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Rescue Stories

The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary is home to over 600 wild mustangs that run free on 11,000 acres of sprawling, sun-drenched grasslands, hillsides and riverbanks. Each mustang has found their sanctuary with us in many different fashions, below are only a handful of the rescue stories that the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary has experienced since its founding in 1988.

 

A special thanks to Celine Myers of The Ark Watch Foundation, Carol Poole of the Mustang Freedom Foundation and Marlene Dodge with Valley View Rescue and Equine Transport for making these rescue stories possible!

For more rescue stories and to keep up with the current events at the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary please subscribe to our enews!

Cisco

     Cisco is over 10  years old stunningly beautiful bay BLM gelding rescued from the feedlot at Fallon, NV. in 2012. He was run through the auction in Fallon and the feedlot buyer purchased Cisco for slaughter. A local rescue group put out a plea for someone to come forward on Cisco’s behalf.

     The rescue group waited in the wings until the 11th hour and when no one spoke for Cisco, Cisco was purchased him. He was scheduled to be loaded on a truck and sent to a Canadian slaughterhouse the following morning. He did not have a name. The beautiful bay was given the name Cisco.

     Not much is known about Cisco’s past. He was dropped off at the Fallon auction with paperwork that says he was rounded up by the BLM from the Owyhee Wilderness Study Area on the Oregon/Idaho border. Cisco does not have a freezebrand although his brand inspection paperwork makes note of some kind of brand. There is a small white letter on his neck. It is suspect that he may have been used as a bucking horse.

     When the vet came to draw blood for Cisco’s Coggins, the vet examined his teeth and said Cisco is 7 years old. Cisco has a significant amount of draft horse in him. He weighs in at almost 1600 lbs. Marlene has been able to halter, lead and load Cisco. She feels that Cisco tries to do what is asked of him but she thinks there is probably a line in there beyond which Cisco would push back and then become increasingly intolerant.

     Cisco has become a real standout at Black Hills Sanctuary for his size and conformation but also his temperament. He is a beautiful mover and quite a charming character. His wild spirit is very much intact. Thank you Celine and Marlene for loving Cisco and giving him freedom.

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   Call our Office!

Office Open: Monday-Friday: 9 am - 5 pm MTN

Gift Shop Open: Monday-Friday:  9 am - 5pm MTN

Sanctuary Closed Saturday and Sunday 

CONTACT US at 605-745-5955 or at our email address:

bhwhs@gwtc.net​

Or if you prefer to mail your donations, our address is:

IRAM

PO Box 998

Hot Springs SD 57747

Physical address is:

12163 Highland Road

Hot Springs, SD 57747

Do not address mail to our physical address. It will be returned.

Thank you for supporting the horses with your sponsorships, donations and purchases through our gift shop.

Institute of Range and the American Mustang (IRAM) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization registered in the State of South Dakota.  Donations made to The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary are tax deductible in the United States as allowed by law. Our Federal EIN number is 46-0401462.

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