Cowgirl Spirit Rescue Ranch

09/22/2026

Sometimes rescue gives you the ending you prayed for — just not for nearly long enough.

Five days ago, we should have been sharing one of our favorite kinds of posts:

Joe had been adopted.

Joe met Avery on July 25, and over the next month and a half, she rode him, loved on him, learned from him, and made him part of her world. On September 8, it became official: Joe was adopted and became part of Avery and Crystal’s family.

We were so happy for him.

Before we ever had the chance to share that news, we learned that Joe had passed away.

We are heartbroken.

This loss comes especially hard for our little rescue. Joe is the second horse we have lost in just over a month, and when your program is this small and personal, there is no emotional distance from the horses who come through it.

But even in the middle of that grief, there is something we will always be grateful for:

For the last month and a half of his life, Joe was loved by a little girl.

He had someone excited to see him. Someone riding him, hugging him, learning from him, and proudly calling him hers.

Joe got to be somebody’s horse.

We desperately wish Avery had been given years with him instead of weeks. But rescue does not give us control over how much time we have. Sometimes success is simply knowing that when a horse’s time came, he was no longer waiting for someone to choose him.

Joe had been chosen.

He belonged.

He was loved.

We are incredibly grateful to Crystal and Avery for giving this sweet old gentleman a family and for loving him so completely during the time they had together.

Rest easy, sweet Joe.

You were loved. You were chosen. You were home. ❤️

— Cowgirl Spirit Rescue Ranch

09/08/2026

RIP Tater

Recently, we made the decision to humanely euthanize Tater.

I have put off writing this post because there isn't a neat or comfortable way to explain this kind of decision. But a lot of people followed Tater's story, and you deserve an honest update about how it ended.

Before Tater ever went to professional training, he had already injured three people and himself. We knew we were dealing with significant behavioral and handling issues, which is why we invested in professional help rather than trying to push through them ourselves.

Tater spent about 90 days in professional training. He made real progress with his trainer, and there were absolutely good moments. But when he came home, he was still not consistently safe to handle, and even routine care such as having his feet trimmed could not be done safely.

Following his training, we gave him time to decompress in the pasture with the other horses. Unfortunately, that didn't solve the problem. His behavior toward the herd became increasingly aggressive, including chasing and driving the mares and attacking the geldings. One of those incidents resulted in another horse being severely injured.

At that point, the question was no longer whether Tater could make some progress. He had. The question was whether it was responsible to continue putting people and other horses at risk while hoping that someday the remaining problems might be resolved.

We decided it wasn't.

Tater was not a bad horse. And his story was not a failure simply because it didn't end with adoption or a picture-perfect rehabilitation.

Sometimes responsible rescue means recognizing that love, time, training and money do not guarantee a safe or sustainable outcome. Continuing indefinitely isn't always the kindest or most responsible decision—for the horse, the humans caring for him, or the other animals around him.

Because Tater could not be safely restrained for injectable euthanasia, a humane fi***rm method was used. I know that detail may be uncomfortable for some people, but I would rather be truthful than invent a more palatable version of what happened.

Tater was given every reasonable opportunity we knew how to give him. Unfortunately, his story with us came to an end.

We wish it had ended differently.

Rest easy, Tater Tot. ❤️

08/13/2026

After 90 days of professional training, Tater’s progress shows he’s not your typical mustang. His trainer, Canyon State Horsemanship, LLC, describes him as an extreme case, not because he’s bad but because he doesn’t cope with pressure the way most horses do. He fights and he doesn’t quit, even when it hurts him, which makes him high risk. Pushing him harder caused stress and weight loss. Stepping back, focusing on gentler work has helped.

So right now, his best path isn’t intensive training. It’s decompression. Just being a horse, gaining strength. Learning from a steady herd. And feeling safe. His journey is going to take much longer than90 days, but we’re committed to giving him the life he deserves.

Tomorrow he comes home to join the herd here at the rescue ranch. We’ll share a video update soon. And thank you for believing in him.

07/27/2026

Sometimes a horse tells you exactly who he is.
7/26/26 -
Yesterday it was loudspeakers, barrels, poles, and chaos.

Today it was an 11-year-old little girl.

Joe handled both with the same quiet confidence and kind heart.

This wonderful boy is going to make someone an incredible partner. We have just a couple of finishing touches—teeth and vaccinations—and then he'll be ready to find his forever home.

Good horses deserve second chances. Joe is proving every single day that he's one of them.

07/26/2026

Our sweet Joe checked another big box today. ❤️

He took the local gymkhana in stride, calmly taking in the loudspeakers, cheering crowds, barrels, poles, horses running all around him, and all the chaos that comes with a busy event. Nothing seemed to faze this good boy.

He’s just about ready to find his forever family. Once he has his teeth floated and receives his vaccinations, Joe will officially be available for adoption.

We couldn’t be more proud of him. 🐴❤️

Special thanks to Kalynn for riding him today when I was too sick to 🥰

07/24/2026

🇺🇸 Joe is proving to be one heck of a good boy! ❤️

It’s only been a short time since Joe arrived at Cowgirl Spirit Rescue Ranch, but he continues to impress us every day.

Last week he got a full set of shoes and is now moving around comfortably and sound. This past weekend he proudly led a group of horses in our local parade while carrying an American flag, taking all the excitement in stride like he’d done it a hundred times before. Since then, he’s also handled not one—but two torrential Arizona monsoon storms without batting an eye, while riding in town.

We’re so thankful to our volunteer, Traylen, who has been coming out to ride Joe and help him get back into shape. The miles, consistency, and TLC are already making a difference.

Joe will be available for adoption once he has his dental work completed, receives his vaccinations, and sheds a little of his extra weight. He’s proving to be a kind, steady, willing partner, and we can’t wait to find him the perfect home.

We sure are fond of this handsome old gentleman. ❤️🐴

07/17/2026

Tater Tot Update: From Unhandled to Gentled 🤎

When Tater arrived at Cowgirl Spirit Rescue Ranch, he was essentially unhandled, dangerous and aggressive when scared. He could not be safely caught, haltered, led, tied, or prepared for the home he had originally been promised.

After two months of professional training with Canyon State Horsemanship, LLC, Tater is now gentled and making meaningful progress with handling, groundwork, trust, and basic life skills. He is just starting his 3rd month of training and his training costs $1,200 per month, totaling $3,600 for three months.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to raise enough funding to continue his professional training beyond mid-August (90 days of training). Unless additional donations are received, Tater will become available for adoption to a carefully screened, experienced home that can continue his education at his pace.

Tater is not yet a riding horse or a beginner’s project, but he is young, intelligent, trainable, and has already come an incredible distance.

Donations toward another month of training—and shares to help us find the right future for him—would be deeply appreciated. 🤎

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07/14/2026

A great morning for Joe and our newest volunteer, Traylen! 🤠

Joe proved to be solid, safe and forward on our short ride, then calmly carried a flag afterward like an old pro. He was a little tender on the rocks after Saturday’s much-needed trim, so shoes are going on tonight.

A huge thank-you to Traylen for volunteering her time and giving Joe such a positive first outing with us. We may even see this handsome boy in Saturday’s parade! 🇺🇸🐴