Meet the Residents of Equine Advocates Rescue & Sanctuary

Amos, a Percheron Draft, served this country as a Military Working Horse for 14 years with the Caisson Platoon, a unit of the United States Army. Because of his sheer size and strength, he almost exclusively served as a Wheel Horse who pulled the caisson, or wagon, carrying the caskets of fallen military members to their final resting places at Arlington National Cemetery. However, because Amos was also such a good riding horse, he occasionally would serve as a Section Horse in military funeral processions. Section Horses are ridden and not connected to the wagon and are positioned directly next to the Lead Horses.

During his years of service, Amos performed in many military funerals and other official ceremonies, including the funeral of General Colin Powell in 2021. The Caisson Platoon released Amos from service on November 1, 2023. He was first shipped to Cornell University Hospital for Animals where he underwent a health and wellness exam before coming to the sanctuary. Amos was born in 2004, but we do not know his exact date of birth. Consequently, we will celebrate his birthday every year on November 9th, the day he arrived at Equine Advocates. Amos is a handsome grey gelding with a kind and playful disposition. We are honored to provide this equine veteran with a well-deserved retirement where he will be cared for and doted on for the rest of his life.

Amos is proudly sponsored by supporters from West Haven, Connecticut; Brooklyn, New York; Hudson, New York; Kinderhook, New York; Bushkill, Pennsylvania and Fort Myer, Virginia.

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Photo credit: Alex Valverde

Angie, a Draft Cross, was born on June 4, 2004 to former PMU mare Barbra, who Equine Advocates rescued that same year in Canada, along with 45 other slaughter-bound PMU mares. Angie was born in the U.S. She had been adopted out for several years but came back to us in August of 2011. She has her mom’s eyes and face, but not her color. Barbra was a large Belgian Draft who sadly passed away on April 22, 2017. Angie lives in a large pasture that we call “Glamour Girls” with other PMU offspring.

Angie is proudly sponsored by supporters from Fort Collins, Colorado; Wynantskill, New York and Gearhart, Oregon.

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Photo credit: Caroline Christie

Annie, born around 2001, is a Belgian Draft branded with #157 (the same as Peggy) and was the youngest of 46 Canadian PMU mares Equine Advocates rescued between October 2003 and March 2004. For that reason, she does not seem to have as many physical and emotional scars as most of the other mares rescued during that six-month period. She was adopted when she arrived and gave birth to a colt named Connor. Both horses came back to us in 2008. Annie spends her days with her friends in the area we call “Field of Dreams.”

Annie is proudly sponsored by supporters from Palos Hills, Illinois; Ghent, New York and Eugene, Oregon.

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Photo credit: Jim Craner

Bea is a Bay Quarter Horse Mare whose estimated birth year is 1995. She arrived at Equine Advocates on December 13, 2023, after spending more than three weeks at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs, NY. Bea was one of three horses embroiled in a cruelty case in upstate New York. She was seized by State Troopers on November 22, 2023, along with Vince who also lives at the sanctuary. The third horse, Perla, had already been surrendered to us by her owner on November 20, 2023, but Bea and Vince were not surrendered to us until February 13, 2024.

Bea has special needs which is why she cannot live outside with her two old friends. However, she is far from being lonely; She lives in the Main Barn with access to outdoor paddocks and is now quite the social butterfly where she has made new friends with whom she likes to spend her time. Her favorite is a handsome equine Army veteran named Luke who, like Bea, is on a special diet where he also cannot chew regular hay. They are fed grain in hot mashes and chopped hay or Horse Grass Hay Forage that comes packaged in bags. They can, however, be turned out on grass together weather permitting. Bea is extremely cute and funny and makes everyone laugh. She is quite the character who always lets you know if there is something she wants or needs, especially when food is involved.

Bea is proudly sponsored by supporters from Valatie, New York and Bushkill, Pennsylvania.

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Photo credit: Michele Jacobs

Beau is an Unregistered Thoroughbred born in 2003. He came to Equine Advocates in 2008, along with his sire, Clive, and another Thoroughbred, Marty, after their former owner was charged with animal cruelty and neglect. Sadly, Clive and Marty have since passed away. Beau is a chronic cribber, most likely due to his poor treatment and confinement by his former owner. Cribbing is a neurotic behavior that involves a horse grasping a solid object, such as the stall door or fence rail, with his or her teeth, then arching their neck and contracting the lower neck muscles to retract the larynx. This behavior can lead to health problems if left unchecked. Because of this behavior, Beau now wears a cribbing collar. Despite his physical and emotional baggage, he is very happy at the sanctuary.

Beau is proudly sponsored by supporters from Sacramento, California; Westfield, New Jersey; Ghent, New York; Hillsdale, New York; Hoosick Falls, New York and Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

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Photo credit: Michele Jacobs

Bridgette, a Pinto Pony Mare born around 2000, was rescued by Equine Advocates when an upstate New York animal park closed in 2006. The park auctioned off over 1,000 animals, of which approximately 800 went to animal dealers and hunting interests. There were 28 equines for sale and we were fortunate to be able to purchase seven of them, including this adorable little pony mare. Bridgette spends her days on “Pony Hill” with other miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

Bridgette is proudly sponsored by supporters from Paget, Bermuda and Warwick, Bermuda.

