Meet Our Horses

Permanent Sanctuary

These horses have earned a place with us for life. Whether it is because of age, injury or behavior, we feel they are safest staying with CYR and helping in our youth programs as appropriate.

Meet:  Mummur

Nickname:  McCool

DOB - May 21, 2002
McCool is an OTTB who raced 30 times, earning $46,060 in his career. His JC name is Mummer and his maternal grandsire is Secretariat. After McCool's retirement from racing, he enjoyed a second career as a hunter/jumper until injury forced retirement. McCool suffered a rough go through a couple of neglectful owners, but he did gain a following of caring ladies who knew him after racing. When McCool found himself in an unsafe position, these ladies secured his ransom to freedom and sent him to us. Upon arrival, it was found that the soles of his feet had grown around rocks which were embedded in his feet. Due to this and the abuse he suffered, he was very belligerent and difficult for several years, needing sedation to trim his feet. Knowing McCool today, you would never know that he had so many struggles. He has since realized he is safe and is the sweetest boy. He is very much loved by all at the ranch. He does still suffer from slight lameness from time to time which we have pinpointed to a back injury suffered while racing when he flipped over in the gate. Regular chiropractic and body work has helped him immensely. McCool is trusted with kids and adults alike in our programs. We are so blessed to have him.

Meet:  Memo Mon

Nickname: Monny, the Mon

DOB:  Grey OTTB gelding, foaled 2005

Origin Story:  Monny is Memo Queens first colt! Tracy, our founder, had her eye on rescuing the Mon and worked directly with his trainer in West Virginia to adopt him in July 2010. The Mon retired from the track because he didn’t want to race anymore. He is a very sweet boy, kind, but a little sassy when he is feeling really good.

Emma 2

Meet:  Mostacolli Mort

Nickname: Mort, Morty

DOB:  Bay OTTB gelding, foaled 2004

Origin Story:  Mort raced at Del Mar among others at Grade 2 and won over $240K on the track. He was retired due to cartilage deterioration in his fetlock and we adopted him through The Second Race in Fall of 2010. Mort is a doll. Mort has come full circle with us to become one of our dependable horses for the kids' programs. Watch out though, he’s a cookie monster and would follow you all over Colorado to receive a cookie. This horse is very intelligent, loves people, and is a huge love bug.  Everyone loves Mort. 

Meet:  Rajah

Nickname: Rajah

DOB:  Black/Brown OTTB gelding, foaled 1993

Origin Story:  Rajah came to us from a friend who needed to retire him when she moved on to a younger horse. Rajah has an amazing resume! He started as a racehorse, then became a show hunter/jumper. When his hocks became too stiff to jump he became a lesson horse, before we received him in 2011. Rajah is a teacher. From the 6 year old he is teaching to let go of the saddle horn, to the 17 year old he is teaching how to trust, Rajah is an amazing gift to all the kids. 

Meet:  Revenant

Nickname: Rev

DOB:  Black/Brown OTTB gelding, foaled 2013

Origin Story: Rev came to the ranch in January 2020 from a Kentucky racetrack.  He had won over $100,000 and was injured.  If he wasn't sold, his owner planned to continue to race him.  We rescued him from that fate.  He is goofy and loves people.  We plan to use him in our JV program when he is sound.

Meet:  Sven

Nickname: Sven

DOB:  Bay WB gelding, foaled 1994 

Origin Story:  Sven is a highly trained dressage horse who came to us in March 2019.  When his owner was no longer able to ride, she sold him to a young girl who wanted to learn to barrel race.  Sven took one look at a barrel and thought, "What is that thing?"  She got a horse better suited for her, and Sven lived in a yard with goats. Her family asked if we could give him a life doing what he was trained for and we happily accepted.  He is the most gentle boy and perfect for kids who want to learn to ride.

Available for Adoption

An adoption application, home check and adoption contract are required for all adoptions. Adoption fees follow market value for each horse.

