What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 9pm Tuesday 9am - 9pm Wednesday 9am - 9pm Thursday 9am - 9pm Friday 9am - 9pm Saturday 9am - 9pm Sunday 9am - 9pm

Mustangs MEND

Call Directions Website Contact the business

Nonprofit equine assisted learning program & rescue/sanctuary that works with wild and/or neglected or abused mustangs & other equines and humans in need.
(1)

We are Darkness to Light trained in protecting children in equestrian sports. Mustangs MEND is a registered 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization founded in 2017. We are located in the Santa Clarita Valley in CA. We facilitate the healing of both mustangs and humans through the principles of Mindfulness, Empathy, Nurturing, and Dignity. Participants in our programs learn basic horse handling skills and then move through a process of gentling a wild mustang so that it will be best equipped to adapt to its new life in a human world. Survivors work closely with a mentor-trainer and process successes and difficulties throughout the gentling process. Both humans and mustangs learn how to heal and create connection to the world around them as a way of coping with previous trauma. Mustangs MEND believes that both horse and human will come out on the other side of this process with positive coping mechanisms and a new sense of self love.

10/18/2026

After years of waiting, Mustangs MEND finally has its very own horse trailer! ❤️🐴

This has been a long time coming, and after the wildfire we experienced just last week, I don’t think I can adequately explain how much this means to us.

I want to share a little backstory because this is so much more than just a trailer.

The last six years, really since COVID, have been incredibly difficult for our little rescue and so many other small, community-based nonprofits. We’ve taken hit after hit, funding has dwindled, and the cost of caring for animals has skyrocketed.

Small rescues like ours can’t compete with the sensationalism that dominates social media these days, and frankly, most of us don’t want to. We didn’t get into this work to become influencers or reality TV stars. We just want to run our little barns, care for the animals we’ve promised to protect, serve our communities, and hopefully have enough left over to keep everyone fed, vetted, and happy.

During those years, I moved the rescue over 1,000 miles back home to California, where hay costs nearly four times what I used to pay and labor is exponentially more expensive. I’ve also dealt with some extremely serious health complications, a few of which nearly took my life.

I’m not sharing that for sympathy, but because it’s important to understand what this moment means.

About four years ago, I sold my personal horse trailer, intending to purchase a smaller one and use the remaining money to help fund the rescue while I was between jobs. Unfortunately, that replacement never happened. Every dollar went toward keeping the animals cared for.

At one point, I was even doing DoorDash and Instacart just to buy hay and make ends meet.

I started Mustangs MEND in 2017 as a graduate student, and I made a promise to the animals I took in. Many were older, some had nowhere else to go, and I couldn’t bring myself to close our doors and make them someone else’s responsibility just because life had gotten hard. So I did whatever I could to keep going.

And somehow, here we are. Still here, still doing the work, and surrounded by an incredible community of people who care just as much about these animals as I do.

Which brings me to today.

A wonderful family who have been longtime supporters of our rescue made an extraordinarily generous donation that allowed us to purchase our very own horse trailer.

I brought it home today, and I honestly felt like I’d won the lottery.

It’s not new, and it’s not particularly fancy, but pretty is as pretty does, and to me, it’s absolutely beautiful.

After having to evacuate approximately 50 animals when a wildfire broke out directly behind our barn last week, having our own trailer is an enormous step forward in keeping our animals safe. Living in fire country, this isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.

I’m also going to make sure our volunteers have the opportunity to learn how to safely hook up, inspect, drive, and back up a trailer. The more capable and prepared we are as a team, the safer our animals will be.

But beyond the practical importance of this gift, I am just completely overwhelmed by this family’s kindness and generosity.

After so many years of struggling to keep everything going, to have a family believe in what we’re doing enough to make something this significant possible is almost impossible to put into words.

It genuinely felt like winning the lottery, not because of the monetary value, but because of the relief, gratitude, and realization that people really do care.

People are good. There are so many genuinely good people in this world.

People who quietly give their time, money, energy, and hearts to causes that matter. People who don’t need recognition or attention. They just want to help.

And I am so incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by them.

To this wonderful family, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don’t think you’ll ever fully understand what you’ve done for us or how much this means to me.

And to our volunteers, donors, friends, and community who continue to lift us up, especially when things get hard, thank you.

I’m going to keep on keeping on, doing what I love most. Running my little rescue, caring for these animals, teaching people about horses, and trying to make a difference in our little corner of the world.

I don’t need a huge organization or a social media following. I just want to keep doing this work with good people and know that the animals who depend on us are safe and loved.

Today, thanks to one incredibly generous family, we’re a whole lot better equipped to do exactly that.

