Mustangs MEND

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Mustangs MEND Nonprofit equine assisted learning program & rescue/sanctuary that works with wild and/or neglected or abused mustangs & other equines and humans in need.
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We are Darkness to Light trained in protecting children in equestrian sports. Mustangs MEND is a registered 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization founded in 2017. We are located in the Santa Clarita Valley in CA. We facilitate the healing of both mustangs and humans through the principles of Mindfulness, Empathy, Nurturing, and Dignity. Participants in our programs learn basic horse handling skills and then move through a process of gentling a wild mustang so that it will be best equipped to adapt to its new life in a human world. Survivors work closely with a mentor-trainer and process successes and difficulties throughout the gentling process. Both humans and mustangs learn how to heal and create connection to the world around them as a way of coping with previous trauma. Mustangs MEND believes that both horse and human will come out on the other side of this process with positive coping mechanisms and a new sense of self love.

Today was one for the books. And quite frankly, one I hope we never have to repeat.This afternoon, a fire broke out dire...
10/12/2026

Today was one for the books. And quite frankly, one I hope we never have to repeat.

This afternoon, a fire broke out directly on the hill behind our barn. With nearly 50 animals in our care, including 18 horses, dozens of chickens, turkeys, ducks, rabbits, and our beloved barn cats, there wasn’t a second to waste.

The second we saw those flames, everyone jumped into action. And I honestly don’t have the words to describe how it feels to have people in your life who show up like that. No questions, no hesitation, just people coming together to do whatever needed to be done to get our animals to safety.

We were incredibly fortunate to have been fairly well prepared, especially since roads in and out of our area were eventually closed. But all the preparation in the world doesn’t mean much without people willing to show up and help. And today, they did. In a BIG way.

All of our animals are safe. Every single one. ❤️

And I have to take a moment to say just how incredibly proud I am of our horses. Every single one of them loaded into trailers willingly, even our newest addition who hasn’t even officially had a trailer-loading lesson yet. In the middle of all that chaos, they trusted us and did what we asked of them.

I think that says so much about the way we work with our horses and why we do things the way we do. We spend so much time building trust, creating relationships, and helping these animals feel safe with us. Sometimes that work looks slow, and sometimes it might not seem like we’re accomplishing much to someone looking in from the outside. But today was a perfect example of why that foundation matters so much. When it really counted, they trusted us. And that trust helped us get them out safely. There is something pretty incredible about that, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.

To our volunteers, our friends, the ranches that opened their gates, the people who brought trailers, and everyone who called, texted, or offered help, I am so incredibly grateful. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to respond to everyone. It’s been a long, emotional day, and I’m still trying to catch my breath.

We still have horses spread out at three different ranches nearby, and while we’re so thankful they have safe places to stay, we could really use some help with hay and feed while they’re away from home. If you’re able to make a donation, no matter how small, it would mean so much right now.

I spend so much of my life worrying about these animals and making sure they’re safe and cared for. Today was a reminder that I’m not carrying that responsibility entirely alone. There are people who love these animals, who care about what we’re doing, and who will drop everything when we need them.

And I don’t take that for granted for a single second.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. From the very bottom of my heart. ❤️

⸻

Donations: Mustangs MEND is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue and sanctuary (EIN: 82-1787849). Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. All contributions toward our fire evacuation expenses will help provide hay, feed, and continued care for our displaced animals. Every dollar makes a difference, and we are so grateful for your support.

Venmo: mustangsmend
Zelle: [email protected]

Coverage of the https://youtu.be/vwnHupCU2J4

07/27/2026

Annie had her first trot under saddle this week, and we could not be prouder of her and the young person who has helped her get here.

Annie came to us as a feral Quarter Pony with no handling. Everything she knows about people, groundwork, and being ridden has been built slowly through patience, consistency, and trust. Seeing her take those first steps at the trot is a big milestone.

What makes this journey especially meaningful is that Annie is learning alongside one of our junior trainers, Addy. Our kids are not simply learning how to ride. They are learning how to read a horse, listen to what the horse is telling them, adjust their approach, and understand that trust is earned over time.

This process asks a lot from both the horse and the young person. Annie has had to learn that people can be safe and predictable. Our junior trainer has had to practice patience, empathy, problem solving, and resilience when things do not go perfectly. Those lessons carry far beyond the barn.

