Saving Lives One Rescue at a Time
Every animal at Project Barnyard has a story—one of resilience, survival, and hope. Rescued from neglect, abuse, and the slaughter pipeline, these animals have found safety and love in our sanctuary. Here, they receive the individualized care they need to heal and thrive.
Meet the incredible rescues who now call Project Barnyard home, and see how your support makes a difference in their lives.
Lago
Lago is not our typical rescue. He was a horse from my childhood that I found out was still alive after all this time! His owners had retired him and had done so much for me growing up, I could not think of a better place for him to be than here with us. His owners are who introduced me to horses and taught me everything I know, without them, Project Barnyard would not exist. Lago still looks and acts like a baby and loves to play chase. He will live out the rest of his days alongside Lucille who he has bonded to.
Birth Date: 1998
Rescue Date: March 2025
Species: Horse
Walter
Walter was rescued out of the direct ship to slaughter pen in Bowie, TX. He had been ran through multiple auctions across the country prior to him ending up there. After his initial vet examination, it was evident he had endured a grueling work life. Despite that, he is one of the most personable rescues on the ranch. He will always walk up to receive love, scratches and treats. After gaining some much needed weight back, he lives comfortably and peacefully out on the pasture!
Birth Date: 2002
Rescue Date: January 2025
Species: Mule
Gertie
Gertie was rescued out of the direct ship to slaughter pen in Bowie, TX. Shortly after being rescued, the auction sickness took over. We treated her with three rounds of IV antibiotics with no improvement. When she continued to decline, we discovered she was suffering from heart failure. Poor Gertie was just too far gone... she was humanely euthanized after a few days of having a full belly and clean shavings to rest in.
Birth Date: 2000
Rescue Date: January 2025
Species: Mule
Date of Passing: January 2025
Bodie
Bodie, Bodine, Boudini, Bodie Man, BoBo... this horse as changed our rescue for the better. When Bodie went through the auction ring, he was a perfect horse for the rider who was treating him terribly. The second he was bought he limped out and was thrown back in a pen. Easton and I walked around to the back and found the buyers and overhead their plans for him, and I just couldn't take it. After almost an hour of negotiation and begging, he was safe. He has OCD in his hocks, severe arthritis and scar tissue damage and needs injections 3-4 times a year and daily pain management. Despite all of that, Bodie is the brightest light with the biggest personality... always playing, escaping pastures and stalls, opening gates, and snoring while sleeping.
Birth Date: 1996
Rescue Date: November 2024
Species: Magician
Maisy & Olive
Maisy and Olive were dumped at an auction and when the auction house asked whether they wanted them sold together or separately, the previous owner said "whatever brings in the most money". Baby Olive was just a couple months old, if that, and still nursing. Mama Maisy did everything to protect and stay with her baby during the stressful auction. Now, they will live the rest of their lives together in a sanctuary, never separated from one another.
Birth Date: 2010 & 2024
Rescue Date: November 2024
Species: Donkey
Pearl
Pearl is easily the spunkiest rescue on the property! You would never know she has Cushing's disease and is insulin resistant. Aside from her daily medication and special diet, Pearl is as energetic and happy as they come. She and Fanny Mae are bonded to one another and always share the same hay bin.
Birth Date: 2010
Rescue Date: December 2024
Species: Pony
Nebo
Nebo was rescued by Rescue Ranchito, a mustang focused equine rescue just north of us. Shortly after discovering he was a senior, we teamed up to give Nebo sanctuary here with us. We often call him "Eeyore" because of how slow and mopey he moves around the pasture. However, he is playful, snuggly and just wants to be in your pocket! He suffers from ringbone on both of his fronts, so is living out his days grazing with Eleanor as long as he is comfortable.
Birth Date: 2001
Rescue Date: April 2024
Species: Horse
Eleanor
Eleanor is our one-eyed girl with the most beautiful highlights! Another duo-led rescue. She is the leader of Maia and Gregory and gallops around the pasture after breakfast and dinner every single day. She loves to be snuggled by her humans.
Birth Date: 1998
Rescue Date: August 2024
Species: Horse
Davy
Davy is our 35 year old rescue. We were unsure if he would make it when he was rescued from a trader’s hands. He was sick, emaciated and had no fight left. He now is spunky, energetic, and very particular on who he allows in his space!
Birth Date: 1989
Rescue Date: August 2024
Species: Horse
Date of Passing: December 2024
Fanny Mae
Fanny Mae was rescued out of the direct ship pen. She is slow moving and has the kindest eyes. Her favorite thing is getting her ears scratched!
Birth Date: 2004
Rescue Date: August 2024
Species: Donkey
Mia
Maia was rescued completely emaciated and scared, in a horse trader’s hands. She is a nervous lady who prefers the company of four- legged friends, especially Gregory. She has the biggest ears and head and most beautiful markings.
Birth Date: 1999
Rescue Date: August 2024
Species: Mule
Gregory
Gregory (left) was our old man mule. Tracing his brand, we discovered the scars on his back were from being a packing mule for mountain lion hunting trips… Having worked all his life, he was always a stiff and are guy. I called him our "bulldozer", as he would back his booty up to you or another animal when he was wanting someone out of the way. His arthritis in his hocks became too painful for him and he was no longer able to get himself up from laying down. We helped him pass peacefully as his herd surrounded him.
