Texas is one of the top places in the United States where you can find people who own pet horses. Unfortunately, many horses across the state experience abandonment, abuse, and neglect every year, which is why we have the best horse rescues in Texas for you!
Thankfully, many horse rescues in Texas dedicate their time and resources to rescuing horses from various unfortunate circumstances to help them heal and find new homes that will give them the love and attention they deserve.
Other articles you would like: Best Horse Rescues In Pennsylvania and Best Horse Rescues In Georgia.
Why Do Horses Get Taken to Rescues Across Texas?
Many horses in Texas wind up in sanctuaries or rescues for many reasons. A few examples of why some horses end up in rescues include:
- Being too old or injured to perform specific tasks for their previous owners
- Their previous owner died
- Unaffordable veterinary or horse care costs
- Health or behavior issues
- Their previous owner’s property got foreclosed, and they can’t afford to find a place to keep their horse
The Top 13 Horse Rescues in Texas
We compiled this list of the best horse rescues in Texas to help you simplify your search if you’re interested in adopting a horse.
1. Dove Creek Equine Rescue
First up on this list of fantastic horse rescues in Texas is Dove Creek Equine Rescue, located within the Texas Panhandle up north.
This organization prioritizes rescuing unwanted horses and rehabilitating them until they’re ready for a new home.
People interested in adopting horses from this rescue must live within 400 miles of Amarillo and schedule their visit to the rescue to ride the horse of their choice at least twice to ensure they’re a compatible match.
It takes about a week for the rescue to process and approve their submitted applications.
Dove Creek Equine Rescue Details:
- Location: Canyon, TX
- Phone Number: 806-367-0808
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Dove Creek Equine Rescue
2. Habitat for Horses
Next up on our list of horse rescues in Texas is Habitat for Horses. Since 1998, this non-profit organization has dedicated its time to rescuing and rehabilitating neglected and abused horses throughout Texas.
Adoption fees can vary depending on the type of rescue horse you want. For instance, unrideable companion horses usually cost less than rideable horses.
Interested adoption applicants must provide sturdy shelter and fences for their new horses. The rescue doesn’t permit breeding their adoptable horses or transferring them without their notification.
Habitat for Horses Details:
- Location: Alvin, TX
- Phone Number: 409-935-0277
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Habitat for Horses
3. The Pegasus Project, Inc.
The Pegasus Project, Inc. is a non-profit organization that focuses on rescuing horses across East Texas who experienced abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
Before deeming their horses ready for adoption, the organization provides up-to-date veterinary, dental, and farrier care to each rescued equine.
Like many rescues throughout the state, they rely on donations to provide the best care to their horses and have several volunteers contributing to their cause.
Their horse adoption process includes submitting a $50 application fee and providing references to your veterinarian and farrier.
The rescue also evaluates your riding skills if you’re interested in a rideable horse. Adoption fees vary based on a horse’s trainability, background, and whether or not they’re rideable.
The Pegasus Project Details:
- Location: Ben Wheeler, TX
- Phone Number: 903-469-3578
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: The Pegasus Project
4. Meadow Haven Horse Rescue
Since 2004, Meadow Haven Horse Rescue has rescued abandoned, abused, and surrendered horses throughout Texas. The rescue also prioritizes rehoming slaughter-bound and auctioned horses.
Adoption fees for this organization’s horses depend on their age and physical limitations, with the average cost rounding to $500. Interested adopters must submit a $25 with their application.
The rescue also requires all eligible adopters to send written updates and photos during the first six and 12 months of adopting the horse and every year after owning the horse for a year. They don’t allow adopters to breed or sell their horses.
Meadow Haven Horse Rescue Details:
- Location: Smiley, TX
- Phone Number: 830-305-9031
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Meadow Haven Horse Rescue
5. Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society
Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society is a non-profit rescue dedicated to rehabilitating and rehoming abused and neglected horses. They also prioritize educating the public about proper horse care to reduce the state’s horse abandonment rate.
Eligible applicants must be at least 18 and shouldn’t have any convictions of animal abuse. Each horse receives excellent veterinary care by giving them up-to-date vaccinations for contagious or deadly equine diseases, like Rhinopnuemonitis and Rabies.
BEHS accepts monetary donations via PayPal and mail. They also encourage the public to donate food and medical supplies.
Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society Details:
- Location: College Station, TX
- Phone Number: 888-542-5163
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society
6. Wings and Reins Equine Rescue, Inc.
If you’re having trouble narrowing down where to adopt horses near Southern Texas, consider visiting Wings and Reins Equine Rescue, Inc.
This non-profit, no-kill rescue offers a safe environment for abused, neglected, and slaughter-bound horses to rehabilitate before going to their new forever homes.
All adoption applicants must submit their online application, agree to a property inspection, and interview the rescue before taking home a horse.
The minimum adoption fee for their horses is $300 but can increase based on a horse’s training and temperament.
