Our busy season for events is October thru February. However there are a few events, trainings, and volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
Parades, (pictured is 2023, 4th of July, Glenwood New Mexico). Next event in Hurley, NM, for the Town of Hurley Harvest Festival, Sat Oct 26, 2024
Find out what we are doing, articles and in the news!
Equine Safe Haven, providing education by using saved-from-slaughter equines.
The nonprofit, 501c3 charity outreach provide education which benefits the community, visitors, and guests at the Ranch. The nonprofit purchases Equines from a specific Texas kill pen. This is "kill pen" is a place that ships directly to Mexico to slaughter. Equine Safe Haven then rehabilitates and, repurposes those Equines into a program that teaches all ages horsemanship skills. For the community, visitors, and out of town guests, the non profit program teaches life-skills, leadership, fitness, healing & compassion, and also focuses on carriage driving skills that can be used by those that no longer ride, or have disabilities that would not allow them to ride otherwise. We benefit the community by providing a recreational outlet for economically disadvantaged persons of all ages.
We provide educational instruction in various equine activities and disciplines. We provide this to all Veterans and those that may have a disabilities which prevent them from riding.
Basic horsemanship, driving a carriage/buggy basics, and general horse care, all using our horses, mules and donkeys as teachers. These animals usually have over 10 years experience, highly trained, and still have much to give. They are deserving of a second chance. They provide this community of the Southwest much needed outlet, and healing potential for underprivileged, persons with disabilities, educational opportunities & endless smiles.
What? You're not a rescue? I thought you were a rescue???
Because we are so much more than a rescue, and the label of rescue would limit us! Therefore, we are not labeled or licensed as a rescue, but we are a unique charitable, educational organization.…and here is why…Rescue, Rehabilitation, Retrain, Repurpose, Rehome, Retire
We do all the above! In addition, we are a public charity, 501(c)3 as designated by the IRS and our contributions are tax deductible.
We only rescue/save horses that are at their last stop from shipping across the boarder to Mexico to be slaughtered. These horses are less than a week away from shipping. We then rehabilitate, (provide medical, retraining, nutritional care), evaluate, and repurpose equines to be used for educational purposes, therapeutic purposes, and into the Equine Safe Haven programs. We sometimes adopt/rehome to qualified homes. Some Equines are retired permanently at the Ranch.
Here is the difference between a rescue and what we do:
Equine rescues are designed (and some required) to receive horses surrendered (from the public), save them from extreme situations of abuse, neglect or danger, then rehabilitate and/or retrain to be adopted/rehomed on a regular basis. Sanctuaries will keep those horses permanently, those that are not usually adoptable.
It is a circular operation, and usually high volumes of turnaround are in their goals.
Equine Safe Haven does not take in owner-surrendered horses, and has a limit of how many can be taken in. ESH saves specific horses, from a specific “kill pen”, to be used for specific purposes, and will only have private rehome/adoptions.
We are not a circular operation, we are multifaceted.
WE DO MORE! We do all of what a rescue and sanctuary does, only more! Education and community outreach are our main focus. Rescue is our secondary focus, (a means to achieve the end results).We are an educational organization, a public outreach, at a facility that provides Equine education, general horsemanship and carriage driving. We educate people about slaughter pipelines and how they can help. We educate the Public regarding Equines that are older and can live extraordinary second-chance lives!All our programs are free to the public for those that are economically and physically disadvantaged.
We partner with individual Veterans, Veterans associations, Standardbred rescues and Standardbred Incentive programs, Community Foundations, and many other groups. Equines have been proven to help with physical trauma, mental health, substance abuse, grief/loss, anxiety, depression, PTSD and more. We have seen improvements in individuals with cognitive disorders, and improvement in motor skills, concentration and short-term memory. We use Equines to teach mindfulness, patience, focus and responsibility & leadership skills.
At no cost to the individual, we provide education and training to anyone 55 and older, economically and/or physically disadvantaged. We partner with medical professionals for health and therapeutic wellness. We have training, classes, competitions, and events for those in our programs.
