The Horse Shelter

The Horse Shelter The Horse Shelter is a 501c3 equine rescue located in Cerrillos, NM, with up to 80 horses onsite.

The mission of The Horse Shelter is to serve as a sanctuary for New Mexico’s abandoned, abused and neglected horses. Rescued horses will be rehabilitated and adopted out whenever possible to environments that support their well-being and future long term care. The Horse Shelter has between 75 and 80 horses on site and adopts up to 30 horses per year into new homes. We have an onsite trainer that helps our horses get ready to go to new homes.

Inigo Montoya is a bit of a mysterious horse to us, having arrived here a little over a month ago and in the midst of al...
06/25/2025

Inigo Montoya is a bit of a mysterious horse to us, having arrived here a little over a month ago and in the midst of all the preparations for our big annual luncheon. We know that he is around 18 years old, is of a nice size and balance, and other than being a little short on groceries, seems to be in good health.

As we learn more about this lovely mystery man we’ll share what we know.

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This is Gigi!! Adopted from us last year, Gigi has come into her own as a gorgeous and confident girl. Here she is atten...
06/23/2025

This is Gigi!! Adopted from us last year, Gigi has come into her own as a gorgeous and confident girl. Here she is attending an obstacle clinic like an old hand - whoopee. Also attending the clinic (put on by the Northern New Mexico Horsemen’s Association) were other THS alumna: Magic (owned by Jarratt Applewhite). Peñasco (owned by Evalyn Bemis), and our former director, Rhoda Rein.

Makes you want to consider adopting from us, righty-o?

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Here are two senior horses we have taken in this year who are making progress on their return to health! Edna arrived in...
06/21/2025

Here are two senior horses we have taken in this year who are making progress on their return to health! Edna arrived in January and Herbie arrived in March. Putting weight on thin senior horses can be difficult but thankfully these two are responding well to the rehabilitation diets we have chosen for them.

📸: THS

Two old timers, enjoying some quiet time in the sun: meet Chica and Auburn. Either one (or both!) can be adopted as a co...
06/20/2025

Two old timers, enjoying some quiet time in the sun: meet Chica and Auburn. Either one (or both!) can be adopted as a companion horse - they clearly know what the job entails.

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Here is a fun thing to know and notice about horses - the position of their ears will tell you a lot about where they ar...
06/18/2025

Here is a fun thing to know and notice about horses - the position of their ears will tell you a lot about where they are putting their attention and concerns. In this example, Vesuvius has one ear cocked towards me, the photographer, and the other ear attuned to the horses behind him. His expression is calm, showing no concern but his ears tell us he is keeping tabs on the stuff going on around him.

Both ears pricked forward will say the horse is interested in what’s in front of him. Ears turned back indicate greater concern with what’s behind and ears flattened back shout “I’m pi**ed and you had better stop what you are doing and get out of my space.”

Horses communicate in many ways, if we pay attention!

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Meet our newest intake, Lilo! Lilo came to us through NMLB as an estray. She is a pretty girl, though a little shy. She ...
06/17/2025

Meet our newest intake, Lilo! Lilo came to us through NMLB as an estray. She is a pretty girl, though a little shy. She needs some groceries, some hoof care and some TLC, all of which we are happy to provide! Welcome, Lilo!

📸: THS

Being around horses is often a lifetime endeavor. You are born with that horse-loving gene and if circumstances permit,...
06/16/2025

Being around horses is often a lifetime endeavor. You are born with that horse-loving gene and if circumstances permit, you will find a way to have them in your life .

Carole Berger is one such person. She has been involved with since its beginning, serving in capacities too numerous to mention and always with a smile. Carole has her own horses and brings that knowledge and compassion to all the ways she has helped us through the years.

If you want to follow in Carole’s bootsteps, we can put you to good use. Send an email to [email protected]

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Our wonderful volunteer of the month is Margaret C! Margaret has been volunteering with us for just under a year and has...
06/14/2025

Our wonderful volunteer of the month is Margaret C! Margaret has been volunteering with us for just under a year and has donated over 215 hours since she started! We are so lucky to have such a dedicated volunteer! Thank you, Margaret! Margaret is pictured with Grace!

📸: THS

These sweet little biscuits were the three lucky ones who made it out alive from the fires in Ruidoso last year (not pic...
06/13/2025

These sweet little biscuits were the three lucky ones who made it out alive from the fires in Ruidoso last year (not pictured is Jericho). But that is not to say things have been easy for them since. We plan to change all that.

Biscuit #1 on the left is Jax, who has a devil-may-care attitude and we expect will grow into a handsome boy. Biscuit #2 peeking out from behind Jax is Johnny. He has the cutest paint coloration and will be a looker. Both are likely to be on the smaller side (a trend around here) but time will tell.

Time and good care is what we have to give them, with your support. Consider becoming a sponsor and following their progress as they grow and change.

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Dearly beloved Amigo. You were dealt a really unfair hand when you foundered in your previous home. We’ll never know th...
06/11/2025

Dearly beloved Amigo. You were dealt a really unfair hand when you foundered in your previous home. We’ll never know the circumstances that led you to your laminitis but we tried everything in our power to help you lead a more comfortable life. Special shoes; our softest, sandiest paddock; a careful diet.

It was not to be. On an otherwise uneventful night you had a bad colic and the only good outcome was a quick release from your pain. You were loved by so many and we will miss seeing your cheerful face every day.

This is part of horse rescue and we are so, so grateful to the whole team who looks after these guys like they are their own.

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Kiko was a herd stallion running with a group of mares and babies when they were captured and taken in by the New Mexico...
06/09/2025

Kiko was a herd stallion running with a group of mares and babies when they were captured and taken in by the New Mexico Livestock Board. He lived a rough life and has the scars and lameness issues to prove it. He has every reason to be wary of humans but has slowly, slowly, come to see life at has some pretty good aspects.

No matter how they come to us, we aim for everyone to feel safe, comfortable and at home here.

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Please help us welcome Kobe! Kobe is our newest intake and came to us through NMLB as an estray. He is a beautiful, unha...
06/07/2025

Please help us welcome Kobe! Kobe is our newest intake and came to us through NMLB as an estray. He is a beautiful, unhandled stallion. We are not yet sure of his age, but will find out when he is gelded. He is nervous around people but is starting to relax a bit. Welcome Kobe!

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Address

100 Old Cash Ranch Road
Cerrillos, NM
87010

Opening Hours

Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15054716179

Website

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