Patches’ Happy Pastures Rescue and Sanctuary
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As shared by Karen, the rescue’s founder, “in 1993, I realized a childhood dream when I bought my first horse, Dakota, a beautiful paint quarterhorse.” Initially boarded at a local ranch, in 1999 Dakota and her two offspring (Patches and Cherokee) were brought home to the roughly 40 acres christened the KAN-DO Ranch. Over the next two decades, the number of horses at the KAN-DO has grown from 3 to 18, fluctuating as horses and donkeys have lived out their lives at the ranch and new ones join the herd.
Initially, friends for various reasons would rehome their equines to the ranch. The next progression was to rescue animals such as the two saved from slaughter after being sold at auction to a kill pen. Several arrived after the deaths of their owners. Most are older horses that suffered an injury or health issue that left them as companion horses. Working with other like-minded animal lovers and having experienced the impact on owners and animals as well as herself, Karen launched Patches’ Happy Pastures Rescue.
About Us
Meet Patches
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From those earliest days, Patches was remarkably calm with humans and quickly became my “healing horse.” Until her death in 2018, she was a family and friends’ favorite providing safe rides to all ages regardless of riding experience. Her calm, healing spirit and sense of wanting to please people defined her life. Many other equines have found a loving home at the KAN-DO Ranch, but there will forever only be one Patches. The rescue is, therefore, dedicated to her with the hope that her healing and loving spirit extends to all who enter the rescue and the owners who loved them first.
Words from our Founder
Meet Our Herd
Click the photos to expand and scroll through
Action Lady, Moose, Maizy, Sito
Running Free
Justanne Memorial
Remembering the ranch, "boss" Justanne, the donkey.
Ben and Dakota memorial
Best friends dying within weeks of each other.
Karen and Champ
Oh my, that does feel good!
Lofty and Big Easy
Soul mates
Lady
Lady was initially rescued from a starvation situation, with her filly, through Care for the Horses. After spending some time in foster she was adopted and brought to the ranch/rescue.
Spirit
Spirit, saved by others from the kill pen, in her teens, was needing a new home due to her owner's relocation. She had her 18 month-old mule offspring by her side. The young mule was also relocated to a loving home.
Olive and Spirit
Corral mates and best friends
Olive
Olive, aka Ollie, arrived at the rescue with her mother Crickett after losing their owner to cancer. One of the rescue's younger horses, Ollie is in training. Crickett, pictured in the memoriam section, was lost to a devastating leg injury.
Lofty
Lofty, in her mid-20's, is an older Arabian horse that took some time to adjust to a herd environment. Fortunately, it didn't take long to find her hero/best friend in Big Easy. Owner placed.
Sito
Sito, a gaited horse at 20 + years, was owner placed for financial reasons.
Maizy
Maizy, in her late teens, was Karen's trusted trail horse retired due to multiple issues that left her unsafe for riding.
Sito and Maizy
"Pen" pals hanging out in pasture
Champ
Champ arrived from the kill pen the same time as Dusty. 20 + years old, Champ keeps an eye on the herd, standing his ground regardless of his smaller stature.
Buzz
Buzz, a stout quarterhorse that suffered a devastating roping injury as a young horse. Cared for by an elderly rancher for over a decade, he recently came into the rescue after the rancher's death.
Buzz, Mary, Spirit, Olive
Buzz leading "his" mares to pasture
Dusty
Dusty, the rescue's only Haflinger, came to the rescue from a kill pen only hours away from being shipped for slaugher. He arrived a very traumatized animal who carried deep mistrust and fear of people. Happily he is a much more confident horse today.
Maggie
Maggie’ Messenger, a Thoroughbred mare registered with the Jockey Club, is a former racehorse and broodmare. In her mid-20's, she enjoys retirement, racing around the pasture with one of her early offspring at a PHP foster facility.
Jett
Jett, in her mid-20’s, is an Appendix mare who joined the rescue in 2025. She spent much of her life in Colorado exploring trails with her owner. She made friends quickly and enjoys her pasture time with a herd.
Rascal
Rascal, a quarter horse, is in her mid-20’s. Her owner’s illness forced the family to find a new home for Rascal and we were happy to welcome her to Patches’ Rescue.
Opossum
Opossum is a mammoth donkey gelding who was surrendered in 2026. Serving as the leader among Chief and Toby, Opossum (22 years old) approaches his role with diligence and responsibility.
Chief
Chief, a 20-year-old mammoth donkey gelding, is one of three amigos arriving at the rescue in 2026. Surrendered by his previous owner, Chief adds his unique donkey personality to the group.
Toby
Toby, a 7-year-old standard donkey gelding joined the rescue in 2026. While getting acquainted to his new home, Toby has remained near Chief and Opossum, enjoying the company of his best friends.
Mini family
The minis! A family of three - consisting of mom Edy, dad Tripp and their offspring Sunny. The family came into the rescue after the owners' health issues led to their relocation.
Edy
The old show mini posing for the camera.
Tripp and Karen
Tripp checking for a carrot.
Memorial Wall
Remembrances of 4-legged friends lost
Ranch Aerial
KAN-Do Ranch, home to the rescue
A place for senior horses to find their forever homes.
PHP offers a peaceful sanctuary for equines needing a safe and loving environment.
In Memoriam
Remembering the first to leave hoofprints on my heart…
- Karen, PHP Rescue Founder
Click the photos to expand and scroll through
Patches
Ben and Dakota
Crickett
Cody
Blondie and Gus
Charlie and Justanne
Cheyenne
Cherokee
Cinnamon, the mini
Mary
Chico
Big Easy
Honor