These are the horses and donkeys that you are helping with your generous donations.
Included here are the Horse Stories, a short story of how each of our animal friends came to live at the sanctuary. Please consider sponsoring a horse or donkey by clicking here.
Included here are the Horse Stories, a short story of how each of our animal friends came to live at the sanctuary. Please consider sponsoring a horse or donkey by clicking here.
Sally
Sally is a very senior Molly mule brought to Wings in July of 2024. Sally belonged to senior ranchers who were forced to sell their ranch due to health issues and were devastated that they couldn't find a home for her. Sally is VERY tall but in great health for a 30-something mule. She is able to be on pasture so has been integrated into our pasture herd and is doing well. Please consider a donation to Sally, or click here to sponsor Sally.
Sally is a very senior Molly mule brought to Wings in July of 2024. Sally belonged to senior ranchers who were forced to sell their ranch due to health issues and were devastated that they couldn't find a home for her. Sally is VERY tall but in great health for a 30-something mule. She is able to be on pasture so has been integrated into our pasture herd and is doing well. Please consider a donation to Sally, or click here to sponsor Sally.
Sapphire
Sapphire is a dapple grey mare brought to Wings in late June of 2024. Sapphire and another mare were in a pen together. A local woman went to purchase the other mare as a project for her kids. When she saw Sapphire she knew she could not leave her behind but she was not prepared to have two additional horses. She called Wings and after much discussion it was decided that she would work a deal with the seller for both mares. She paid for Sapphire and quarantined both in a non-horse property. With her putting the effort and purchase money up to try to save this horse we couldn't say no to taking her. She has been abused and dreadfully thin. This photo is after two weeks of quarantine and free choice hay. Her body condition now is about a 2. Imagine how she looked before the two weeks of extra hay? Sapphire is now at Wings where she gets free choice grass hay and senior mash 2-3x per day. She is still afraid and wary around people but is getting better every day. Debora's assessment is that she has had some training, how much we don't know, nor do we know her age but she appears to be under 10. The equine dentist will determine her age by her teeth when she is floated in the fall. She eats fine and does not appear to have any serious dental issues.
Sapphire can use your help with senior feed and supplements. She will need a lot of groceries to get back to health and a good weight. Please consider a donation to Sapphire, or click here to sponsor Sapphire.
Sapphire is a dapple grey mare brought to Wings in late June of 2024. Sapphire and another mare were in a pen together. A local woman went to purchase the other mare as a project for her kids. When she saw Sapphire she knew she could not leave her behind but she was not prepared to have two additional horses. She called Wings and after much discussion it was decided that she would work a deal with the seller for both mares. She paid for Sapphire and quarantined both in a non-horse property. With her putting the effort and purchase money up to try to save this horse we couldn't say no to taking her. She has been abused and dreadfully thin. This photo is after two weeks of quarantine and free choice hay. Her body condition now is about a 2. Imagine how she looked before the two weeks of extra hay? Sapphire is now at Wings where she gets free choice grass hay and senior mash 2-3x per day. She is still afraid and wary around people but is getting better every day. Debora's assessment is that she has had some training, how much we don't know, nor do we know her age but she appears to be under 10. The equine dentist will determine her age by her teeth when she is floated in the fall. She eats fine and does not appear to have any serious dental issues.
Sapphire can use your help with senior feed and supplements. She will need a lot of groceries to get back to health and a good weight. Please consider a donation to Sapphire, or click here to sponsor Sapphire.
Badger
Badger is a 25-year-old American Paint whose owner passed away. A trust set up for the owner’s estate included boarding for her two horses but the family eventually wanted to get rid of that expense. They got a lump sum payout to Debora to help pay for both horses’ care at the facility and Badger came with another horse named Levi. Levi got adopted locally but Badger has some back issues and wasn't ready to be ridden. He’s been at Wings for 3-4 years and has had a lot of back work done.
He’s a sweet horse, but is hard to adopt out because he's big for a companion horse and eats a lot. People want little horses for companions that aren't so expensive to keep up. The ideal adoption would be as a companion or pasture pet. Click here to sponsor Badger.
Badger is a 25-year-old American Paint whose owner passed away. A trust set up for the owner’s estate included boarding for her two horses but the family eventually wanted to get rid of that expense. They got a lump sum payout to Debora to help pay for both horses’ care at the facility and Badger came with another horse named Levi. Levi got adopted locally but Badger has some back issues and wasn't ready to be ridden. He’s been at Wings for 3-4 years and has had a lot of back work done.