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Photo credit: Terry Hawthorne

Chloe is a Dark Brown Miniature Mediterranean Donkey born on May 22, 2003. According to the Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Association, these unique equines are a separate breed originating in the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. Chloe and Daisy, a second Miniature Mediterranean Donkey, arrived at Equine Advocates on April 12, 2024, under very special circumstances. Our oldest equine at the sanctuary was a Pygmy Donkey named Lisa who turned 38 in 2024, which was equivalent to well over 100 years of age in human years. Lisa had a longtime stablemate, a Miniature Donkey named Alice. As Lisa was so old, we wanted to make sure that Alice was not alone when Lisa passed away. Just by chance, our good friend Gerda Silver of Gerda’s Equine Rescue saved Chloe and Daisy and adopted them to a new home. However, the two donkeys were eventually returned to Gerda and as she was looking for a new home, she found out that we were looking for a companion for Alice. As Chloe and Daisy were inseparable, we welcomed both of them to the sanctuary. When Lisa passed, she did so knowing that her best friend, Alice, would not be alone. Chloe is extremely affectionate and sweet. She is simply a joy to be around.

Chloe is proudly sponsored by a supporter from Albany, New York.

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Photo credit: Michele Jacobs

Cindy, a mixed breed born around 1996, is a PMU mare from Canada who was rescued by Equine Advocates in 2003 and brought to the United States in 2004. She was part of a large rescue operation conducted by Equine Advocates where 46 PMU mares were saved from slaughter. Cindy is still a little standoffish, most likely due to never being handled or loved while being used as a PMU mare.

Cindy is proudly sponsored by supporters from Nahant, Massachusetts; Wellesley, Massachusetts; Castleton On Hudson, New York; New York, New York and Clarksburg, West Virginia.

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Photo credit: Jim Craner

CJ is a Registered Thoroughbred born on March 2, 2002. In 2003, he was purchased as a yearling at the Keeneland Sales for $100,000 due to his impressive breeding. His registered name is “Jay W” and he raced 18 times during his career. We have no idea where he went or how many times he changed hands after his racing days were over.

In July of 2021, we received a call that a 19-year-old Thoroughbred was about to be shipped from a Pennsylvania kill pen to a slaughterhouse in Mexico. We immediately offered to provide him a forever home at the sanctuary and renamed him “CJ.” After his rescue was expedited, he was shipped directly to a quarantine facility for 30 days. His condition was poor as he had been severely neglected and was extremely thin. During his time at the quarantine facility, he began to gain some weight. He completed his required stay there in late August and was transported to Cornell University Hospital for Animals in Ithaca, NY for a thorough medical examination and evaluation. CJ arrived at Equine Advocates Rescue & Sanctuary on September 3, 2021. He is a sweet-tempered and kind gelding who did not deserve the ultimate betrayal of being scrapped for slaughter. No horse does! He is now a member of our remarkable equine family, many of whom were also saved from the same horrendous fate.

CJ is proudly sponsored by supporters from Denver, Colorado; Montclair, New Jersey; Saratoga Springs, New York; Valatie, New York; Bushkill, Pennsylvania and East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

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Photo credit: Melissa Murray

Daisy is a Spotted Miniature Mediterranean Donkey, a separate breed originating in the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. According to the Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Association, these small equines were bred for grueling work. There are woodblock pictures of them from the 18th century carrying water and supplies over mountainous areas and performing other arduous tasks. While they are practically extinct in their native land, they have since become popular pets in the U.S. due to their sweet and gentle disposition.

Daisy was born on April 27, 2007. She and her best friend Chloe, another Miniature Mediterranean Donkey, were rescued by Gerda Silver of Gerda’s Equine Rescue. Gerda adopted them to a home, but they were eventually returned to her. At the same time, Gerda learned that we were looking for a Miniature Donkey as a companion for Alice, whose longtime companion, a Pygmy Donkey named Lisa, had turned 38 in 2024. We had been looking for another donkey to join them since Lisa’s age was equivalent to a person over 100 and we did not want Alice to be alone when Lisa passed. When Gerda told us about Daisy and Chloe and how sweet they were, we thought they could become wonderful pasture mates for Alice. They arrived at the sanctuary on April 12, 2024, before Lisa passed away, and bonded with Alice. Daisy is as gentle as she is cute.

Daisy is proudly sponsored by supporters from Waldwick, New Jersey and Queensbury, New York.