At Mustangs MEND, we believe in Mindfulness, Empathy, Nurturing, and Dignity. Annie’s progress is a beautiful example of what can happen when we give horses the time they need and give young people the chance to grow alongside them.

We are incredibly proud of Annie and of our young trainer, Addy, who has been part of every step of her journey. ❤️🐴

We are so incredibly proud of Addy and Annie!Today, Annie had her hoof trim with no sedation needed. That is a huge mile...
07/11/2026

We are so incredibly proud of Addy and Annie!

Today, Annie had her hoof trim with no sedation needed. That is a huge milestone and a true testament to the trust, patience, and relationship Addy has built with Annie over the past year.

When Annie first came to us, as an unhandled horse, every interaction was approached with care and intention. We believe in giving these horses positive experiences, allowing them to build confidence, feel safe, and learn that humans can be kind and trustworthy.

Watching Annie stand quietly for her trim is about so much more than hoof care. It’s a reflection of the countless small moments, consistent handling, and unwavering dedication that have gone into earning her trust.

We couldn’t be prouder of both of them. Annie is thriving, and Addy’s hard work is truly paying off. ❤️

07/04/2026

Today was a day we’ll never forget. ❤️

Annie took her first official steps with 12 year old Addy on her back!

What makes this so incredible is that Annie started out as a completely unhandled, untouched, feral horse. Through patience, consistency, and a whole lot of hard work, Addy has been the one to help Annie reach this milestone. She has put in the time to build a relationship, introduce each new step, and earn Annie’s confidence every step of the way, from first touch, to saddling, and now to taking those first few steps with a person on her back.

I am beyond proud of these two.

Because of Addy’s dedication, Annie is now a little safer in the human world and has another opportunity for a wonderful future. And Addy has gained something just as valuable. She has learned that there are no shortcuts to earning trust. She’s learned patience, perseverance, commitment, and that the best accomplishments come from showing up day after day, even when progress is measured in inches.

This is what horsemanship is all about. It’s not just creating a riding horse, it’s changing lives. Annie’s life is forever different because of Addy, and I have a feeling Annie has changed Addy’s life just as much. These two are really something special. ❤️

For the love of all that is holy, please stop supporting the fear and manipulation.With the current New World Screwworm ...
06/08/2026

For the love of all that is holy, please stop supporting the fear and manipulation.

With the current New World Screwworm situation, horses are not being shipped into Mexico the way some people want you to believe. Yet the same dramatic “last chance slaughter save” stories keep getting pushed to pull at your heartstrings and open your wallet.

The horse rescue world is full of incredible organizations doing the hard, often thankless work of caring for horses every single day. They don’t need reality-show drama, manufactured emergencies, or emotional manipulation to prove their value.

Please support your local, legitimate rescues. Support transparency. Support the people who are quietly feeding, rehabilitating, training, and advocating for horses long after the cameras are gone.

The horses deserve better. And so do the donors who care about them. ❤️🐴

‼️URGENT‼️Tragic barn fire at one of our adopters farms...Several years ago, the incredible Laura Martin and her family ...
02/23/2026

‼️URGENT‼️

Tragic barn fire at one of our adopters farms...

Several years ago, the incredible Laura Martin and her family opened their home — and their whole hearts — to Teddy and Timo. Teddy and Timo came to them after we (our rescue and COER) rescued them from the Warm Springs reservation, and from the very beginning, they were cherished members of the family. Teddy was part of the group of babies that we saved from the terrible snowstorm in 2019. And Timo was orphaned and Stella, our Mustang nurse mare, took him on later that year in July.

If you know this family, you know this is a family that loves fiercely. They are the kind of people who keep horses for life — even the ones who can no longer be ridden. They believe every horse deserves safety, dignity, and a forever home, no matter what season of life they’re in. That’s the kind of heart they have.

A few years ago, during the devastating wildfires near Estacada, they evacuated their entire farm and got every single animal to safety. It was extraordinary.

This week, tragedy struck in a different way. Their barn caught fire, and four of their beloved horses perished — including sweet Teddy and Timo.

The grief is unimaginable.

A family member has set up a GoFundMe (link below) to help them begin rebuilding. If you’re able to give, it would mean so much. If you are local to the Estacada area, they have immediate needs — including local grass hay and practical hands-on support.

