Bend, Ore. – Starting Oct. 15, local nonprofit Mustangs To The Rescue will assume operational management of Equine Outreach Inc.’s programs and the five horses currently in its care. The transition marks the end of Equine Outreach’s 20‑plus years of service to the Central Oregon equine community.
Transition plan and continued care
Under the agreed‑upon plan, all five horses will be transferred to Mustangs To The Rescue, where a dedicated volunteer base will provide uninterrupted care. The organization will also inherit Equine Outreach’s assets, which will be used to fund ongoing equine‑care initiatives, including medical rehabilitation, retraining, and adoption services for at‑risk and displaced horses.
Expanded disaster‑response capabilities
Both groups have a history of frontline disaster response, especially during Oregon wildfires. By joining forces, Mustangs To The Rescue will broaden its capacity to evacuate horses, provide shelter, and distribute feed during emergencies, ensuring that owners can keep their animals safely at home.
Community programs and partnerships
Equine Outreach has long collaborated with local partners such as Sundance Meadows, Bend Equine Medical Center, and Coyote Rock Ranch. Those relationships will continue under Mustangs To The Rescue, which will maintain clinics, feed‑assistance programs, and educational outreach for horse owners throughout the region.
Leadership comments
Executive Director Kurtis Hooley reflected on the transition, saying, “This is an exciting step forward. Uniting with Kate Beardsley and Mustangs To The Rescue ensures our herd receives seamless care while expanding our collective capacity for disaster relief, rehabilitation and community impact.” He thanked the longtime partners for their support over the past two decades.
About Mustangs To The Rescue
Mustangs To The Rescue is a Bend‑based, volunteer‑powered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes horses of all breeds. The organization also offers owner‑assistance programs and statewide emergency disaster response, relying on a network of volunteers and community donors.
Looking ahead
With the operational transition slated for completion by Oct. 15, Mustangs To The Rescue will fully integrate Equine Outreach’s programs and assets. The combined effort aims to strengthen equine welfare across Central Oregon, providing a reliable safety net for horses and their owners in both everyday circumstances and crisis situations.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