PLUS:
Our organization operates out of a Ranch (SaddleHawk Ranch) that is open to the Public for guests! By appointment only, the Ranch provides camping, RV overnights, and day use for guests. Most of these guests are what contribute to the success of Equine Safe Haven.Grants funding is in our reach! Since we are an educational, charitable organization, we can obtain more grants and funding from more organizations. We are not limited to animal welfare funding. We provide human welfare, education in addition to animal welfare in our mission. This opens so many more opportunities for funding. We have a large, unique diverse board of directors, that come from all walks of life, backgrounds & education. We encourage inclusion and diversity on our board.
I hope this clarifies our amazing nonprofit and the difference we make in the community and those that visit us from around the world. Join us in our multipurpose mission!
Future: Driving classes and practices - See SaddleHawk Ranch's website: www.saddlehawkranch.com for upcoming fall/winter classes in 2024/2025.
All Veterans, and/or economically and physically disadvantaged are encouraged to participate - at no cost
For more info see our "program" tab in the menu. Let us know which classes you like to take and we can sponsor you for the class(es)
Next Board Meeting - Saturday
Sat Nov 16th 2024 (see events tab for virtual Facebook link)
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see more on the Events tab
Equine Safe Haven is a nonprofit 501(c)3, tax exempt organization as determined by the IRS. Your donations are tax deductible
EIN: 88-4218548
We always need your help. Equine Safe Haven supports 9 horses in the driving program for the disadvantaged. We need monthly donations of at least $2250 to support our hay/feed bill for those 9 horses. For the month of March, August & Sept 2024 we are short by $1386.00, $1800.00 & $1950. Thankfully Ken Wendel and Katrina Lomax donate the difference each month.
Hurley NM Pumpkin Festival - Saturday Oct 26th 2024 - Ronin drove people around the main street of Hurley NM from 10am to 2pm nonstop!
August 2, 2024 Midpoint events and City of Deming Rodeo - Ronin and his buggy gave free rides to folks around the roping arena grounds in Deming. Even gave the Mayor a ride!
August 24th, 2024 - Deming Duck Parade - Our first parade where we decorated our first float!
Corsair Riding, Driving and Social club & JMJEnterpriZes- Horse show April 20th, at Rio Grand Valley Ranch, Canutillo, TX
Ronin and Katrina participated. Ronin won 2 first places in obstacles and a second place in reinsmanship.
The Chambers - Holiday In the Park - Ronin gave buggy rides in the wheelchair accessible carriage
Sunday Dec 17,2023 11am to 2pm
Ronin and Kona gave buggy rides around the ranch, Music, snacks and Santa was with us for pictures!
Dec 2nd, Deming Lighted Christmas Parade - Ronin and Alyssa took to the street and lighted up Deming!
Saturday Nov 11, Celebrating our Veterans - SaddleHawk opened the Ranch to all veterans and families. No Cost to Veterans - Discover the world of horses and carriage driving - 11am to 3pm - at SaddleHawk Ranch
Carriage rides to Veterans and their families. We have a wheelchair accessible carriage for those that come in wheelchairs, or are not able to climb into the other carriage.
photographer, Kristina Cundiff took wonderful pics and had a holiday display set up. https://www.facebook.com/kristinacundiffphotography/
FESTIVAL OF DRIVING PLEASURE SHOW 2023 October 28-29, 2023 at Horseshoe Park, Queen Creek, AZ
https://www.arizonacarriage.org/2023-festival-of-driving
Ronin competed on Saturday Oct 28th with Ashley & Katrina.
Southwest New Mexico State Fair Parade - Saturday Oct 7 - 10am - Ronin and Alyssa drove with Lucero family riding - Deming NM
Old Hurley Store Harvest Day Festival - Hurley NM Harvest Ranch Day - Ken and Ashley gave rides with Ronin, Saturday October 14th
Saturday September 2, 2023 Hatch Chile Parade - Hatch, NM - Ronin was in this parade, Colors are green and red. Hatch Valley High School Pecan Orchard | 170 E. Herrera St.9 am - Parade (Franklin & Hall St.)
