06/16/2026
As a rescue that specializes in unhandled domestics and mustangs what do we constitute as an emergency in these cases when we are closed for intakesโ๐ค
๐๐ดFor a private owner surrender we constitute an emergency if it fits these criteria๐๐ด
โจ An unhandled horse that is dangerous to other humans or horses because it has not received the training it requires AND it cannot be separated from other horses on the property OR there is little chance of the owner being successful in being able to work with the animal without being severely injured. (I e. Horse bites, strikes, rears, or charges the owner)
โจAn unhandled horse with long overdue care because of no training such as hoof care, deworming, teeth floating, vaccines, etc and the owner does not have the experience to gentle the horse to get the care completed in a timely manner.
โจAn unhandled horse that an owner has had for an extended period of time and unfortunately does not have the experience to work with regardless of training experience and training of past unhandled horses.
Now keep in mind...some horses can be extremely difficult to train dependent on past experience, age, and other factors. And sometimes the best thing for them is to leave them almost wild in a situation where the horse can become extremely dangerous for general handling as long as basic cares can still be given. Not all mustangs and unhandled horses make great partnersโโ A lot of folks don't seem to understand this concept. Horses are living breathing animals that have a high fight or flight reflex...they are NOT a 4 wheeler that does what you want it to do ๐ฏ of the time!!! Mustangs and unhandled horses that have NOT had much human contact have a higher than normal reflex and it takes consistency, patience, and really good, if not great, feel and timing to take that reflex down to be able to work with them and get them to understand humans are not the enemy and they can follow us as a leader.
So please BEFORE you get an unhandled domestic or mustang ensure you have the experience, training capability, support from a trainer if needed, and the time to put consistency into the horse.