Where Healing Begins for Horses
At Wild Hearts Refuge, horse rescue is rooted in compassion, preparation, and long-term commitment. We exist to provide safety and healing for horses who have experienced neglect, abuse, or abandonment—while ensuring every rescue is approached with care, capacity, and intention.
We believe that true rescue begins long before a horse arrives. It starts with building the right foundation.
Our Rescue Philosophy
Our approach to rescue is horse-first and trauma-informed. Many horses coming from difficult situations carry not only physical needs, but emotional ones as well. We are committed to meeting each horse where they are—physically, emotionally, and behaviorally, and honoring their individual story.
We believe ethical rescue means:
*Prioritizing the well-being and dignity of every horse
*Making intake decisions based on capacity, not urgency
*Providing consistent, compassionate care
*Creating environments where horses feel safe, seen, and respected
Rescue should never be rushed. It should be done right.
What “Rescue” Means to Us
Rescue at Wild Hearts Refuge means saving horses from neglect, rehabilitating them with compassionate care, and offering lifelong sanctuary and healing. We prioritize trust, respect, and gentle handling, partnering with communities to prevent cruelty and provide second chances for horses who deserve a peaceful future.
For us, rescue means:
*Providing immediate safety and stability
*Addressing medical, nutritional, and emotional needs
*Supporting rehabilitation through gentle, ground-based work
*Offering lifelong sanctuary or adoption when appropriate
Every horse deserves more than survival—they deserve a future.
Phase Spotlight
Wild Hearts Refuge is currently in its foundational phase. At this time, we are not yet accepting rescue horses.
We are actively working to:
*Secure suitable land and facilities
*Establish veterinary, farrier, and care partnerships
*Develop safe intake and quarantine protocols
*Build sustainable funding to support long-term care
Our initial goal is to begin with a small number of horses, ensuring each receives individualized care, attention and support.
This intentional pace allows us to protect the horses we serve and build a rescue program that is strong, ethical, and sustainable.
What Our Rescue Program Will Include
As Wild Hearts Refuge grows, our horse rescue program is designed to include:
*Safe and humane intake procedures
*Veterinary, dental, and farrier care
*Trauma-informed rehabilitation
*Ground-based connection and retraining
*Long-term sanctuary or carefully vetted rehoming
Each horse’s path will be guided by their needs—not a timeline.
Horses & Healing
Rescued horses are not just beneficiaries of healing—they are powerful partners in it. As our rescue program develops, horses who are ready and willing may participate in equine-assisted learning and healing programs for foster youth, troubled youth, veterans, and survivors of abuse.
The horse’s well-being will always come first. Participation will never be forced, and every interaction will honor consent, safety, and trust.
How You Can Support Horse Rescue
You don’t have to wait for our first rescue to make an impact. Your support helps build the foundation that makes ethical rescue possible.
Ways to support include:
*Donating toward land, care infrastructure, and startup costs
*Becoming a founding monthly supporter
*Contributing supplies or services
*Sharing our mission with your community
Every step forward brings us closer to welcoming our first rescue horses home.
Join Us in Building the Foundation
Wild Hearts Refuge is being built with intention, integrity, and heart. We are deeply grateful to those who believe in doing rescue the right way—from the very beginning.
Together, we are creating a place where horses can heal, and in time, help others heal too.
Common Questions About Our Rescue Work
Why start small?
Starting small allows us to do this work responsibly and sustainably. Each rescued horse deserves individualized care, proper resources, and time to heal—physically and emotionally. By beginning with a limited number of horses, we ensure we can meet their needs fully while building a strong foundation for long-term impact. This approach protects the horses, the people who support them, and the future of Wild Hearts Refuge.
How are horses selected?
Horses are selected based on urgency of need, suitability for rehabilitation, and our current capacity to provide appropriate care. We prioritize horses who can benefit from a safe, stable environment and who align with our mission of healing and connection. Each potential rescue is carefully evaluated with the horse’s best interest at the center of every decision.
When will rescues begin?
Rescues will begin once foundational pieces are in place, including land access, infrastructure, and sustainable funding for ongoing care. Our goal is not speed, but readiness. We are actively building toward welcoming our first horses and will share updates as soon as we are prepared to do so safely and responsibly.
