Search by Region: West South Central

Charlie Has Heart "aka" Charlie came to us a true rescue. His feet were in casts, his coat full of lice, and his teeth in major need of treatment. "Mr. Personality" though he couldn't speak English he did his very best to communicate and we all thought him to be a "Mr. Ed." Two plus years later we are still dealing with the abscess issues created by those casts. Charlie has taught all of us how to be better people. Our behavioral students immediately accepted the challenge of fixing Charlie's attitude and in that quest they began to heal themselves. A former race horse then trained for jumping, Charlie stole all of our hearts by his initial Jekyll Hyde personality. As we work through the laminitis he has found equine "staff" too in the form or our blind horse, Pretty Peppy Star. Learn more about Dream Catcher Stables, Inc here .

We are nominating Coyote Queen because of her bravery and protective nature toward her 2024 colt, whom we found in the slaughter pipeline. They endured several auctions and traveled between 2 kill pens across the country on a crowded trailer. Both were sick and emaciated when we found them. Coyote Queen and her colt spent 10 days in the hospital before we could bring them home, and both Queen and her colt Noah (18 months old at the time of this description) are happy and healthy today, bringing joy to the humans that care for them here at our facility. Queen is lovely under saddle and we expect her colt will have the same grace and talent of his mother. Learn more about Thoroughbred Athletes, Inc. here .

SLC welcomed Dutch to the herd in late August of 2024. He is a Rocky Mountain horse, which is a relatively new breed developed in the late 19th century in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. Dutch displays the breeds preferred coloring of chocolate with a flaxen mane and he is naturally “gaited”, meaning he has a smooth-to-ride, intermediate speed, four-beat gait. Before coming to SLC, Dutch was well-trained and used for pleasure and trail riding, however, the circumstances on how he came to SLC were difficult. At only 13 years old, he was very overweight with regional adiposity cresty neck, fat pones at tail head and metabolic reaction to excessive caloric intake. He was presented to Dr. Robert Ball of Bracken Equine clinic in San Antonio, Texas, in August 2024 with Grade 3 lameness of left front and shortened stride on right hind. Dutch also exhibited painful reaction to digital pressure of the annular ligament on both front legs, non- weight bearing. Dr. Ball’s recommendation was to severely restrict his diet for weight loss and to ultrasound each leg to see if there were a traumatic injury responsible for the inflammation and fluid retention in and around the annular ligament. His owner could not control Dutch’s caloric intake due to the situation at the stable and was unable to cover the expense of the medical treatment requirements. The owner surrendered Dutch to Dr. Ball, who in turn called the Executive Director of The Saddle Light Center and explained Dutch’s situation. He spoke very highly of Dutch’s temperament and disposition and how respectful he was of people and their space in spite of the pain during standing, walking and examinations. Our Executive director agreed to visit Dutch at Dr. Ball’s clinic and decided to bring Dutch to our stable. An appointment for ultrasound of both legs and X-ray of Sesamoid bones was scheduled. The results showed no evidence of traumatic injury of either annular ligaments, sesamoid bones or the deep flexor tendon. Dr. Ball stated that Dutch needed a highly restricted diet with coastal hay 3 times/day, small amount of Alfalfa hay primarily for digestion and protein and a trace vitamin and mineral product. He would need time to lose weight to reduce the inflammation and would need space restriction to minimize his movement. Dutch has been with us for 2 months and he has lost 110 lbs., is in great shape, walks without lameness, and stands restful without pain. He is accepting his new routine of walking from his 40’ x 40’ pen into the barn for socialization and meals with the rest of the herd, stands quietly in his stall while volunteers groom him and pick his feet. He will be the perfect therapy horse: calm demeanor, attentive and inquisitive attitude, very social disposition with a great personality and temperament. We are your Guardian! He knew there was a great job opportunity waiting for him. Learn more about Saddle Light Center here .

Elkhorn Warrior is a striking gray gelding. He came to us rather untrusting and unwilling to accept much human connection. He is now a willing, friendly guy looking for attention and treats. We are bringing him along slowly, but he is showing so much talent. We are sure he is going to be a superstar! Learn more about Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation here .

Hamish is our oldest equine resident, at over 40 years old. He arrived at the facility in February 2021 and is one of our sanctuary horses due to his age. His calm temperament makes him an excellent interactive partner for our Seniors program (Ole’ Timers Club). He does not look like a 40-year-old horse! Hamish is a great ambassador for our program and represents what is achievable with the right care. Learn more about Horse Feathers Equine Center Inc. here .

Starbuck is a valued herd member in our program at STEPS with Horses. Born in 1999, he began his life as a talented Shire/Thoroughbred dressage horse before transitioning into therapeutic work for riders with disabilities at another center. After retiring from that role, Starbuck found a new purpose. Donated to STEPS in 2021, he now serves as a full-time counseling partner and occasional therapeutic riding horse, continuing to change lives every single day. Starbuck is calm, steady, deeply intuitive, and honest—qualities that make him exceptional in Equine Assisted Counseling. He works with children, teens, adults, and veterans navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. He especially shines in our teen girls’ group, where he lowers his head to be brushed, has his mane braided, and offers a grounding presence that helps clients open up. His ability to communicate boundaries teaches clients how to set their own. And despite his age, he still proudly competes in the Chisholm Challenge at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, showcasing the continued value of older horses. Starbuck represents everything we believe in - that a horse’s purpose doesn’t end when their show career does. He is the model of what it means to have a meaningful second career—serving others, creating connection, and offering emotional safety to those who need it most. As a horse who has reinvented himself three times, he perfectly embodies the mission of STEPS: helping individuals discover strength, healing, and hope through partnership with horses. Starbuck has a forever home with us, and supporting him means supporting every client he touches. His life shows the horse community just how powerful, capable, and impactful retired horses can be—and why they deserve the chance to continue doing the work they were born for. Learn more about STEPS With Horses here .