Majestic Fool, Genuine Ticket’s daughter, avoided the dangers of racing. Although she trained as a racehorse, her smaller size prevented a career as a stakes horse. Rather than race as a claimer, she was retired early in Massachusetts before making her way to our farm in California.

Shania is an Appaloosa horse who suffered neglect in Utah until neighbors decided to rescue her and she came to us. Shania wants to sit in everyone's lap and get all the attention she can.

Jake is a mule who came to us from Utah. Not much is known about his history but he was afraid of people and impossible to catch when he came. Now he knows life is good and he's doing great.

Red was born at a prestigious Kentucky horse racing facility, he won hundreds of thousands of dollars for his people but as soon as he no longer earned huge purses, he was neglected and starved. Visibly tired upon arrival (top picture), he has gained weight and is in fabulous shape and spirits (bottom picture). He loves daily showers from us.

Mira, a Belgian draft horse, has developed Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) after suffering through 10 years of severe neglect where she had no medical or dental attention, let alone any love or care for her wellbeing. Due to the EPM, Mira's hooves were curled up and over and was, essentially, left to die until someone decided to sell her to slaughter in Texas. Upon being rescued, Mira was quarantined for a month before making her way to our sanctuary.  The picture above was taken when Mira had just arrived at D&H Farm and captures the look in her eyes that any hope of surviving was utterly absent. BUT... this is Mira now! Happy, loved, and surrounded by her family of horses and humans, Mira's eyes tell a different story; a story of hope, confidence, and love. Mira is BEAUTIFUL!!

Charming saved his own life in the slaughter pen in Michigan. Sick and close to dying, he was in the slaughter pen with Cecelia and Sandy. When the rescue trailer was getting ready to load those 2 mares to bring to D&H Farm Sanctuary, Cecelia and Sandy got on either side of Charming (who could barely walk) and walked up the ramp and into the trailer with him between them. The 3 stuck together and wouldn't let him be taken off! Hence the name "Charming." He is a wonderful draft cross, very very gentle, and grateful for everything he gets. The 3 horses are still very very devoted to each other.

Highlights, an Oldenburg mare, born in New Zealand and brought to southern California as a gifted dressage horse. Financial constraints required her to be rehomed and she came to D&H Farm Sanctuary where she is living the good life.

Kashmir is a classic donkey who came to us from Utah where she lived alone in a field. She will never be alone again.

Davey and Dyna, Belgian mules, arrived at the Sanctuary  in complete shock, which can be seen on Dyna's (back) face as she stands behind Davey for protection. Having worked their entire lives for a mountaineering outfit in Wyoming, hauling gear up and down mountains, year in year out until they grew old, the owner was going to shoot them but didn't want to pay to have a hole dug for their bodies so he sent them to slaughter where they were rescued and brought to the sanctuary. The photo below shows the bonded pair relaxing at home here at D&H Farm. Sadly, Davey passed in 2023, but all of the other animals have kept Dyna company. 

Tom, a 1 year old donkey, came to our farm in 2023 from an auction in Montana. He has a wonderful, loving personality.

Ted, a Belgian gelding, came to our sanctuary in 2023 from 1HorseAtATime, a rescue organization in Montana. He had been pulled from the slaughter pens after a lifetime of grueling, hard work. 

Candy, a Belgian mare, came to our sanctuary in 2023 after being pulled from the slaughter pens by 1HorseAtATime rescue. Prior to being rescued, Candy sustained an injury to her right eye, which had to be surgically removed shortly after arriving at our farm to relieve her of the immense pain she was experiencing.  

Bud, a Belgian gelding, arrived at our Sanctuary in 2023 from 1HorseAtATime rescue. Untouchable, it was the general medical consensus that he had been severely beaten for years and was unable to trust anyone except for Candy. Here at the sanctuary, Bud has made great progress - his eyes and ears are relaxed, he lays down to sleep, he has made many four-legged friends. But, he still cannot be touched by humans. We'll keep trying.

