Redwings Horse Sanctuary rescued its first horse in the spring of 1991 after the Fresno Humane Society reported finding a young Thoroughbred with a fractured shoulder in an auction yard. His name was Island Fighter, and after a long rehabilitation, he made a full and successful recovery.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary is now home to between 70 and 85 horses annually and usually has between 10 and 15 Thoroughbreds. Redwings accepts all breeds, from the smallest mini to the largest draft horse; it also accepts mules and burros. The mission of Redwings is to rescue abused or neglected horses, provide permanent sanctuary or suitable adoptive homes for those animals, and to eliminate the causes of equine suffering through education and community outreach programs.

Redwings has a unique adoption program created to ensure that all our horses go to approved and loving homes. Prospective adopters must fill out an adoption application and undergo a home inspection before being allowed to adopt a Redwings horse. Redwings keep in touch with the adopter very closely during the first year. There are four onsite home visits during the first year and mandatory monthly reports to ensure that the horses are happy, healthy, and a good fit for the adoptive family. At the end of the first year, site visits and monthly reporting are no longer required.

Those horses that are not adoptable due to age, illness, or injury are given a permanent home at the sanctuary, where they get to live out their years in a peaceful and loving environment.

Redwings continues to retrain off-the-track Thoroughbreds to prepare them for second careers and offers rehabilitation to horses that are retired from racing due to injuries.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary received a donor gift in 2015 that enabled it to purchase land in Paso Robles. Over the ensuing years, our dream facility was built. In April of 2021, the sanctuary moved to its new and permanent home in Paso Robles. Because Redwings now owns the property, the horses that are permanent residents will never have to move again.

Redwings is proud to be accredited by TAA, CARMA (California Retirement Management Account), and GFAS (Global Federation of Animals Sanctuaries).