I couldn’t be more grateful. ❤️

WE HAVE A TRAILER!!! 🐴❤️

Love,
Tami

10/12/2026

Today was one for the books. And quite frankly, one I hope we never have to repeat.

This afternoon, a fire broke out directly on the hill behind our barn. With nearly 50 animals in our care, including 18 horses, dozens of chickens, turkeys, ducks, rabbits, and our beloved barn cats, there wasn’t a second to waste.

The second we saw those flames, everyone jumped into action. And I honestly don’t have the words to describe how it feels to have people in your life who show up like that. No questions, no hesitation, just people coming together to do whatever needed to be done to get our animals to safety.

We were incredibly fortunate to have been fairly well prepared, especially since roads in and out of our area were eventually closed. But all the preparation in the world doesn’t mean much without people willing to show up and help. And today, they did. In a BIG way.

All of our animals are safe. Every single one. ❤️

And I have to take a moment to say just how incredibly proud I am of our horses. Every single one of them loaded into trailers willingly, even our newest addition who hasn’t even officially had a trailer-loading lesson yet. In the middle of all that chaos, they trusted us and did what we asked of them.

I think that says so much about the way we work with our horses and why we do things the way we do. We spend so much time building trust, creating relationships, and helping these animals feel safe with us. Sometimes that work looks slow, and sometimes it might not seem like we’re accomplishing much to someone looking in from the outside. But today was a perfect example of why that foundation matters so much. When it really counted, they trusted us. And that trust helped us get them out safely. There is something pretty incredible about that, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.

To our volunteers, our friends, the ranches that opened their gates, the people who brought trailers, and everyone who called, texted, or offered help, I am so incredibly grateful. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to respond to everyone. It’s been a long, emotional day, and I’m still trying to catch my breath.

We still have horses spread out at three different ranches nearby, and while we’re so thankful they have safe places to stay, we could really use some help with hay and feed while they’re away from home. If you’re able to make a donation, no matter how small, it would mean so much right now.

I spend so much of my life worrying about these animals and making sure they’re safe and cared for. Today was a reminder that I’m not carrying that responsibility entirely alone. There are people who love these animals, who care about what we’re doing, and who will drop everything when we need them.

And I don’t take that for granted for a single second.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. From the very bottom of my heart. ❤️

⸻

Donations: Mustangs MEND is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue and sanctuary (EIN: 82-1787849). Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. All contributions toward our fire evacuation expenses will help provide hay, feed, and continued care for our displaced animals. Every dollar makes a difference, and we are so grateful for your support.

Venmo: mustangsmend
Zelle: [email protected]

Coverage of the https://youtu.be/vwnHupCU2J4

07/27/2026

Annie had her first trot under saddle this week, and we could not be prouder of her and the young person who has helped her get here.

Annie came to us as a feral Quarter Pony with no handling. Everything she knows about people, groundwork, and being ridden has been built slowly through patience, consistency, and trust. Seeing her take those first steps at the trot is a big milestone.

What makes this journey especially meaningful is that Annie is learning alongside one of our junior trainers, Addy. Our kids are not simply learning how to ride. They are learning how to read a horse, listen to what the horse is telling them, adjust their approach, and understand that trust is earned over time.

This process asks a lot from both the horse and the young person. Annie has had to learn that people can be safe and predictable. Our junior trainer has had to practice patience, empathy, problem solving, and resilience when things do not go perfectly. Those lessons carry far beyond the barn.

At Mustangs MEND, we believe in Mindfulness, Empathy, Nurturing, and Dignity. Annie’s progress is a beautiful example of what can happen when we give horses the time they need and give young people the chance to grow alongside them.

We are incredibly proud of Annie and of our young trainer, Addy, who has been part of every step of her journey. ❤️🐴

07/11/2026

We are so incredibly proud of Addy and Annie!

Today, Annie had her hoof trim with no sedation needed. That is a huge milestone and a true testament to the trust, patience, and relationship Addy has built with Annie over the past year.

When Annie first came to us, as an unhandled horse, every interaction was approached with care and intention. We believe in giving these horses positive experiences, allowing them to build confidence, feel safe, and learn that humans can be kind and trustworthy.

Watching Annie stand quietly for her trim is about so much more than hoof care. It’s a reflection of the countless small moments, consistent handling, and unwavering dedication that have gone into earning her trust.

We couldn’t be prouder of both of them. Annie is thriving, and Addy’s hard work is truly paying off. ❤️

07/04/2026

Today was a day we’ll never forget. ❤️

Annie took her first official steps with 12 year old Addy on her back!

