Equine Rescue

The following is from All About Equine Animal Rescue:

As the year winds down, December invites reflection on how far we’ve come and the care it takes to keep moving forward. Today’s story is about Jackson, a mustang whose journey is a reminder that growth doesn’t always happen quickly, and that some horses simply need understanding, consistency, and the right person willing to wait.

JACKSON

Jackson’s story began on the open range of Nevada. A striking bay mustang, he was part of a band from the Virginia Range that was crossing a busy stretch of highway, putting both horses and people at risk. To keep everyone safe, the band was gathered in late 2016, and Jackson arrived at AAE in January 2017.

After time spent learning the very basics of domestic life, Jackson was adopted in December 2018 and returned home to Nevada. He entered training right away and spent several months with a professional, where he was started under saddle before heading to his new home. For a while, his future seemed settled.

In October 2021, life shifted again. Following a death in the family, Jackson returned to AAE when his adopter could no longer continue his care. Without the consistency he needed, and paired with understandable challenges around trust, Jackson’s progress unraveled, and he regressed.

Today, Jackson is a thoughtful, sensitive mustang who wants connection, even if he’s not quite sure how to trust it yet. He’s curious and observant, often lingering nearby, watching from a safe distance. In wide, open spaces, he keeps a large comfort zone and will move away if approached, but in more contained settings he can be haltered and handled by familiar, experienced caregivers. He tries earnestly and that effort is what makes him so endearing.

Jackson thrives in a herd, and he usually draws confidence from another horse, typically an older mare. He’s playful, athletic, and naturally assertive, which eventually led to his move into a gelding pasture to keep the peace. Over the years, he’s grown into a big, solid guy, now physically mature, but still emotionally contemplating what it means to trust humans. He’s had many gentling sessions, but consistency remains a missing piece. For Jackson, trust isn’t built once; it has to be earned again and again.

When Jackson came back to AAE, we were in the midst of moving to the Pilot Hill property, limiting our ability to work with him consistently. With more time and interaction now, his desire to understand and connect is becoming clearer. He’s softening, thinking, and becoming more willing to stay engaged, showing just how far he’s come. He still needs sedation for veterinary and farrier care, so we humans still have work to do.

Jackson is available for adoption into a mustang-experienced home only, with someone who values relationship over the human needs. He needs time, patience, and a person with no agenda, someone open to the possibility that he may always be more comfortable as a companion than a riding horse. For the right person, the reward will be a deeply meaningful bond built on trust, respect, and understanding. He’s also needs a home with land to roam, along with a small paddock or roundpen area to continue his progress. Having spent most of his in open space, Jackson’s new home should be at home with you with at least another horse and plenty of room to roam.

Jackson is current on dental and hoof care, vaccines, deworming, and he has a microchip.

The following is from All About Equine Animal Rescue:

It’s hard to believe we’re already approaching the mid-point of December! We hope these daily stories have added a little warmth to your inbox this season. From rescues to adoptions, quiet triumphs to hard-won progress, each update is a reminder of the hope you help bring to every horse who enters our care. Thank you for reading, and for walking through this month of stories with us.

JACK

Jack arrived at AAE in February 2021 alongside his longtime companion, Nash. A striking mustang born around 2008, he spent many of his years at a struggling sanctuary that eventually fell into crisis, prompting law-enforcement involvement and removal of all the horses on the property. After six years at the sanctuary, Jack had never been haltered or handled. He learned well how to avoid and evade humans. He shared a few acres with a mixed herd of horses and two donkeys and was known as an easygoing, middle-of-the-pack kind of guy. We were told he originally came from a tribal reservation, once owned by the Chief, but beyond that, his history remains mostly unknown.

From the moment he arrived, Jack showed us two things: a gentle disposition and a very clear and firm personal bubble. He was comfortable being near people, but not too close. Once that invisible line was crossed, especially in tight spaces, his confidence evaporated, and he became highly reactive.

Not long after quarantine, Jack entered a five-day workshop with Patrick Sullivan of Modern Day Horsemanship. He made meaningful progress and accepted touch with minimal stress, but haltering was still out of reach. He later spent some time at the Monty Roberts International Learning Center as a project horse for their wild horse gentling program. There, he continued to be challenging to halter, but once haltered, he allowed full-body handling. The initial touch with each interaction was the hardest part for Jack, like 4,985 first dates.

Back at AAE, Jack received the care he had long needed: hoof and dental work, vaccines, deworming, and microchipping. Since then, his hands-on work has continued in small steps. He can now be haltered in a confined area and genuinely tries to be brave, but trust is still a concern and doesn’t come easily for him. He accepts touch, though it’s clear he doesn’t yet welcome it. His bubble is slowly shrinking, but it’s progress! Jack is a horse who will need time, maybe a lot of it, and he may or may not become a reliable riding partner in the future. Your patience and commitment to developing a trusting relationship will tell.

