Our Mission
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.
Our History
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 Volunteer Team
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!