
Patches’ Happy Pastures Rescue and Sanctuary

-
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
Words from our Founder
-
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.
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!
Mary Mary, a gaited horsse, is a long-time ranch resident. In her early 30's, Mary, owner placed, has her daily routine she has followed for many years.
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.
Big Easy Big Easy, a ranch horse, was the oldest of the herd until Chico arrived. Big E is in his early 30's. Owner placed.
Honor Owner placed, Honor is a 20+ years old pleasure horse with a debilitating knee issue.
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.
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.
Chico Face In his mid-30's, Chico, a shetland pony, is the old man of the rescue. He recently came to us after spending many loving years in the Care of the Horses Rescue.
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