Colorado Horse Rescue Network

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Colorado Horse Rescue Network CHRN is a 501(c)3 non profit organization dedicated to helping at risk equines and those in danger of slaughter.

CHRN is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to keeping horses out of the slaughter pipeline. We try to reach horses before they end up at auction, so take relinquishments and offer a no questions asked buy out program state wide. Our central facility is located in Rush, however we have fosters state wide! We regularly assist local law enforcement, as well as buying slaughter bound horses from auction. Our community outreach programs include castration and euthanasia clinics.

Last week we got a text from Sowelu Farm Sanctuary. They were facing eviction after 13 years of operation at the same ra...
10/24/2026

Last week we got a text from Sowelu Farm Sanctuary. They were facing eviction after 13 years of operation at the same ranch. Being in New Mexico it took more than a little split second planning to get things set to get them picked up within the one week time frame given. We put together an amazing crew and yesterday we took 4 trucks and 2 trailers to pick up 12 horses, 2 small horse trailers and what we could pull of the panels on the property. While the conditions were less than ideal with the rain, HORRID boot stealing mud, lightning, and many horses who had never seen a trailer or hadn't been in one for more than a decade we were pleased that with the Sanctuary owner and our crew and some creativity we loaded everyone with only minor injuries to horses or people. The horses are largely youngsters without a lot of training and senior horses with soundness issues and special care needs. It rained so hard in fact that many of the roads in the area were closed the next morning due to flooding. Our trip home was long and slow with two trailers with old tires that we got to hold just enough air to make the trip. This was another passed test for our amazing crew and volunteers. Everyone was in good spirits and laughing even as it got dark and rained the entire trip home.

Now the real work begins. Twelve horses (all in great weight!) to be evaluated, vetted, cataloged and moved into appropriate places. We hope to find homes for some, but we realize being from a sanctuary most are "sanctuary" types. This means we need MORE help than normal intakes as many of these horses could be at CHRN and it's fosters for the rest of their lives. Half are 20-30 years old. We are the only rescue around here still saying yes to situations like these. We can only continue with your amazing support. $6.50 diesel and $350 a ton hay is going to make this winter our hardest yet. As always, do what you can. Share, comment, like, follow, donate, adopt! It ALL helps these horses!

More ways to help in the comments!

It's late. We're still driving. It's been raining on us for hundreds of miles. We had a lightning strike 150 yards from ...
10/23/2026

It's late. We're still driving. It's been raining on us for hundreds of miles. We had a lightning strike 150 yards from where we were loading. We've got two trailer loads of horses headed back with us. Gonna have to share this story tomorrow!

We are about half way to our New Mexico destination!Gorgeous sunrise this morning. 4 trucks and two trailers and a fleet...
10/22/2026

We are about half way to our New Mexico destination!
Gorgeous sunrise this morning. 4 trucks and two trailers and a fleet of volunteers in our convoy. We will follow up on our emergency trip when we aren't still driving. 👌

Macy is HOME! Her recovery has been textbook, she's eating, drinking, digestive system is functional and she is in a bet...
10/22/2026

Macy is HOME!

Her recovery has been textbook, she's eating, drinking, digestive system is functional and she is in a better spirits than I ever expected. I have a long list of people to thank, so I will just get started;

Fleet of Angels- thank you for making this whole thing possible. Your grant covered her entire surgical cost and we could not be more grateful for the help and for allowing us to use our funds to keep helping horses. Elaine your words of support meant a lot.

Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for providing excellent care and skilled surgeons. Particularly Dr Luedke for her sticking with it until she got it done and Dr Hector for always being my second opinion and therapist.

Smokie Brannaman for letting me bend your ear for so long on the phone that night and for checking in along the way. You and your input are appreciated.

Bella Boe for being the first one I asked and the first one to say YES! Do the surgery! Your beautiful heart is incredible, and thank you so l for sharing in my drive for the quest for the "Why".

Also thank you all the CHRN barn helpers, volunteers, consulting vets/behaviorists/trainers and supporters who have been so involved and invested from the day we first asked "Can a horse be born bad". For this horse at least, we've answered that question.

We have many months of recovery and hormone let down so updates may range from days to weeks or months. Please stay tuned in this journey. Believe me when I say that the horse I picked up today had different eyes than the one I've been caring for the last month. I don't ever get my hopes up beyond reason, but there's been a shift in her energy that is noticeable.

Pics :
*Macy headed out of CSU and back home in her stall to start stall rest! If anyone wants to send Macy boredom busters, toys, etc she is going to need them! We've got WEEKS in a stall and she is a busy girl!*

Macy is out of surgery and in recovery!She's very perky and handling things well so far. Some key points;-The tumor ende...
10/20/2026

Macy is out of surgery and in recovery!
She's very perky and handling things well so far.

