The Horse Protection League

The Horse Protection League
Rescue | Rehabilitate | Rehome

Get to Know Us

Founded in 1994, HPL provides a home for horses, donkeys, and mules whose owners have surrendered them, as well as those seized by court orders or humane societies. Working with veterinarians and experts in the field, The Horse Protection League provides equines with a balanced diet, medical and farrier care, training, a social life, and opportunities to graze in open pasture.

Our Mission

The HPL exists to provide a safe haven for equines in need. We work tirelessly towards ending the mistreatment and neglect of horses and other equines. The Horse Protection League is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses, donkeys and burros that have been abused, abandoned or neglected. We provide them with necessary medical care, nutrition, exercise, love and attention they need to thrive.

The key to protecting these magnificent animals is a strong community. The HPL is a volunteer-driven organization committed to educating the public about responsible equine ownership, and to advocating for equine welfare at the local, state, and national levels. We partner with colleges, universities, municipalities, government offices and local businesses to achieve these goals.

Our Success

We celebrate when our horses “graduate” – that is, when they are adopted to a farm or family to serve a useful purpose. The healing and growth that constitutes our core values extends to our corps of volunteers. Their hard work and “horse sense” is rewarded with something greater than dollars or words can convey. They love horses, and they know that their efforts and energy make a difference. 

2024 marks the 30th anniversary of The Horse Protection League. In that time, we’ve overcome many hurdles. None of those can dull the accomplishment of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming of our equine friends.  We’re ready to saddle up for the next 30 years.

Adoption

Give Them a Forever Home!

Experience the profound joy of horse adoption and bring boundless love and companionship into your life by providing a forever home to a rescued horse, giving them a second chance to flourish in a nurturing environment filled with care and understanding.

Available Horses

Big Kahuna
Big Kahuna
Big Kahuna

Big Kahuna is a gelding companion horse in his mid 20’s. Big Kahuna, a retired Montana ranch horse, has soft eyes and a kind disposition. His calm nature makes him very handle-able. He loves grooming time and going for walks. He does have a ligament related health issue, but despite this, Big Kahuna works to do well during ground training sessions and he makes friends with other horses easily.

Blu
Big Kahuna
Blu

Blu is a 16-year-old mare companion horse. Blu has beautiful blue eyes and a paint coat. She came to HPL as a part of a bonded pair. She is very attached to her partner Scarlet and would be happiest if they were adopted together. She also gets along well with her other pen-mate, Cowboy, and would probably bond with most equines. She has ringbone and is most likely not able to be ridden. Blu is curious and can be nervous about new things (such as new piles of hay covered in tarps!) She does well with ground training, grooming, picking, and pasture time. She would be a great match for someone who is looking for their forever friend!

Charlie
Big Kahuna
Charlie

Charlie is a 5 yr. old mare BLM mustang from the Antelope Valley in Nevada. She has some experience under the saddle. She came to HPL after a short time with a mustang trainer. Since then, with the help of our volunteers, she has learned the basics of being caught, groomed, and trained. She was also sent to a trainer to learn how to be ridden. She needs more training – but she has come so far! A fast learner, Charlie will often stand back and take in all of the information around her. Charlie can be shy when she first meets new people, but she trusts the people she knows. She also loves her feed and had to recently be put on a diet! She gets along with other horses but can be dominant. She is also often the object of gelding horses’ affection. Who wouldn’t love such a cute little mustang!

Chief
Big Kahuna
Chief

Chief is a Registered American Paint. Chief came to HPL from a ranch in Montana where he was used for everything and was good at everything including barrels, trail rides, arena lessons, kids grooming lessons but has not done these activities since approximately 2020. Chief is showing signs of his age and therefore can be used for light riding, especially for confident children.

Cowboy
Cowboy
Cowboy

Cowboy is a 16-year-old gelding companion horse. He is a registered dark bay quarter horse and a big boy, with an even bigger heart. He is always the first horse to greet you when you enter his pen. He forms very strong bonds with other horses and can be affected by changes to his herd. He adjusts to changes, but would be happiest if he could find a forever home where pen-mates don’t change as often as at a shelter. Cowboy has a bad and is unable to be ridden, but would be such a wonderful companion to humans and horses alike. He loves attention in any form, grooming, walking in hand, pasture time, training and even chest scratches.

Darby
Darby
Darby

Darby is a 19-year-old gelding with the gorgeous physical characteristics of both an Appaloosa and arabian horses. He is ridable. Darby is beautiful, sweet and lively. He likes to be greeted and talked sweet to. He can feel nervous when separated from pen-mates and would thrive with the consistency and attention provided by a forever home. Darby is spirited and would do best with further training and an experienced rider. During ground training and some riding at HPL, Darby has learned quickly and has great potential and is reportedly great fun to ride.

Izzy
Darby
Izzy

Izzy is a 22-year-old Pinto mare with beautiful blue eyes. Due to lameness issues, Izzy isn’t able to take the weight of a human. She has, however, proven her abilities in the ground training arena. She learns ground liberty and other ground skills very quickly. Izzy usually gets along with other horses, but can be dominant. She loves her food, so attention to diet and physical fitness are a must. Izzy is in need of further guidance from a more experienced handler.

