Thunder

Thunder is a horse who went through so much before he came to us. He was rounded up from Salt Wells Creek, Wyoming, adopted out, and passed around from person to person for years, each trying to break his spirit and train him to be a riding horse. The process was abusive and cruel. Consequently, Thunder mistrusted people and was terrified of them.

Fortunately, a wonderful lady took him in to keep him safe. He stood in a stall for four years and was gentled again by a wild horse trainer, who tried to make some progress. In the end, they understood that this was a mustang who would never accept humans. This is the kind of horse that needs sanctuary.

We were asked by his current owner to take him and we said yes. It’s a selfless act to put the horse’s needs above the joy of having him in your life. We appreciate the sacrifice made in his best interest and the trust put in us to give Thunder a happy and wonderful wild life.

Thunder shot out of the trailer into our arena ready for a fight. He was defensive and nervous, so we gave him all the time he needed and asked nothing of him. He was free to just be a horse for the first time in a long time.

Francis, a gentle soul with a relaxed demeanor, came in to be his first friend. The bond they formed is still strong today. He remains at Thunder’s side, the best wingman you could ask for, a Thunder blanket for comfort. They move in unison as if in a dance. Thunder doesn’t move, he floats - his extended trot and head held high are magnificent.

American Mustangs and Burros Need Your Help

In addition to supporting our work by donating, becoming a patron on Patreon, or sponsoring a Skydog, there are several important pieces of legislation to protect American equines currently moving through Congress. It only takes a few minutes to contact your Rep and two Senators to urge them to support these bills. You can Contact Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121‬, submitting contact forms on their individual websites, or sending one email to all three simultaneously at www.democracy.io

Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act of 2025 (H.R.1661 in the House and S.775 in the Senate). This bill would amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the “Farm Bill”. There are several important provisions for animals in that omnibus federal law, including the Cat and Dog Meat Trade Prohibition Act. It is currently illegal to slaughter, transport, possess, purchase, sell, or donate dogs and cats, or their parts, for human consumption. The SAFE Act would extend the ban to equines and shut down the slaughter pipeline that sends some 20,000 American horses and donkeys to savagely monstrous deaths in foreign slaughterhouses every year.

The Wild Horse & Burro Protection Act of 2023 (H. R. 4356) The bill would eliminate the use of helicopters in rounding up wild horses and burros, and require a study into alternative methods for humanely gathering the animals.

Ejiao Act of 2025 (H.R. 5544). To ​​ban the sale or transportation of ejiao, a gelatin made from boiling donkey skins, or products containing ejiao in interstate or foreign commerce, which brutally kills millions of donkeys primarily for beauty products and Chinese medicine.

See our How to Help menu for other actions to ban zebra hunting at US canned hunt ranches and stop production of Premarin & other PMU drugs.