Meet:  Angel 

Nickname:  Angel Cakes

DOB:  August 28, 2008

Angel came to CYR from Canada as a yearling filly on October 31, 2009 along with 10 other PMU foals and a two year old filly. She is a black Percheron/QH cross about 16hh, who is still learning to trust her humans. She considers herself the protector of the herd when out in pasture and has been known to break ice in their water troughs with her hooves. Angel is highly intelligent and quite flighty. She received halter, groundwork and trailer training as a yearling, but has been unwilling to progress any further. We are looking forward to sending Angel to a Mustang TIP trainer in the new year. Angel could be available for adoption to just the right home. Only an advanced horse person skilled in handling and training Mustangs would be considered.


Meet:  Ella

DOB -  1998

Ella is a Danish Warmblood/Oldenburg mare standing about 16.3hh. She is a dark brown bay with prior dressage training. Ella came from Southern Pines, SC in 2011, after her breeder was unwilling to take her back from her then owner. After a series of unfortunate events, Ella's owner sought a rescue for her and she was sent to us to work with kids in our programs. Ella is very sweet to people, she loves kids and attention. She is a very talented horse who requires a skilled and confident rider, but she is a blast to ride. Ella has no soundness issues.

Meet:  Molly

Nickname:  Molly

DOB:  Sorrel QH mare, foaled 2004

Origin Story:  We rescued Molly from Camelot Auction kill pen in NJ with Queen, one of our Fort Collins ranch horses. We don’t know Molly’s story prior to the kill pen, but she has come to us very willing and obedient; she was obviously started well. Molly shines brightest with the kids, she stands calm and still as kids excitedly brush her and braid her mane. She is solid and dependable, and we think she is priceless. 

Meet:  Titanium Ruler

Nickname:  T.R.

DOB:  Red Chestnut OTTB gelding, foaled 2004

Origin Story:  Although T.R. was destined for greatness with bloodlines tracing back to Bold Ruler, he never raced. He was diagnosed with a clubbed right front foot making him unfit to race. The Second Race organization reached out to us and in March of 2010 T.R. arrived to our green pastures. T.R. has relaxed into a friendly, curious, and slightly mischievous boy.

Meet:  Trigger

Nickname:  Triggs

DOB:  Buckskin QH mare, foaled 2008

Origin Story:  Trigger came to us October 1, 2009 from a PMU industry in Manitoba.  She is one of our more sensitive mares and partners well with more sensitive humans. Trigger's future is bright and we see an awesome trail horse in the making.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Roper 1988-2020

Roper came to the Laporte ranch in 2013.  We rescued him from his owner who was going to put him down.  We knew he would have a good life at the ranch and would be loved by the kids.  He lost his most of his sight and was befriended by Babe who became his seeing-eye horse.  He was a volunteer favorite and we will miss him.


  Noelle 2006-2020 

Noelle's owner had raised her as a filly and unfortunately was no longer able to keep her. In December 2019, she was sold to someone who put her in the Fort Collins auction.  We successfully bid against the kill buyer thanks to our generous donors who donated enough funds in just 4 hours to buy both Noelle and Birdie.  Noelle left this earth unexpectedly in September due to colitis.  She was loved by every volunteer and will be dearly missed.



  Jett - 2017-2020

 Jetty McJetterson. The sweetest, kindest, gentlest, most happy, friendly and inquisitive little 3 year old who did not deserve to die.
This is the face of rescue. His life was cut short because his breeder chose not to correct a simple limb deformity that could have been remedied as a foal. Instead they dumped him as a weanling at the killbuyer’s.
Too late to repair his fetlock, Jett came to us shortly thereafter when the woman who saved him discovered he would never be sound for riding.
At the ranch, Jett became a beloved friend to our volunteer, Hannah, who made every effort to try and get him fixed. Sadly, nothing could be done. We hoped he could enjoy life as a pasture ornament since it was a hind leg and thus less weight bearing. As Jett grew, it became increasingly clear that would not be the case. His deformity could not stand up to his growth.
He went through a growth spurt and was moving around less. Even at that, he remained happy, curious and kind. He was oblivious to this latest development.
We love you baby boy. Enjoy heaven with your perfect four legs. We heard and felt you run by on your way up to Jesus. 



