Skydog Sanctuary
@skydogsanctuary.bsky.social
Skydog is a non-profit Mustang Sanctuary in Oregon and Malibu, which rescues wild horses, burros, and reunites equine families torn apart during Bureau of Land Management roundups.
1/ Bess and (Bumble)Bee spent most of their lives wild. What a huge shock to be rounded up, confined, and dumped in the slaughter pipeline without enough to eat. In safe hands now, they will be turned out with a band of seniors, including Mabel, when they have put on weight and recovered.
Beautiful Comet unloads first. Little Moonbeam literally follows in his mum’s hoofsteps and leaps off the trailer. He is so eager to explore his new world. His mama and auntie can relax. They are safe and sound. They are home. We love them so much!
His name is MOONBEAM! Thank you for all the wonderful, cute, and clever names suggested for this little #burro. We rescued him with his mama, Sunbeam, Comet, Bess and Bumblebee (Bee). As soon as they are cleared for travel, they will come to Oregon to live wild and free.
It was hard to choose just one as the poster mustang for our 10th Anniversary, but sweet Lily won the day. Her story epitomizes what we do when we rescue, heal, rehabilitate #wildhorses, give them family, and space to run. #rescuedoneright
1/ Fundraiser for 4 burros today. A pregnant jenny, an older baby of a jenny, who was adopted without her, and 2 seniors - Bee & Bess. Please donate it you can. We want to get them out of the pen before they ship, as the border is opening up this week: bit.ly/3I1ucWT
This is the story of a #wildhorse named Blue Zeus, who lost his freedom and family - and became a legend. Watch it on Prime www.amazon.com/Blue-Zeus-Ro...
Front page of the #newyorktimes today. Thank you, NYT, Dave Philipps, and Erin Schaff for bringing government-sanctioned animal cruelty to national attention.
I am thrilled to announce that our feature-length, award-winning documentary BLUE ZEUS is now streaming on Prime! Available for rent or purchase - and please get High Definition (HD) if you buy it - I will be joining the international audience watching it this weekend! -#bluezeusthemovie
1/ We call on Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for an immediate suspension of the BLM’s Wild Horse & Burro Sale Authority program following an investigation published today by Dave Philipps #nytimes.
The B.L.M. tells the public that slaughter is off the table for #wildhorses, but they’re doing it in plain sight by using a third party. There are simple steps they could take to end this, but they are turning a blind eye. Important article by Dave Philipps. nyti.ms/3TX5b8N
Under Trump, Protected Wild Horses Are Going to Slaughter
A legal loophole allows the government to sell mustangs on the cheap, stripping them of protections and clearing their path to destruction.
nyti.ms
1/ This is the image we used for our 10 Years of Skydog Bonfire t-shirt design. It was a hard task to choose just one #wildhorse at #skydogsanctuary who most represents who we are and what we do. Lily won the day.
"SINCE 2016 ... AND ON WE GO" is a special Bonfire run to celebrate 10 Years of Skydog Ranch rescuing #wildhorses. A variety of shirts feature the image of Lily at a gallop taken by #ScottWilson #photoadvocacy. To order: www.bonfire.com/skydog-10-ye...
Beautiful sepia-toned photos of Skydog mustangs, burros, a zonkey, a zorse, and a mini-hinny are available in our Vintage Collection at www.skydogphotography.com. These were done for us by #ScottWilson #photoadvocacy. All proceeds go to the care of our animals.
Another perfect gift in Santa Ynez! Our newest rescues, Top Notch & Dune, are loving their retirement, running and bucking with joy. Ronan and Golden will stay with us to rest, put on some weight, and recover from their ordeals before going to Sweet Beau Horses to get training and good homes.
What a perfect anniversary gift it is to watch these rescued #wildhorses at the Oregon ranch emerge from the dust. Some are old enough to have been here from Day One. Dorian and Flint are new, but quickly got into the middle of this large #herd and jostled for their place with the best of them.
It was exactly 10 years ago today that I led the first rescues out onto Skydog property! Buddy, Vinnie, Cassidy, ZZ, Jackson, Lisa Marie, Love, Missy, Jones, Denver, Leigh, Read, Ireland, and Daisy were in the first haul to the Oregon ranch. This is the subject of our current newsletter.
And they’re home! I truly cried a few tears after Top Notch & Dune got safely to their stalls. Emotions rise when I think about all they’ve been thru. They can decompress while we monitor the amount they drink and eat, treat their wounds, and assess them.
1/ We always try to find a travel buddy for our rescues for comfort and companionship on the road. 20yo Dune was traded in for a younger, fitter #horse who could work harder. He will come to Santa Ynez to enjoy a hard-earned retirement…
1/ I wish I could climb through the screen to tell Top Notch it’s going to be OK and soothe that frightened eye. Thank you to every single person who saw, felt, and took action for this abused #wildhorse by donating, sharing, commenting, or offering up a prayer…
1/ We are #fundraising to bring Top Notch to #skydogsanctuary. He’s a 19yo #mustang from South Shoshone in the Callaghan Complex, where summer roundups began this year. I’m not sure there has been a horse more deserving of our kindness than this boy….
“Piceance Basin, Colorado 8.10.26. As of last night, 464 #wildhorses have been removed, including 90 foals. There have been 3 deaths.” -Scott Wilson #PhotoAdvocacy
1/ Fergus is tuckered out, sleeping right beneath Mama Mouse’s #hay bag, so she showers her lunch on his milk-full belly. They are still at the vet hospital. Mouse is a blessing “on loan” from her generous family to nurse Fergus and give him a mother’s love.
1/ The duck 🦆on Fergus’ forehead foretold of swimming lessons in the future of this premature #foal. #Water offers resistance that helps him build muscles and increase flexibility without pressure on his joints. #Hydrotherapy helps strengthen his lax tendons…
Wee Fergus is sporting his #PODOBLOCK Redboot Corrective #Foal boots. They were rush shipped from Florida and are working wonders for him. The vet team hoped Fergus would build the strength in his tendons on his own, but he needs the support. Seeing him walk in these makes me super hopeful.
“Imagine being driven from your home by something you cannot understand. You know the landscape. You know where the water is. You know your family is beside you. Then there is noise. Dust. A helicopter overhead. And nowhere to go but forward….
This photo of a heavily pregnant #wildhorse #mare was taken the day before helicopters descended on the lands where she lived in CO to round up her herd. Conservation photographer #ScottWilson of #PhotoAdvocacy captured the inhumanity of the BLM’s wild horse & burro roundup program.
Here is our newest gang of wild burros loving their freedom out on open space. I wondered if this little group would hang by the gate, asking to come back in, but they pretty much disappeared the day we turned them out and have been elusive and hard to find.
Exclusive for Skydog’s 10 Year Anniversary Online Auction: A 44" antique cotton rag print honoring the memory of Violet. No.1 in a Limited Edition of 5 signed-by-photographer (Scott Wilson) fine art prints. All proceeds support the care of our wild horses. To bid: www.32auctions.com/organization...