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Photo credit: Michele Jacobs

Denny, formally “Major Deegan,” is a Registered Thoroughbred born on February 4, 2002. When he could no longer race, he was admitted to a State University Equine Studies Program. He had sustained a broken coffin bone and had issues with his stifle, so he was about to be dumped at auction by the school when Equine Advocates rescued him and two other Thoroughbreds, Tim and Monty, on December 5, 2010. Every institute of learning that uses horses in its programs should teach responsible horse guardianship. Denny spends his days with Tim and other Thoroughbreds in a section of the sanctuary we call “A Few Good Men.”

Denny is proudly sponsored by supporters from Wellesley, Massachusetts; Draper, Utah and Sandy, Utah.

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Photo credit: Gregg Heniges

Elinore, a Percheron/Morgan Cross born around 1994, was an Amish workhorse when she was rescued by Equine Advocates. She was adopted out for several years but came back to us in December of 2009. Elinore spends her days with her best friend, Zoe, in the area we call “Dream Girls.”  Fun fact – Elinore was named to honor the memory of a great friend of Equine Advocates, Elinore B. Gordon.

Elinore is proudly sponsored by supporters from Dunwoody, Georgia; Cold Spring, New York; New York, New York; Old Chatham, New York and Troy, New York.

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Photo credit: Melissa Murray

Gerda is a Chestnut Quarter Horse Mare whose estimated birth year is 2000. In January of 2023, we joined a group of organizations to help rescue 21 former rodeo bucking horses who had been sold and shipped from a Las Vegas rodeo outfit to a Pennsylvania killer buyer. The good news is that all 21 horses were saved and we took in Gerda, who reportedly was used as a broodmare after her cruel rodeo days were over. She spent more than 30 days in a quarantine facility where she was diagnosed with Strangles, a contagious disease that she picked up in the kill pen. When she left quarantine, she was shipped to Cornell University Hospital for Animals and spent nearly a week in an isolation unit. After recovering and finally testing negative for Strangles, she was moved to the main part of the hospital. She arrived at Equine Advocates Rescue & Sanctuary on February 26, 2023. We will celebrate her “Re-Birth-Day” on that day every year.

Not surprisingly, Gerda has some health and soundness issues, some of which are the direct result of the neglect she suffered in her past life, including low body weight, long hooves on all four of her feet, badly neglected teeth, and other issues. According to the veterinarians who treated her at Cornell, there was evidence of previous laminitis with mild right front coffin bone rotation. She was examined and evaluated thoroughly at the hospital and while there might not be a permanent cure for some of her health issues, we will be managing them for the rest of her life so she is as comfortable and sound as possible. Gerda was named for the wonderful horse rescuer Gerda Silver in honor of her 80th birthday.

Gerda is proudly sponsored by supporters from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and Wynantskill, New York.

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Photo credit: Alex Valverde

Ginger is a Chestnut Draft Cross Mare whose estimated birth year is 2007. She had spent most of her adult life working as an Amish buggy horse and ultimately was dumped at a Pennsylvania slaughter auction when she could no longer perform. She was purchased by a commercial barn at that auction which saved her life. However, due to the soundness issues she developed over the years as a buggy horse, she was not a good candidate for riding and needed to be retired in a sanctuary. We heard about her situation and decided to help. After undergoing a complete medical evaluation at Cornell University Hospital for Animals, Ginger arrived at Equine Advocates on October 16, 2023. She was diagnosed with several health problems, including severe pastern osteoarthrosis in her two front and right hind limbs and mild osteoarthritis in her left hind limb. Her Vitamin E level was way below the normal range which can be quite serious and predispose a horse to muscular weakness and dysfunction, as well as degenerative neurologic diseases. Ginger was immediately started on supplements at the hospital which we will continue to treat aggressively until her Vitamin E level is normal since no one knows how long she was living with this deficiency. Based on her medical evaluation, the good news is that with proper care, she can expect to live a good life turned out in a pasture with other horses. Ginger is a strikingly beautiful mare with an engaging personality. All of us at Equine Advocates are delighted that she has taken well to sanctuary life.

Ginger is proudly sponsored by supporters from Acra, New York; Averill Park, New York and Montgomery, Texas.

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Photo credit: Robert Near

Ginny, a Standardbred born in 1992, is the only horse who lives at the section of the sanctuary we call “Mule Town.” She has been in the company of this group of mules for several years and is definitely part of the herd—in fact, she’s actually in charge! Ginny worked as an Amish buggy horse in Pennsylvania before being rescued by Equine Advocates in 2010.

Ginny is proudly sponsored by supporters from Palatine, Illinois; Germantown, New York; Millerton, New York and Schenectady, New York.

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Gizmo, born March 27, 2001, is one of the largest mules at the sanctuary. Equine Advocates rescued him and his mother, a Clydesdale mare named Queen, from an Ohio Amish farm in 2001 along with a Percheron named Dolly and her offspring Gomez, another handsome mule and one of Gizmo’s pasture mates. The group arrived at the sanctuary in 2010. Queen and Dolly sadly passed away in 2022.

Gizmo and Gomez spend their days together in an area we call “Mule Town” along with another former work mule and one former buggy horse.