They will also need assistance from someone with a backhoe or tractor who can help them lay these precious horses to rest on their property. This is an incredibly tender and urgent need. If this is you, please reach out and we can coordinate.

Please keep Laura and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Teddy and Timo (and Rogue and Callie) were deeply loved. They were home. And they will never be forgotten.

GoFundme:
https://gofund.me/a733910be

You can also donate to us directly and write "Martin Family" in the note. We will use any funds to buy what they need or grant funds directly to them.

Venmo:
Zelle: [email protected]
Dontion Link for Credit/Debit: https://square.link/u/eyQEZFt

Courtesy Post: This lovely mare needs a new home ASAP!   Name: KamiRegistered Name: TR Kameo KidBreed: Half ArabianColor...
02/17/2026

Courtesy Post: This lovely mare needs a new home ASAP!

Name: Kami
Registered Name: TR Kameo Kid
Breed: Half Arabian
Color: Buckskin
DOB: April 29, 2003

Riding: She is trained under saddle and will likely need a tune up with an experienced person or trainer. Vet can evaluate soundness.

Medical Needs: She is a senior mare with Cushings and currently on medication. This mediation costs approximately $150-$250/month depending on dosage. She likely needs a special diet and regular vet care.

Temperament: Very sweet, but sensitive and can be cautious with strangers. She loves kids.

This mare is located in Southern California, closer to San Diego. Please contact us if you think you could give her an amazing home.

Kittenpalooza!We recently took in two young cats who, unfortunately, had already bred before coming into rescue. Both of...
02/10/2026

Kittenpalooza!

We recently took in two young cats who, unfortunately, had already bred before coming into rescue. Both of these sweet youngsters will be looking for loving homes in the near future once everyone is healthy and ready.

Shortly after they arrived, we realized the female was pregnant. We weren’t sure exactly how far along she was… but we knew it would be soon.

On Friday evening, when I went out to feed the horses, I found her in active labor — and she already had three tiny babies beside her.

She ultimately delivered six kittens total. 💛

She has been an absolutely amazing mama — attentive, gentle, and doing everything right.

But one of the babies was significantly smaller than the rest. This little one did manage to nurse and received colostrum, and she was doing all the normal newborn kitten things at first… but she simply couldn’t keep up. As the stronger siblings grew more active, she started getting pushed off mom and wasn’t able to compete for milk.

Last night, when I went out to feed again, I tried supplemental feeding, but her suckle was extremely weak. She was fading quickly, and it didn’t feel right to just let her struggle without help.

I’ll be honest — neonatal kitten care at that level is not in my wheelhouse. They are so unbelievably tiny, and I don’t know how to tube feed safely.

So I reached out to a local kitten and cat rescue group on Facebook… and the most incredible person stepped forward.

She is a veterinarian who runs a neonatal kitten rescue called Kitten Clutter https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573103361954&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr down near Irvine, and she drove all the way up to Santa Clarita at 10:30 at night to pick up this baby and give her a fighting chance.

This kitten weighs only 42 grams — when the average newborn kitten is closer to 90 grams. She has a very steep uphill battle, and we don’t yet know if there may be something congenital going on that we can’t see.

But… she’s still here today. She’s active. And she even suckled a little on her own. 🥹

We are cautiously optimistic and so grateful beyond words.

This is what rescue looks like — people showing up in the darkest moments, giving everything they have for the smallest lives.

🙏 If anyone has a few dollars to spare, this neonatal rescue could truly use the support. The work they do is lifesaving, exhausting, and completely driven by compassion.

And one more thing… this sweet little fighter needs a name.
If you make a donation, please leave a name suggestion — we would love to name her with the help of the community cheering her on. 💛

Thank you to everyone who continues to care, share, and support these babies and the village it takes to save them.

More updates soon. 💛🐾
-Tami

Donate here: https://www.kittenclutter.org/donate

🩶🐐In Loving Memory of Clementine 🐐 🤍Clementine was the most amazing little goat there ever was. She lived just shy of 9 ...
01/19/2026

🩶🐐In Loving Memory of Clementine 🐐 🤍

Clementine was the most amazing little goat there ever was. She lived just shy of 9 months and every single one of those months was such a gift to anyone who was lucky enough to know her.

