What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 9am - 5pm

Red Bell Run

Home to The Sanctuary at Red Bell Run, a Special Needs Equine Sanctuary. They come here in need. We fulfill as many of those needs as we can.

The Sanctuary at Red Bell Run is home to special needs equines, those with medical or behavioral issues that make them unadoptable. Many times our residents are able to have a good quality of life with managed care; care that other organizations may not be able to provide due to staffing or financial restrictions. We strive to give each horse, mule, or donkey we care for the things that they lacke

d before coming to Red Bell Run. We do a lot of things here but at the Sanctuary, the most important thing we do is simply love them. OUR MISSION:
To rescue abused, neglected or at risk equines and other animals, offering rehabilitation and permanent placement including lifelong sanctuary. Foster the animal-human bond through empathy building, community assistance, educational and therapeutic programs.

11/05/2025

NEWS: We applaud Emirates and Air Canada for uniting against the donkey skin trade with a worldwide ban on the carriage of donkey skins on all flights. 👋✈️

By joining forces with leaders in transport, we can disrupt the supply chain which enables the cruel donkey skin trade ➡️ bray.news/47WArbl

11/05/2025

Today is International Stress Awareness Day so it's the perfect day to share a little secret with you...

Did you know equines can actually feel your heartbeat? 🫀

These incredibly sensitive animals can sense even the smallest changes in our body language, breathing, and heart rhythm. Studies show that when we calm our hearts, theirs often slow to match — a beautiful reminder of how deeply connected we are.💞

At Red Bell Run, we see this magic every day. Whether it’s a quiet moment of trust or a gentle nuzzle, our rescues remind us that love and calm energy speak louder than words.

If you have ever visited The Sanctuary then you have most likely experienced a bit of this magic with our draft mule- Shelby Ann. We would love to see photos of these moments in the comments! ✨

Want to experience the magic? Book a tour on our website!
https://redbellrun.org/book-a-free-tour/
Tours are free, but donations to support our mission are always appreciated.

11/04/2025

✨ Save the date for a magical afternoon at The Sanctuary at Red Bell Run!
Join us Saturday, December 14th from 2–5 PM for Mistletoe & Masterpieces, an event filled with art, holiday cheer, and heartwarming moments with our rescued equines.

🎁 Enjoy:
🐴 Self-guided barn tours
🚜 Hayrides
🖼️ Live & silent auctions
🍴 Delicious hors d’oeuvres

All proceeds benefit the equines who call Red Bell Run home. 💕

🎟️ Tickets are just $10 — and available now at the link below.
You can also donate an item for our silent auction or sign up for an event sponsorship through the same page!

👉 events.readysetauction.com/sanctuaryatredbellrun/mm2025

11/04/2025

🐴📚 Join Us for Read with Rescues at The Sanctuary at Red Bell Run!

Looking for a fun and heartwarming way to spend your afternoon? Come out to Red Bell Run on Saturday, November 15, for our next Read with Rescues event!

This special day invites children to enjoy the magic of reading while spending time with our rescued mini horses. Bring your favorite book or choose one from our collection.

📅 Date: Saturday, November 15
📍 Location: Red Bell Run
🕒 Time: 1:30-3pm

It’s the perfect way to encourage literacy, kindness, and connection with animals. Spaces is limited, so be sure to RSVP early!

✨ To reserve your spot or learn more, visit: www.redbellrun.org/events

We can’t wait to see you—and our rescues can’t wait to hear your stories! ❤️🐴

11/03/2025

Happy November Birthdays to our amazing volunteers and staff! 🎂

We’re so grateful for each of you and the heart you bring to our Red Bell Run team every day. Wishing you a wonderful month filled with joy, celebration, and all your favorite things. ❤️

10/31/2025

👀2026 CALENDAR SNEAK PEEK! 👀

These beautiful 12x12" wire-bound calendars feature 12 of our beloved rescued equines, each with their story highlighted. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy their faces all year long while supporting the mission of The Sanctuary at Red Bell Run.

Shipping and local pickup are available, making it easy to grab yours for yourself—or as a perfect gift for the animal lover in your life. If you need more than 1 calendar shipped to you, please call us at 828-863-2017 or message us on Facebook for pricing. Calendars are ready for pickup or can be shipped within 48 hours of ordering.

🛒Purchase yours here: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLG3ACE5W4T8S/checkout/Z562SEWKGXPE45BRQRE2BRPK

All proceeds help us continue caring for the horses, donkeys, and mules who call Red Bell Run home. Order yours today and keep a piece of the Sanctuary with you all year long!
We are so thankful to this year’s generous sponsors for making the calendar possible:
Elma Garcia - Cover Artist
Christine Holm Wellmon - Photographer of monthly portraits
FarmHouse Fresh Skincare
Toms Electric Service LLC
Claussen Walters LLC
Tryon Equine Hospital, PLLC
Carol Parker- Realtor - Tryon Horse & Home
Karl Small - Tryon Horse & Home Real Estate
Green Creek Farm Supply
Green Creek Auction Company, LLC
White Oak Custom Cut
Hunt Country Equine Mobile Veterinary Service PLLC
Badger Welding, Inc.
Lake Bowen Auto & Diesel Inc.
Carolina Storage Solutions
Misty Mountain Fire Ant Control
Stubborn Mule Restaurant & Brewery
Wagon Tracks Restaurant
The Hay Rack
Landrum Hardware
Stott Farm Fencing
Embrace.HEALTH
Restorative Equine Bodywork
Andy Painter - Carolina Hoof Care

10/30/2025

⁉️Did you know⁉️

One of the most beautiful (and sometimes challenging!) things about horses is how deeply social they are. Horses don’t recognize fences the way we do — to them, a fence is just another part of the landscape, not a real boundary.