August 26, 2023 -Deming, NM: The Great American Tournament of Ducks Parade - Ronin and Kona were in the large parade! please see our pictures in the gallery.
July 4th - Glenwood, NM 4th of July parade - Ronin,driven by Alyssa Lucero & Ken Wendel, with the Lucero family riding 6 horses behind the buggy - in support of Alyssa "Lulu" at her first parade driving.
May 25, 2023 - Equine Safe Haven's Ribbon Cutting
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT ATTENDED!
EQUINE SAFE HAVEN's RIBBON CUTTING - at the Ranch 4930 Franklin Rd SE, Deming NM 88030
THURSDAY MAY 25th, 11am to 1pm
Special thank you to SaddleHawk Ranch for purchasing the food, snacks and drinks from Apache Homelands Café & Chiricahua Apache Plaza!
We gave away 26 door prizes:
10 of the beautiful Equine Safe Haven t-shirts (thank you Karls' Embroidery in Deming, NM for getting these done in time!) Donated by SaddleHawk Ranch
2 bottles of wine (green and red chile) donated by SaddleHawk Ranch
4 pairs of "one of a kind" earrings made by SaddleHawk Ranch and donated by SaddleHawk Ranch.
April 21, 2023
We thank everyone that contributed to making the Southern New Mexico Giving Day successful for us. This was our first online event April 21st. We had 5 donors that gave us much needed funds towards our program, and especially for the medical care (gelding of 3 young donkeys, and a 10 month old colt) for those that were saved from going to slaughter. We were able to raise $300 towards our goal of $500 and then the funds were matched! We will be picking up the $300 (matched funds) check from Las Cruces Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico the week of May 15th.
This money will go towards buying vaccinations for the Spring, providing hoofcare (Farrier) and supplements for CA$H, Louie, and Ronin. We appreciate what you donate to Equine Safe Haven.
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APRIL 3, 2023
The new baby donkey, named Louie, was born April 3rd at 2am. Lynn Gay has graciously sponsored this cute little guy, and he has many admirers. He is so soft and fluffy to the touch.
Program costs: Your donations make it possible to give back to the community - ability to give economically & physically challenged persons - equine experiences
Program highlights:
Believe it - Donations help and are very much appreciated and needed
Nonprofit, 501(c)3, Charitable Organization, saving horses from slaughter, rescued driving horses
Your contribution can help us provide hay, shelter, and medical care to the horses in the program and for much needed equipment. For every $50 received, one disadvantaged person can participate in our program for free. No donation is too small, and every dollar counts. Please click on the donate button on the home page.
IF YOU HAVE EQUIPMENT TO DONATE:
We are also always looking for equipment, such as harness and carriages. If you have equipment in good working condition, and would like to donate it, we can provide a tax deductible receipt for the fair market value. You will be helping so much!
Join our team of dedicated volunteers and make a difference in your community. Whether it's help grooming an Equine, cleaning a stall, feeding the animals, organizing events, or providing support, we need your help. Email us at info@equinesafehaven.com
Help us raise awareness about our cause by sharing our mission with your friends and family. Follow us on social media and invite others to join our community. We need you to be a Social Media warrior! Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube
Collaborate with us to make a greater impact. We welcome partnerships with businesses, organizations, and individuals who share our values and goals. We want to get more Veterans of war and peace officers, individuals that are wheelchair athletes etc
Join us for our upcoming events and help us raise funds and awareness for our cause. If you are coming from outside the area (other States) and want to learn to drive, please book your RV spot or Airbnb through SaddleHawk Ranch's website: www.saddlehawkranch.com under RV stays.
Stay up-to-date on our latest news, events, and initiatives by joining our mailing list. Sign up today and never miss an opportunity to support our mission. Send us an email - click below
We save Equines that would be going to slaughter in Mexico. How? We purchase horses, donkeys, and mules from a "kill" pen, and some are used at the Ranch. There they rehab and are repurposed into our educational programs - we offer them a second chance in life!