Wings and Reins Equine Rescue Details:
- Location: Devine, TX
- Phone Number: 210-471-1377
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Wings and Reins Equine Rescue, Inc.
7. Central Texas Equine Rescue
Central Texas Equine Rescue prioritizes saving and rehabilitating abused and neglected performance horses throughout the state.
This non-profit organization accepts one-time and recurring monthly donations for each horse’s nutritional and medical coverage. They also train and evaluate the horses to determine their adoption category.
All adoptable horses have up-to-date vaccinations and medical treatments before going to their new owners.
They welcome any adult to volunteer at the rescue facility, regardless of their experience with horses.
Central Texas Equine Rescue Details:
- Location: Salado, TX
- Phone Number: 608-774-7349
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Central Texas Equine Rescue
8. Spirit Run Equine Rescue
One of the best horse rescues in Texas is Spirit Run Equine Rescue, located in the state’s eastern region. This non-profit organization specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating abused and unwanted horses.
They incorporate special training programs to help their horses overcome their hardships before going to a new forever home. They also offer permanent sanctuary for horses with special needs.
Interested applicants must provide information about their veterinarian, farrier, and landlord and provide three personal, non-family references to qualify for adopting one of Spirit Run Equine Rescue’s horses.
Spirit Run Equine Rescue Details:
- Location: Gilmer, TX
- Phone Number: 903-331-4011
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Spirit Run Equine Rescue
9. Remedy Ranch Rescue
Remedy Ranch Rescue is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization located in Wilson County. This rescue prioritizes rescuing horses from abandonment, abuse, and neglect.
Each horse gets dewormed, vaccinated, receives dental and hoof treatments, and undergoes a Coggins test for Equine Infectious Anemia, a fatal viral disease.
Interested applicants must submit their application with recent photos of their property and other animals and schedule a visit to the rescue before bringing home a horse.
Approved adopters must keep in touch with the rescue and update them about their adopted horses every three months for three years.
Remedy Ranch Rescue Details:
- Location: Floresville, TX
- Phone Number: 830-456-2607
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Remedy Ranch Rescue
10. Hill Country Horse Rescue
If you live near the Texas Hill Country, the best place to adopt a horse is Hill Country Horse Rescue. This non-profit rescue group offers rehabilitation and rehoming services to abused and neglected horses, regardless of age.
They also provide plenty of education for first-time horse owners and anyone interested in preventing horse neglect.
Besides horse adoption services, Hill Country Horse Rescue lets people sponsor their resident horses through monthly donations and welcomes anyone interested in volunteering.
Hill Country Horse Rescue Details:
- Location: Pipe Creek, TX
- Phone Number: 830-510-6607
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Hill Country Horse Rescue
11. Panhandle Safe Hayven Equine Rescue
Another one of the best horse rescues in Texas is Panhandle Safe Hayven Equine Rescue. They’re a volunteer-operated, non-profit organization that rescues neglected and abused horses in Northern Texas.
They dedicate plenty of time to halter training their rescues and treating their ailments.
Adoption applicants must be at least 18, have no charges for animal cruelty, and provide information about their previous experience with horses. The rescue also prohibits adopters from selling or breeding their horses.
Panhandle Safe Hayven Equine Rescue Details:
- Location: Amarillo, TX
- Phone Number: 806-681-5161
- Website: Panhandle Safe Hayven Equine Rescue
12. Freedom Reins Equine Rescue
Since its inception, Freedom Reins Equine Rescue has primarily focused on rescuing neglected and slaughter-bound horses across the state and giving them the care they need before sending them to a loving forever home.
The rescue evaluates each submitted application to ensure they find a new owner that’s compatible with each horse’s temperament and riding level. They rely on donations for all their rescue services, from veterinary care to horse care supplies.
Freedom Reins Equine Rescue Details:
- Location: Spring, TX
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Freedom Reins Equine Rescue
13. Evanescent Mustang Rescue and Sanctuary
Don’t know any places near Grayson County where you can adopt horses? Then, consider Evanescent Mustang Rescue and Sanctuary for a rescue horse in need.
This non-profit rescue prioritizes educating the public about proper horse care and rescuing neglected and abused Mustangs from kill pens.
They have over 15 acres of pasture for the horses. Many of their horses reside in out-of-state foster homes, allowing them to save more horses.
All applicants must provide information about their veterinarian and farrier and two personal references if they want to adopt a horse.
Evanescent Mustang Rescue and Sanctuary Details:
- Location: Sherman, TX
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Evanescent Mustang Rescue and Sanctuary
Conclusion For “Best Horse Rescues in Texas”
Adopting a horse is a great way to bring home a loving, majestic companion while simultaneously contributing to the fight against horse abandonment and neglect.
Many rescue organizations also let you bond with the horse you want to ensure a mutual connection.
We hope this list of the best horse rescues in Texas can help you narrow down your top options if you think you’re ready to adopt a horse.
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