adoptions
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If you are interested in adopting one of our horses, please click on the Adoption Application link above and fill out the form. Once we receive your form we will contact you to discuss your adoption. We charge a $50 processing fee with your adoption application. Rest assured, that this fee will be applied to the adoption fee if you are approved to adopt one of Wings Programs horses.
All horses and donkeys that are accepted to The Wings Programs go through a very thorough evaluation process.
The process begins by:
All of this activity is overseen by The Wings Founder Debora Lay. Debora is a professional equine behaviorist and horsemanship instructor. A BLM approved Mustang trainer, Debora has owned and operated LayzD Equine Services LLC since 2003.
Debora specializes in Natural Equine Health Care, is an Advanced Certified Natural Hoof Care Professional and Equine Nutritional Consultant. She has extensive experience in treating metabolic conditions. She has studied and mentored under national experts in these fields and consults internationally herself.
Her horses have been used in the Black Stallion Literacy Project, Reno Rodeo and on award-winning parade teams in addition to various Equine Therapy Programs. An EAGALA Level II Certified Equine Specialist, Debora co-founded Haven’s Horses and has worked with other equine programs prior to starting The Wings Programs Inc.
All horses and donkeys that are accepted to The Wings Programs go through a very thorough evaluation process.
The process begins by:
- Evaluating health issues including soundness, illness and/or injuries needing rehabilitation.
- Evaluating their level of experience and prior training.
- Evaluating for mental and emotional issues.
- Identifying what training is needed to transition them to their forever home setting them up for success.
All of this activity is overseen by The Wings Founder Debora Lay. Debora is a professional equine behaviorist and horsemanship instructor. A BLM approved Mustang trainer, Debora has owned and operated LayzD Equine Services LLC since 2003.
Debora specializes in Natural Equine Health Care, is an Advanced Certified Natural Hoof Care Professional and Equine Nutritional Consultant. She has extensive experience in treating metabolic conditions. She has studied and mentored under national experts in these fields and consults internationally herself.
Her horses have been used in the Black Stallion Literacy Project, Reno Rodeo and on award-winning parade teams in addition to various Equine Therapy Programs. An EAGALA Level II Certified Equine Specialist, Debora co-founded Haven’s Horses and has worked with other equine programs prior to starting The Wings Programs Inc.
Available for adoption
Scooter
Scooter is a 30-year-old Quarterhorse who came to the sanctuary with Brighty, a 21-year-old mini-donkey at the end of May, 2021. Debora got a call from a gentleman who’s mother had just passed away, and there were no family members who were in a position to take the animals. He decided to relinquish them to the sanctuary and make a financial contribution to help offset the cost of their care. Scooter has a little arthritis in his knees, but otherwise is in really good shape and could be ridden lightly with a little tune-up, or be a good companion or kids horse. His companion Brighty was adopted out to a good home in September of 2021. Scooter can be adopted alone or with his companion Badger.
Scooter is a 30-year-old Quarterhorse who came to the sanctuary with Brighty, a 21-year-old mini-donkey at the end of May, 2021. Debora got a call from a gentleman who’s mother had just passed away, and there were no family members who were in a position to take the animals. He decided to relinquish them to the sanctuary and make a financial contribution to help offset the cost of their care. Scooter has a little arthritis in his knees, but otherwise is in really good shape and could be ridden lightly with a little tune-up, or be a good companion or kids horse. His companion Brighty was adopted out to a good home in September of 2021. Scooter can be adopted alone or with his companion Badger.
Successful adoptions
Nate
Nate came from the BLM auction in 2019, along with Francis and Gibbs, who have been adopted. At the time, Debora had been getting a lot of requests for donkeys, so when she went to check out the donkeys they had those three left. Instead of leaving them to be hauled to another auction event, Debora decided to take them all. Although they turned out to be much harder to halter train than she thought they’d be, the goal was to get them to the point where they were gentle enough to be handled and can be adopted out.
Nate was at Wings for several years and resisted halter training. Terri Dennis, one of our volunteers, took him home to train him and socialize him with her other donkeys. She was successful in training him and he was adopted by a couple who fell in love with him and needed a companion for their donkey. We are so happy Nate has found his forever home and a permanent companion.
Nate came from the BLM auction in 2019, along with Francis and Gibbs, who have been adopted. At the time, Debora had been getting a lot of requests for donkeys, so when she went to check out the donkeys they had those three left. Instead of leaving them to be hauled to another auction event, Debora decided to take them all. Although they turned out to be much harder to halter train than she thought they’d be, the goal was to get them to the point where they were gentle enough to be handled and can be adopted out.
Nate was at Wings for several years and resisted halter training. Terri Dennis, one of our volunteers, took him home to train him and socialize him with her other donkeys. She was successful in training him and he was adopted by a couple who fell in love with him and needed a companion for their donkey. We are so happy Nate has found his forever home and a permanent companion.