Birth Date: 1999
Rescue Date: August 2024
Species: Mule
Date of Passing: March 2025
Merlin
Merlin... this poor baby broke my heart. He was at the Bowie, TX August auction. I was walking past his pen and saw him suffocating, gasping for air. I ran to the office to see who owned him and it took hours before they got ahold of the trader who had bought him. We were able to save him and rush him to Outlaw Vet Hospital. Fluid had filled his lungs and he was too far gone... too young and too sick. He was euthanized then.
Birth Date: 2024
Rescue Date: August 2024
Species: Donkey
Date of Passing: August 2024
Alice
Alice is one of our most special rescues. Not knowing anything from her past, she has been a mystery case. From stringhault to photic head shaking and now being diagnosed with EPM, this kind soul has not had a break. Roman looks after her as she spends her days grazing and healing.
Birth Date: 2008
Rescue Date: April 2024
Species: Horse
Phoebe
Phoebe is our one-eyed mule who makes the funniest squeals. She is bonded to Prue and follows her everywhere. Her favorite thing to do is roll right after being bathed.
Birth Date: 2003
Rescue Date: February 2024
Species: Mule
Prue
Prue was rescued out of the direct ship pen with multiple injuries. She was fearful of people, water, and being handled. Today, she’ll stand with her head on your shoulder only wanting to receive love… but she still has her opinions and is not afraid to show them!
Birth Date: 2004
Rescue Date: February 2024
Species: Horse
Piper
Piper was rescued out of the direct ship pen from Bowie, TX along with Prue and Phoebe. The three of them together made up the "charmed sisters" from the February 2024 auction. As you can see in her photo, her neck had been horribly injured prior to being dropped off at the auction. It was limiting her ability to eat correctly and more importantly, was negatively affecting her quality of life. Piper enjoyed a few weeks of pain medication, treats, space and time before she was peacefully laid to rest.
Birth Date: 2006
Rescue Date: February 2024
Species: Horse
Date of Passing: March 2024
Jasper
Jasper and Jovie are bonded, as they were rounded up together and separated from their mothers at just two months old in July of ‘23. He is the calmest boy with the most gentle eyes.
Birth Date: 2023
Rescue Date: August 2023
Species: Horse
Jovie
Jovie is one of two mustangs that we rescued as orphaned foals. She is the most confident of our rescues, always in your business, and will take neck scratches and carrots over everything!
Birth Date: 2023
Rescue Date: August 2023
Species: Horse
Woodrow
Woodrow joined Kemp in going to another equine rescue up north. He was spoiled, grazed and had the freedom to roam for a month before his x-rays and evaluation showed his untreated injuries were causing him too much pain to be pasture sound. Woodrow was laid to rest with Kemp right by his side.
Birth Date: 1994
Rescue Date: August 2023
Species: Horse
Date of Passing: September 2023
Kemp
Kemp may not have been with us very long, but he sure made each day eventful! Although he was the youngest of "the five", he strived to be the leader. His stubbornness ended up saving his life. After a storm one night, he began to colic. We had our vet out for hours and later transported him to our nearest emergency clinic. He fought that entire night and came home three days later. He went to another equine rescue in norhtern Utah and now lives with a foster who renamed him Rex.
Birth Date: 2005
Rescue Date: August 2023
Species: Horse
Wilson
Wilson was the leader of the rescues. He enjoyed time in each pasture and was the big brother to Roman. Everyone would agree, Wilson was the greatest horse... he knew every routine, always was respectful, kind and gentle, and was gone far too soon. We lost Wilson one year into rescuing him to colic. He passed peacefully under a pink sky sunset while Lucille and Roman watched over him.
Birth Date: 1996
Rescue Date: August 2023
Species: Horse
Gus
Gus, one of "the five", was rescued with multiple injuries and sources of pain through all four of his legs. Even with all of the pain he endured, he showed so much personality and will to fight. We'd find him grazing on the lawn after having escaped his stall. Unfortunately, the bad days began to outweigh the good and the pain was extensive. We helped him peacefully pass.
Birth Date: 2003
Rescue Date: August 2023
Species: Horse
Date of Passing: November 2023
Roman
Roman is the only surviving rescue from “the five”, our first big rescue mission of five horses. He takes care of each horse he is bonded to and although he can be timid around people, he is the kindest and most caring to his four-legged friends.
Birth Date: 1994
Rescue Date: August 2023
Species: Horse
Lenny
Lenny was rescued out of the direct ship pen in Bowie, TX. He was emaciated, malnourished, and unfortunately was too far gone. After some TLC and a full evaluation from our vet, he passed peacefully.
Birth Date: 1993
Rescue Date: August 2023
Species: Horse
Date of Passing: August 2023
Lucille
Lucille is our mascot and my whole heart. She was rescued out of the kill pen and is the “why “ behind Project Barnyard. Our sweetest lady.
Birth Date: 2000
Rescue Date: July 2023
Species: Mule
Alpacas
Lilly, Poppy, Daisy, Rosie, and Violet. Our five flower girls were rescued when their previous owner was diagnosed with terminal cancer and could no longer care for them. They live in their own pasture protected by Wilt and Juwon.
Birth Date: 2010, 2020, 2019, 2018, & 2017
Rescue Date: January 2019
Species: Alpacas
Juwon
Juwon is Wilt’s best friend. He is confident and nosy and will always find the pocket where treats are hidden!
Birth Date: 2018
Rescue Date: January 2019
Species: Donkey
Wilt
Wilt is one of the first BLM donkey rescues and is Juwon’s shadow. He is shy but curious.
Birth Date: 2018
Rescue Date: January 2019
Species: Donkey