  Babe - 1992-2021


Babe retired from the racetrack and became a steady trail horse for an elderly gal.  She was donated to us in October 2013 to continue her fun on the trails and interaction with others. Babe was quite the mare - she preferred alfalfa to grass, liked her morning grain ration warmed up, and preferred to be groomed in her favorite grooming spots.  The arthritis in her spine finally progressed to where she could no longer balance and she told us it was time for us to let her go.  We loved her sassy diva ways and the kids will miss her beautiful face.



  Cisco - 1992-2022


Cisco came to us from a dear friend with a schooling stable. Cisco was a show horse and taught many kids how to ride. As retirement crept up on him though, his owner asked if we could give him the rest and relaxation he desired and we happily obliged. Cisco was gentle with any child or adult.  He was a character and a true gem. We will always miss him.



  Memo Queen - 2000-2023


Memo Queen was the first OTTB we rescued in spring 2010 from Camelot Auction kill pen in NJ. Maryland bred, she raced until age 4 and had 4 babies. She’s was a spicy mare, but always took care of any child sitting on her back. She loved getting baths and letting the kids paint words of love and hope on her perfect white body. Unfortunately, she developed melanoma which ultimately took her life, much too soon for us.  She was and always will be THE QUEEN!



  Big Red - 1997-2023


Red came to us in 2017 as a placement from his owner who had rescued him from another rescue. She had planned to feed him up and use him as an event horse, however a change of jobs left her without enough time. He was very thin when we got him, but with care and attention, he fattened up and was a beauty. He was a favorite of all - he loved being with people more than anything. Everyone who had any contact with Red will miss him terribly.  He was a true gentle giant.


Sterling

Sterling - Adopted June 2020

DOB:  Roan QH gelding, foaled 2011

Sterling is quite the dude. We rescued him from the feedlot in October 2014. He came to us lightly broke, but with consistency and patience has blossomed into a great trail horse.  Sterling was adopted by Lucia Ginten and is boarded at Charis.

Juliet - Adopted June 2020

DOB:  QH mare, foaled 2008

Juliet was rescued off a feedlot in October 2014. In the feedlot pen, she was looking for a savior, and found our founder, Tracy. She walked over and placed her head on her shoulder as if saying, “save me”, and so we did. She is as sweet as can be! We think she has some pretty nice bloodlines and wow, is she athletic.  Juliet was adopted by Anna Moore.

DBD - Adopted June 2020

DOB:  Chestnut OTTB mare, foaled 2005

This southern, Texas-bred gal came to us July 2010. Monny's trainer gave her to us with The Mon to rehab after she cracked her shin in her last start in June of 2010. While infamously prone to injuring herself, she has famously recovered every time; this girl has never taken a lame step. She’s won the hearts of many and continues to amaze us with her spunky personality and drive to perform.  DBD was adopted by Anna Moore.

Chevy - Adopted October 2020

DOB:  Chestnut QH gelding, foaled 2008

If Chevy was a dog, he'd be a Labrador.   He's an absolute sweetheart to people.  Chevy is a born and raised western boy.  He was trained to be a cutting horse but when the job became too physically demanding, his owner gave him up for a better horse.  Such is the destiny of many horses, but that is where we came in and redefined his identity to be unconditionally loved.  He reflects that to all the kids he comes in contact with.  Chevy was adopted by a former junior volunteer, Addi.

rumor



Rumor - Adopted December 2020

DOB:  Chestnut QH mare, foaled 2007  

Rumor found herself 9 months pregnant at the mercy of a kill buyer. A kind- hearted young woman stepped up and saved her. A few months later Rumor gave birth to Atlas (adopted October 2021). After a few months her new owner began looking for the perfect placement for this mom and baby duo. We don’t know much about Rumor's past, but as sweet, well broke, and gentle as she is we consider her a blessing to our ranch.  Rumor was adopted by a former volunteer, Nicole. 




