Rocky Mountain Mustang Refuge

Rocky Mountain Mustang Refuge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Fairplay, CO whose mission is to decrease the number of wild horses, known as Mustangs, in government holding facilities whether through successful adoptions or permanent residency at the refuge. We also strive to help educate the public about these Mustangs and why they are different from other breeds of horses. 

Mustangs reside on different public rangelands found throughout the western US and these areas are maintained by the Bureau of Land Management, also known as the BLM. Mustangs will be rounded up from these rangelands for many different reasons including overpopulation or lack of feed/water and then placed into holding facilities throughout the country. Today, there are an estimated 60,000 Mustangs sitting in holding facilities waiting to be adopted or purchased through different events held by the BLM. Our vision is that there will no longer be a surplus of Mustangs sitting in holding facilities for extended periods of time. 

The refuge is currently home to a number of Mustangs as well as Burros (which are wild donkeys). Our staff are in the process of gentling as many of them as possible. Gentling ensures we are able to properly care for these animals by providing essential veterinary and farrier care as needed. The ones that are well receptive to being handled by humans will continue their training as long as they are comfortable doing so. The hope is that these horses will then be adopted out to the general public and become ambassadors for the Mustang breed. Finding adoptive homes also helps provide space for the refuge to take in more horses from holding facilities. The ones that are more difficult to gentle and won’t thrive in an adoptive home will find sanctuary at the refuge for the remainder of their lives. 

We are happy to have visitors come to the refuge, watch a training session, and learn more about our current herd. For more information, feel free to visit our website or our social media pages!