He’s a sweet horse, but is hard to adopt out because he's big for a companion horse and eats a lot. People want little horses for companions that aren't so expensive to keep up. The ideal adoption would be as a companion or pasture pet. Click here to sponsor Badger.
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.
Click here to sponsor 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.
Click here to sponsor Scooter.
Gus
Gus is a 21-year-old red roan Quarterhorse who belonged to a senior gentleman who raised him from birth. Gus was the last of the horses on his ranch, and it was very difficult for him to give Gus up, but he needed to downsize his ranch to be able to spend more time with family out of state. Gus was highly reactive and very spooky when he first arrived. We assessed him and determined that he has vision problem in his right eye, but after being on a custom supplement that Debora designed for her horse Raven, his vision has improved. Click here to sponsor Gus.
Gus is a 21-year-old red roan Quarterhorse who belonged to a senior gentleman who raised him from birth. Gus was the last of the horses on his ranch, and it was very difficult for him to give Gus up, but he needed to downsize his ranch to be able to spend more time with family out of state. Gus was highly reactive and very spooky when he first arrived. We assessed him and determined that he has vision problem in his right eye, but after being on a custom supplement that Debora designed for her horse Raven, his vision has improved. Click here to sponsor Gus.
Loreli
Loreli is a 19-year-old who came from another local rescue after suffering numerous bouts of laminitis and founder due to insulin resistance. She’s a registered standard bred trotting horse, rescued out of California several years ago. We took her in to assist the other rescue with her issues as she needs to be primarily on dry lot to control her foundering. She fits in well with our other insulin resistant horses and her hoof issues are improving. Click here to sponsor Loreli.
Loreli is a 19-year-old who came from another local rescue after suffering numerous bouts of laminitis and founder due to insulin resistance. She’s a registered standard bred trotting horse, rescued out of California several years ago. We took her in to assist the other rescue with her issues as she needs to be primarily on dry lot to control her foundering. She fits in well with our other insulin resistant horses and her hoof issues are improving. Click here to sponsor Loreli.
Freckles
Freckles is a 13-year-old Appaloosa pony that is blind. You may have seen him on Facebook as his owners were trying to find a home for him before moving out of the area. None of the other valley rescues responded, so the day before his owners moved Wings decided to take him even though we didn’t really have room for him. We were worried he would just be abandoned on the property by his owners.
Freckles was quite upset by the move, most likely because being blind he has to rely on his scenting and hearing to make sense of his environment. We put him in with Cisco and Poco, and after a few initial skirmishes they settled in well together. One of our board members is now fostering Freckles and Poco, who are companions with a mammoth donkey, Abe. Cisco passed away in the fall of 2022.
Freckles is a sweet horse but somewhat skittish with new people at first. Other than his eyesight he is healthy. He moves around well and is able to find his food and water. Freckles is currently being fostered by a Wings board member.
Freckles is a 13-year-old Appaloosa pony that is blind. You may have seen him on Facebook as his owners were trying to find a home for him before moving out of the area. None of the other valley rescues responded, so the day before his owners moved Wings decided to take him even though we didn’t really have room for him. We were worried he would just be abandoned on the property by his owners.
Freckles was quite upset by the move, most likely because being blind he has to rely on his scenting and hearing to make sense of his environment. We put him in with Cisco and Poco, and after a few initial skirmishes they settled in well together. One of our board members is now fostering Freckles and Poco, who are companions with a mammoth donkey, Abe. Cisco passed away in the fall of 2022.
Freckles is a sweet horse but somewhat skittish with new people at first. Other than his eyesight he is healthy. He moves around well and is able to find his food and water. Freckles is currently being fostered by a Wings board member.
Peaches
Peaches is a 24-year-old mini-horse who was adopted out years ago and came back to Wings in 2024 due to medical issues. Peaches is very sweet and has integrated nicely into our mini-herd. Click here to sponsor Peaches.
Peaches is a 24-year-old mini-horse who was adopted out years ago and came back to Wings in 2024 due to medical issues. Peaches is very sweet and has integrated nicely into our mini-herd. Click here to sponsor Peaches.