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Dolly
Dolly was brought to Wings in February, 2022 after a rescue effort by a group of concerned people who bought a herd of mini-horses, mini-donkeys and mini-cows from a breeder who was not taking care of them. The herd was parceled out to people in the group who had ranches and farms. The couple who took several of these animals, including Dolly, contacted Wings because Dolly was pregnant and they didn't feel they could handle a pregnant mare and the foaling. When Dolly came to Wings we weren't sure when she would deliver as we didn't know when she was bred, but we watched for signs of imminent birth and prepared a foaling stall in our barn. Around the end of April it looked like she was getting close, so we moved her into the barn and started keeping a round-the-clock vigil, checking on her every few hours through the night. On May 1st, 2022, at the 2 a.m. check, Baby Ellie had appeared! Dolly managed the birth on her own and went right back to eating hay. Ellie was healthy and alert, and started charming us all right away. At seven months, Ellie was adopted by the couple who rescued Dolly and Dolly was adopted in March 2024 with another mini-horse to a couple with a wonderful ranchette nearby. |
Lola
Lola is a beautiful Arabian/Quarter horse mare about 19 years old. She belonged to a LayzD client and Debora was called to trim her hooves. The owner took good care of Lola but she had a club foot on the front that was getting worse and worse. The owner had numerous farriers come and try to trim it, but it developed a crack in the front that ran all the way up to the hairline. The vet took x-rays and she had an infection on the coffin bone. Lola was high strung and became hard to handle.
Debora took Lola before Wings was established and with diet changes and her hoof care Lola's hoof became better, the infection went away and the crack grew out.
You could say Lola is one of the first Wings horses. Today Lola still has a club hoof but she is sound and healthy. The hoof give her no problems, she is well behaved and easy to work with. The previous owner stays in touch and is a generous supporter of Wings. Lola was adopted in January of 2024 along with Ice to a great home near Wings.
Lola is a beautiful Arabian/Quarter horse mare about 19 years old. She belonged to a LayzD client and Debora was called to trim her hooves. The owner took good care of Lola but she had a club foot on the front that was getting worse and worse. The owner had numerous farriers come and try to trim it, but it developed a crack in the front that ran all the way up to the hairline. The vet took x-rays and she had an infection on the coffin bone. Lola was high strung and became hard to handle.
Debora took Lola before Wings was established and with diet changes and her hoof care Lola's hoof became better, the infection went away and the crack grew out.
You could say Lola is one of the first Wings horses. Today Lola still has a club hoof but she is sound and healthy. The hoof give her no problems, she is well behaved and easy to work with. The previous owner stays in touch and is a generous supporter of Wings. Lola was adopted in January of 2024 along with Ice to a great home near Wings.
Ice
Ice is a local valley horse, owned by one person since he was a baby. Ice developed lameness issues many years ago and Debora rehabbed his hooves until he could be ridden again. The owners farrier was not able to keep up with the hoof rehab that Debora did, so his feet started to get worse again, which is very common.
The owner couldn’t afford to keep all her horses, so she sold one and approached Debora about taking Ice since she was able to rehab him in the past. He responded very well to hoof rehabilitation and integrated into the pasture herd very well. Ice was adopted with Lola in January 2024, and is doing very well in his new home.
Ice is a local valley horse, owned by one person since he was a baby. Ice developed lameness issues many years ago and Debora rehabbed his hooves until he could be ridden again. The owners farrier was not able to keep up with the hoof rehab that Debora did, so his feet started to get worse again, which is very common.
The owner couldn’t afford to keep all her horses, so she sold one and approached Debora about taking Ice since she was able to rehab him in the past. He responded very well to hoof rehabilitation and integrated into the pasture herd very well. Ice was adopted with Lola in January 2024, and is doing very well in his new home.
Mama, Sissy & Baby
Meet Mama (on the left) and Sissy, 2 mini-donkeys in their early 20's. They are sisters and have been together their whole lives and must stay together. They are in good health, current on dental and hooves.
These gals are typical donkeys. Some days easy to catch and affectionate, some days not so much. With regular handling and once they get to know you they will be more interested in you. They cannot be on pasture. Most donkeys, especially minis, are insulin resistant and cannot be on a lot of green grass. The occasional grazing in the yard is fine, but you need to watch their weight as they can become obese easily. These girls have some fat pads from previous years of un-monitored grazing.
The family that adopted Mama and Sissy have also adopted Baby, Mama's daughter. All three are happy in their new home!
Meet Mama (on the left) and Sissy, 2 mini-donkeys in their early 20's. They are sisters and have been together their whole lives and must stay together. They are in good health, current on dental and hooves.
These gals are typical donkeys. Some days easy to catch and affectionate, some days not so much. With regular handling and once they get to know you they will be more interested in you. They cannot be on pasture. Most donkeys, especially minis, are insulin resistant and cannot be on a lot of green grass. The occasional grazing in the yard is fine, but you need to watch their weight as they can become obese easily. These girls have some fat pads from previous years of un-monitored grazing.
