Meet our Rescues!
In 2022, the majority of Broken Arrow Ranch & Sanctuary horses and mules were rescued from a kill pen in Oklahoma and Kansas with minutes to spare. 5 of our horses were weighed and ready to load the truck headed to Mexico to be slaughtered. With the help of Retta Risley of Diamond Bar Rescue, we were able to rescue them and move them to safety in quarantine for 30 days. They all are now living their best lives safe, free and happy on the ranch here in Oregon!
Read about their journeys and stories of our beautiful rescued horses and mules, and get to know each of these special souls! If you feel called to help, please help sponsor a horse today!
Bree
Bree was BARS first horse rescue. With a body score of two, Bree was extremely emaciated upon arrival. She desperately needed to gain weight! BARS staff jumped into action with an emergency recovery plan. Our beautiful seven year old Palomino has gained over one hundred and fifty pounds! Bree’s body score has increased from two to six. Bree is hand shy as she has endured much trauma. She is unhandled, but she is slowly allowing us to touch her. Last week, she took a treat from our hands!
Ringo
Ringo, a sorrel gelding, is thriving at BARS! Clare Staples, founder of Skydog Sanctuary, asked BARS to rescue two older horses who were originally adopted to another couple. The couple, now in their 80’s, were no longer able to care for the horses. Skydog Sanctuary picked up the horses in Burns, Oregon and delivered them directly to BARS. Although they were not our first official rescued horses, they arrived first at the ranch. Ringo has bonded with 5 mares and has created his own herd. Our goal at BARS is to nurture instinctual behavior as our horses bond and form new families.
Lexi
Lexi is a bay, approx.10 years old, who was rescued from the Kansas kill pens via an Angel donor. Lexi & Kalie spent 1 month in quarantine together before arriving in Oregon. Lexi is a dominant mare and a tenacious survivor. She is a little bossy with Kalie just like an older sister! Lexi is a bit reticent to trust humans. Perhaps Kalie, with her more trusting nature, will show Lexi it is ok to trust her new BARS human family.
Cravin & Flora
Cravin is the male pack leader of the mules. He is happy to be solo pack leader since Benson’s escape! Cravin will accept hand treats but is still a bit apprehensive. Rescued animals need love, support and patience to heal. Cravin watches lovingly over his girls, Milly and Flora.
Cravin & Flora got turned out to pasture while at the kill pens. They escaped to the far back field and were there for months without being detected. Mules are smart survivors! One day they were discovered. Since they had been longtime fugitives without being sent to slaughter, the workers were angry and ready to direct ship them to Mexico along with Benson and Milly. Retta called BARS to save the mules with less than a day before they were scheduled to ship. BARS rescued the four mules without inspection due to the urgency of their situation.
Black Beauty
Beauty has a beautiful black coat with a star on her forehead. Black Beauty was rescued from the Oklahoma kill pens with the help of Retta Risley, who coordinated all rescues for us from this area. Beauty was in poor health, fiery, spooked and very underweight upon rescue. Her trailer transport from Oklahoma to Oregon was very challenging. Our hauler, Steve, patiently pulled over five times more than usual to ensure her safety. Black Beauty has recovered quickly gaining one hundred and fifty pounds since arriving! She now allows her baby Jupiter to be around people, which is a change showing she’s beginning to trust. She is lead mare for the “The Wilds” which includes her baby Jupiter, Kalie, Lexi, Shiloh and Benson.
Tetra
Tetra is a stunning red dun mare adopted by BARS from the Oklahoma kill pens. Tetra immediately “claimed” BARS staffer Dean with an amazing act of love and trust. Despite being a two year old wild mustang, Tetra laid down completely in front of Dean who was seated in the grass in her pasture. Dean’s position gave Tetra the body language signal that he was submissive and safe to approach. A wild horse laying down making herself completely vulnerable rarely, if ever, happens. Tetra also loves hanging out with her horse pal Reese.
