The Reaching Hands Ranch rescue program is intended for horses that have been abused or neglected, are no longer needed, have special needs or require rehabilitation. Some horse owners simply cannot afford to care for their horses or are unable to rehabilitate them. This rescue program can serve as a retirement home for a horse. To read more about the horses that are currently up for adoption, please CLICK HERE. The information sheet will open in a new browser window.

The Process

The immediate purpose of the Reaching Hands Ranch rescue program is to save and improve the horses lives while establishing fundamental principles and values, including empathy, compassion, respect, responsibility and increased self-esteem in the youth participants.

The horses rescued are first evaluated. Next, they are put on an individual program addressing any physical or medical needs and training. Once evaluated and rehabilitated, the horses deemed safe with youth will be used in the mentoring program and ultimately placed for adoption.

"Hope" a neglected yearling (left) upon arrival and (right) after 3 months of rehabilitation

Scroll down to view the horses of RHR

Sponsorship

There are several ways you can help us succeed in this program.

You can make a donation today online:

Sponsors may make a one time donation or pledge a monthly donation to help cover costs of a particular horse in need.  You may also gift a sponsorship or donation.  For sponsorships of $100 or more, your name will be listed below. 

We extend a special thank you to all of our sponsors.  You make it possible to care for all of our special horses here at the ranch.

If you would like to adopt a horse, donate a horse or refer a horse, please complete the below form and submit it to Reaching Hands Ranch:

Pictured below are horses available for sponsorship or adoption.  To read more about the horses that are currently up for adoption, please CLICK HERE. The information sheet will open in a new browser window.

Daisy is approximately 3years old and full of herself! She was confiscated by Wyoming Livestock Enforcement from a neglect case and brought to RHR. We are currently trying to fix her deformed hooves and are hopeful that she will make a full recovery and find the wonderful home that she deserves.

Frank is a 14 year old Paint gelding with the most beautiful blue eyes. His owners found him caught in a fence, struggling for his life. They were able to free him, but he couldn't stand. As they went to make the kind call of ending his suffering, much to their amazement, Frank was slowly making his way down the hill. At that moment, they knew he had the will to survive and began the long journey of treatments to get him healed. Frank will never be completely sound, but his amazing personality makes him a top horse at RHR.

Chance is approximately 4 years old and was abandoned on a county road this fall. We think Chance may be gaited. He is a very sweet, good natured gelding and we know he will soon find the perfect home.

Dust Pan is an 9 year old registered paint gelding with serious personality.  He will bow, play fetch or perform just about any trick for treats.  He has ringbone which is very manageable with corrective shoeing.  He is not available for adoption at this time as he is very busy performing for the youth ranch hands in our program.  He is available for sponsorship.

Current Sponsors of Dust Pan:

Napoleon is a 27 year old foxtrotter gelding.  He will spend the rest of his days at the ranch teaching our young ranch hands the ropes of horsemanship.  He takes his job very seriously, with patience and caring for all of his young students.  In his spare time, Napoleon can be found lounging in his sweats or taking a jog down the irrigation roads at RHR. As if that isn't enough, he recently took the time to write his first children's book.  For more information about Napoleon and his "Rescue Tales" series of books, check out his page on our website.

Current Sponsors of Napoleon: 

Hope came to RHR in August barely a small shell of a yearling, emaciated,sick and injured.  She was fortunate however, another yearling at her home had to be euthanized on-site because it was so far gone.  She has made a wonderful recovery and despite her difficult journey, she still loves people.  Hope has been an inspiration to all who know her and she will be a wonderful addition to someone's family and home.

Ivy is a coming 2 year old that came to RHR with Hope in the same deplorable condition.  However, unlike Hope, Ivy is full of fear and has not been able to let down her guard to completely trust us yet.  After six months, we are just now able to pet her neck and begin leading her.  The fear in her eyes tells a pitiful story and we all look forward to the day she is able to trust.

Hobo is a 21 year old registered Arabian gelding who has foundered.  He is a very kind and patient teacher at the ranch and recently found his calling as a first class 4-H show horse.  A youth ranch hand graduate used him as her project and showed him at the Park County Fair.  He gave it his all and did a fantastic job, winning several blue ribbons with Sara.

Cheyenne is a 20+ year old appaloosa gelding.  Cheyenne has a condition called ringbone and is not always sound.  His days of riding mountain trails have gone by, but he does a wonderful job teaching our ranch hands.  Cheyenne's condition is not curable, and keeping him comfortable requires special shoeing and costly medications and supplements.  He is available for sponsorship.

Current Sponsors for Cheyenne: 

Cricket is a beautiful 15 year old Montana Traveler/Morgan mare.  She is great with children and rideable, but has previously foundered and requires drylot and grass hay. Cricket loves to be pampered and is sweet and kind to everyone she meets.

Leo is a sweet and charming 8 year old roan bay quarter horse gelding.  He came to us stifled in both hind legs.  Surgery has been done, and he is currently in the process of being rehabilitated. Once he is fully rehabilitated he will be truly sound and be able to find a happy home and family to call his own.

Lady Bird came to RHR with two other neglected, emaciated pasture mates.  She was the older of the three, and in the worst condition.  Lady Bird had a very strong will to survive her neglect and still has issues with trusting people.  She demonstrates to children at RHR how difficult it can be to gain back trust once broken.

Sitter is an adorable shetland pony gelding that founders.  He has a busy social calendar at the ranch and is perfect in his position of teaching children the basics of horsemanship.

Rooster is very special.  He was brought to us by two very special people from our community who cared enough to act upon seeing a case of neglect and starvation.  They took Rooster in initially and began the process of bringing him back to health.  He has come a long way and continues to mentor youth at the ranch in his retirement.  He also requires special care for his special needs and is available for sponsorship at this time.

Sheamus is a 17 year old bay QH gelding with lots of personality.  He has a condition called EPSM, which is a metabolic disorder.  Sheamus can only have grass hay in a drylot situation.  He requires a supplement to help with his condition.  Sheamus is still ridden lightly and most enjoyable to be around.

Current Sponsor of Sheamus:  Mikayla Kitchens-Thank you!!

Smoky is a 18 year old paint gelding that was raised a cowhorse, but has foundered in recent years.  He is very sweet and rideable.  However, Smoky will buck when not ridden on a very regular basis and would require an experienced rider who would work with him often.

Bo is a 23 year old Tennessee Walker gelding.  Bo is an accomplished mentor in the ranch hand program as well as leader of the herd.  He handles his responsibility well and we are very proud of him.   We are currently seeking sponsors for Bo.

Current Sponsors for Bo: Janet Strait and Dixie Olsen

Please contact us for information regarding the process of adopting a horse from the rescue.  All applicants are thoroughly screened and premises inspected before becoming approved adoptors.  Our ranch hands are involved in the adoption application process as well as follow up visits with the adopted horses on a regular basis.  There are minimal adoption fees for the horses and Reaching Hands Ranch does retain title of the adopted horses.

To read more about the horses that are currently up for adoption, please CLICK HERE. The information sheet will open in a new browser window.