Pegasus
Abigail
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Peggy & Abby
These two mini-horses, Pegasus (21) and Abigail (23), were rescued by a friend of Debora's in September, 2021. She saw them in a field and saw how overgrown their hooves were and stopped to ask the owner if he needed a home for the horses. He said he had rescued them from someone else who had a neglected mini-horse herd, and his farrier didn't know how to deal with the overgrown hooves. Debora immediately started working on their hooves after sedating them. Pegasus' hooves were easier to deal with than Abigails, who's hooves grew out to the side and are causing joint problems in her feet. Both minis are very sweet and approachable. Abigail is a dwarf mini, so she's about the size of large dog. They are both much more comfortable now, but both needed a lot of dental care. Abby and Peggy have settled in nicely with the other mini-horses and the mini-donkeys. Debora continues to work on Abby's hooves and her ability to move around is improving. We even saw her run one day! Her abscessed ear, which required surgery, is completely healed and she now likes to have her ears rubbed. Click here to sponsor Abby or Peggy. |
Poco
Poco, a 21-year-old mini-donkey, was rescued November 23, 2021 from a field near Wings. The owner, who lived across town, was found dead in his home and no one knew where his animals were. Poco and his companion Cisco were found in a pasture with very little grass and no water and Debora brought them to Wings immediately.
A generous Wings volunteer sponsored their immediate care, and their health and training needs were evaluated. They were very attached to each other and are sweet and sociable. Unfortunately, Cisco passed away from impacted colic in early October, 2022. Click here to sponsor Poco.
Poco, a 21-year-old mini-donkey, was rescued November 23, 2021 from a field near Wings. The owner, who lived across town, was found dead in his home and no one knew where his animals were. Poco and his companion Cisco were found in a pasture with very little grass and no water and Debora brought them to Wings immediately.
A generous Wings volunteer sponsored their immediate care, and their health and training needs were evaluated. They were very attached to each other and are sweet and sociable. Unfortunately, Cisco passed away from impacted colic in early October, 2022. Click here to sponsor Poco.
Patches
Patches is a 24-year-old American Paint. A senior couple from Idaho were selling their ranch and moving to the Bitterroot. Patches was their last horse and as they were getting older they decided it was best not to continue with horse ownership. They invited us down and donated all their hay (5-10 ton), 15 pen panels and 2 gates and all their horse equipment, which was very generous.
Patches is a very friendly horse and can handle light riding and could possibly be a riding therapy horse if we move into a riding therapy program. Click here to sponsor Patches.
Patches is a 24-year-old American Paint. A senior couple from Idaho were selling their ranch and moving to the Bitterroot. Patches was their last horse and as they were getting older they decided it was best not to continue with horse ownership. They invited us down and donated all their hay (5-10 ton), 15 pen panels and 2 gates and all their horse equipment, which was very generous.
Patches is a very friendly horse and can handle light riding and could possibly be a riding therapy horse if we move into a riding therapy program. Click here to sponsor Patches.
Dancer
Dancer is a 27-year-old mini-horse who was born and bred in the Bitterroot valley. A retired couple bought Dancer, her daughter Lucy and another mini sometime around 2008, and eventually became unable to care for them. They were adopted out to a family in Missoula who took very good care of them. Eventually that owner retired and ended up traveling a lot, and felt bad that the animals were not getting enough attention. She called Debora and asked her to find a home for them, so Debora brought them to Wings. Dancer is insulin resistant and can’t be on pasture, and has other special needs. She will remain at Wings for the rest of her life. Click here to sponsor Dancer.
Dancer is a 27-year-old mini-horse who was born and bred in the Bitterroot valley. A retired couple bought Dancer, her daughter Lucy and another mini sometime around 2008, and eventually became unable to care for them. They were adopted out to a family in Missoula who took very good care of them. Eventually that owner retired and ended up traveling a lot, and felt bad that the animals were not getting enough attention. She called Debora and asked her to find a home for them, so Debora brought them to Wings. Dancer is insulin resistant and can’t be on pasture, and has other special needs. She will remain at Wings for the rest of her life. Click here to sponsor Dancer.
Honey
Honey is a 14-year old Quarterhorse dun mare who showed up on Craigslist, advertised at a $500 sale price. She had been bought out of the Missoula horse sale by an older gentleman who didn’t know much about horses. He wanted a horse for his grandkids to ride, but they didn’t come to visit very often, and when they did they weren’t interested in the horse. So he put her on Craigslist but didn’t like the people who were interested in her as he thought they were meat buyers and he didn’t want to sell to them.
A friend of Debora’s went to check Honey out and found she was lame due to a shoulder injury and her back end was tight and painful. She’s very sweet and not very old, so she asked if Debora would rehabilitate her. The owner relinquished Honey and transported her to Wings at no charge.
Honey is well trained and well behaved and can be ridden lightly, possibly as a therapy horse. We discovered that she was an outfitter horse and probably had some accidents. She benefits from PEMF therapy and massage. Click here to sponsor Honey.