Benson
Benson decided he wanted to hang with the wild horses, so he squeezed through our smooth wire fencing leaving his mule pals behind! Benson instantly bonded with the wild horses even though this is Shiloh’s herd. Shiloh graciously allows Benson to be co-leader of “The Wilds.” Benson proudly leads the herd when it’s time to eat and to the watering hole. Benson is a foodie! He loves to eat. If the mares aren’t eating their grain fast enough, he grabs the food from them. Benson is a fearless survivor!
Jupiter
Jupiter was born in March 2022. He looks just like his mom, Beauty, with black coloring and a forehead star. He is truly his mom’s “mini me.” Jupiter is loving, curious and often rambunctious like most healthy, happy foals. When he first arrived, Jupiter was stuck to his mom like Velcro but is now more confident and independent. Jupiter loves hanging out with Benson, our escape artist mule, along with the other mares. Shiloh has adopted Jupiter and treats him like his own. Stay tuned to watch this beautiful colt grow up with his new herd.
Kalie
Kalie is a dark bay with three socks and a star. Clare Staples, Skydog Ranch Founder, coordinated with BARS to take Kalie from a gal that had rescued her from the Kansas kill pens. An angel donor had paid for Kalie’s rescue before she was loaded on the truck to slaughter. The only problem was that donor needed someone to step up and let Kalie live free on a ranch. BARS accepted and Kalie has become part of Shiloh’s herd. Kalie is such a sweetheart! She trusts us and openly seeks attention even though she is a wild mustang. Kalie and Lexi were rescued together and have become fast friends.
Cyrus
Cyrus was born in quarantine, which is recommended after rescue for thirty days in order to protect other horses from possible disease. Buyers pay for all expenses during this time. Once the thirty day quarantine ends, buyers obtain a health certificate, which allows you to transport the horses over state lines. Cyrus experienced respiratory issues, but with excellent veterinary care he has fully healed. Cyrus is still shedding his baby coat but appears to have a dark grey coloring. Of course, Mama Bella is still very protective of her colt. Cyrus playfully pulls on Mom’s tail and is very happy at the ranch.
Chief
Chief is Nala’s chestnut colored baby with a beautiful forehead star. He was born inside an Oklahoma kill pen. Since kill pens aren’t very sanitary or hospitable, Chief developed a serious respiratory condition despite only spending one day there. Mama Nala was very underweight upon Chief’s birth which did not help his development. Nala and two hour old Chief were returned to the kill pens by the original buyer because the buyer found two other registered horses for sale and since they had papers were worth more money. These buyers stated they wanted to breed the new pair of horses! Chief is finally healing after an expensive, extended stay at intensive care. Mom was right by Chief’s side as she was still nursing him! Chief has fully healed and is back at the ranch. Chief literally kicked up his little pony heels after being returned home to BARS.
Nala
Nala is a domestic mare with chestnut coloring and a blaze. Nala and her newborn foal, Chief, came to BARS from the Oklahoma kill pens thanks to Retta Risley of Diamond Bar Ranch an Equine Rescue & Sanctuary. Nala gave birth to her foal, Chief, and 2 hours later got returned to the kill pen! Thankful, Nala only spent one day there with her newborn before being rescued. Nala was very fragile and extremely underweight! Nala is now at an ideal weight & loves her treats! Nala was understandably skittish upon arrival but her warm personality is shining through with each passing day. Nala looks so healthy and the new sparkle in her eyes reflects her happy, carefree life at the ranch with her baby.
Shiloh
Shiloh is a beautiful bay with a striking blaze. Shiloh & Ringo were rescued together and are unhandled, wild mustangs. Even though previously owned by an elderly couple, the horses were never tamed. After some time at BARS, we observed a remarkable shift in behavior. Both geldings wanted Black Beauty and Jupiter which means their natural instincts to establish their own herds had returned! Shiloh’s family consists of Black Beauty and Jupiter. Ringo got his own family when we placed him with domestic mares Bree and Shasta as they instantly bonded. Shiloh’s herd and Ringo’s herd are in separate pastures but adjacent to each other and say hello every morning. They each love having their own mares to watch over, while still being able to socialize with each other. Our goal at BARS is to nurture instinctual behavior as our horses bond and form new families.
