Non Profit & Charitable Organization 501(c)3 Equines & Education
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Welcome
Our Mission
Equine Safe Haven, providing education by using saved-from-slaughter equines.
Our Mission:
Equine Safe Haven is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering Veterans, Seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those experiencing financial hardship through horsemanship and carriage driving programs. Every horse in their care was rescued just days before being sent to slaughter and now plays a vital role in their mission. By offering healing and purpose to both people and equines, they create meaningful second chances for all involved.
🌟 Equine Safe Haven – A Purpose-Driven Nonprofit
Overview
Equine Safe Haven is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit committed to educational programs using equines that have been purchased from imminent risk of slaughter. We acquire specific Equines from a singular Texas kill pen and provide comprehensive rehabilitation-primarily but not limited to; Medical care, nutritional support, and retraining-before integrating them into our individualized programs that promote horsemanship, life skills, and healing.
Our Mission in Action
We use experienced horses, mules, and donkeys to teach:
- 🐴 Basic horsemanship and carriage driving
- 👥 Leadership, mindfulness, and personal development
- 💪 Physical fitness and therapeutic activities
- ❤️ Compassion and emotional healing
Programs are designed for:
- Veterans
- People with disabilities
- Seniors (65+)
- Economically disadvantaged individuals
- All instructions are provided at minimal or no cost.
We are not a traditional Rescue or Sanctuary
Unlike typical rescues; we do not accept owner-surrendered animals or operate on high-volume intake. Our mission is multifaceted and education-centric, with rescue being a means—not the sole focus. Select equines may be rehomed privately or retired permanently based on our assessment of each individual equine.
Community Impact
Operating from:
- 🌄 North Texas Facility: New programs for Fall/Winter 2025/2026
- 🏕️ Deming, NM Ranch: Offers camping, RV stays, and equine programming (seasonal only - currently closed)
We partner with veterans’ organizations, medical professionals, community foundations, and breed-specific rescues, to support trauma recovery, cognitive development, and mental wellness through equine engagement. Since 2022, our programs have welcomed over 350 participants each year and have actively engaged in events supporting veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those facing economic hardship across both Arizona and New Mexico. 2025/26 we are looking forward to expanding to the North Texas area.
Funding & Outreach
Because our work spans animal welfare, education, and human services, we are eligible for diverse grant funding. We actively promote awareness of slaughter pipelines, advocate for older equines, and deliver meaningful experiences to underserved populations.
Governance
Our Board of Directors brings together a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise. We are committed to making sure everyone is welcome no matter what walk of life they are from
Events & Activities
2026 - Whitesboro Texas
SEE EVENTS in Menu section: Carriage Driving Practices, Horse Shows Spring/Summer 2026.
In the news!
https://kdhnews.com/news/texas/whitesboros-59th-peanut-festival-brings-family-fun-to-downtown/article_38487c09-7785-5c19-abc4-74e60ba2a26f.html
Driving classes and practices - See SaddleHawk Ranch's website: www.saddlehawkranch.com for upcoming events in 2026.
All Veterans, and/or economically and physically disadvantaged are encouraged to participate - at little or no cost
For more info see our "program" tab in the menu. Let us know which classes you like to take and we can sponsor you for the class(es)
TAX EXEMPT, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
TAX EXEMPT, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
Equine Safe Haven is a nonprofit 501(c)3, tax exempt organization as determined by the IRS. Your donations are tax deductible
EIN: 88-4218548
We always need your help. Equine Safe Haven supports up to 11 horses in the driving, riding and horsemanship programs for the disadvantaged. We need monthly donations of at least $2500 to support our hay/feed/farrier/vet bills for those horses. We often only receive half that amount, and then Ken and Katrina cover the remainder with their own funds. We thank our current monthly sponsors & contributors for continuing to help support
Equine Safe Haven: Impact & Vision for 2025
Program Overview
ESH is a sanctuary of healing, learning, and purpose. Beyond horsemanship and carriage driving, the locations offer meaningful therapy and guidance—teaching life skills, leadership, and self-worth to individuals of all ages.
Equine Safe Haven (ESH) is dedicated to rescuing equines from slaughter and transforming their lives through rehabilitation, sanctuary, or purposeful rehoming. To date, over 44 equines have been saved, with more than 20 currently in care at the ranch—11 of which are actively part of a specialized program supporting veterans and individuals facing economic or physical disadvantage.🎯 Goals for 2026
- Maintain Support for Program Horses
ESH aims to continue caring for up to 14 equines in its dedicated therapeutic and educational program—ensuring consistent access to hay, supplements, farrier and dental care, vaccinations, and general wellness. - Expand Student Outreach
With the new location opening in Whitesboro, TX, ESH hopes to welcome more regular students into its horsemanship and carriage driving programs, expanding access across Texas and the Southwest. - Enable Event Participation
Students actively participate in equine-related events across Texas, Oklahoma, & New Mexico including: - Clinics, roping events, and trail rides
- Parades and local rodeos (e.g. Whiteboro Texas Peanut Festival Parade, Collinsville Texas Pioneer Day Parade, Junior Rodeos, Lighted Parades)
- Specialized events like American Driving Association sanctioned carriage driving shows, DT and CDTs. Local horse shows, Junior NFR in Las Vegas, Veterans Day rides for Veterans, and local lighted parades.