Maureen, a Percheron mare, originally arrived at 1HorseAtATime rescue in 2019 where she was deeply loved and cared for. She came to our sanctuary in 2023 where she will spend her many remaining years and continue to be deeply loved and cared for. 

Nancy, a Percheron mare, came to us in 2023 from 1HorseAtATime rescue in Montana. Saved by them from the slaughter pens, and nursed back to health, she came to us to spend the remaining years of her life with love, friends, safety, and food. She is thriving here. 

Prince Valiant, a Friesian stallion, came to us in 2023 when his person died suddenly. He had no options, no chance, and only one friend who contacted us in hopes of saving this beautiful horse. Gelded now, Valiant is happy and healthy with many four-legged friends to eat, play, and relax with. 

Margaret, a female Newfoundland, was abandoned by a puppy mill when she was just a couple of months old because she was born with tricuspid stenosis and needed surgery. We got her from Indiana and brought her back to D&H Farm Sanctuary where we arranged for heart surgery. She healed beautifully and is doing great.

Baron, a male Japanese Chin, was surrendered in San Antonio, Texas, but "surrender" certainly is not in his vocabulary. Once he was brought home to California, Baron's bigger-than-life personality truly shined. Surrounded by dogs who weigh 160+lbs, he is confident of his place in the pack.

George and Ivan were both feral cats who came to us 6 months apart from a woman whose house they hid under. George is a gorgeous and loving orange cat and Ivan is gray and can be very opinionated.  

Harper, a female Newfoundland, came to D&H Farm Sanctuary from Indiana. Chronic, antibiotic-resistant ear and skin infections plagued her and she was significantly underweight.  Specialist medical care and plenty of nutritious food has made a huge difference for her.

Black the Cat wandered around our farm for almost a year before he decided to call us "home." When he felt the time was right, he just walked right in the house and never left. Sweet loving purrer, we're so happy he chose us.

Missy and Blackie, both 10 year old German Shepard mixes, came to us after their person died and they were left to roam. The realtor hired by the estate contacted us to ask if we could take them in after their family members refused. We agreed. Shortly after arriving, Blackie underwent surgery to have two huge cancerous masses removed from the inside of her front legs, and 11 badly broken and decayed teeth. Other than a limp (we believe from an untreated car-hit, she is doing superbly. 

Walter, an American Bulldog, came to us in 2024 after being abandoned on the streets of Watts (Los Angeles) when his people moved and left him outside and alone. A young neighbor tried to feed him and keep him from falling into the wrong hands for the wrong reasons, but knew that this was not a viable option to save Walter in the long term. Shortly after arriving at our sanctuary, Walter was neutered and has been thriving here. 

Lotta Funs Best was rescued in 1995 as a 4-year-old from a failed racing career, Best’s life on the track made him too hyper-vigilant and stressed for an alternative career. Best was headed to slaughter in Oklahoma until we intervened and brought him home. Best and Genuine Ticket were inseparable before his passing in 2021.

Genuine Ticket was rescued in 1996 and 2003, respectively, from the all-too-common aftermath of failed racing careers. Ticket was one of those unfortunate racehorses with blue blood, delicate bones, and owners who saw her as a business not a being. At 4 years of age, despite suffering the incredible pain and acid- scarring of fire pinning, she broke her right front ankle in a race in California, received no medical care and continued racing for 6 more weeks until we became a part of her story by outbidding the slaughter truck driver her previous owner had contacted. Genuine Ticket lived at our sanctuary until her passing in 2021.

Melody, officially Unchained Melody, was a feisty and strong Appaloosa/Quarter horse cross who lived at the Sanctuary for many years, enjoying her role as herd matriarch, making sure that she only did what she wanted to do. What she most loved to do was greet each newcomer, show them around and stay with them until they were fully at home and integrated. Melody died at 32 and is buried at the Sanctuary.

Sweetheart, a Mammoth donkey, lived up to her name every day of her life. Incredibly caring and gentle, she was rescued from Utah where she had been abandoned and brought to the Sanctuary where she bonded deeply with Melody and they were inseparable until Melody's death. Sweetheart died shortly after Melody's passing and she is buried next to Melody.