learning herd dynamics and simply getting to be a horse again. He will begin under-saddle training soon and will be available to the perfect home in the late spring or summer of 2027. Ridge is going to make someone an incredible horse, and we actively encourage interested adopters to reach out early to get involved in his ongoing training journey.
While our mission begins in the dirt of the frontline, it finds its purpose in the success of our graduates.
Adopted June 2026. Originally from the Swasey Utah HMA, Loma was being sold on Facebook 10 months pregnant in Colorado City, AZ. When we arrived it became clear that for those ten months she had been in a 12’ x 12’ pen with hardly enough space to turn around. We immediately took her back to The Refuge where a vet determined she was not pregnant! Right around that time, a beautiful family visited us to see the adoptable mustangs and were immediately drawn to Loma. It was always meant to be. Loma lives with her family in Huntsville, Utah.
Sanctuaried in October 2025. Captured from the Salt Wells Creek HMA in 2014, Fennec spent years navigating the domestic system before falling through the cracks and landing in a Colorado kill pen, where we rescued him in January 2025. Although his lively spirit initially made us think he was a young horse, his freezemark revealed he was actually 18 years old, leading us to conclude that restarting him for a riding career would be unfair. Believing he had earned the right to simply exist without a human-assigned job, we moved Fennec to a permanent sanctuary in October 2025, where he now lives freely alongside Coyote in a natural herd environment.
Adopted June 2024. In April 2024, we rescued Teeka from a direct-ship slaughter pen at the Bowie auction, knowing this sweet, quiet soul's story was far from over. After receiving hock injections to relieve her pain and help her feel comfortable again, she found her perfect calling in June 2024. She was adopted by the Strides Pediatric Horse Therapy program, where she now thrives as a beloved lesson horse and a favorite among children with disabilities.
Sanctuaried in October 2025. Captured as a foal from Nevada's Fox Hog HMA in 2010, Coyote spent over a decade in the domestic system before we intercepted him at a Wyoming sale in late 2021, just days before he was bound for the slaughter pipeline. Over the next four years, we explored every avenue to help this deeply traumatized but wildly kind horse heal, though he ultimately communicated that a life of domestic riding was not meant for him. Honoring his true nature, we transitioned the 17-year-old to a large-scale mustang sanctuary, where he is now thriving in a herd and living out his days in the vast, open spaces he was taken from as a baby.
Adopted June 2026. In August 2025, we intercepted Dunlin, a mustang born wild in Confusion Utah from the Bowie Livestock Auction just days before he was scheduled to ship across the border. Through months of patient, low-pressure training, he overcame his initial anxiety to master his groundwork and reveal a wonderfully goofy, "in-your-pocket" personality. This beautiful transformation led him to his perfect match with Emily, an amazing young woman looking for a soul partnership, and he now enjoys his new life with her in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Adopted April 2025. In October 2024, we rescued Siskin and Tern, two young Roberts Mountain mustangs at high risk of entering the slaughter pipeline after the BLM labeled them "Sale Authority" for just $25. Over the following months, our trainers gave the horses time to decompress before using patient, low-pressure techniques to earn their trust and gradually train them under saddle. Their remarkable progress allowed us to gift them to the At Ease Horsemanship program in Sheridan, Wyoming, where their intuitive nature now helps veterans and first responders heal from PTSD.
Adopted January 2026. We found Colter at the Centennial Livestock Auction in Fort Collins, Colorado. We bid directly against a kill buyer to secure his freedom. Colter was born in captivity to a mustang mare from Antelope Hills, Nevada HMA. During his training, Colter was a quick study. Video updates of Colter’s progress caught the eye of Michele, a wonderful woman who was looking for a companion and trail partner of her own. Colter and Michele now live in Ogden, Utah.
Adopted October 2025. Monty was rescued from the Bowie, Texas auction in June of 2024. At only three years old, his life could have had a very different outcome. After some time in rehab, he started his training. An amazing local family saw his story and immediately arranged a meet and greet. It was love at first sight! Monty lives with his family in Oakley, Utah.
Adopted June 2025 and September 2025. Lobo saved at the very last minute from loading onto a slaughter truck July 2024 in Bowie, Texas. A gentle giant, Lobo had a dangerous bucking problem under saddle that we could not resolve and made the decision to retire him from riding. The most incredible family saw that Lobo was perfect just as he is! Several months later this perfect family decided Lobo needed a friend and decided Etta, a May 2024 Bowie Texas auction save, would be his perfect match. It was a match made in heaven! Etta and Lobo live in Midway, Utah.
Adopted July 2026. In July 2024, we rescued Willet, a Snowstorm Mountains mustang from the Bowie auction, discovering that despite being sold as "broke to ride," he was actually deeply traumatized and required over a year of patient decompression to safely reset his nervous system. Through months of dedicated training focused on emotional self-regulation, he beautifully transformed from a panicked, insecure horse into a calm, bright-eyed, and willing partner under saddle. We are thrilled that this sweet gelding is now being adopted by Kate and Gabe, an incredibly kind and heart-centered couple who have known him for the last two years and have always rooted for him. Willet and his family live in Tucson, Arizona.
The Graduate Gallery
Browse the amazing Ranchito graduates that have gone through rescue, rehabilitation, and training, and are now living out their next chapter alongside their forever families. They have left an indelible mark on Rescue Ranchito, and we cannot wait to see how the rest of their story unfolds.
In March of 2026, Quest the one-eyed pony or unicorn if you ask us, somehow found himself in the Stroud, Oklahoma kill pen with a deadline to ship to slaughter. Thankfully, our dedicated community banded together to save him just in time, and since arriving at the rescue, he has proven to be nothing short of extraordinary. He has seamlessly integrated into the resident herd and is doing a phenomenal job teaching Kula how to confidently level up her riding skills.