- The goal for 2026 is to sponsor 2 economically and/or physically disadvantaged students in competitions and events throughout the North Texas/Texoma region and engage a Para driver athlete to learn how to drive using our wheelchair accessible carriage.
🛠 Program Needs
- Horse Care Funding
Support is urgently needed for ongoing care of the equines. This includes:- Hay/Daily feed and nutritional supplements
- Veterinary and farrier services
- Routine dental care and vaccinations
- Need of more volunteers - Equine Safe Haven is in need of more volunteers in the Whitesboro Texas areas to help us get ready for events and when we host events locally. If we have more volunteers, we can bring more carriage driving to local events, parades and host clinics. Call to action - email: info@equinesafehave.com
- Need of more board members, specifically more outreach and volunteer director.
- Equipment Acquisition
ESH currently lacks adequate carriage harnesses and driving equipment. This shortage limits scheduling and participation for both students and horses. Additional gear and a marathon carriage would expand program capacity and access.
🌟 Community Collaborations
Equine Safe Haven proudly partners with:
- Equine Safe Haven belongs to the Whitesboro TX Chamber of Commerce, The Gainesville Texas Chamber of Commerce and the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce.
- Local Veterans associations: Whitesboro TX Veterans Association
- Wounded Warrior Project — to provide supportive programming for veterans in the Texoma area
- Equine Safe Haven is a proud member of PATH- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International
What's up?
Our Programs
Two locations:
Southwest New Mexico: Open October 15 to May 15.
North Texas: We have events scheduled throughout the year, trainings, and volunteer opportunities.
Upcoming events
During the year we have several events to addend. Parades, (pictured is 2023, 4th of July, Glenwood New Mexico). Driving horseshows in Canutillo Texas, Festival of Driving in Queen Creek, AZ and more! Click on the event tab to learn more
Your donations are tax deductible as of Nov 15, 2022
Make a difference in someone's life and help a horse
$0.00
Program costs: Your donations make it possible to give back to the community - ability to give economically & physically challenged persons - equine experiences
- We have 11 Equines that Equine Safe Haven supports at SaddleHawk Ranch. (CA$H, Robbie, Hyster, Jo Jo, Whiskey, Isabella, Cappy, Ice, Snow, Jenny & Louie) but every month do we get enough donations to cover their basic needs. There are some months we only receive $300 in donations and that will barely cover feeding our Belgian named CA$H. That is why we need your donations to support all of them in the program!
- The non profit also takes care of additional 9 donkeys
- With your donations we cover feed, supplements, daily care, vet care, hoof care. Our goal is to support the 11 and then help the other Equines still waiting to be part of the program.
- A $30 donation feeds 4 horses a day (horses are fed 2x a day)
- Horseshoeing/Farrier visits are every 8 weeks, and a trim costs $55 each. Set of shoes (for Ronin, Kona, and any other that is used in parades) is $135
- We provide teeth care (floating) when they first arrive, and any follow-up treatments. Average is $250 per horse
- Vaccinations 2x a year $70 each horse
- Gelding ($250 to $450)
- We need driving bridles, driving equipment, Heavy team harness, grooming supplies/equipment - carriages etc
- We need to have a pole fabricated/welded for the wheelchair carriage so we can hook a team to it.
- We need supplements, and medications which are always needed and can be costly. Vaccinations are always needed and we purchase per 10 dose vial ($325) which is ($40) per horse for 6 months.
Program highlights:
- People come to learn about horses, (horsemanship 101)and how horses teach us life skills and leadership
- We use Equines that are completely trained and safe for beginners and novice, many have been indentured with the Amish for over 10 years or more!
- Economically and physically challenged can enjoy our Equines for free! We have a wheelchair accessible carriage for those that cannot climb into the other buggy, they now can wheel into this carriage
- Activities like; reading to a horse or donkey, brushing or kissing a donkey, grooming a horse, walking a horse, leadline bareback riding or simply hugging a huge Belgian horse can make a lifelong impact on the child or person
- Weather permitting - we give horse & buggy rides and teach beginning carriage driving, and horsemanship to visitors that come to the Ranch from all over the country and Europe.
- We have a horse driving school, Farrier Opportunities, board member & volunteer opportunities, and RV workcamping opportunities
Believe it - Donations help and are very much appreciated and needed
Nonprofit, 501(c)3, Charitable Organization, saving by purchasing horses from slaughter, specifically: driving horses
About Us
Saving Equines From Going To Slaughter
Saving Equines From Going To Slaughter
Saving Equines From Going To Slaughter
We save Equines that would be going to slaughter in Mexico. How? We purchase horses, donkeys, and mules from a "kill" pen, and some are used at the Ranch. There they rehab and are repurposed into our educational programs - we offer them a second chance in life!