She came into this world already a fighter, weighing an entire pound less than her twin brother. Those first days were touch and go, but she fought and she made it. She was stronger than any of us ever imagined. She became the most pampered house goat bottle baby ever. She spent 24/7 being coparented by Daisy and I between our houses. She had surrogate chihuahua moms and a two big dog dads. She also ended up with Cosmo (her twin) and Paco the Taco as bottle baby mates.

We weren’t sure she would ever catch up in her growth, and despite supplemental feed, vitamins, a snuggly warm jacket on cold nights, a princess platform bed, and all the things… she never really did. As she grew, it became clear that something wasn’t quite right. She struggled to grow, to maintain muscle, to thrive the way other goats did.

But what she lacked in size, she made up for in heart.

Clem was the happiest little snugglebug you could ever meet. She would cry to be held, demand cuddles, and melt completely when you picked her up. Last night, I was a little late to feeding because I’d attended an event. She greeted me with the rest of the goats, singing their usual chorus of baahs and she twirled around my feet while I put on her jacket and put down her feed.

I picked her up because how could I not? She tucked herself into the crook of my neck and let out that little sigh she’d given me hundreds of times before. Then I put her down, and she went right back to her hay, perfectly content.

This morning, my volunteers found her nearly lifeless at morning feeding. They did everything they could, including CPR, and we rushed her to the emergency vet. But her little heart stopped just as we got there. She left this world surrounded by her “moms,” loved to the very end and beyond.

Clementine likely had a form of dwarfism. We knew she was never quite right. There was a real possibility that her organs would outgrow her tiny little frame or that she had other internal complications we could not see. But as long as she was happy, eating, and doing proper goat things, we chose love. We chose to give her the very best life we could, for however long she was meant to be here.

That life was 9 months. Honestly, 9 months longer than I ever imagined we’d have with her.

This is the hardest part of loving animals. And the part I was most unprepared for is how many hearts break when one is lost. I knew what I signed up for when I started rescuing animals, but I never realized how much I’d be asking of others who come along on the journey with me. These folks are amazing, selfless, and probably also don't really know what they are signing up for when they sign the release form and start learning about the animals and ultimately falling in love with them. And yet, they keep coming back. I really couldn't do this without them. ❤️

To Clem, Clemmy, Clemson, Clem Chowder—
you were the very best little pagoaty anyone could ever have. If only love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.

Go baah and jump around in that big pasture in the sky, sweet girl.
You were so very loved. 🐐✨
-Tami

Today Candy and Quick both had much-needed dental work. Horses require routine dental floats to file down sharp points a...
01/14/2026

Today Candy and Quick both had much-needed dental work. Horses require routine dental floats to file down sharp points and correct chewing inefficiencies. Their teeth don’t stop growing like ours—they continue to erupt for decades, which means without regular care, eating becomes painful, inefficient, and can lead to weight loss and bigger health issues.

There’s no skipping this. No delaying it.
It’s part of giving them a comfortable, dignified life.

🦷 Today’s vet bill: $800
🐴 Plus farrier care for little Mia: $60
💉 And approximately $400 more coming up for routine vaccines that are due

We’re stepping into 2026 with very depleted funds after an incredibly hard 2025, but our horses don’t get to wait until things feel easier. Their care has to come first—always.

💌 To help raise these critical funds, we’re offering something very special to our community:
✨ Baah My Valentine Goat Grams ✨

Each very exclusive goatie gram includes a picture and/or video with the unofficial (but soon to be official hopefully) World’s Smallest Goat, Clementine—who is truly the snuggliest little creature ever. 🐐🤍
We’ll even come to you within Santa Clarita to spread the love.

If you’re able to donate, share, or snag a goat gram, you are directly helping us keep our animals healthy, comfortable, and cared for.

👉 Stay tuned for sign-up details!
Thank you for standing with us when it matters most. We truly couldn’t do this without you. 🤍🐎🐐

PayPal.me/mustangsmend
Zelle: [email protected]
Venmo: mustangsmend

We can take credit or debit cards as well! Just contact us.

Mustangs MEND is a 501c3 nonprofit equine rescue and sanctuary. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Address

Ravenhill Road
Santa Clarita, CA
91321

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

(541) 602-8415

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