Redwings Horse Sanctuary, an organization that helps neglected, abused and unwanted horses, has now found a permanent facility in Paso Robles.
Equine Care Manager at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Sara Ruggerone, showed off a beautiful, strong-looking horse named William. But Ruggerone said William wasn’t always so regal-looking.
"When William came to us only a couple of months ago, he was completely emaciated," Ruggerone said. "He was left in a field with no food and water, he was tied on a 30-foot chain.”
William is just one of the nearly 70 horses currently living on the 170-acre Ranch. Some are permanent residents, and others are being cared for with hopes to find them a new permanent home.
The non-profit was founded in 1991 in Carmel by a group of women known for saving horses found in deplorable conditions. They received a trust in 2015 which made it possible for them to purchase the property in Paso Robles to build a facility.
“We are so happy to be in Paso Robles," Ruggerone said. "This has been a dream, and it’s taken us a long time to get here, but we are thrilled to be here.”
The non-profit’s mission is to end the abuse, neglect, and slaughter of horses through rescue and foster care.
“Sometimes it is intentional neglect or abuse," Ruggerone said. "But more frequently, it’s either someone who didn’t have money or someone who was not educated in what horses needed.”
Many of the horses at the sanctuary have been seized from bad conditions. Others are racehorses who have been retired from the tracks. Each horse on the ranch has a different back story. But Ruggerone said sanctuaries like theirs provide a safe haven for horses to get a second chance at life.
“Seeing them come through and pull through and regain complete health and happiness, and then watch them kick up their heels and gallop across our pastures — there’s no greater feeling than watching that," Ruggerone said.
If you’re interested in adopting a horse, go to redwingshorsesanctuary.org.