Rehab & Repurpose
Saving Equines From Going To Slaughter
Saving Equines From Going To Slaughter
We provide educational instruction in various equine activities and disciplines. Basic horsemanship, Driving a carriage/buggy basics, and general horse care, all using our saved horses, mules and donkeys. These animals have much to give and are deserving of a second chance. They provide education & endless smiles
Learn to Drive
Saving Equines From Going To Slaughter
Learn to Drive
Specializing: Showcasing our many saved, rehabbed and repurposed Standardbred horses, we teach people how to drive a cart or buggy using their foolproof skillset. These horses are such patient teachers! Students learn how to harness, drive, and care for the Equines.
We help economically and physically disadvantaged go to horseshows, trail rides and parades around the area and out of state!
Featured in the Deming, NM News - December 27, 2022
About Equine Safe Haven at SaddleHawk Ranch
Open Ranch Day December 17, 2022
Christmas songs played over a loudspeaker during a Saturday open house at SaddleHawk Ranch on Franklin Road east of town. Visitors were invited on arrival to hop onto a horse-drawn cab for a ride around the property with owner Katrina Lomax.
Pulling the cab was a trotter named Ronin, whom she rescued from a Texas kill pen in January 2022 — just around the time she and her husband, Ken Wendel, moved onto the 38-acre property. After retiring from harness racing, Lomax said Ronin belonged to an Amish community out of state.
“He was probably a school bus,” she said. “He’s really good with kids. He’s very easy to handle. When you go down the street, he asks you about driveways — ‘Shall I turn in this driveway?’”
The cab also moved past a few beehives before making its way down the main driveway past an RV that was boondocking at the ranch. The ranch welcomes RVs to camp without hookups to services, or “boondock.” We have 30-amp hookups are available, too.
Yet Lomax spoke with the most passion about the ranch as an educational center — a place to learn about leading and caring for horses.
“When they come from these kill pens, it’s like the end of the cycle,” Lomax said. “They go auction by auction by auction. They get weaker and weaker and weaker because they’re not fed properly.”
They may also suffer from arthritis, dental problems, worms or other concerns.
A point the couple repeated often, in separate conversations, is how much horses have to teach people of any age.
In November, Lomax founded Equine Safe Haven as a nonprofit through which supporters may sponsor a horse to defray the costs of feed and care, and also learn about equine training and care.
read the full article by clicking the link to the right
Algernon D’Ammassa can be reached at algernon@demingheadlight.com.
Past Events
Equine Safe Haven at SaddleHawk Ranch ribbon cutting
The long awaited and exciting ribbon cutting wasThursday May 25, 2023, 11am to 12pm at Deming NM.
Join our Board!
If you are interested in volunteering on the Board, please drop us an email: info@equinesafehaven.com
Current Board Members:
CEO/Executive Director - Katrina Lomax
CFO/Treasurer - Ken Wendel
Director - Cori Ryniker
Director - Larry McMahan
Director - Lynn Gay
Volunteers needed:
Horse handlers
Information table steward (at events)
Driving trainees & Drivers
groomers
Parade volunteer
Event Volunteer
Volunteer Coordinator Director is needed!
Board & General Interest Meetings are monthly on a Saturday (unless otherwise noted) from 10am to 12pm, Mountain time, virtually. There is no December meeting as we usually have a Holiday event on most December weekends. Board elections are in the Nov meetings.
Meetings are transcribed and when possible recorded.
Articles
Top 5: What Horses Teach Us
I have been an Equestrian all my life, and have owned horses for about 25 years. I have transferred some of the skills I have learned from owning, caring and training my horses into my career. Here are the top 5 that I explain to people when they ask how did I learn leadership from the Equine?
- Leadership skills. Horses are ‘herd’ animals, and they follow one lead horse. They trust that one leader, with their whole being. Become that lead horse, and leadership becomes second nature. There is no room for hesitation and indecisiveness in a lead horse. Horses do not ‘smell fear’, they read body language and hesitation/indecision in command.
- Body Language. Horses read body language, and so having confidence transfers into your career, as does hesitation and indecisiveness. Body language needs to be in sync with what the communication is.
- No time off. – Hard work pays off, and the work has to get done whether you feel up to it or not. If the leader misses - so does the herd.
- Horses teach patience. The patience you have learned from working with horses, transfers to your friends, family, and colleagues. Spend time with any animal, and you realize training them takes enormous commitment and patience.
- There are no shortcuts that have long term benefits. Sometimes you must take the time it takes to listen, learn, and do. Do it right the first time, and spend the time you need to do it right. Second time costs money.
Published by
CSM, IT Project Management Published
The Horse Will Teach You If You'll Listen
Ray Hunt