The Most Common Questions We Get Asked at Sundance Horse Rescue & Sanctuary
- admin408503
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
At Sundance Horse Rescue & Sanctuary, we receive questions every day from horse lovers, adopters, volunteers, donors, and community members who want to learn more about our mission.
Since 2021, Sundance has rescued and rehabilitated more than 150 horses while providing sanctuary care, adoption opportunities, community education, and volunteer experiences throughout Nevada County and Northern California. Our commitment to equine education helps horse owners and volunteers learn responsible horse care.
Below are some of the questions we are asked most often.
1. What Does Sundance Horse Rescue & Sanctuary Do?
Sundance Horse Rescue & Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming horses that have experienced neglect, abuse, abandonment, owner surrender, or other difficult circumstances.
We also provide lifelong sanctuary for horses that are not suitable for adoption due to age, health conditions, or special needs.
Our goal is to ensure every horse receives the care, dignity, and second chance they deserve.
Learn more about our mission: https://www.sundancehorserescue.org/about-us
2. Where Are You Located?
Sundance Horse Rescue & Sanctuary is located in Nevada County, California, serving horses and communities throughout Northern California.
Our rural setting provides a peaceful environment where horses can recover, heal, and thrive.
Visit our website: http://www.sundancehorserescue.org/contact
3. How Many Horses Has Sundance Helped?
Since our founding in 2021, Sundance has helped more than 150 horses through rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, and sanctuary care.
In 2025 alone, we successfully rehomed 27 horses into carefully selected forever homes.
Every adoption creates space for another horse in need.
View available horses: https://www.sundancehorserescue.org/adopt
4. Why Do Horses End Up in Rescue?
There are many reasons horses come into rescue.
Some common situations include:
· Financial hardship
· Owner illness or death
· Divorce or relocation
· Neglect or inadequate care
· Natural disasters
· Changing life circumstances
· Lack of resources or support
Many horse owners genuinely love their horses but find themselves unable to provide the care required.
Learn more about horse rescue:
5. Can I Adopt a Rescue Horse?
Absolutely.
One of the most rewarding aspects of our mission is helping horses find loving forever homes.
Our adoption process helps match horses with adopters based on experience, goals, facilities, and the individual needs of each horse.
We often have horses suitable for trail riding, companionship, retirement homes, and other purposes.
6. Can I Foster a Horse?
Yes.
Our foster program allows qualified individuals to provide temporary homes for horses while they continue their rehabilitation or await adoption.
Fostering helps us expand our capacity and provide individualized care for horses in need.
Learn about fostering: https://www.sundancehorserescue.org/foster
7. Can I Sponsor a Horse?
Yes.
Many of our sanctuary horses require ongoing care for the remainder of their lives.
Horse sponsorship helps provide horse sponsorship allows supporters to directly impact the lives of horses in our care.
· Feed and hay
· Veterinary care
· Dental care
· Farrier services
· Medications
· Shelter and daily care
Sponsors play an important role in helping us provide quality care year-round.
Sponsor a horse: https://www.sundancehorserescue.org/sponsor
8. Can I Volunteer?
Absolutely.
Sundance is entirely volunteer supported.
More than 30 dedicated volunteers help with feeding, grooming, facility maintenance, fundraising, events, horse handling, and community outreach.
Whether you have extensive horse experience or simply want to help, we welcome volunteers who are willing to learn and contribute. We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities for people of all experience levels.
9. What Happens When a Rescue Horse Arrives?
Every horse receives an individualized evaluation and care plan.
Depending on the horse’s needs, this may include:
· Veterinary care
· Dental work
· Farrier services
· Nutritional rehabilitation
· Training
· Socialization
· Behavioral assessment
Some horses are ready for adoption within a few months, while others require significantly longer rehabilitation.
10. Do You Accept Horse Surrenders?
In some situations, yes.
Our ability to accept surrendered horses depends on available space, resources, and the horse’s needs.
We encourage owners facing difficult circumstances to contact us as early as possible so we can discuss available options. Our horse surrender assistance process helps owners explore responsible options for their horses.
Contact us about horse surrender assistance: https://www.sundancehorserescue.org/contact
11. What Was the Largest Rescue Sundance Has Participated In?
One of the most significant rescue efforts in our history occurred in December 2025 during a large-scale Nevada County animal seizure involving more than 200 animals.
Working alongside Nevada County Animal Control, HEART, veterinarians, law enforcement, Sammie’s Friends, Animal Place, and many dedicated volunteers, Sundance accepted seven equines requiring immediate rehabilitation and care.
The experience demonstrated the importance of community collaboration when animals need help most.
12. What Makes Sundance Different?
At Sundance, rescue is about more than providing shelter.
We focus on:
· Individualized care
· Responsible adoptions
· Lifelong sanctuary when needed
· Volunteer engagement
· Community education
· Rescue horse rehabilitation
· Future equine-assisted learning opportunities
Every horse is treated as an individual, not a number.
Learn more about our mission: https://www.sundancehorserescue.org/about-us
13. What Are Your Plans for the Future?
In addition to continuing our rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, and sanctuary programs, we are developing future educational opportunities that will serve veterans, individuals with disabilities, and community members interested in learning through meaningful horse-human interactions.
Our goal is to create positive experiences that benefit both horses and people.
14. How Can I Help?
There are many ways to support our mission:
· Adopt
· Foster
· Sponsor
· Volunteer
· Donate
· Attend events
· Share our mission
Every contribution helps us continue rescuing and caring for horses throughout Northern California. Generous nonprofit donations make this lifesaving work possible.
Volunteer opportunities: https://www.sundancehorserescue.org/volunteer
Sponsor a horse: https://www.sundancehorserescue.org/sponsor
Join Our Mission
Every horse that comes to Sundance has a story.
With the support of our volunteers, donors, adopters, sponsors, and community partners, those stories can have happy endings.
Whether you are interested in adopting, fostering, volunteering, sponsoring, or simply learning more, we invite you to become part of the Sundance family.
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