       Atlas - Adopted October 2021

DOB:  Chestnut QH, foaled 2017

Atlas was saved when his mother, Rumor (adopted December 2020), was found pregnant at a kill pen.  A kind-hearted young woman stepped up and saved them both.  We gave both of them a home.  Atlas is growing into a fine horse and we are anxious to receive updates from his new owner, Meg.

     

  Abigail - Adopted December 2021

DOB:  Grey AQHA mare, foaled 2002

Abigail was rescued after being dumped at auction in 2017 by outbidding the kill buyer and has been adored for years by our faithful volunteer, Lisa. After years of special attention from Lisa whether it be late morning grooming sessions or sunset walks together, Abigail finally officially became Lisa’s in December 2021. Lisa’s comment was, “I can now say what I have dreamed of saying since I was a little girl, ‘This is MY horse!’”. 

     

  Cleo - Adopted December 2021

DOB:  Bay WB/Draft Cross mare, foaled 1996

Cleo was taken in from a friend who was dispersing her herd in 2021.  She is a gentle giant and served our kids' programs for years.  In October 2021, we decided it was time to for her to retire.  A former volunteer, Nicole, had previously adopted Rumor and Chevy and asked if she could add Cleo to her small herd.  She now enjoys retirement on 35 beautiful acres with her old friends.

     

  Padah - Adopted December 2021

DOB:  Konik Pony mare, foaled 2002

We rescued Padah off the feedlot in October 2014. A tiny powerhouse, she featured heavily in our youth programs. In October, 2021 we decided to retire her along with her best (and largest) friend, Cleo.  We wanted them to stay together and Nicole, our former volunteer, adopted her.  She now lives with Cleo, Chevy, Rumor and two other horses.


     

  Bus - Adopted November 2022

Bus was advertised on Craigslist when his owners sold their property and took his 5 pasture mates with them.  They left Bus behind with the new owners of the property who are not horse people.  We learned he was going to auction so we rescued him immediately.  He was very thin and depressed.  After a few short weeks, his depression lifted, he regained his appetite and gained weight.  Bus was adopted along with Cooper by Skyward Ranch in Hillsdale, WY.

     

Cooper - Adopted November 2022

DOB:  Sorrel Chestnut QH gelding, foaled 1998

Cooper was the subject of an animal cruelty case and came to us emaciated and abused.  Upon discovering his lack of teeth due to age, we immediately created a meal plan that he could digest and would help him return to health.  Cooper was part of our senior herd for years and became best friends with Bus.  Skyward Ranch in Hillsdale, WY, did not want Cooper and Bus separated, so he is living his best life with his best friend.

     

Birdie - Adopted April 2023

Chestnut Saddlebred mare, foaled 2015  

Birdie was rescued on December 4, 2019 along with a paint mare from Centennial Auction. We had decided to save the paint mare and Birdie was stuck to her like glue. She gained her ticket to freedom that day as we could not bear to separate them. When we saved her, she was wet, cold, quite thin and anxious. Under our care, she became healthy and calm. She is a very sweet, in your pocket kind of girl who is athletic and full of energy. She wants to be doing what you are doing and will definitely bond to her person.  She was adopted by Larissa and they formed an immediate bond.  We know Birdie is in her forever home.

     

Rosie - Adopted April 2023

Flaxen Chestnut QH/Morgan mare, foaled 2003

Rosie came to us in 2015.  She quickly proved herself to be kid friendly, dead broke, and unflappable. We climbed over her, under her, and put her through a lot of testing before we turned her loose with the kids. She found her forever home with a family in Evergreen, CO.  She will have a new generation of kids to love her!  We will miss sweet Rosie, but are so happy she will be well-loved in her new home.

Charis Youth Ranch

PO Box 1074 

Laporte CO 80535 

970-988-2828

501(c)(3) Non-Profit Org