Honey is a 14-year old Quarterhorse dun mare who showed up on Craigslist, advertised at a $500 sale price. She had been bought out of the Missoula horse sale by an older gentleman who didn’t know much about horses. He wanted a horse for his grandkids to ride, but they didn’t come to visit very often, and when they did they weren’t interested in the horse. So he put her on Craigslist but didn’t like the people who were interested in her as he thought they were meat buyers and he didn’t want to sell to them.
A friend of Debora’s went to check Honey out and found she was lame due to a shoulder injury and her back end was tight and painful. She’s very sweet and not very old, so she asked if Debora would rehabilitate her. The owner relinquished Honey and transported her to Wings at no charge.
Honey is well trained and well behaved and can be ridden lightly, possibly as a therapy horse. We discovered that she was an outfitter horse and probably had some accidents. She benefits from PEMF therapy and massage. Click here to sponsor Honey.
Hope
Hope is a 25-year-old pinto mini-horse who was relinquished by her owner, who moved out of state. Hope is one of our community outreach horses, and her calm demeanor has made her an excellent ambassador for Wings. She doesn't mind being dressed up like a cowgirl or Santa's reindeer and letting a lot of folks pay attention to her. Click here to sponsor Hope.
Hope is a 25-year-old pinto mini-horse who was relinquished by her owner, who moved out of state. Hope is one of our community outreach horses, and her calm demeanor has made her an excellent ambassador for Wings. She doesn't mind being dressed up like a cowgirl or Santa's reindeer and letting a lot of folks pay attention to her. Click here to sponsor Hope.
Ginger
Ginger is a 5-year-old mini-horse who came from the same rescued mini-herd as Dolly. Ginger is a healthy and lively horse, and has participated in our community outreach programs, such as senior living visits, birthday parties and events such as the Celtic Festival. Click here to sponsor Ginger.
Ginger is a 5-year-old mini-horse who came from the same rescued mini-herd as Dolly. Ginger is a healthy and lively horse, and has participated in our community outreach programs, such as senior living visits, birthday parties and events such as the Celtic Festival. Click here to sponsor Ginger.
Nell
Nell is a 16-year-old Appaloosa mini-horse that was relinquished by her owner, who was unable to continue caring for her. She was a bit food aggressive when she arrived, but after settling in she has become a lively and sweet horse. Nell participates in a lot of our community outreach and is particularly helpful during visits to the senior living facilities. She is calm and patient while walking through the facility and while people are touching and petting her. She is also one of our "costume" minis, whom we dress up and take to parties and parades. Click here to sponsor Nell.
Nell is a 16-year-old Appaloosa mini-horse that was relinquished by her owner, who was unable to continue caring for her. She was a bit food aggressive when she arrived, but after settling in she has become a lively and sweet horse. Nell participates in a lot of our community outreach and is particularly helpful during visits to the senior living facilities. She is calm and patient while walking through the facility and while people are touching and petting her. She is also one of our "costume" minis, whom we dress up and take to parties and parades. Click here to sponsor Nell.
Josie
Josie is a 10-year-old pinto mini-horse that was relinquished by her owner who was downsizing her herd. Josie had been abused in a previous life (not by her most recent owner) and is very skittish. We are working to socialize her and gain her trust so she can be caught, haltered and led. She is progressing slowly but likes to get treats and pets once she understands she's safe with you. Click here to sponsor Josie.
Josie is a 10-year-old pinto mini-horse that was relinquished by her owner who was downsizing her herd. Josie had been abused in a previous life (not by her most recent owner) and is very skittish. We are working to socialize her and gain her trust so she can be caught, haltered and led. She is progressing slowly but likes to get treats and pets once she understands she's safe with you. Click here to sponsor Josie.
Hallie & Dub
Hallie and Dub were brought in July 2022 with their companion Copper, who passed away at the age of 33 shortly after arriving. These horses belonged to a gentleman who was going into assisted living and was looking for a home for the horses to avoid having to euthanize them. Their vet recommended that he contact Wings, and he decided to relinquish them to us with a small amount of money to help with their care.
Hallie and Dub are 29 and 28, respectively and are well-bred (out of the Doc BAR line, a famous quarterhorse stud) but come with senior conditions such as arthritis. Their body condition is pretty good. We can keep it that way with good grass hay and senior feed.
They are doing well on pasture and have made friends with the rest of the pasture herd. Your donations will keep them fed through the winter so they can live out their lives peacefully. They can be adopted out if they can go together. They need someone who knows about horse health since they are seniors, and they need shelter and heated water in the winter. Click here to sponsor Hallie or Dub.