Gizmo is proudly sponsored by supporters from Flushing, New York; Mill Neck, New York; New York, New York and Tacoma, Washington.

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Photo credit: Melissa Murray

Gracie, born on April 9, 1999, is a Registered Thoroughbred who raced lightly under the name of “Grey Cyane” before sustaining an injury that ended her racing career at age two. She had been adopted out twice but came back to Equine Advocates.

Gracie is proudly sponsored by supporters from Englewood, Colorado; Granby, Connecticut; Burnsville, Minnesota; Armonk, New York; Hudson, New York; Jericho, New York; Rye, New York and Argyle, Texas.

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Photo credit: Kara Heniges

James is a Bay Gelding whose estimated birth year is 2003. Due to his unique physical appearance and way of moving, we ordered an Ancestral Equine DNA Report while he was at Cornell University Hospital for Animals for an evaluation of his overall health. That was in February of 2024. The hospital sent his DNA samples to Texas A&M University and the results were quite fascinating. The report revealed that he is a Trakehner, Thoroughbred, and Selle Francais (French Warm Blood) Cross.

We do not have a lot of information about his history except that James was originally from South Carolina, but over time, a new home needed to be found for him. We advised the owner to send him to a farm in western Pennsylvania that Equine Advocates has had close ties with for decades. He arrived there in 2022. Sadly, the catastrophic train derailment that took place in nearby Palestine, Ohio the following year negatively affected the land and water in the area where James was living. Consequently, the decision was made to move him to New York and admit him into the sanctuary. James arrived here on February 19, 2024. Since we do not have an exact date of birth for him, we will celebrate his birthday every year on that day. James is a spirited and sweet-tempered Gelding with some health issues. However, he is pasture sound and able to enjoy living the best life we have to offer equines at the sanctuary who like to be turned out and take shelter in their stalls whenever they please.

James is proudly sponsored by supporters from Averill Park, New York and Wynantskill, New York.

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Photo credit: Alex Valverde

Janie is a Registered Thoroughbred Mare born on February 11, 2008. Although she was tattooed and registered under the racing name “Faith to Faith,” she never actually raced. In September 2019, she was rescued out of a Pennsylvania kill pen by Gerda’s Equine Rescue based in Vermont. She was completely emaciated at the time and had serious soundness issues. On February 26, 2020, Janie arrived at Equine Advocates. She still has soundness issues, but outside of the fact that she was bred in New York State by AIOSA Farm, very little is known about her background or how she ended up being scrapped for slaughter when she was only eleven years old. We are so grateful to Gerda for coming to the rescue of this very sweet mare and saving her life. Since her arrival here, Janie has adjusted well and seems to enjoy her new life at the sanctuary. We named her for the legendary singer Jane Olivor, a horse lover and a great friend of Equine Advocates.

Janie is proudly sponsored by supporters from Chatham, New York; New York, New York and Tivoli, New York.

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Photo credit: Jim Craner

Jasmine is a Cleveland Bay Mare born in 2004. She was part of a major 46 PMU mare rescue that Equine Advocates conducted in Manitoba, Canada. The majority of foals born to PMU mares are considered byproducts and many are sent to auction and/or slaughter. Jasmine was skin and bones when we rescued her and suffered from many signs of severe neglect. Her transformation has been dramatic. She is now healthy and thriving in her new life. She spends her days in the area of the sanctuary we call “Splendor in the Grass” with Wiatt, a Shire.

Jasmine is proudly sponsored by supporters from Chatham, New York and New York, New York.

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Photo credit: Robert Simmons

Jeffrey Mac is a Draft Cross and PMU offspring born on May 1, 2004. He spent the first month of his life in a hospital and almost didn’t survive. Thankfully, he recovered and is now very healthy. He loves sharing his large pasture with his best pal, Connor, a fellow PMU offspring. Jeffrey’s dam is Fiona, who had also lived at the sanctuary, but sadly passed away in 2015.

Jeffrey Mac is proudly sponsored by supporters from San Diego, California; Boynton Beach, Florida; Bellerose, New York; Cold Spring, New York; Ithaca, New York and Austin, Texas.

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King is a stunning Black Percheron Draft born in 2002. He served this country for 16 years as a member of the U.S. Army’s Caisson Platoon at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. As a “wheel horse,” King’s job was to help pull the caisson (or wagon) that carried the caskets of U.S. military members who passed away or died in combat designated to be buried with full military honors. Wheel horses are closest to the caisson wagon and always have a rider on their backs. In addition to his missions in funerals and military ceremonies, King was so calm and dependable that he was used to help train the next generation of Caisson Horses. He was released to Equine Advocates for his permanent retirement on July 16, 2023.

King is proudly sponsored by supporters from Seminole, Florida; East Greenbush, New York; Ghent, New York; Hudson, New York; Rensselaer, New York; Wynantskill, New York; Fort Myer, Virginia and Manassas, Virginia.

