When he found out he was dying, the man's only wish was for someone to give his beloved horse a safe home. The man passed away before his wish could come true. His horse, Renegade, a once wild mustang rounded up in Nevada by the Bureau of Land Management, was now 27 years old and sick with Cushing's Disease.

With his guardian and familiar pasture gone forever, Renegade ended up at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. They kindly cared for him for nine months. During this time, shelter staff, volunteers and members of the Santa Cruz community actively searched the entire country looking for a sanctuary where Renegade could find peace in his final years.

While at the shelter, the staff quickly learned that Renegade loved company. Although he could not see his fellow barnyard companions as their enclosures blocked their view, Renegade bonded with goats and pigs. His behavior would change for the worse whenever his friends were adopted, leaving him behind.

When the staff at CAPE learned of Renegade, we knew we could grant the wish of his guardian and provide Renegade with a new pasture he could call home. Arrangements were made and on an overcast morning, Renegade was transported from Santa Cruz to Grass Valley.

He weathered the journey and was soon walking down to his new pasture where the rescued donkeys and CAPE's ex-racehorse Remy were grazing. Remy realizing something was new, kicked up his hooves and tossed his head. He was making sure the newcomer knew who was in charge.

Renegade was introduced to a temporary corral where he would be made comfortable for the coming days until the time was right to integrate him with the equine herd. 

Because he has been diagnosed with Cushing's Disease, Renegade will need monthly veterinary visits, blood draws and medication to stave off the symptoms. 

You can be a part of Renegade's rescue and path to a healthy future. Please sponsor Renegade with a monthly donation. Your support will pay for blood draws, medications, special diet feed and veterinary care.

CAPE will devote this blog to Renegade's progress over the next few months. We thank you for your support and hope you will check back for more updates on how he responds to meeting the other equines; receives visitors who advocated for him; has his first veterinary check up, and more! 

Thank you to Carol Hansen Dix and Therese Hukill-DeRock for the photos!
Special thanks to Staci Sanders for creating and sharing the video below!