Jack is available to someone with substantial mustang experience and at least one other horse; one that is calm, confident, and social. Considering he was a free-roaming mustang for years, and he has enjoyed life in a large pasture since landing at AAE, housing at home in a large pasture environment with a small paddock/roundpen for continuing groundwork is ideal. He’s not a good candidate for a boarding facility. His person should have a relationship over riding agenda, with greatest interest in developing a bond with this handsome guy and helping Jack build confidence and trust in humans. He’s got an incredibly gentle soul!

If you have the experience, patience, and compassion to guide a once-free Mustang toward a new chapter, Jack may be the horse you’ve been searching for. Please take a moment to complete this form and a member of our team will reach out.

The following is from All About Equine Animal Rescue:

As we share these daily stories from 2025, we hope they’ve added a little light to your season and a reminder of the impact you make. Thank you for standing with us every step of the way. Your support makes everything possible.

Without further ado, here is today’s feature…

SPRING 2024 SEIZURE GROUP UPDATE:

Part 5

You may remember the herd that arrived together in March 2024, whose rescue story we shared last week. Today, we’re sharing an update on another one of those mares, who has since found a loving home of her own.

If you missed the herd’s full journey, you can read it here.

JULIETTE

We were at the fairgrounds loading horses, and Juliette wasn’t originally supposed to come to AAE. We had already prepared for 11 horses who seemed to need the most urgent help, half of the 22. But when the we saw Juliette and her thin, frail, and clearly unwell body as we were sorting horses, we knew she couldn’t be left behind. Her quiet eyes were pleading, and despite the list was full, we made a last-minute decision to bring her back to AAE, too.

She arrived timid and overwhelmed. Between here passive personality ad malnourished body, she couldn’t compete with the others for food, and she was pushed off feed, even with extra feeders available. She found a happy place with young Sophia. They seemed to find comfort in each other. Juliette wanted connection, but she didn’t quite know how to accept it. Slowly, with patience and consistency, she began to trust, and bit by bit, the shy, fragile mare started to blossom.

As she gained confidence, her transformation was striking; photos simply don’t capture the change well enough. Juliette learned to halter and lead with ease, and she became comfortable having her feet handled. She still needed reassurance during farrier visits, but she showed improvement every time. She was introduced to a flag, saddle pad, then a saddle, taking each new experience bravely and willingly.

By the time she was ready for adoption, she was current with dental and hoof care, vaccines, and deworming, and she had been microchipped.

But the best part of her story came next: Juliette met her person, Chibbon, and the connection was instant. A perfect match, right when she was ready to meet her person.

The following is from All About Equine Animal Rescue:

Please disregard the note about submitting an adoption inquiry for Nevaeh in yesterday’s email; she has indeed already been adopted.

We’re taking a short break from our December stories to celebrate something just as special: the people behind the scenes. Our volunteers are the heartbeat of AAE, showing up day after day to feed, comfort, care, repair, organize, and support in at least a hundred unseen ways.

This month’s Volunteer Spotlight is our way of celebrating some of the incredible individuals who give their time, heart, and strength to AAE, and of expressing our gratitude to every volunteer who stands beside us.

Meet Karen L.!

AAE Volunteer for 6+ years!

What do you do as an AAE Volunteer?

Courtney and I share shift lead duties on Monday afternoons.

What do you love about AAE and/or volunteering at AAE?

I love seeing trust and confidence grow in the horses who come to us for new beginnings. I have learned so much about how to care for and support horses who are struggling with health or emotional issues. My time with AAE has definitely made me into a better “mom” for my own horses.

Who is your favorite AAE horse and why?

We adopted Kyrie (above) from AAE four years ago, and she continues to delight us every day. She is so kind and smart and devoted to her best horse friend. She loves playing in water, having her left thigh scratched, and late morning naps. She always greets me with a nicker and my heart melts every time.

Meet Courtney L.!

AAE Volunteer for 4+ years!

What do you do as an AAE Volunteer?

As an AAE volunteer, I serve as shift lead with Karen L Monday evening. I help care for the horses and support their incredible transformations. It’s truly special to be part of their journey — giving them care, love, and consistency, and feeling that love returned in their own unique ways.

What do you love about AAE and/or volunteering at AAE?

AAE has truly been a gift from God. In some of my hardest seasons, it has brought healing, comfort, and peace. When I’m here, I’m fully present with the horses and their needs — and as much as I care for them, they care for my heart and soul in return. They’ve taught me so much, and it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of their journey. I’m constantly learning just how amazing horses truly are. I’ve gained community, connection, and a profound sense of gratitude for being part of AAE.

Who is your favorite AAE horse and why?

Gabby! The tears still come when I think of her. I can’t fully put into words how special she was — and still is — to me. I felt such a deep bond with her. She was so strong and resilient, and I always dreamed of the day I’d get to see her run in the pasture. She fought so hard, and I was fighting right alongside her. She was a true light in my life. I used to tell her, ‘You just don’t know what you do for me,’ and she would rest her head on my shoulder as if giving me a hug. I could sit with her for hours.