Milly
Milly & Benson were rescued together. Sweet Milly loves treats and like Benson, she was very curious about the nearby wild horses. One day the mules may become a single pack with Shiloh’s herd. For now, she follows Cravin and Flora around and greets the Wilds each morning after breakfast.
Cravin & Flora got turned out to pasture while at the kill pens. They escaped to the far back field and were there for months without being detected. Mules are smart survivors! One day they were discovered. Since they had been longtime fugitives without being sent to slaughter, the workers were angry and ready to direct ship them to Mexico along with Benson and Milly. Retta called BARS to save the mules with less than a day before they were scheduled to ship. BARS rescued the four mules without inspection due to the urgency of their situation.
Hope
Hope is a domestic mare with a bay coat and star. Hope gave birth to foal, Gracie, inside the Oklahoma kill pen. We quickly rescued them but sadly, Gracie died from pneumonia despite being treated with antibiotics. Gracie was only three weeks old when she passed away. Hope’s eyes seek love and attention, but like many rescued horses she’s hand shy most likely due to past abuse. Hope is most comfortable when BARS staff stands still with her so trust can be established. Upon arrival, Hope bonded with Nala and Bella, “the mamas.” However, “the mamas” went to emergency care with their sick babies who were still nursing. Hope made new horse friends when she joined Tetra and Reese. Hope was released with Tetra and Reese in Ringo’s herd. “The mamas” will stay in the mare & foal pasture until the babies are nine months old and then they will be released into Ringo’s heard.
Reese
Reese is a domestic mare with bay coloring saved from the Oklahoma kill pens. Being 10 years older than Tetra, Reese displays dominance over her younger friend. Angela, BARS Founder, knew she had to put these horses together prior to sharing a trailer. Reese and Tetra came from two separate quarantines and had never met. Horses, like people, do not always automatically get along. Luckily, Reese and Tetra became fast friends during their 30 days together in quarantine. Reese was the friendliest horse right from the start and she would eat treats out of hands. Sweet Tetra watched this and learned to trust by modeling Reese’s actions. Reese was pregnant when rescued and due in May 2023. Check back here for updates and birth announcements!
Shasta
Shasta came to BARS with her friend Bree, an older Pinto mare in her twenties. Since Shasta is a dominant mare, a compatibility test was needed with her and Bree prior to travel. Fortunately, Bree and Shasta bonded quickly so they could be trailered together from the Oklahoma quarantine facility to BARS in Oregon. Because Shasta is the oldest is Ringo’s herd, she is the lead mare for Ringo. Shasta is happy and healthy able to live her best life at the ranch.
Bella
Bella is a domestic, chestnut mare saved from the Oklahoma kill pens. BARS was notified that Bella had a horrible case of worms. She was underweight! Bella was pregnant as well! Sadly it is common practice to impregnate horses prior to sale. Since horses are sold to be slaughtered for consumption, dubious sellers are paid by the pound. Post birth of her foal, Bella had to be slowly dewormed as the medication is strong. Bella continues to gain weight as she regains her health after quite an ordeal!
Sammy
Sammy was born at BARS - our first live birth at the sanctuary! Reese came to us pregnant with Sammy. Little did we know the day we saved Reese we ended up saving two lives. A donkey stole Reese’s heart. On Mother’s Day 2023, Reese gave birth to Sammy a spirited little mule. He came out strong and healthy, which was a big relief. The majority of the rescues are extremely under nourished, emaciated and in need of much care. Both Reese and Colibrí show boundaries when needed, as Sammy can be bossy and stubborn at times. Sammy loves to wrestle with his little friend, Colibrí and his mother. Sammy is often the first to show up when treats are offered.
