Meet the Herd

Each horse we rescue is treated with a customized plan for their recovery based on their unique needs and challenges. Recovery and trust-building take time, so we invest the necessary care for each horse’s healing.

Meet The Herd

Teddy

Ambassador for Nalani.
Teddy was Cherry's first rescue, when Nalani was still a dream. He was only 6 years old and left in an overcrowded pasture with no hay or grass. The plan was for him to be adopted out as a riding horse once he was healthy, but you know what they say about plans! Teddy has some physical issues from being ridden improperly at a young age and we realized Teddy was meant to stay at Nalani where he would fill a very important role. He is as playful as a puppy but also has an intuitive wisdom about him. He’s equally welcoming to new horses and humans alike, and therefore is the perfect Ambassador for Nalani.

Spirit

Currently Rehabbing.
We found Spirit at the New Holland auction in November of 2020, terrified and likely heading to slaughter. He was completely shut down and it has taken a while for him to trust us after a life of cruelty, but he gets braver every day. As the herd leader, he takes his job very seriously. He lives up to his name full of spunk and personality and is incredibly smart and intuitive.

Pride

Currently Rehabbing.
Pride was rescued in October of 2024. She was being worked as an Amish buggy horse in her emaciated condition. She is with our quarantine partner in PA being monitored by a vet in a refeeding program. We can't wait for her to be healthy enough to travel to Virgina.

Getty

In Sanctuary.
Getty is a Standardbred who served as an Amish buggy horse until the age of 26. We rescued him directly from the Amish family so he didn’t have to endure the trauma of the auction. He is a gentle and kind soul. When he arrived at Nalani, he was so excited to be free and part of a herd. We caught it on video and it went viral on social media! This led us to start a sanctuary component of the rescue. You can donate to the Getty Fund for horses like him HERE.

Saint

In Sanctuary.
Saint is a 23 year old off the track thoroughbred who had a successful racing career, likely followed by a show career. For some unknown reason, he ended up at New Holland very thin and we rescued him along with his buddy, Nick. He had a condition called EORTH and had to have many of his teeth removed. As a result, he has an endearing tongue out expression. He has thrived at Nalani enjoying a retirement that he has earned.

Captain

In Sanctuary.
Captain is a 29 year old quarter horse. He lived with a family for ten years until a health diagnosis forced them to sell their farm. He is a sweetheart who loves to be groomed and scratched.

Tilly

Currently Rehabbing
Tilly was rescued from the New Holland Sale in December 2024. She is estimated to be 6-8 months old and was suffering from a serious choke. She went directly to New Bolton Equine Hospital and is now receiving treatment. She has a long road ahead but she is a little fighter!

Cricket

Currently Rehabbing
Cricket was rescued from the New Holland Sale in December of 2024. He is estimated to be in his 20's. He's very thin and is currently in quarantine enjoying a full warm belly!

Angel

In Foster.
Angel was rescued from New Holland in 2021. She was skeletal and terrified of humans. After spending a year at Nalani, she was physically healthy and ready for the next step. She is in a long-term foster situation where she is loved and thriving and has come farther than we would have ever imagined. You can learn more about Angel in our Success Stories below.

Shadow

In Foster.
Shadow was young when he found himself in need of rescue. Only 8, his job as an Amish buggy horse had worn out his body. He was directly placed into a long term foster home where he has wide open space to run, a companion and humans who love him.

Success Stories

Many of our Nalani horses have gone on to live happy lives with loving adopters. Here are just a few of our favorite stories

Success Stories

Angel

Long-Term Foster

Angel was so emaciated at the auction when I saw her; I muttered to myself “Dead Horse Walking.” The temperatures that day were below freezing and she was shaking with fear and cold. Once at Nalani, her body recovered quickly and she was soon at a healthy weight, but she was terrified of people and it was nearly impossible for us to catch her. We worked with a wonderful trainer, Katie DaVilli Steele, who was able to gain her trust enough to trailer her to her home farm where she could work with her daily. Through patience and love, Angel has blossomed into a great beauty who loves spending time with Katie and her family as well as her herd mates. Angel will stay with Katie as a long-term foster for the foreseeable future.

Mosby

Adopted

Mosby was emaciated when we rescued him from New Holland. Shortly after his rescue, he contracted West Nile Virus and almost died, but he made a miraculous recovery. He was very insecure and flighty, scared of his own shadow. Kate Breiner, a wonderful trainer who is committed to helping horses with a patient and consistent approach, stepped in to work with Mosby. With her guidance, he became confident and secure and went on to be adopted to a woman who adores him.

Mr. Scott

Adopted

When we met this pony at New Holland, he was in such terrible condition that he was declared “unfit” to go through the auction, which meant he would go home with the man who brought him in that way. We couldn’t live with that! So we bought him directly from the man. He was taken to New Bolton Equine Hospital where he fought for his life. He was so starved his organs were shutting down and he had a serious infectious disease. He is a fighter and survived! Once healthy, he was adopted to a loving family who already had adopted one Nalani horse (Hope). They have become the best of friends and he is thriving.

Sponsor a Horse

Nalani Horse Rescue is funded solely on donations from our generous supporters. Joining our sponsorship program helps us provide the essential care each horse requires. You can sponsor a horse for a month, 6 months or a year. You will get regular updates on "your" horse and with a yearly commitment, you will get to meet your horse in person (by appointment only). Reach out, and we'll help you find your perfect match! For more information, contact us.