Born wild in the mountains of Arizona, this six-year-old BLM burro found himself unwanted in southwestern Colorado after his previous owner sold her property and left him behind. Knowing we couldn't let such a special boy sit there abandoned, we gladly stepped in to give Uintah a safe landing at the rescue. He immediately bonded with our resident donkey, Oquirrh, and the two have been completely inseparable best friends ever since.
Oquirrh was pulled from the direct ship pen at the Bowie Livestock Auction in May of 2024. Oquirrh quietly stood by Erin as she had to euthanize an abused elderly mule that had touched her deeply. That is when Erin knew he was meant to be with us and keep a forever watch over the herd. He has proved to be an incredibly loving, kind, and funny soul that we couldn’t live without.
In January 2026, we rescued a severely starved, four-year-old BLM burro named Ibis from an Oklahoma kill pen, rushing him to the hospital where he spent two critical days fighting for his life after collapsing from weakness. Once strong enough to begin a delicate refeeding process at Rescue Ranchito, he realized he was finally safe and blossomed from a wary survivor into a sweet, adventurous boy who loves giving kisses. Today, Ibis is a permanent resident at Rescue Ranchito, where he thrives in his forever home and shares an unbreakable bond with our two other rescue donkeys and pony friend, Goose.
Sendero was another Bowie Livestock auction save in December of 2022. At that time, Rescue Ranchito was not a thing yet, but another rescue that inspired us was on the ground that weekend and rescued him before he met an unthinkable fate. Sendero is an older horse, about 20-22 years old and his old-soul energy makes him the appointed grandfather of the Ranchito herd. He is very quiet, steady, and dependable. He is semi-retired but occasionally takes our dad, Ralph, on the trail.
Jasper is a 9-year old Navajo Reservation horse. He was in training at our mustang trainer’s program and we were taken by his raw beauty, poise, and funny mannerisms. When we found out he had nowhere to call home, we immediately stepped in and took him in. We are so glad we did as Jasper is one of our steadiest herd members and trail horses.
Moss is a Snowstorm Mountains mustang who we came across on Facebook marketplace the summer of 2025. She was being sold as an arena horse, but was developing a lot of bad habits. We just knew she was meant to live a life as a trail horse, exploring the mountains, free from the conformities that come with many riding disciplines. She is thriving with more freedom and loves to boss around the resident herd. She inspires us to be ourselves every day and make no apologies!
Lichen was rescued from the Bowie August 2024 Livestock Auction. She was dropped off, along with a large group of horses, by a trail riding company, no longer needed or wanted. He deformed ears, expressive eyes and sass made us fall in love immediately. When we looked in her eyes we saw family.
In July 2024, we spotted Goose in a crowded pen at the Bowie auction—extremely fearful and jumpy—but immediately sensed he would be the perfect pony for Kula, our eight-year-old Chief Animal Lover. Once removed from that chaotic environment, he quickly shed his anxiety and revealed himself to be a calm, steady, and incredibly kind older gentleman. Goose is now a beloved, permanent resident at Rescue Ranchito, where he loves spending time with his three donkey friends and will safely live out his days with our family.
Ranchito Residents
While our core mission is rescue, rehabilitation, and forever home placement, some rescues come to us and immediately tell us they are already home. These are our permanent residents. From our founding inspiration, Lola, to sweet boys like Ibis and Goose, these are the horses and burros with whom we share an undeniable, once-in-a-lifetime soul connection. These are the horses and burros who call Ranchito home.
"I have had such a great experience with Rescue Ranchito! Erin and Casey are wonderful human beings, and I feel so grateful for them and the work they do. I adopted Colter, one of the mustangs they rescued in the Summer of 2025, and am in love! He is such a special guy. I have always dreamt of adopting a mustang since I was a little girl, and Ranchito helped me make that dream possible.
Erin and Casey have been helpful, responsive, and transparent throughout the whole adoption process. From me reaching out through Instagram messages inquiriging about the adoption process initally, to then asking about Colter specifically, meeting virtually with them, and eventually setting up an in person meet and greet, the whole process has been seamless and amazing. The first in-person meeting with Colter went really well and I felt comfortable about it all - his trainer went through all the steps with me from letting me groom him, work with him on the ground in the round pen, to tacking up and talking me through what he's been working on with him, and riding both inside the round pen and out on a trail ride. I am over the moon about Colter and so excited about our next chapter together. We've already been out working cattle together and leading part of a trail!
Rescue Ranchito truly cares about these amazing horses (and donkeys!) and you see how passionate they are and want the best for them. They take the time to give them the TLC they need and give them the second chances they deserve. I can't wait to continue building my bond with Colter and having him by my side for adventures.
If you've been considering adopting a mustang or a donkey, you should stop considering and just reach out to Rescue Ranchito! Thank you guys so much"
The graduate gallery
Browse the amazing Ranchito graduates that have gone through rescue, rehabilitation, and training, and are now living out their next chapter alongside their forever families. They have left an indelible mark on Rescue Ranchito, and we cannot wait to see how the rest of their story unfolds.
Ranchito Residents
While our core mission is rescue, rehabilitation, and forever home placement, some rescues come to us and immediately tell us they are already home. These are our permanent residents. From our founding inspiration, Lola, to sweet boys like Ibis and Goose, these are the horses and burros with whom we share an undeniable, once-in-a-lifetime soul connection. These are the horses and burros who call Ranchito home.