We provide educational instruction in various equine activities and disciplines. Basic horsemanship, Driving a carriage/buggy basics, and general horse care, all using our saved horses, mules and donkeys. These animals have much to give and are deserving of a second chance. They provide education & endless smiles
Specializing: Showcasing our many saved, rehabbed and repurposed Standardbred horses, we teach people how to drive a cart or buggy using their foolproof skillset. These horses are such patient teachers! Students learn how to harness, drive, and care for the Equines.
We help economically and physically disadvantaged go to horseshows, trail rides and parades around the area and out of state!
Open Ranch Day December 17, 2022
Christmas songs played over a loudspeaker during a Saturday open house at SaddleHawk Ranch on Franklin Road east of town. Visitors were invited on arrival to hop onto a horse-drawn cab for a ride around the property with owner Katrina Lomax.
Pulling the cab was a trotter named Ronin, whom she rescued from a Texas kill pen in January 2022 — just around the time she and her husband, Ken Wendel, moved onto the 38-acre property. After retiring from harness racing, Lomax said Ronin belonged to an Amish community out of state.
“He was probably a school bus,” she said. “He’s really good with kids. He’s very easy to handle. When you go down the street, he asks you about driveways — ‘Shall I turn in this driveway?’”
The cab also moved past a few beehives before making its way down the main driveway past an RV that was boondocking at the ranch. The ranch welcomes RVs to camp without hookups to services, or “boondock.” We have 30-amp hookups are available, too.
Yet Lomax spoke with the most passion about the ranch as an educational center — a place to learn about leading and caring for horses.
“When they come from these kill pens, it’s like the end of the cycle,” Lomax said. “They go auction by auction by auction. They get weaker and weaker and weaker because they’re not fed properly.”
They may also suffer from arthritis, dental problems, worms or other concerns.
A point the couple repeated often, in separate conversations, is how much horses have to teach people of any age.
In November, Lomax founded Equine Safe Haven as a nonprofit through which supporters may sponsor a horse to defray the costs of feed and care, and also learn about equine training and care.
read the full article by clicking the link to the right
Algernon D’Ammassa can be reached at algernon@demingheadlight.com.
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We will have long awaited and exciting ribbon cutting Thursday May 25th, 11am to 12pm. Plans are to share some brunch snacks with you
If you are interested in volunteering on the Board, please drop us an email: info@equinesafehaven.com
Current Board Members:
CEO/Executive Director - Katrina Lomax
CFO/Treasurer - Ken Wendel
Director - Joyce Garrison
Director - Jon Brautigan
Director - Cori Ryniker
Director - Larry McMahan
Director - Jen Gahres
Director - Will Burgos
Director - Lynn Gay
Director - Kurtis Cochrane
Committees - Events/Volunteers - Ashley Cochrane, Ginny Sallee
Events/Volunteer Committee is looking for people to help with 2024!!
volunteers needed:
horse handlers
driving trainees
groomers
stall cleaners
Parade volunteer
Event Volunteer
Volunteer Coordinator Director is needed!
Meetings are via zoom link and also broadcast via Facebook live & video recorded
I have been an Equestrian all my life, and have owned horses for about 25 years. I have transferred some of the skills I have learned from owning, caring and training my horses into my career. Here are the top 5 that I explain to people when they ask how did I learn leadership from the Equine?
CSM, IT Project Management Published
Ray Hunt
all visits are by appointment, as SaddleHawk Ranch is a private ranch. Please contact us. If you are coming from out of state and want to stay, the Ranch has 3 RV electric spots with 30/50amp service. You can book your stay on the SaddleHawk website: https://www.saddlehawkranch.com/services-6
4930 Franklin Road Southeast, Deming, New Mexico 88030, United States
email: info@equinesafehaven.com Phone: 575-592-8521
All hours are by appt only! Please do not show up without an appt!
Copyright © 2024 Equine Safe Haven - All Rights Reserved.
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