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Where horses, wildlife, and people find refuge
Meet the Hills of Gold Herd of horses
Reba
Judgement
Judgement
Reba is 30+ Quarterhorse Mare. Her favorite thing in the whole world having her belly rubbed. She loves to hang with the girls, and is also closely bonded with Judgement. We have to be very careful with her feed because she suffers with choke. A scary condition that would quickly end her life if she were fed incorrectly.
Judgement
Judgement
Judgement
Judgement tries so hard to be a good boy. At 27 years he is still working on his manners. He is very curious and explores the world through his lips. He doesn't always understand personal space but has a heart of gold. His back legs don't work so well, and sometimes gets stuck, but it doesn't stop him from keeping up with his ladies and chasing the boys away.
Ransom
Judgement
Ransom
In Ransom's working life he was a Ranch Roping horse. He suffered a front leg & knee injury and was put out to pasture with a buddy to live his "best wild horse life" for 15 years. However, he was never a wild horse. We met him when his pasture-mate died, and he has become a guest favorite as he is a quiet and most gentle soul.
Bo
Judgement
Ransom
Old Man Bo is our most senior gelding. A 35 year old Missouri Fox Trotter. He doesn't know he's old, we don't tell him. He spends his day keeping up with Chula, which keeps him young.
Leo
Daisy
Daisy
Leo lives for adventure. He would carry his former owner into the mountains on camping trail adventures. He found us when he could no longer make the journey. He suffers from Cushing Disease which requires a strict diet and medication to keep him healthy and moving.
Daisy
Daisy
Daisy
Daisy is our founding mare. As a Palomino Quarter Horse her coat changes color from a dappled golden in the summer to a light blonde in the winter. She steals the show with her trick training, as long as there are treats involved.
Chula
Daisy
Chula
Chula is a thoroughbred mare in her late 20's. Born a racehorse, retired to a brood mare she never developed a love for being ridden, but loves to run free. At the ranch she has bonded with Bo, and they are inseparable.
Annie
Daisy
Chula
Annie is an athlete, a former Polo Pony. At 33 years young she still runs circles around her herd mates and insists on everyone staying close. Our newest addition to the ranch she still prefers horses to humans but loves a good scratch when offered.
caring for our horses
What does it take to run an Equine Retirement Sanctuary?
Did you know a horse can live as old as 40, but most don't survive past 25? Senior horses face the challenge of not being able to "earn their keep".
These horses are all over 25 years old, and many over 30. To maintain their health and quality of life they receive special diets, supplements and medications as necessary. Regular maintenance and care include hoof care, veterinary care, vaccines, and dentistry.
As non-ridden horses, they still need engagement and interaction. Grooming, a run or roll in the arena, and walking through the trails on site keeps everyone fit and happy.
Most underestimate the costs and upkeep required to care for eight horses, but at Hills of Gold, we are very familiar with these responsibilities. The most significant expense is their diet, and our biggest struggle is making sure our feed barn stays full! During the year we order about 100 bales of hay to feed our horses and about 540 bags of pelleted feed to serve their meals 3 times a day.
The feed, veterinary bills, and daily care requirements of a horse over 25 years old are a lot and many horses are euthanized simply because of the cost of care. What's worse is many suffer neglect or are taken to auction and sold for meat.
Thanks to your support and generosity, the horses retired to our herd never face that injustice.