So when they see another horse on the other side, their herd instincts kick in. They’ll call to each other, graze side by side along the fence line, and even form bonds as if that fence weren’t there at all. In their minds, they’re already part of the same herd.

This picture shows how true this information is- Justin (flaxen chestnut) is part of our Mini Heaven herd and Thurston (dapple gray) is part of our Mini Woods herd.

10/29/2025

👑In Honor of National Cat Day...

Naughty and Nice - Cat Edition

😼NAUGHTY- Frankie - always trying to distract our vet techs and leaving holes in their jeans after making murder biscuits.

😻NICE- Pisgah - keeping the Hilltop barn critter free (and being super photogenic).

If you want to see our naughty and nice equines sign up for our monthly newsletter! You can sign up on our website or send us a PM. (We do not share or sell your information.)

10/28/2025

Anyone else’s horses losing their mind today?

10/28/2025

✨ Shop Small & Make a Big Difference! ✨

Grey Horse Candle Company creates all natural soy candles using premium grade fragrance oils. American made, family owned.

When you buy Grey Horse Candle Company candles and wax melts from Red Bell Run, you’re not just filling your home with the cozy scents of barn life — you’re helping us provide lifelong care to horses, donkeys, and mules with special needs.

🕯️ Hand-poured. 100% soy wax
🐎 Horse-inspired.
❤️ Made with love — and a purpose.

Seasonal:
🎃Headless Horseman: Pumpkin, butter, orange, clove, cinnamon, nut, maple & vanilla.
❄️Blanket Season: Bergamot, mahogany, and musk.
🥧Bran Mash: Cinnamon, ginger, raisin, sugar, almond, pie crust, nutmeg, allspice, clove, butter, and vanilla.
🛷Carriage Ride: Cinnamon, ginger, orange peel, clove, cypress, pine and fir.

Our all-time favorites:
🌙Night Check: Jasmine, honeysuckle, neroli, & mandarin blossoms.
🐴Salty Mare: Coconut & salty sea air.
💖Barn Family: A woody base with cranberry & apple.

Come shop our selection of Grey Horse Candle Company in the foyer outside the main office!
Hours:
M-F 9am-5pm
Call ahead for Saturday shopping.
385 Blackwood Road
Columbus, NC 28722
828-863-2017

10/26/2025

🐴 Happy National Mule Day from Red Bell Run! 🐴

Today, we’re tipping our hats (and giving extra treats!) to the incredible mules who call Red Bell Run home. Sturdy, smart, soulful, and sometimes a little sassy — our mules are living proof that great things happen when heart meets horsepower.

Each of our mules has a unique story but here, they all share one thing: a sanctuary where they’re respected, protected, and deeply loved.

On National Mule Day, we celebrate:
❤️Their unmatched strength and intelligence
❤️Their gentle, loyal nature
❤️Their role in history — and in our hearts

Come meet our mules, learn their stories, and see why these amazing hybrids deserve all the love (and cookies) today and every day.

📸 Schedule a tour on our website or follow their adventures right here — because once you’ve met a mule, you’ll never forget them.
Pictured: Sherlock, Shorty & Patrick, The Golden Girls: Dorothy, Blanche & Rose, Molly and Charlotte.

10/25/2025

🌟 Make A Difference Day 2025 🌟
Today, across the country, people are coming together to lend a hand, lift a heart, and make the world a little brighter — and here at The Sanctuary at Red Bell Run, we see the power of compassion every single day.

From rescuing medically complex equines to providing them with lifelong sanctuary and love, everything we do is possible because of people like YOU — our volunteers, supporters, and kind-hearted community.

🐴 Whether you're mucking stalls, sponsoring a resident, donating supplies, or simply sharing our mission — you are making a difference. And today, we want to say thank you.

If you’re looking for a way to make an impact this Make A Difference Day, here’s how you can help:
✅ Volunteer your time at the sanctuary
✅ Sponsor one of our incredible residents
✅ Share our story and mission with your friends
✅ Donate to support specialized care for our animals

Every act of kindness creates a ripple of hope. Together, we're not just changing lives — we're saving them.❤️ Want to get started with us? Head to our website:
www.redbellrun.org

Address

385 Blackwood Road
Columbus, NC
28722

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

(828) 863-2017

Website

http://www.redbellrun.org/

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