Cider
Claire at Skydog Sanctuary asked us to adopt Cider. Cider was rounded up in the state of Washington during a fire. She was adopted out to a riding center and they tried to train her but she wanted to stay wild. The group was going to send Cider to auction as they had no need for her. A teenage gal that worked at the riding center felt sorry for her and brought her home. She spent many months trying to befriend Cider before she reached out to Claire at Skydog for help. She was headed to college and her parents did not want to look after the horse after she left. In July 2023, She delivered Cider to our sanctuary and her new life with us began. In August, Cider was released with the Wild Five and she has become part of that band. Cider is smart and observant. Cider has a funny grunt she demonstrated upon being released at BARS. Thunder is slowly accepting her into the group and we see progress every day.
Colibri
Colibrí was born in Oklahoma at a nonprofit sanctuary. She is the foal of Black Pearl. She arrived at BARS malnourished, and she urgently needed proper nutrition and care. Her coat was dull and matted. Colibri was not developing properly due to lack of nutrients. Upon her arrival, we jumped into action and started her on extra grain and supplements. She quickly gained weight, showed increased energy and her coat has greatly improved. Colibri was very lethargic for the first couple weeks at BARS. Now she and Sammy love to play out in the field together running, wrestling and of course taking turns doing “zoomies.” She has a very sweet and loving personality. She is our precious little miracle girl!
Summer
Summer is originally from the South Steens and was rounded up and sent to the BLM corrals. A kind lady adopted her, and Summer ended up in Oklahoma where she bonded with Thunder’s group. Summer became part of Thunder’s Wild Five. We call Summer Colibri’s “Auntie” as she’s very protective over her and makes sure she stays safe. Seeing Summer and Colibri often side by side reminds us of the strong social bonds horses share within a band. Summer is a large yet gentle and kind mare with a beautiful “blonde” mane. Summer gingerly takes hand treats from us and is truly a sweetheart.
Thunder
Thunder was adopted from a lady that started a nonprofit in Oklahoma. He was rounded up in the South Steens of Oregon and held for a couple years in the BLM corrals. Once the lady adopted him, he was shipped out to Oklahoma, and spent three to four years there. The lady asked us to take him and four others of his band back to Oregon as their nonprofit was dissolving. Thunder stands tall and strong as he is a dark, handsome horse with a striking presence. Thunder is in charge of the WIld Five and loves his mares very much. He is very protective over them and makes sure that they’re all safe and happy. We have turned Reese, Sammy and Cider out with Thunder’s group and they are steadily forming a new band.
Black Pearl
Black pearl is Colibrí‘s mother and she is also from the BLM here in Oregon. She was adopted and sent to Oklahoma to live at a sanctuary there. She is part of the “Wild Five” herd, our most recent rescues, and we brought her back to Oregon. She was quite malnourished and we needed to have her gain weight quickly as she was not producing milk for Colibri. Within weeks, she had gained close to forty pounds and started producing milk again! Black Pearl has her black shiny coat back, no ribs or bones exposed, and her topline is now strong and healthy. She is getting close to us, but has not taken any treats from our hands quite yet. While still keeping a watchful eye on Colibri, she does allow us to love on her and give her treats. She clearly trusts us and knows she and the Wild Five have found a safe forever home at BARS.
Autumn
Autumn is part of Thunder’s heard. She was also adopted from the BLM Burns corrals. She was sent to Oklahoma to a nonprofit and bonded with Thunder’s group. The lady that adopted them reached out to us to take Autumn as part of the Wild Five. Now that she’s settled in at BARS, Autumn has gained weight, her coat is shiny and her overall health is excellent. Autumn has a sweet, gentle personality and she loves being part of Thunder’s band. We are thankful to have been able to adopt and keep the Wild Five together.