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Photo credit: Alex Valverde

Lily, a Draft Cross, was born on April 25, 2004, to former PMU mare Jill, who was pregnant with Lily at the time of her rescue. Jill sadly passed away on March 5, 2018. Lily, her pasture mate Suzie, and their dams were the first horses to arrive at the sanctuary after it was established on June 1, 2004. Lily and Suzie live with a Thoroughbred named Gracie in a pasture we call “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.”

Lily is proudly sponsored by supporters from Weston, Connecticut; The Villages, Florida; Ghent, New York and Schenectady, New York.

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Photo credit: Michele Jacobs

Luke is a Black Percheron Gelding born on May 12th, 1999. For fifteen years, he served this country with honor as a Military Working Horse with the U.S. Army Caisson Platoon, also referred to as “The Old Guard,” at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia. He was ridden as a “Wheel Horse,” meaning he was one of the horses hitched closest to the funeral caisson, or wagon that pulls the caskets of fallen military members to their final resting places at Arlington National Cemetery. Luke was sent to Cornell University Hospital for Animals prior to his arrival at Equine Advocates on May 3, 2023. This noble equine veteran deserves our deepest gratitude for his years of loyal service to the country. We are so proud to have him spend his retirement years with us.

Luke is proudly sponsored by supporters from The Villages, Florida; Westfield, New Jersey; Averill Park, New York; Brooklyn, New York; Valatie, New York; Houston, Texas; Fort Myer, Virginia and Springfield, Virginia.

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Photo credit: Michele Jacobs

Marilyn, a former Amish Work Mule born around 1992, was named after Marilyn Monroe because of her long red eyelashes. She and four others were purchased at a mule dispersal sale in Lancaster County, PA in 1999. Marilyn had been adopted but came back to us in 2005. She spends her days with other former Amish Work Mules in the area of the sanctuary we call “Comedy Central.”

Marilyn is proudly sponsored by supporters from Manchester, Maryland; Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Missoula, Montana and New York, New York.

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Photo credit: Melissa Murray

Mary Kate, a Miniature Horse, was born at the sanctuary on June 16, 2007, to Mini Pearl, who was in foal at the time of her rescue from an upstate New York animal park that closed in 2006. Sadly, Mini Pearl passed away on May 4, 2023. Mary Kate is very mischievous and is always looking to play. She is always the first to run up to meet and greet our visitors in the area of the sanctuary we call “Pony Hill.”

Mary Kate is proudly sponsored by supporters from Mundelein, Illinois; Bellevue, Nebraska; Hartsdale, New York and Slingerlands, New York.

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Photo credit: Kristen Hegedus

Melanie, a Belgian Draft, was born at the sanctuary in the spring of 2004 to PMU mare Peggy, who was in foal at the time of her rescue. Melanie shares her pasture with Peggy, another rescued PMU mare named Annie, and a rescued Philadelphia Carriage Horse named Mark in the area we call “Field of Dreams.” Melanie is absolutely gorgeous with the most beautiful, flowing mane.

Melanie is proudly sponsored by supporters from Troy, Michigan; East Chatham, New York and Seattle, Washington.

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Photo credit: Pam White

Nemo is a Chestnut Quarter Horse Gelding whose estimated birthdate is June 14, 2001. He worked for twelve years as a camp horse at a now-defunct upstate New York dude ranch where conditions were cruel and pathetically substandard. He and the other horses at this ranch were reportedly tethered and tacked up for hours in the hot sun during the summer months. Nemo has permanent scars on both sides of his mouth from the severe equipment he was forced to wear during trail rides. It is not known where most of those other horses went when this dude ranch shut down in the spring of 2022, but we were told that some ended up at a low-end horse auction where horse dealers and killer buyers could bid on them. Nemo’s life was saved due to the kindness and compassion of one individual who got him out of there, thus saving him from ending up on the auction block. He arrived at the sanctuary on December 18, 2022.

Over the years, Equine Advocates has rescued and provided sanctuary for many camp horses. Every spring, we revive our campaign urging parents to thoroughly research summer riding camps, dude ranches, riding academies, national children’s organizations, and resorts that offer horseback riding, as well as school and therapeutic riding programs to make sure that none of these places lease their horses from killer buyers and other nefarious individuals who send horses to auction and into the slaughter pipeline. There are very good riding programs out there for both children and adults, but one must take the time to do the research and ask the right questions so that the unethical and inhumane treatment of horses is not supported by unsuspecting parents who just are not aware of how some of these places operate. It is also a serious safety issue for children who ride horses who are not fed and cared for properly. Rescuing a camp or school horse is one of the best and most rewarding experiences one can have because they generally are wonderful and safe to ride for both kids and adults.

Fortunately, Nemo will spend the rest of his life here at Equine Advocates Rescue & Sanctuary. His story will be a way to educate visitors and the public about the sad fate of equines used at many dude ranches, summer camps, and riding programs. It is part of our mission to better inform people on how to avoid the bad places like the one Nemo came from and locate the reputable ones where horses receive good care and are not disposed of at auction when the summer season is over or simply outlive their usefulness.