The family that adopted Mama and Sissy have also adopted Baby, Mama's daughter. All three are happy in their new home!
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Annie
Annie is a 23 year-old riding mule whose senior owner died in January 2022. Annie had an eye infection and the widow was not able to handle her as she is a small senior woman and Annie is a big mule. Annie needed her eye cleaned and antibiotic ointment administered 2 times a day. She was concerned about Annie's health and that she may go blind if not treated and made the hard decision to ask Wings to take her husband's lifelong friend. Dan and Angela Agee are volunteers who fell in love with Annie when they came to help out at the ranch, and they decided to adopt her. They are boarding Annie with LayzD Equine, which supports the Wings rescue, and they visit often and are riding Annie regularly. We are happy to see Annie with new owners that love her just as much as her previous owners. |
Wilson
Wilson is a 28-year old Thoroughbred gelding who was rescued by a woman who has other horses, and although she did her best to take care of him, Wilson didn't fit in with her herd and she needed to find him a home. He'd had some vet care but was very underweight. At Wings he got mash three times a day and all the hay he wanted. With this food program, his ribs were no longer visible and his chest and withers areas filled in. Wilson become more friendly and sociable and less food focused at time went on. We're happy to say that Wilson was adopted in April 2022 by a long-time Wings supporter and friend and is doing well in his new home.
Wilson is a 28-year old Thoroughbred gelding who was rescued by a woman who has other horses, and although she did her best to take care of him, Wilson didn't fit in with her herd and she needed to find him a home. He'd had some vet care but was very underweight. At Wings he got mash three times a day and all the hay he wanted. With this food program, his ribs were no longer visible and his chest and withers areas filled in. Wilson become more friendly and sociable and less food focused at time went on. We're happy to say that Wilson was adopted in April 2022 by a long-time Wings supporter and friend and is doing well in his new home.
Brighty
Brighty is a 21-year-old mini donkey who came to the sanctuary with Scooter at the end of May, 2021. Debora got a call from a gentleman who’s mother had just passed away, and there were no family members who were in a position to take the animals. Brighty was overweight but otherwise in good shape, and was adopted in September 2021 by a long-time volunteer and Wings supporter. We are so pleased she found a good home so quickly.
Brighty is a 21-year-old mini donkey who came to the sanctuary with Scooter at the end of May, 2021. Debora got a call from a gentleman who’s mother had just passed away, and there were no family members who were in a position to take the animals. Brighty was overweight but otherwise in good shape, and was adopted in September 2021 by a long-time volunteer and Wings supporter. We are so pleased she found a good home so quickly.
Francis & Gibbs
Francis and Gibbs were BLM auction donkeys that came into Wings in 2019 with Nate. The three pals needed to be socialized and halter trained, which has been a gradual process. In the fall of 2021, Francis and Gibbs were adopted out to a new owner who is a very successful donkey trainer, and they are off to a new life in Eastern Montana. Terri, one of our donkey whisperers, caught this sweet photo of them after they were loaded onto the trailer. They will be missed!
Francis and Gibbs were BLM auction donkeys that came into Wings in 2019 with Nate. The three pals needed to be socialized and halter trained, which has been a gradual process. In the fall of 2021, Francis and Gibbs were adopted out to a new owner who is a very successful donkey trainer, and they are off to a new life in Eastern Montana. Terri, one of our donkey whisperers, caught this sweet photo of them after they were loaded onto the trailer. They will be missed!
Doc (left) & Wyatt
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Doc & Wyatt
Doc and Wyatt are wild donkeys that were rounded up and auctioned by the Bureau of Land Management. They had been lightly handled and needed training. We had really wanted them to be adopted together as they are pals. Luckily, our board member Dr. Irmak Birey was able to take both Doc and Wyatt to her new property. |
Freckles
Freckles was relinquished to us on April 25th, 2021. A local veterinarian contacted the Wings Program to ask us to check on the horse and possibly take her into the sanctuary. We evaluated the horse and asked the owner to relinquish her because she wasn't in a good situation. She needed her hooves trimmed immediately, with sedation as she was very skittish. She needed to have her teeth floated as well as other deferred maintenance and standard horse care. She is a 9-year-old MorganXFjord. At the end of May, Freckles went to a foster home with a family who would be able to train her properly. They took her on a 30-day trial to see if she would be a good fit for them. Happily, they decided to officially adopt Freckles and she is now in her new home.
Freckles was relinquished to us on April 25th, 2021. A local veterinarian contacted the Wings Program to ask us to check on the horse and possibly take her into the sanctuary. We evaluated the horse and asked the owner to relinquish her because she wasn't in a good situation. She needed her hooves trimmed immediately, with sedation as she was very skittish. She needed to have her teeth floated as well as other deferred maintenance and standard horse care. She is a 9-year-old MorganXFjord. At the end of May, Freckles went to a foster home with a family who would be able to train her properly. They took her on a 30-day trial to see if she would be a good fit for them. Happily, they decided to officially adopt Freckles and she is now in her new home.