Tamaya Horse Rehab Gives Neglected Horses a Second Chance
By Tori De Anda
When Gunner arrived at Tamaya Horse Rehab at age 2, pulled from an overbreeding situation where his owner had too many horses to care for, he had never been touched by a person. Thursday afternoon, he was running barrels in front of a crowd.
“He is the star of the stables. He is an amazing animal. I can honestly say in these rodeos when I'm running barrels, he takes care of me,” said Starla Vernon, the rider who has worked with Gunner for years.
Gunner was one of about 20 horses and riders who competed in roping, barrel and modified flag racing at Tamaya's weekly summer rodeo. The event brought the community together to celebrate the volunteers who help care for the horses year-round.
Tamaya Horse Rehab is a shuttle ride from Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, all located on Santa Ana Pueblo lands. Horses are relocated from unsafe homes and brought to Tamaya for rehabilitation and training. Many arrive from owners who are no longer able to care for them. Some are neglected or have had limited human interaction.
At 5 p.m. every day, the team begins caring for the horses before transitioning to individualized rehabilitation and training. Through months of desensitization exercises and consistent positive reinforcement, the horses gradually learn to trust people. They become comfortable with riding and eventually competing in rodeos. Starting June 11, the weekly summer rodeo gives the horses an opportunity to showcase how far they have come while helping to raise funds for the nonprofit.
Staff and volunteers spent years earning Gunner's trust, building comfort in riding equipment, daily riding sessions, and practicing rodeo events before he competed in barrel racing and roping.
According to the American Humane Society, “The issue of surplus horses may result from uncontrolled, or inappropriately planned, reproduction, and also when owners no longer can keep, or want, their animals… Economic, and many other factors, likely result in animals being rejected.”
Gunner and other rehabilitated horses took to their events. Between competitions, volunteers prepared horses for their next run while families watched from the stands. The relaxed atmosphere reflected a clear priority: none of the horses were pushed past their limits or forced to participate. Their safety came first.
After the runs, the arena opens for anyone to ask questions and learn about the horses' rehabilitation journey. Each horse represented a different success story of the program.
Owner Connie Collis established the Tamaya Horse Rehab Program nonprofit in 2012. Her mission was to rehabilitate unwanted horses and give them a forever home. Volunteers of all riding levels are welcome, making it possible for anyone interested to get involved.
“It's important that we realize what they've done for us throughout history. We would not be here if it were not for horses... All the things they've done for us, and now they're a throwaway item if they're not good enough. That's why the mission is so important,” Collis said.
The nonprofit partnered with Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, giving the organization room to grow and train more horses to prevent them from being abandoned. About 55 horses are housed at the resort stables, with others living at CWW Feed Store in San Ysidro. Collis, a lifelong horse lover, has saved more than 100 horses through the program, continuing to work with many of them long after they have recovered.
Staff member Jose Duran explains the benefits of showing up to the rodeo and opportunities to stay involved. “Coming to the rodeo gives people a chance to see the beautiful scenery, support this organization and figure out if they'd like to volunteer themselves.”
The summer rodeo serves as a fundraiser to help care for the horses. Tamaya Horse Rehab is a nonprofit that relies primarily on volunteers with only a small paid staff. There are three more summer rodeos before the season ends Aug. 20. Tamaya will continue to offer trail rides for groups and private outings for riders age 7 and older. In November, the organization will hold its annual Horseshoes & Heels Gala.
For Collis and everyone else involved, the weekly rodeo is more than entertainment. It gives the public an opportunity to witness the progress of each horse, inspiring people to volunteer or support the nonprofit's mission.
Every horse that enters the rodeo arena represents the dedication to giving these animals a better life and what is possible when given a second chance.
To learn more about Tamaya Horse Rehab, visit tamayahorserehab.com. Visitors can book horseback trail rides, attend the weekly summer rodeo, learn how to volunteer or support the organization.
Tori DeAnda, 20, a student at the University of New Mexico with a double major in Political Science and Journalism (multi-media), contributed community engagement multi-media work this summer for the NM Jewish Journal.
Tori, an experienced equestrian, shares her love and care for horses in this piece.
See also these stories with Tori's reels:
Release the Goats: How a Landscaping Fix Became Goatchella by Austin Curtis, video by Tori De Anda
Come As You Are: Santa Fe's Jewish Community Shows Up for Pride by Tori De Anda
We've Gone Viral... by Diane Joy Schmidt, video by Tori De Anda
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