Mission Statement

Horses are central to New Mexico life; it's impossible to imagine our beautiful state without them. From wild mustang herds to carefully bred and trained performance horses, there's nothing more symbolic of the spirit and beauty of New Mexico. Sadly, that doesn't mean these horses are always treated well. Enter the Horse Shelter, New Mexico's only statewide equine welfare organization.

The Horse Shelter's mission is to see that New Mexico's horses are as safe and well cared for as possible. Our approach is a multi-faceted one; while our main mission is to help owners care for their own horses, some horses live at the Shelter itself, where they have run-in stalls and large paddocks and turn-outs, clean, healthy surroundings, appropriate food, good water at all times, veterinary care, farrier care, exercise when appropriate, and the attention of a live-in Barn Manager (and many volunteers).

The Horse Shelter also conducts a humane education program, reaching out to schools, clubs, and groups of all kinds. The presenters are trained, and convey the message that kind and responsible treatment of others - horses and all two and four legged creatures - is rewarding in many ways.

The Horse Shelter's main barn is mostly adobe, and features a rodent-proof grain room, feeding stalls, and a lot of hay storage. It was built by Volunteers!
Architect: Paul Heath, Builder: Bob Brooks

For some horses the Shelter will be a life-long sanctuary; others will be adopted out to carefully screened new homes, after rehabilitation as needed. The staff of The Horse Shelter investigates all reports of abuse and neglect, and makes every effort to improve a situation instead of removing a horse from his guardian, only taking a horse into the Shelter if such efforts fail.

Copyright 2004-2005 The Horse Shelter
Web site design a donation of   Arroyo WebWorks of Santa Fe