Nemo is proudly sponsored by supporters from Sun Lakes, Arizona; Wellesley, Massachusetts; New Paltz, New York and Rensselaer, New York.

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Onaqui (pronounced O-nah-kee) is a beautiful Grey Wild Mustang Mare who arrived at the sanctuary on June 4, 2022. She had been rounded up and captured by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on July 16, 2021, on the public rangelands of Utah in the Onaqui Mountain Herd Management Area (HMA) located 60 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. During that brutal 5-day roundup, more than 300 wild horses lost their freedom and their families. The Salt Lake Tribune published this report about the roundup.

Because we want everyone to know exactly who this mare is and where she came from, we decided to name her in honor of the Onaqui Mountains where she once ran free, and for the famous herd she came from of the same name.

The BLM estimated Onaqui’s age to be 16. She had given birth during her lifetime and has a brand on her rear left flank indicating that she had been darted with the PZP fertility control vaccine. She had been sold at an online BLM auction to someone in this part of the country who was not able to work with Onaqui and consequently no longer wanted her. This was no surprise as wild horses and burros do not belong in captivity, especially a mare of Onaqui’s age at her time of capture. It was cruel and inhumane to remove her from the range. She should have been released back with the remaining members of her herd, but that did not happen.

Luckily, we were able to have Onaqui come to the sanctuary where we are taking our time to work with her and gain her trust. Like so many of America’s wild equines who have been chased, captured, uprooted from their homes, and separated from their herds, Onaqui has been traumatized. It is our mission and commitment to do everything we can to provide her with lots of love and TLC with the hope that she will be able to adjust to sanctuary life.

Onaqui is proudly sponsored by supporters from Marina del Rey, California; Lee, Massachusetts; Osterville, Massachusetts; Averill Park, New York; Beacon, New York; Bearsville, New York; New York, New York; Philmont, New York; Spencertown, New York; Valatie, New York; Gearhart, Oregon; Austin, Texas and New Braunfels, Texas.

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Pedro is a Standard Donkey rescued in August of 2018. His estimated birth year is 2008. Pedro and several horses had been abandoned on a property in upstate New York. Initially, we were alerted to the plight of the animals by one caring individual who then put us in contact with two others who lived in the area and who also became involved. In a wonderfully orchestrated group effort, all the animals were saved! Equine Advocates got the donkey and we named him Pedro. We immediately shipped him to Cornell University Hospital for Animals where he was gelded and treated for various stages of neglect. He remained there for a week and then came to the sanctuary. Pedro is a very sweet and shy guy. While we probably will never know a lot about his history, we can be sure that his future is a bright one. He hangs out with Nelson in “The Wild Ones” pasture.

Pedro is proudly sponsored by supporters from Canandaigua, New York; Hudson, New York; New Paltz, New York and Troy, New York.

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Photo credit: Terry Hawthorne

Peggy, a Belgian Draft born around 1996, is a former PMU mare from Canada who was in foal at the time of her rescue in 2004. She arrived at the sanctuary in spring of that year. Peggy has a freeze brand #157 on her side, which represented the stall number at the PMU factory farm where she came from. These factory farms don’t even give them names—how sad! Happily, she is now with us and shares a pasture with her daughter Melanie, another rescued PMU mare named Annie, and a rescued Philadelphia Carriage Horse named Mark in the area we call “Field of Dreams.” Peggy is a very beautiful, sweet, and shy horse!

Peggy is proudly sponsored by supporters from Glencoe, Illinois; Herzilya, Israel; Cold Spring, New York and Valatie, New York.

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Photo credit: Jim Craner

Perla is a Registered Grey Standardbred Mare who once raced under the name “Ms. Bellagio.” She was born on June 14, 1997. During the fall of 2023, we were contacted about a cruelty case concerning three horses in upstate New York and Perla was one of them. The owner voluntarily surrendered her to us on November 20, 2023, and at the request of the State Police, we assumed the care of the other two. We immediately sent Perla to a local equine hospital where she was evaluated and treated for 24 days before coming to the sanctuary. Since arriving here on December 13, 2023, Perla has taken to sanctuary life. She loves being turned out in the pasture where she gets to run and play with her longtime friend Vince, a Grey Appaloosa Gelding who was also one of the horses involved in that case. He and another mare, Bea, were both surrendered to us by the same owner on February 13, 2024. Perla really enjoys hanging out in her stall which she can do at will and then go back outside whenever she pleases. She is a lovely mare to be around and has a very sweet and kind disposition. She also enjoys making the rounds with Vince each day and visiting with their equine neighbors. They have access to a huge pasture and have alternate turnout times with the other horses who live there. Perla loves to eat, be groomed, and receive lots of love and attention.

Perla is proudly sponsored by supporters from Valatie, New York and Burlington, North Carolina.

