Redwings Horse Sanctuary, saving horses since 1991.

Horses, ponies, and donkeys find a safe haven

—Redwings is home to all kinds of horses and burros from the smallest miniature horses to the largest draft horses. Visitors can see a herd of burros, mustangs from Montana’s Pryor Mountains, or the regal thoroughbred horses watching over the ranch from their hilltop. The horses and burros in the care of Redwings include permanent residents who, due to age, illness, or injury are not adoptable and will live out their lives at the sanctuary. Others are available for adoption as companions or for adoption for riding.

The need for sanctuary

There are many, reasons that horses need a place in sanctuary and most of those reasons come down to the reality that horses are much harder to place than dogs and cats. What happens to larger animals desperately needing a secure place to live, due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment? The amount of space a horse needs, the cost involved in feed and care, and often the special handling and attention are not always easy to find.

The adoption program ensures that horses go to approved and loving homes. Those interested in adopting first fill out an adoption application and have a home inspection before being approved to adopt. During the first year of adoption, Redwings staff keep a close eye on the adopted horse and make sure they are happy, healthy, and a good fit for the new family.

Over 40 years of service to horses

Redwings Horse Sanctuary was founded in Carmel, CA in 1991 with the mission to end the abuse, neglect, and slaughter of horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, and burros. Redwings rescued 15 equines that first year. Since then, it has rescued, rehabilitated, and provided permanent sanctuary and adoptive homes to hundreds of horses and donkeys.

Thanks to a generous trust bequest, Redwings was able to purchase a 141-acre property on Union Road in Paso Robles in 2015. A grand opening in September 2021 officially opened the gates to the new, permanent sanctuary for abused, abandoned, and neglected equines. The property was designed specifically to meet the needs of the rescued horses.

An accredited nonprofit

The mission of Redwings Horse Sanctuary is to eliminate the causes of equine suffering through education and community outreach programs, to rescue abused and neglected equines, and to provide permanent sanctuary or selected adoptive homes for those equines. The new permanent location allows for increased educational outreach to local schools and the potential to build a future horse therapy program.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary is an accredited 501(c) 3 non-profit horse rescue organization. Over the years since it was founded, Redwings has received accreditation from CARMA (California Race Management Account), TAA (Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance) and GFAS (Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries). The CARMA and TAA accreditation designate Redwings as an approved aftercare facility for retired racehorses. The GFAS is an international organization that provides certification for animal sanctuaries through verification and accreditation.

Redwings offers guided public tours, community volunteer opportunities with the horses, horse sponsorships, and a vibrant adoption program. Be sure to check the website for various events that are scheduled throughout the year.

To make an appointment for a visit, learn more about Redwings, volunteering, and the horses, or to make a donation, visit redwingshorsesanctuary.org, or call (805) 237-3751, or email info@redwingshorsesanctuary.org.