Wild Horse Rescue Center in Mims, FL

Wild Horse Rescue Center (WHRC) offers a safe and loving home to mistreated and neglected animals deprived of love and kindness. Diane Delano, the founder and president of WHRC, has been an ardent horse lover all of her life and has a soft spot in her heart for all animals. She found her greatest passion in helping America’s wild horses, the mustang. While WHRC focuses on rescuing mustangs, they also rescue many other animals who need homes, such as ponies, dogs, goats, cows, chickens, ducks, burros, and tortoises. Once the animals arrive at WHRC, they are rehabilitated and live pampered, peaceful lives. Volunteers from all over the world come to WHRC to donate their time and help take care of the animals. All of our volunteers come with love in their hearts.

Stories About Wild Horse Rescue Center

Arabella, an 18-year-old mare, came to Wild Horse Rescue Center in January 2018. She had drifted around from home to home and ended up at a riding barn in Geneva, Florida in 2017. At this point, her life had been one of neglect and malnourishment. Her owner believed her to be a riding horse, but she was difficult to catch. Arabella was given to WHRC because the owner had too many horses and could not care for them all properly. She was very withdrawn and shut down when she arrived at WHRC. She was in poor health, very thin, and ridden with lice. Cassandre, a volunteer from France, arrived at the rescue center around the same time as Arabella. We paired Cassandre and Arabella together. As it turned out, Cassandre was suffering from depression. During Cassandre’s stay, she became closely bonded with Arabella. Over the course of their time together, they ended up helping each other heal. Cassandre said, “We moved forward together and started a new life together.” Today, Arabella looks great and is improving every day. Cassandre has returned home to France, but she is coming back to the center for six months as a volunteer coordinator soon. She cannot wait to be reunited with Arabella.

In February of 2018, WHRC brought in two elderly horses, Sonny (33) and Chief (25). Their owner was an elderly 82-year-old woman named Marilyn, who had been a dedicated owner of both horses for 15 years. She felt responsible for their lifelong care, but she was no longer physically able to care for them herself. Therefore, she contacted WHRC to ask if these special horses could be re-homed with us for the remainder of their lives. Both of them had been stalled since Hurricane Irma, due to damage of their pasture’s fencing. As a result, Sonny had foundered and had horrible abscesses in his front left hoof. Both Marilyn’s veterinarian and farrier misdiagnosed this and caused a great deal of additional pain and unnecessary procedures for Sonny. WHRC accepted both horses at our rescue center, and they now reside in their own private double stall and turn out area, built just for them. Our veterinarian and farrier team have evaluated Sonny’s condition and explored several options, which are now working great. Though Sonny is no longer in pain, he will always be lame in that front left foot. Their former owner now comes to visit Sonny and Chief at WHRC, and it makes her very happy to see how both of them are thriving in their new home.

In the Spring 2018, an elderly woman was very ill. Before she passed away, her last request was for someone to find a good home for her two dogs, Rasha and Doc, and her cat, Midnight. Diane selflessly took in both dogs and found a loving home for Midnight. Rasha and Doc are now thriving at WHRC and enjoying the 40 acres they have to explore. They have become beloved friends to everyone at WHRC.

At the beginning of 2017, a badly neglected and malnourished dog, now named Sammy, was found wondering in the road near WHRC. He was very scared of people, and it was obvious to Diane that he had been harshly abused. Diane adopted Sammy into the WHRC family, and now, 18 months later, Sammy is a well-adjusted, happy guy, who loves his many friends at WHRC.