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Photo credit: Alex Valverde

Plato, born May 16, 2000, is a Registered Thoroughbred formerly known as “Platitude” who had a consistent record on the New York racing circuit. He sustained several serious injuries while racing and finally ended up with a cracked knee. Equine Advocates took him to the sanctuary in 2005, had him gelded, and allowed him to recuperate from his injuries in a stall for several months. Now “pasture sound,” he will never be ridden again. Plato lives with other Thoroughbreds in a section of the sanctuary we call “A Few Good Men.”

Plato is proudly sponsored by supporters from Granby, Connecticut and Cold Spring, New York.

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Photo credit: Madison Messina

Press Exclusive, born on May 5, 1996, is a Kentucky-bred Registered Thoroughbred Mare who raced 48 times in Canada and won more than $436,000 for her owner, then gave birth to nine foals before ending up on the Canadian version of Craigslist where she was purchased by a killer buyer. On her way to slaughter, she was trampled on the truck and was near death. Press defied the odds and survived unimaginable pain and suffering. That was back in December of 2012 when Mindy Lovell, who runs a Canadian rescue organization called Transitions Thoroughbreds, took in Press and nursed her back to health. On September 10, 2013, we welcomed Press to the sanctuary where she is retired for life!

Press Exclusive is proudly sponsored by supporters from Los Angeles, California; Davie, Florida; Beacon, New York; Buffalo, New York; Niverville, New York and Eugene, Oregon.

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Photo credit: Terry Hawthorne

Rocket Man is a Miniature Appaloosa born in 2009. He arrived at the sanctuary in May of 2012 after we learned that he was an intact male (stallion) living in a field with full-size mares – a very dangerous situation where he could have been seriously injured. He had apparent soundness issues and we immediately sent him to an equine hospital where he was gelded and had surgery on his left hind limb. Thankfully, he is now pasture sound and enjoys hanging out at the Main Barn with his friends.

Rocket Man is proudly sponsored by supporters from Bolton Landing, New York; Queensbury, New York and Rockingham, Virginia, as well as by two corporate sponsors from Albany, New York. He’s also sponsored by Radio Woodstock 100.1 WDST. In honor of the sponsorship, the radio station is selling “Rocket Man” Limited Edition T-shirts, which you can purchase here.

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Photo credit: Jim Craner

Sarah is a big beautiful Belgian Draft who is the offspring of Mariclare, a rescued Canadian PMU mare who resided at the sanctuary before passing on November 24, 2017. Mariclare was in foal with Sarah at the time of her rescue and was part of a major rescue of Canadian PMU mares conducted by Equine Advocates between October 2003 and March 2004. The mares were all rescued in Manitoba, the heart of PMU country in Canada. Sarah was born in the U.S. on April 20, 2004. She is a very spirited mare and is one of the largest equines at the sanctuary. Sarah loves spending her days with other PMU offspring in our “Glamour Girls” pasture.

Sarah is proudly sponsored by supporters from Huntsville, Alabama; Louisville, Kentucky; Albany, New York; East Hampton, New York; Goodview, Virginia; Clinton, Washington and Maple Valley, Washington.

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Photo credit: Terry Hawthorne

Swiftie, born on April 15, 2010, is a Registered Thoroughbred Mare with one of the most unique and special backgrounds of any equine at the sanctuary. She was the last foal born to Press Exclusive, a Kentucky-bred racehorse whose dramatic rescue from slaughter in Canada by Mindy Lovell in 2012 went viral, and which led to “Press” arriving at Equine Advocates the following year for permanent retirement. Lovell, who runs Transitions Thoroughbreds in Ontario, informed us about the last of Press Exclusive’s nine foals – a Canadian-bred filly named “X Squared” who was racing at Woodbine. Equine Advocates President Susan Wagner talked to Mindy about following her career and doing everything possible to prevent her from ending up on a slaughter truck like her famous mom. Mindy discovered that in 2018 X Squared had been sold to someone in Texas and was shipped to the U.S. to race. Susan contacted that person to ask if there came a time when X Squared needed a forever home, we would like to retire her at the sanctuary. Another six years passed and in June of 2024, Susan received an unexpected call asking if she was still interested in giving X Squared a home at the sanctuary. She said “yes,” and began arranging to transport X Squared from the southern U.S. to New York State. With X Squared’s new life came a new musically-inspired name – Swiftie!

She arrived at Cornell University Hospital for Animals on July 10, 2024, for a thorough check-up and evaluation and arrived at the sanctuary on July 27, 2024. Swiftie is a large and absolutely gorgeous bay mare with an expressive face and kind disposition. What an amazing journey this has been for her and us!

Sophie is proudly sponsored by supporters from Wellesley, Massachusetts and South Salem, New York.

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Photo credit: Michele Jacobs

Sylvia, we believe, is an Arabian/Quarter Horse Cross Mare born around 2010. In September of 2018, she was standing in the Kaufman Kill Pens in Kaufman, Texas, and was less than 24 hours from being shipped to Mexico for slaughter. A friend of Equine Advocates found her photo online among equines bound for slaughter. Because no one stepped up to bail her out, we did, and with the help of a good friend with great connections, we located a farm in Louisiana where she could be quarantined.