What makes this so incredible is that Annie started out as a completely unhandled, untouched, feral horse. Through patience, consistency, and a whole lot of hard work, Addy has been the one to help Annie reach this milestone. She has put in the time to build a relationship, introduce each new step, and earn Annie’s confidence every step of the way, from first touch, to saddling, and now to taking those first few steps with a person on her back.

I am beyond proud of these two.

Because of Addy’s dedication, Annie is now a little safer in the human world and has another opportunity for a wonderful future. And Addy has gained something just as valuable. She has learned that there are no shortcuts to earning trust. She’s learned patience, perseverance, commitment, and that the best accomplishments come from showing up day after day, even when progress is measured in inches.

This is what horsemanship is all about. It’s not just creating a riding horse, it’s changing lives. Annie’s life is forever different because of Addy, and I have a feeling Annie has changed Addy’s life just as much. These two are really something special. ❤️

06/08/2026

For the love of all that is holy, please stop supporting the fear and manipulation.

With the current New World Screwworm situation, horses are not being shipped into Mexico the way some people want you to believe. Yet the same dramatic “last chance slaughter save” stories keep getting pushed to pull at your heartstrings and open your wallet.

The horse rescue world is full of incredible organizations doing the hard, often thankless work of caring for horses every single day. They don’t need reality-show drama, manufactured emergencies, or emotional manipulation to prove their value.

Please support your local, legitimate rescues. Support transparency. Support the people who are quietly feeding, rehabilitating, training, and advocating for horses long after the cameras are gone.

The horses deserve better. And so do the donors who care about them. ❤️🐴

02/23/2026

‼️URGENT‼️

Tragic barn fire at one of our adopters farms...

Several years ago, the incredible Laura Martin and her family opened their home — and their whole hearts — to Teddy and Timo. Teddy and Timo came to them after we (our rescue and COER) rescued them from the Warm Springs reservation, and from the very beginning, they were cherished members of the family. Teddy was part of the group of babies that we saved from the terrible snowstorm in 2019. And Timo was orphaned and Stella, our Mustang nurse mare, took him on later that year in July.

If you know this family, you know this is a family that loves fiercely. They are the kind of people who keep horses for life — even the ones who can no longer be ridden. They believe every horse deserves safety, dignity, and a forever home, no matter what season of life they’re in. That’s the kind of heart they have.

A few years ago, during the devastating wildfires near Estacada, they evacuated their entire farm and got every single animal to safety. It was extraordinary.

This week, tragedy struck in a different way. Their barn caught fire, and four of their beloved horses perished — including sweet Teddy and Timo.

The grief is unimaginable.

A family member has set up a GoFundMe (link below) to help them begin rebuilding. If you’re able to give, it would mean so much. If you are local to the Estacada area, they have immediate needs — including local grass hay and practical hands-on support.

They will also need assistance from someone with a backhoe or tractor who can help them lay these precious horses to rest on their property. This is an incredibly tender and urgent need. If this is you, please reach out and we can coordinate.

Please keep Laura and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Teddy and Timo (and Rogue and Callie) were deeply loved. They were home. And they will never be forgotten.

GoFundme:
https://gofund.me/a733910be

You can also donate to us directly and write "Martin Family" in the note. We will use any funds to buy what they need or grant funds directly to them.

Venmo:
Zelle: [email protected]
Dontion Link for Credit/Debit: https://square.link/u/eyQEZFt

02/17/2026

Courtesy Post: This lovely mare needs a new home ASAP!

Name: Kami
Registered Name: TR Kameo Kid
Breed: Half Arabian
Color: Buckskin
DOB: April 29, 2003

Riding: She is trained under saddle and will likely need a tune up with an experienced person or trainer. Vet can evaluate soundness.

Medical Needs: She is a senior mare with Cushings and currently on medication. This mediation costs approximately $150-$250/month depending on dosage. She likely needs a special diet and regular vet care.

Temperament: Very sweet, but sensitive and can be cautious with strangers. She loves kids.

This mare is located in Southern California, closer to San Diego. Please contact us if you think you could give her an amazing home.

02/10/2026

Kittenpalooza!

We recently took in two young cats who, unfortunately, had already bred before coming into rescue. Both of these sweet youngsters will be looking for loving homes in the near future once everyone is healthy and ready.

Shortly after they arrived, we realized the female was pregnant. We weren’t sure exactly how far along she was… but we knew it would be soon.

On Friday evening, when I went out to feed the horses, I found her in active labor — and she already had three tiny babies beside her.

She ultimately delivered six kittens total. 💛

She has been an absolutely amazing mama — attentive, gentle, and doing everything right.

But one of the babies was significantly smaller than the rest. This little one did manage to nurse and received colostrum, and she was doing all the normal newborn kitten things at first… but she simply couldn’t keep up. As the stronger siblings grew more active, she started getting pushed off mom and wasn’t able to compete for milk.

