Good Shepherd Healing Ministries Horse Rescue & Learning Center is run solely on the generous nature of volunteers and ranch hands who work for boarding. On any given day, the facility houses 50 - 60 horses and we're currently having to turn away those in need. Countless hours are spent rehabilitating, training, and caring for our horses.
Our horses are turned out for 18 hours a day and are rarely locked in their stalls.
On average, it costs about $400/month to care for a single horse. This does not include emergency, additional veterinary, labor and/or other unpredictable expenses.
We would like to say a special THANK YOU to those individuals and organizations who have stepped forward to help with our work.
We could not have made the progress we have without your kind and generous support.
Good Shepherd Horse Rescue & Learning Center is a 501(C)3 charitable organization dedicated to saving neglected, abandoned and/or abused horses. Many of our horses have been saved from slaughter. We focus on rehabilitating these horses in a loving and caring environment. We provide ongoing care with a healthy diet, daily hands-on contact and vet care, as needed. We work diligently to enrich the lives of the horses to help them trust again. Ideally, we try to place rehabilitated horses into loving new homes.
Good Shepherd Horse Rescue & Learning Center at Smoke Tree Farms officially launched in 2011 but has a much longer history. Founder, Maria Jones, has worked with horses her entire life.
As a child, Maria helped care for the horses at her Uncle's Dude Ranch in upstate New York.
Once in Arizona, her life continued to be horse-focused showing Arabians. At the auctions, however, Maria found many horses desperately in need of better care and positive outcomes, many were headed to slaughter. She knew she had to do something!
Soon after, Maria found herself rescuing horses and realized that she'd found her passion! Smoketree Farms was started in 1985 as a boarding and training facility.
In 2011, Maria gathered a few friends with similar love, dedication and determination, and Good Shepherd Horse Rescue was born.
Our amazing team of volunteers are committed to helping our horses in any way possible. Without their loyal help, we couldn't accomplish what we do. That being said, we ALWAYS need more help!
We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.
288 West Smoketree Street, Apache Junction, AZ 85120, us
Mon | 09:30 am – 12:00 pm | |
Tue | By Appointment | |
Wed | 09:30 am – 12:00 pm | |
Thu | By Appointment | |
Fri | 09:30 am – 12:00 pm | |
Sat | By Appointment | |
Sun | Closed |
Helen Thompson
Cindy has been a principal in Phoenix, Arizona for over 20 years. She holds a master's degree in education and a certificate in educational leadership. She has also worked with the City of Scottsdale for over 30 years doing special events. Her experience with non-profit organizations includes Arizona Special Olympics, Arizona Dream Catchers, and the Wilson Dream Foundation. She has taken her leadership skills, desire to help non-profits, and her love for horses to the Good Shepherd Horse Rescue.
Good Shepherd Horse Rescue & Learning Center
288 West Smoketree Street, Apache Junction, AZ 85120
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GSHR enforces a non-discrimination policy regarding staff, employees, governing board and service based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or national origin.
WE ARE IN URGENT NEED OF YOUR SUPPORT TO SUSTAIN THE OPERATIONAL NEEDS OF OUR RESCUE.