Hallie and Dub were brought in July 2022 with their companion Copper, who passed away at the age of 33 shortly after arriving. These horses belonged to a gentleman who was going into assisted living and was looking for a home for the horses to avoid having to euthanize them. Their vet recommended that he contact Wings, and he decided to relinquish them to us with a small amount of money to help with their care.
Hallie and Dub are 29 and 28, respectively and are well-bred (out of the Doc BAR line, a famous quarterhorse stud) but come with senior conditions such as arthritis. Their body condition is pretty good. We can keep it that way with good grass hay and senior feed.
They are doing well on pasture and have made friends with the rest of the pasture herd. Your donations will keep them fed through the winter so they can live out their lives peacefully. They can be adopted out if they can go together. They need someone who knows about horse health since they are seniors, and they need shelter and heated water in the winter. Click here to sponsor Hallie or Dub.
J.J.
J.J. is a 25-year-old Arabian who was brought to us by an owner who could no longer care for him. He was severely underweight due to having no back teeth and being unable to eat enough hay. We started feeding him soft mash four times a day and he gained 130 pounds pretty quickly. J.J. is a sweet and sassy horse who likes to roam around the property and visit everyone. But he always heads back to his pen when it's lunchtime! J.J. has been trained to ride and could be adopted as a companion, or could be good for light trail riding with an experienced rider. Click here to sponsor J.J.
J.J. is a 25-year-old Arabian who was brought to us by an owner who could no longer care for him. He was severely underweight due to having no back teeth and being unable to eat enough hay. We started feeding him soft mash four times a day and he gained 130 pounds pretty quickly. J.J. is a sweet and sassy horse who likes to roam around the property and visit everyone. But he always heads back to his pen when it's lunchtime! J.J. has been trained to ride and could be adopted as a companion, or could be good for light trail riding with an experienced rider. Click here to sponsor J.J.
Dreamer
Dreamer is a 10-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred, who came to us from someone who was unable to continue caring for him due to structural issues. Dreamer is big but gentle, and has issues with his neck and back end that have benefited from PEMF treatments and massage. He's a bit of a loner but has settled in with the pasture herd. He is still being evaluated for health issues and ridability before being considered as a candidate for adoption. Click here to sponsor Dreamer.
Dreamer is a 10-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred, who came to us from someone who was unable to continue caring for him due to structural issues. Dreamer is big but gentle, and has issues with his neck and back end that have benefited from PEMF treatments and massage. He's a bit of a loner but has settled in with the pasture herd. He is still being evaluated for health issues and ridability before being considered as a candidate for adoption. Click here to sponsor Dreamer.
Zoe
Zoe is a 32-year-old mini-donkey who was rescued by the same owner that asked Debora to take Lucy and Dancer. She was together with her companion Ariel for all of Ariel’s life, so they weren’t separated when they were brought to Wings. They both had developed adipose fat pads from too much rich grass and couldn’t be on pasture. Unfortunately, Ariel passed away in August of 2022. Zoe will remain at Wings for the rest of her life due to her special health needs. She is a sweet and loving donkey, and she has now bonded with Gracie. Senior donkeys and horses can have a hard time transitioning to a new home, so we are glad to keep Zoe and give her a happy, loving life. Click here to sponsor Zoe.
Zoe is a 32-year-old mini-donkey who was rescued by the same owner that asked Debora to take Lucy and Dancer. She was together with her companion Ariel for all of Ariel’s life, so they weren’t separated when they were brought to Wings. They both had developed adipose fat pads from too much rich grass and couldn’t be on pasture. Unfortunately, Ariel passed away in August of 2022. Zoe will remain at Wings for the rest of her life due to her special health needs. She is a sweet and loving donkey, and she has now bonded with Gracie. Senior donkeys and horses can have a hard time transitioning to a new home, so we are glad to keep Zoe and give her a happy, loving life. Click here to sponsor Zoe.
Gracie
Gracie is a 16-year-old mini-donkey who was relinquished by an owner who was moving out of state and could not keep her. She bonded immediately with Zoe, who had just lost her companion donkey of many years. Her former owner donated a staggering amount of horse gear to Wings, including a horse scale, and has been a big supporter of the rescue. We were happy to be able to take Gracie, who is a sassy girl and loves pets and treats. Click here to sponsor Gracie.
Gracie is a 16-year-old mini-donkey who was relinquished by an owner who was moving out of state and could not keep her. She bonded immediately with Zoe, who had just lost her companion donkey of many years. Her former owner donated a staggering amount of horse gear to Wings, including a horse scale, and has been a big supporter of the rescue. We were happy to be able to take Gracie, who is a sassy girl and loves pets and treats. Click here to sponsor Gracie.