Last night, when I went out to feed again, I tried supplemental feeding, but her suckle was extremely weak. She was fading quickly, and it didn’t feel right to just let her struggle without help.

I’ll be honest — neonatal kitten care at that level is not in my wheelhouse. They are so unbelievably tiny, and I don’t know how to tube feed safely.

So I reached out to a local kitten and cat rescue group on Facebook… and the most incredible person stepped forward.

She is a veterinarian who runs a neonatal kitten rescue called Kitten Clutter https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573103361954&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr down near Irvine, and she drove all the way up to Santa Clarita at 10:30 at night to pick up this baby and give her a fighting chance.

This kitten weighs only 42 grams — when the average newborn kitten is closer to 90 grams. She has a very steep uphill battle, and we don’t yet know if there may be something congenital going on that we can’t see.

But… she’s still here today. She’s active. And she even suckled a little on her own. 🥹

We are cautiously optimistic and so grateful beyond words.

This is what rescue looks like — people showing up in the darkest moments, giving everything they have for the smallest lives.

🙏 If anyone has a few dollars to spare, this neonatal rescue could truly use the support. The work they do is lifesaving, exhausting, and completely driven by compassion.

And one more thing… this sweet little fighter needs a name.
If you make a donation, please leave a name suggestion — we would love to name her with the help of the community cheering her on. 💛

Thank you to everyone who continues to care, share, and support these babies and the village it takes to save them.

More updates soon. 💛🐾
-Tami

Donate here: https://www.kittenclutter.org/donate

01/19/2026

🩶🐐In Loving Memory of Clementine 🐐 🤍

Clementine was the most amazing little goat there ever was. She lived just shy of 9 months and every single one of those months was such a gift to anyone who was lucky enough to know her.

She came into this world already a fighter, weighing an entire pound less than her twin brother. Those first days were touch and go, but she fought and she made it. She was stronger than any of us ever imagined. She became the most pampered house goat bottle baby ever. She spent 24/7 being coparented by Daisy and I between our houses. She had surrogate chihuahua moms and a two big dog dads. She also ended up with Cosmo (her twin) and Paco the Taco as bottle baby mates.

We weren’t sure she would ever catch up in her growth, and despite supplemental feed, vitamins, a snuggly warm jacket on cold nights, a princess platform bed, and all the things… she never really did. As she grew, it became clear that something wasn’t quite right. She struggled to grow, to maintain muscle, to thrive the way other goats did.

But what she lacked in size, she made up for in heart.

Clem was the happiest little snugglebug you could ever meet. She would cry to be held, demand cuddles, and melt completely when you picked her up. Last night, I was a little late to feeding because I’d attended an event. She greeted me with the rest of the goats, singing their usual chorus of baahs and she twirled around my feet while I put on her jacket and put down her feed.

I picked her up because how could I not? She tucked herself into the crook of my neck and let out that little sigh she’d given me hundreds of times before. Then I put her down, and she went right back to her hay, perfectly content.

This morning, my volunteers found her nearly lifeless at morning feeding. They did everything they could, including CPR, and we rushed her to the emergency vet. But her little heart stopped just as we got there. She left this world surrounded by her “moms,” loved to the very end and beyond.

Clementine likely had a form of dwarfism. We knew she was never quite right. There was a real possibility that her organs would outgrow her tiny little frame or that she had other internal complications we could not see. But as long as she was happy, eating, and doing proper goat things, we chose love. We chose to give her the very best life we could, for however long she was meant to be here.

That life was 9 months. Honestly, 9 months longer than I ever imagined we’d have with her.

This is the hardest part of loving animals. And the part I was most unprepared for is how many hearts break when one is lost. I knew what I signed up for when I started rescuing animals, but I never realized how much I’d be asking of others who come along on the journey with me. These folks are amazing, selfless, and probably also don't really know what they are signing up for when they sign the release form and start learning about the animals and ultimately falling in love with them. And yet, they keep coming back. I really couldn't do this without them. ❤️

To Clem, Clemmy, Clemson, Clem Chowder—
you were the very best little pagoaty anyone could ever have. If only love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.

Go baah and jump around in that big pasture in the sky, sweet girl.
You were so very loved. 🐐✨
-Tami

Address

Ravenhill Road
Santa Clarita, CA
91321

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 9pm
Tuesday	9am - 9pm
Wednesday	9am - 9pm
Thursday	9am - 9pm
Friday	9am - 9pm
Saturday	9am - 9pm
Sunday	9am - 9pm

Telephone

(541) 602-8415

Website

https://mustangsmend.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mustangs MEND posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.