Rescuing abused, abandoned & neglected horses throughout New Mexico.
Our 20th Annual Fundraising Auction and Luncheon is taking place on June 4th! Find more information and buy your tickets here!
Silver arrived at The Horse Shelter in July of 2022 through the NM Livestock Board, who found him roaming loose. They thought he had been out by himself for a long time and were finally able to catch him with food. Silver was touchable but skittish at intake and after settling and receiving his vet checks and initial evaluation, it was clear Silver would need groundwork, as well as saddle training to find a good home. Five months later he was ready for adoption and found a home with experienced horseman Ray Padilla.
“I need him and he needs me,” said Ray Padilla, when he rode Silver, a 5 year old gray gelding, at The Horse Shelter in Cerrillos. “A friend, Kevan Saunders, saw Silver advertised for adoption on Facebook and told me about him. When I tried him, I liked his build and his age. He was a little snotty and standoffish, I also liked those independent natured qualities about him. I have an affinity for gray horses, as well as red and bay roans. I renamed him Peanuts.
A lifelong horseman, Padilla grew up in Santa Fe riding horses, learning from his late brother, Bob. Padilla competed as a calf roper and worked as a professional trainer earlier in life. He graduated from New Mexico State University with a degree in animal science, then received his masters degree in Integration of Technology from University of New Mexico. He has been a teacher for 36 years and will retire this June. He taught 7th grade science at Pojoaque Valley High School and the Santa Fe Indian School. He also works as an auctioneer for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club, breast cancer awareness, churches and several charity groups.
“I plan to keep training Peanuts and exposing him to new surroundings. I have ridden him in the wilderness already and he will drag a log. I plan to rope on him when he is older and stronger, maybe help at some ranch brandings this summer,” said Padilla.
Click here to download The Horse Shelter’s Winter 2022 Newsletter
Owning a horse is great for your health, your nerves, and your mood—it’s also a lot of work. Presumably you will always enjoy the work, which will be both challenging and soothing, but it will also be constant. You cannot decide to skip feeding your horse for a day.
Before you decide to adopt or buy a horse, or even consider accepting one as gift, make sure you know what is required to take proper care of an equine. The average life span of a horse is 25-30 years and there are horses that have on record lived to be 56! Not only are you making a commitment of care for a long period of time, but also a commitment to take care of all of its needs on a daily basis physically, mentally, and financially. Please consult a local veterinarian to establish specific care and feed guidelines for your horse.
The booklet was put together by Ripley’s Horse Aid Foundation and it addresses all aspects of Equine Care.
Link: Download PDF
Summary
Bringing an equine into one’s life is an exciting time and, for many, a long-time dream come true. Regardless of whether it is a donkey, burro, mule or horse they are compelling creatures; stimulating the imagination and representing personal achievement. The reasons for owning horses/equines are as varied as the breeds themselves. The one constant in today’s society is no one needs a horse as was the case in our historical past. By making the choice to have these marvelous creatures in your life, you are also making the commitment to give them the care they need for a healthy and safe life.
As soon as you become an owner, the responsibility is yours to provide a management program where they will thrive. Along with this is the daily care and the need to understand the importance of health care maintenance. A good management schedule not only removes some of the unnecessary problems that will occur but will save the owner money. Health situations beyond your control, will also become your financial responsibility.
Being prepared to address whatever comes your way is the key. Having one or two qualified farriers you can contact as needed and being familiar with veterinarians in your area that you can work with is essential. Be ready to make decisions regarding the future of your animals if there is a sudden change in your circumstances such as a loss of a job, medical problems or other situations that make it no longer feasible for you to care for them properly.
They have no choice. They have no voice. You are their future.
The average yearly cost to care for one rescue horse at The Horse Shelter is approximately $3,000 and rising.
On a typical day here at THS we house over 76+ rescue horses with a maximum capacity of 80. This cost doesn’t include our facility, maintenance and ranch equipment, like barns, shelters, paddocks, wells, fencing, tractors, ATVs, horse trailers, etc.
It takes a lot to care for a rescue horse at The Horse Shelter, with your generous support we will continue rescuing, rehabilitating and finding forever homes for these gentle horses.
Here is a breakdown of the basic costs for keeping and caring for a rescue horse.
Hay for one horse costs $5.00 per day, $150 per month and $1,800 per year! This is not including supplemental feed, such as grain. We experienced a 21% increase in cost in 2021 and with the ongoing drought, rising fuel and transportation costs, are preparing for continued increases in 2022.
Additional Expenses
Sponsorship Program Levels
Level 1: $50 Per Month
Level 2: $100 Per Month
Level 3: $150 Per Month – (Feed For One Horse)
Level 4: $250 Per Month – (Full Care For One Horse)
We are grateful for sponsorships at any level or for any amount you are comfortable with. You will be named as a sponsor on the horse’s webpage. Horses can be sponsored at any level. Thank you to all of our sponsors for the kindness and generosity!
The Horse Shelter Resale Store is the premier resale store in Santa Fe. We sell art, jewelry, apparel, housewares, furniture, saddles, tack, horse supplies and much more.
The Horse Shelter Resale Store is the premier resale store in Santa Fe. We sell art, jewelry, apparel, housewares, furniture, saddles, tack, horse supplies and much more.
Huge selection of Horse Tack, Saddles and Riding Apparel.
Awesome place to pick up used Horse Tack to fill in any needs you may have. They also have a nice selection of used apparel, household items and other objects. Sales go to the excellent cause they support of sheltering and caring for horses.
– EDWARD MILDE
