Sky Ranch Sanctuary

A Horse Rescue Organization

Christmas at Sky Ranch – 2025 Recap

Christmas at Sky Ranch Sanctuary 2025 Recap

Another year has flown by! Sky Ranch Sanctuary was founded twelve years ago, and we have remained committed to our mission, to provide the best and most humane care possible for horses that are abused, neglected or abandoned.

Through the experience we have gained caring for horses, we have actually extended our mission to include all “unwanted” horses, horses that can no longer be ridden or perform the way they used to due to ailments or injury.

The owners of three horses now at the sanctuary were left with two untenable choices: either to sell the horse, without full disclosure of ailment or injury, to an unwitting buyer or have the horse euthanized. We were able to step in and provide a third, good option: retirement at Sky Ranch.

Bronco, Ace, RicciRicci, Ace and Bronco are contentedly settled in and are now part of our Sky Ranch Sanctuary family. They receive medicine and supplements that keep them comfortable, and they’re able to live a good horse life. No need to be ridden or perform for anyone.

A sad note about Soda Pop, who arrived from Texas sick and “unwanted” last year.

After months of nursing care, supervised by our veterinarian and a veterinarian internist specialist, we lost Soda Pop to a broken leg. The leg appeared to break spontaneously, we suspect due to undiagnosed bone cancer. (Even if her bone condition had been diagnosed, she would have received the same treatment we were giving her.) Soda Pop was a good-natured sweet mare throughout her stay with us, and she patiently put up with the treatment. It was heartbreaking to lose her.

We also lost Chloe this past year. She was probably 30-plus years old.

She arrived here a few years ago, emaciated. Our vet commented that she was the thinnest horse he had ever seen! We were able to get weight on her, and she seemed to enjoy her life here. She had a chronic eye condition that required episodic treatment involving putting ointment in her eyes. She fought us all the way on that, but we got it done! She was euthanized due to a severe colic, most likely a result of old age. We miss her eccentric, quirky ways.

Moose and Meadow are doing great, and Sky Ranch is definitely home to them!

Please consider a one-time donation in support of any or all of our horses.

They each require special care, and that care involves costs. A donation in any amount will go toward providing a healthy, caring home for these magnificent creatures who deserve to live out their lives in a dignified retirement.

Follow our story on Facebook as well, as we count down our 12 Days of Christmas at Sky Ranch Sanctuary!

We wish you the best of everything in 2026.
Celebrate the New Year and keep loving horses!
Feel free to explore our symbolic gifts.

Christmas at Sky Ranch – 2024 Recap

Christmas at Sky Ranch SanctuaryFriends of Sky Ranch Sanctuary…

Like many of you, I wonder where this past year went and why it went so quickly. And like many of you I imagine, we at Sky Ranch Sanctuary have had loss and gain.

GoldieOur beloved palomino mare, Goldie, died suddenly and unexpectedly. Goldie was as sweet as she was pretty and always a little worried about what was going to happen next. She appeared to have died without suffering. We, horses and humans, miss her.

In late June, Soda Pop, a mare from Texas came to live at Sky Ranch. She had been purchased online by a local man who experienced “buyer’s remorse” when she arrived not quite as expected: older and a bit lame.

Soda Pop seemed a little under the weather, and even if the seller in Texas would agree to take her back (unlikely), the general consensus was she would not survive the long trip in a horse hauler.

A stable owner and trainer in our network thought Sky Ranch would be a good spot for Soda Pop to retire. Unfortunately, the day after Soda Pop arrived at our ranch, she was diagnosed with strangles, a nasty, super contagious equine disease.

In consultation with our vet, we flushed out abscesses twice daily and began to administer antibiotics. Finally, after weeks of care, the strangles was gone but a mysterious infection lingered. Months later, after administering antibiotics and pain killers twice daily in her mouth by syringe, Soda Pop’s blood sample came back normal just this week!

Now we are waiting for our vet to clear her for a normal horse life, in the pasture in the company of other horses. It has been a long haul, both in the exertion of time and resources.

Fortunately, the other horses remained healthy and happy during this intense focus on getting Soda Pop well. She has been a sweet and tolerant patient throughout this ordeal, but will not be sorry to never see that syringe again!

Life on the Ranch

As you may imagine, our resources have been strained by Soda Pop’s medical needs and her care has put a strain on our budget. Sky Ranch Sanctuary relies on both volunteers and generous donations from our horses caring supporters.

Any amount you can donate will be appreciated and put to good use. We currently have room for another horse who needs care and would love to be able to provide that.

Please consider a one-time donation in honor of Goldie, for the care of Soda Pop or to provide for our newest horse that is in need of care. Even the smallest amount makes a huge impact on our horses, not to mention, brightens the spirits of our volunteers – knowing that these beautiful animals are cared for and their dignity is acknowledged.

Thank you! We truly hope 2025 will find you well, on your way to somewhere you want to be and having some fun along the way.

From all of us at Sky Ranch Sanctuary, have a Happy Holiday season and a wonderful New Year!

Kathy

P.S. – Feel free to explore our symbolic gifts. Even the smallest of gestures help brighten our volunteers spirits, knowing others care for our animals too.