Gabby taught me so much. Despite all she had been through in her life, she still showed up with patience, forgiveness, trust, strength, resilience, and, above all, a heart full of love. I miss her deeply. Until we meet again, my sweet Gabby Girl.

Meet Maren C.!

AAE Volunteer for 1+ year!

What do you do as an AAE Volunteer?

Whatever needs to be done. For the Monday afternoon shift with Karen and Courtney, that generally involves feeding “the pellet kids” (Maia, Phantom, Cassadee, and Clyde), feeding the pastures, the barn and the new mare motel area, refilling pellet bowls, etc. I also am working on the auction for Boots and Bling.

What do you love about AAE and/or volunteering at AAE?

The people and the horses (and donkeys and goats and Radar).

Who is your favorite AAE horse and why?

Honestly, I don’t have one. I love all of their quirky personalities. It’s such fun to get to know them. This picture is of my favorite donkey at the rescue in San Diego where we lived before we moved up here.

Winter is here, and the holidays remind us of the power of giving and kindness. At AAE, our volunteers are the gift that keeps on giving, offering love, care, and support to the horses who need it most. This season, you can make a difference too. Come lend a hand, share your time and talents, and create a little holiday magic for our rescues.

Learn more about becoming an AAE volunteer below, and help us change lives, one horse at a time.

The following is from All About Equine Animal Rescue:

Whether you’re easing into a quiet weekend with a warm cup of coffee or getting ready to head out the door for work, take a moment to settle in and enjoy today’s holiday story.

As is AAE tradition, all month long, we’ll share a daily look back at the horses who came through our gates, the ones who found loving homes, and milestones that made 2025 a wonderful year.

These stories are our way of celebrating everything we’ve accomplished together, and honoring the volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who make this work possible.

At the heart of each one is the same simple truth: the greatest gift we can offer is a second chance.

Today, we invite you to start your morning with the next two horses whose stories helped shape our year.

SPRING 2024 SEIZURE GROUP UPDATE:

Part 3

Earlier this week, we shared the story of the herd that arrived together back in March 2024. Today, we’re checking in on two of those sweet faces who are still waiting for the right adopters to find them. If you didn’t get a chance to read the group’s story, you can find it here.

ELLA

When we first met Ella, her frame was gaunt, her hooves long and painful, and her mane hung in thick, knotted ropes. Even so, there was something striking about her, an unmistakable dignity beneath all that hardship.

A few weeks before, on March 5, 2024, she welcomed a healthy colt, Theo, into the world. From that first moment, Ella was steady and attentive, a natural mother despite the challenges she’d faced.

During her early days with us, Ella wasn’t sure what to make of people. She couldn’t be haltered, and every approach had to be slow, gentle, and patient. But true to her nature, she kept trying. Over the months, she blossomed. Little by little, she chose trust, allowing a halter, offering her feet to the farrier, and relaxing into the rhythms of daily handling.

Once her health had improved, we introduced her to light groundwork. She surprised us by taking everything in stride, and when a saddle pad and surcingle were added, she accepted them with the calmness of a mare who’d known this life before. Earlier this year, Ella carried a rider here at AAE, tentative at first, but willing and composed.

Ella is a mare of quiet strength, one who has worked to rebuild her confidence. She’s ready now for a partner who sees the horse she has become and the potential still waiting inside her.

She is current with hoof and dental care, vaccines, and deworming, and she is microchipped.

We shared Theo’s story earlier this week so you probably know that he, too, is seeking his future home.

SOPHIA

When Sophia arrived at AAE, she was in rough condition: underweight, exhausted, and struggling with a severely overgrown slipper hoof. At first, we assumed she was a young foal (maybe six to eight months old) because of her size, but over time, it became clear she was actually closer to two years old and had simply endured a very hard start to life. We don’t know whether one of the mares from her group was her mother or whether her mother was one of the horses that didn’t survive the winter, but it’s certain Sophia had faced significant neglect and inadequate nutrition.

Her hoof, likely deformed from an early injury or long-term lack of care, made daily life difficult, especially through a harsh winter. After her intake exam and testing, we learned she had also been pregnant, but did not carry to term.

Since arriving, Sophia has made steady, meaningful progress. After corrective trimming, she moves comfortably, though she does have lasting bony changes that likely will limit her future as non-riding companion. In pasture, she keeps up well with her herd, and if you didn’t know her history, the issue might not be obvious.

Behaviorally, Sophia has grown from a quiet, unsure filly into a confident young horse. She’s become the leader in her group, yet remains respectful with people. She halters, leads, and handles her hooves without issue, and she is cooperative for both the vet and farrier.

Sophia is ready for adoption as a non-riding horse. She needs an adopter experienced with young horses, someone who understands her developmental delays, can continue her basic training, and wants to build a strong, non-riding partnership.

She is current on vaccines, deworming, hoof and dental care, and she is microchipped.

Think one of these girls might be “the one”? Please submit an adoption inquiry form, and let the season of second chances begin!