Some key points;

-The tumor ended up being SOCCER BALL SIZED.

-They had to pull more than 250ml of fluid out of it to get it out

-They did get the tumor out through the flank under standing anesthesia

-It weighed around 9lbs before it was deflated

-If recovery is routine she can come home tomorrow!

-Aftercare is minimal and can be done through our protected contact training

Thank you to everyone who has supported, liked, commented and shared regardless if you agreed or not. The giant hurdle is cleared, now to the next hurdle. I feel that the comments have again been largely respectful, though I was shocked how many people said to euthanize her if she had to go under general anesthesia. GA simply means the horse is sedated fully to a "surgical plane" and is recumbent. Most horse surgeries including castration are done with a horse fully "down". A large tumor just means that much more instant relief and a bit bigger incision. As you can see from the pictures, the incision site is really not unreasonable, nor does it have to be wrapped. We got lucky so far, let's hope her recovery is a little less eventful!

More tomorrow...

(Photo shows her right o***y and tumor AFTER it was deflated and left o***y which was normal and functional)

I will not be able to post "blow by blow"However I've been updated by the CSU team that Macy's tumor is very large and l...
10/20/2026

I will not be able to post "blow by blow"
However I've been updated by the CSU team that Macy's tumor is very large and likely cannot be removed without her going under general anesthesia (standing is laparoscopic, but it's bigger than a cantaloupe so it likely will not come out that way). This will raise the cost above what the grant covers. Our board has agreed to move forward-within reason. If there are other extenuating circumstances we will opt for euthanasia. Extensive after care is not possible. Nor do I think she will handle it well. At this time we are going forward, but things just got a bit riskier. Prognosis is still good if the tumor isn't attached to anything else. Cross fingers.

Macy is checked in for surgery tomorrow at Colorado State University! She will receive a standing laparoscopic ovariecto...
10/20/2026

Macy is checked in for surgery tomorrow at Colorado State University!

She will receive a standing laparoscopic ovariectomy barring any complications.

We've made several long posts explaining our plans and we will continue to share updates. Please stay tuned.

Our Facebook fundraiser has nearly met it's goal. Please remember no CHRN money is paying for Macy's surgery, it is being fully covered by a grant for these cases. The fundraiser will cover the intake, vetting and evaluations of the two behavioral surrender mares we've taken in this week. We are also going to donate a portion to the trainer injured by Macy.

If you care to join in our mission to help more mares from suffering this fate please donate. These funds will remain earmarked to helping them. Find it here ⬇️ https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Vu8bkjjui/

JOIN US!🎃We still need class sponsors!🎃WANT TO SET UP A VENDOR BOOTH? Just donate a prize! Contact Mayra Baltazar-Cope f...
10/19/2026

JOIN US!
🎃We still need class sponsors!🎃
WANT TO SET UP A VENDOR BOOTH?
Just donate a prize!
Contact Mayra Baltazar-Cope for more info!

If you want to pre-register please reach out to Mayra as well!

Sissy missed our western slope event as they didn't have hauling.Fortunately Pete was able to transport her this weekend...
10/19/2026

Sissy missed our western slope event as they didn't have hauling.
Fortunately Pete was able to transport her this weekend on the way home from his Meeker ranch. I feel so bad we had to haul her hundreds of miles home. This girl is very sweet and she sure tries, but even without xrays I know this mare is suffering significantly. She was left to the gal who surrendered her by her parents who recently passed. Sadly the person trusted with their care wasn't holding up their end as well as hoped. I'm so glad the daughter reached out to us about her. We will give her a lot of pain meds and love and a peaceful end. This is why I never want to be the rescue that just says "we're full". Us making a few days of accommodations for her is saving her from suffering longer. I will always help the ones most in need of rescue.

Anyone willing to sponsor her last act of kindness can donate to the Rainbow Fund for Sissy.

A trailer tire blow out, 8 surrenders (2 after dark including a hemophilia affected Arab gelding, huge thanks to our ama...
10/18/2026

A trailer tire blow out, 8 surrenders (2 after dark including a hemophilia affected Arab gelding, huge thanks to our amazing volunteer haulers making TWO trips today!), $700 in parts to fix the skidsteer currently broke down in the driveway and a sanctuary on the NM border facing eviction asking us to take 12 of their horses next week?

All in a day's work. We got this! I think...

Remember without all of you we cannot continue to be the only open door rescue in Colorado. Diesel is over $6 a gallon and we will be going through a LOT of it next week.

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Rush, CO
80833

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