Sylvia remained at that facility for 40 days during which time she was examined by a veterinarian, vaccinated, wormed, and had her feet trimmed and teeth floated. In early November, she traveled to New York and was sent to a foster home where she stayed until we had the room to accommodate her. She arrived at the sanctuary on May 21, 2019. We named her Sylvia because she looked like a silver horse in the first photo we saw of her. Sylvia is a gem!

Sylvia is proudly sponsored by supporters from Fresno, California; Hudson, New York and Saratoga Springs, New York.

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Photo credit: Melissa Murray

Tim, formally “Timothy Murphy,” is a Registered Thoroughbred Gelding born on April 14, 1999. He is a grandson of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew. After his racing career was over, he was retrained and sent to join a State University Equine Studies Program. He and two other Thoroughbred geldings were consigned by the school to be sold at auction because they outlived their usefulness. Equine Advocates found out about their story and purchased them privately from the school on December 5, 2010. Tim spends his days with Thoroughbreds in a section of the sanctuary we call “A Few Good Men.”

Tim is proudly sponsored by supporters from Boston, Massachusetts; Wellesley, Massachusetts; Lake Katrine, New York; Red Hook, New York; Washington, Pennsylvania and Houston, Texas.

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Photo credit: Paula Walker

Tina, a mixed breed born in June of 2013, had a rough start. Her mother passed away while giving birth to her. As a result, Tina did not receive the vitally important colostrum through her mother’s milk within the first 72 hours of being born to help build her immune system. This resulted in her being much smaller than she should be. She was rescued by a great friend of the organization who learned, through her own veterinarian, that Tina was also half-blind in her left eye, due to an injury she sustained as a foal. She was not a horse eligible for adoption, so we took her into our sanctuary program in 2014. In 2021, her left eye was surgically removed. She is beyond adorable and we are so pleased to have her here. Tina hangs out with her donkey friend, Pensacola Pete, in our “Odd Couple” pasture!

Tina is proudly sponsored by supporters from Emmett, Idaho; Albany, New York; Glenmont, New York; Saratoga Springs, New York and Schodack, New York.

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Photo credit: Alex Valverde

Vicky is a Registered Thoroughbred Mare who raced under the name “Lady Flicker.” She was born on May 15, 2006, in Oklahoma. Vicky did not win a lot of money as a racehorse, so her last owner decided to breed her. After giving birth to at least one foal, she had trouble getting pregnant again which is how we first heard about her situation. Vicky was rescued in 2018 and was sent to a foster home until we had the room to accommodate her. She arrived at the sanctuary on May 21, 2019. Vicky is a gentle and striking chestnut mare who deserves a forever home where her life is not reduced to being passed from one owner to the next – a situation which sadly becomes the fate of so many equines who are bred for one purpose, only to end up in jeopardy when they can no longer perform or fulfill certain expectations.

Vicky is proudly sponsored by supporters from Granby, Connecticut; Hudson, New York; Slingerlands, New York; Houston, Texas and Draper, Utah.

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Photo credit: Jim Craner

Vince is a Grey Appaloosa Gelding whose estimated birth year is 2000. When first looking at him, it’s obvious the tips of his ears are missing and consequently are much shorter than those of a normal horse. Given that both ears are similarly affected, his veterinarians suspect they may have been damaged due to frostbite and that the injuries appear to be old ones. We first heard about Vince during the fall of 2023 when we were contacted about a cruelty case involving him and two mares in upstate New York. One of the mares, Perla, was surrendered to us by the owner on November 20, 2023. We shipped her directly to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs, NY. Vince and the other mare, Bea, were seized by State Troopers two days later at which time we were asked to assume their care, which we did. We immediately sent them to the same equine hospital for evaluation and treatment. After more than three weeks in the hospital, all three were released on December 13, 2023. They were shipped directly to the sanctuary where they continued their respective recoveries. Exactly two months later, Vince and Bea were also surrendered to us by that same owner after he was charged with animal cruelty. Vince shares a two-horse barn situated in a huge pasture with his longtime friend, Perla. (Bea, who has special needs, lives in another part of the sanctuary.) Vince is extremely friendly, outgoing, and beyond adorable. He seems to be very happy and content with his new life and especially loves to take off and run across the pasture with his friend.

Vince is proudly sponsored by supporters from Loudonville, New York; Wynantskill, New York and Burlington, North Carolina.

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Photo credit: Alex Valverde

Zoe, a Percheron/Paint Cross born on April 3, 2002, is the offspring of Dolly, who sadly passed away in July of 2022. Dolly was pregnant with Zoe at the time of her rescue from an Amish farm in Ohio. Zoe spends her days with her best pal Elinore in the area we refer to as “Dream Girls.” Stop by and say hello!

Zoe is proudly sponsored by supporters from Alameda, California; Albany, New York; Mechanicville, New York; Valatie, New York and Yakima, Washington.

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