Jessie
Jessie
Jessie

Jessie is 8-year-old mare who was a trail riding horse at a Montana ranch. She has a sweet disposition that has won the hearts of all the volunteers. She is rideable but on the small side and would need a smaller sized rider. Jessie has been ridden by children. She has a metabolic syndrome that requires soaked hay and an exercise routine, but is otherwise healthy. We suspect there might be some Welsh pony in her DNA.

Nevita
Nevita
Nevita

Nevita is 27-year-old mare companion horse – one part of our matching set of ponies. Nevita and her friend, Pokey, are both short, white, spotted, kind-hearted and cute beyond belief. Nevita wears a face mask due to sun sensitivity. She loves ground training. After training, she will approach in her pen hopeful for more attention. She loves being groomed and pasture time. Nevita would be a great companion and would prosper with the consistency that one owner can offer.

Pico
Nevita
Pico

Pico is a 27-year-old companion gelding who is a registered Dutch Warmblood. Pico was imported from Europe in his younger days. Formerly used for jumping, he is no longer able to be ridden, but has good manners and loves ground work. Pico is tall, beautiful and has a kind disposition. He bonds easily with other horses and loves turnout and volunteers who dote on him. He greets everyone who enters his pen and would like to follow them all out when they exit! Pico is gentle and affectionate.

Princess
Princess
Princess

Princess is a 24-year-old mare companion who is beautiful and a sweetheart. She came from a Spanish speaking home and responds to “Hola Princessa!” She is gentle and a volunteer favorite, and wears a protective eye mask for a sensitive eye. Princess is an attentive listener during training. She gets along with all of her pen mates and would be a wonderful companion horse.

Scarlet
Scarlet
Scarlet

Scarlet is 23-year-old companion horse – a beautiful, brown mare with two different-colored eyes. She came to The HPL with her friend Blu. and they are closely bonded. They have also found a third buddy in Cowboy. Everywhere Scarlet goes, Blu and Cowboy follow. She has little training, but learns quickly. Due to an arthritic knee, she is unable to carry a rider. Scarlet has shown some nervousness around environmental changes but she adapts quickly. She enjoys pasture time, grooming sessions and being trained. This sweet girl would be such a wonderful companion.

Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell

Tinkerbell, a 17-year-old, is a blue-eyed paint with a very sweet disposition. She came to The HPL with an older untreated scar on her face that needs sun protection. Tinkerbell requires an experienced farrier due to knee issues which make hoof maintenance difficult. Tinkerbell loves attention of all types and does well in her training sessions. She would prosper with the opportunity to be a companion.

Undercover Girl (UCG)
Tinkerbell
Undercover Girl (UCG)

Undercover Girl (UCG) – at 24 years old, she is a tall, beautiful thoroughbred. She has a sweet disposition and has made equine friends in many new pen-mate situations. UCG does have some trailering-related fears. Her large size makes it difficult to maneuver in smaller trailers. She is very trainable and is able to do all of the challenges in the obstacle course. Her beauty shows in the round pen. She is easy to catch in the pasture she loves so much. UCG would be a lovely companion for any adopter.

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Big Kahuna
Blu
Charlie
Chief
Cowboy
Darby
Izzy
Jessie
Nevita
Pico
Princess
Scarlet
Tinkerbell
Undercover Girl (UCG)
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Upcoming Events

March 2024
Mar 29
29 March 2024
HPL Ranch, 17999 W. 60th Ave.
Arvada, 80403 United States

All proceeds to to supporting The Horse Protection League! Annual Spring Tack Sale March 29th and 30th

September 2024
Sep 14
14 September 2024
HPL Ranch, 17999 W. 60th Ave.
Arvada, 80403 United States

30th Anniversary Gala Our Horses' Heroes! Your donation to this year’s Gala supports horses at HPL all year round. Learn more

Donate

HELP HORSES BY HELPING The HPL
MEET THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS!

Your generous donations can make a life-change different for surrendered horses, helping our horse rescue provide vital care, rehabilitation, and a second chance at a loving home.

Volunteer

You Can Be The Change!

Join our horse recuse organization as a dedicated volunteer/member and be a compassionate force in the lives of horses in need, contributing your time, skills, and passion to create a brighter future for these majestic creatures.

The HPL conducts monthly volunteer orientations and handler training. Participants must register. Click here for details.

CERTIFICATIONS

Silver Transparency 2024

Candid / Guidestar

The Candid Silver seal on a profile denote a higher level of transparency, including comprehensive details about finances, Board of Directors, staff and overall demographics.

LOGO

EQUUS Foundation

Guardians are organizations on the Equine Welfare Network that demonstrate a commitment to public transparency by their willingness to make comprehensive data about their programs, horse care practices, and governance available for public scrutiny.

The HPL is a 501(c)3 nonprofit tax-exempt organization, located at the historic Churches Ranch in Arvada, Colorado.