Get to Know Us
Founded in 1994, HPL provides a home for horses, donkeys, and mules whose owners have surrendered them, as well as those seized by court orders or humane societies. Working with veterinarians and experts in the field, The Horse Protection League provides equines with a balanced diet, medical and farrier care, training, a social life, and opportunities to graze in open pasture.
We are funded entirely by grants and donations.
Our Mission
HPL exists to provide a safe haven for equines in need. We work tirelessly towards ending the mistreatment and neglect of horses and other equines. The Horse Protection League is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses, donkeys and burros that have been abused, abandoned or neglected. We provide them with necessary medical care, nutrition, exercise, love and attention they need to thrive.
The key to protecting these magnificent animals is a strong community. HPL is a volunteer-driven organization committed to educating the public about responsible equine ownership, and to advocating for equine welfare at the local, state, and national levels. We partner with colleges, universities, municipalities, government offices and local businesses to achieve these goals.
Our Success
We celebrate when our horses “graduate” – that is, when they are adopted to a farm or family to serve a useful purpose. The healing and growth that constitutes our core values extends to our corps of volunteers. Their hard work and “horse sense” is rewarded with something greater than dollars or words can convey. They love horses, and they know that their efforts and energy make a difference.
2024 marked the 30th anniversary of The Horse Protection League. In that time, we’ve overcome many hurdles. None of those can dull the accomplishment of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming of our equine friends. We’re ready to saddle up for the next 30 years.
Adoption
Give Them a Forever Home!
Experience the profound joy of horse adoption and bring boundless love and companionship into your life by providing a forever home to a rescued horse, giving them a second chance to flourish in a nurturing environment filled with care and understanding.
Available Horses
Please contact us at horses@thehpl.org with any questions about our horses available for adoption or to make an appointment to meet your next equine partner!
Be sure to check out our Success Stories page to read about some of our recent adoptions.

Wacko is a registered 1998 American Quarter Horse gelding. He stands at 15.2hh. Wacko has a kind disposition and enjoys light trail riding. He has Cushings and requires daily Prascend. He is also missing his front teeth but that does not slow him down with his hay! Wacko’s ideal adopter is someone who enjoys light riding on gentle trails.

Reggie is a 2003 Thoroughbred gelding, standing at 16.3hh. Reggie loves mares and can be pushy on the ground. He has some previous dressage training and has a lovely flying lead change. Reggie’s ideal adopter is a calm handler with strong boundaries who can help him with emotional regulation. He has some occasional mild lameness but is lightly rideable at w/t/c and enjoys arena work. Reggie needs to be in a gelding-only pen/turnout.

Upton aka Up Time is a 2017 OTTB standing at 16.3hh. He was retrained after his racing career as a jumper but sustained a knee injury. Upton is currently cleared for flat work.
Upton is well mannered with a kind personality. His ideal adopter enjoys arena work and gentle hacking.

Peaches is a 2023 red roan Quarter Horse mare and stands at 15hh. She is currently halter broke and ready to continue her training to start under saddle. She has a friendly and confident personality but needs a strong handler who can help her learn boundaries and work through some rearing issues when she becomes nervous. She is still learning how to stand politely for vet care and the farrier.

Apache is a 1996 American Quarter Horse gelding standing at 15hh. He is missing his right eye but is well adjusted and not overly spooky.
Apache has a sweet and somewhat stoic personality and is enjoying his retirement. He would make a wonderful companion in a quiet environment.

Gus is a handsome 2011 fleabitten grey Appendix gelding. He stands at 17.2hh. Gus had a career as a jumper but due to navicular and arthritis, he is only available as a companion.
Gus needs a confident handler and can do light ground work. He may be a good candidate for liberty ground work.

Peanut is a 2007 grade mare, standing at 15.3hh. She is broke to ride and currently sound walk/trot. Peanut is easily distracted and needs gentle refocusing to do her best work. Her ideal adopter is an advanced handler comfortable with correcting minor misbehavior.
She does require glue-on shoes that provide proper cushion and support.

Lily is a 2018 Quarter Horse mare, standing at 15hh. She has some reining training, and experience trail riding.
Lily has a kind personality and is suitable for intermediate handlers.
Lily has kissing spine and underwent surgery at CSU in June. We are working through her rehab and she’s making excellent progress!

Laura Lee is a 2012 Haflinger mare, standing at 14hh. She is broke to ride, but needs help getting back into shape. Due to fly reactivity, she must wear fly gear and receive daily allergy meds throughout fly season. Laura Lee’s ideal adopter is an advanced handler comfortable with correcting minor misbehavior.

Finch is a grade, 2022 red roan gelding standing at 14hh and growing. He has a puppy dog personality and enjoys playing with his herd mates. Finch can lead, tie, lunge, and stand for the farrier. He has been lightly started under saddle and is gaining confidence in the round pen. Finch’s ideal adopter is a trainer with experience successfully starting multiple types of green horses or an advanced handler willing to work with a trainer.

Annie is a grade, 2014 sorrel mare standing at 15hh. She is amazingly smart and sensitive, but struggles with anxiety. Annie can lead, tie, lunge, and is learning to stand for the farrier.
She was with a trainer for a couple of months where she gained experience in a variety of environments from trail riding to calf sorts.
Annie is green broke and available to an advanced handler with experience training sensitive horses. She needs someone who will learn her quirks and can give her confidence.

Sterling is a young thoroughbred gelding and is as sweet as can be. He has a deformed hind leg, likely since birth, and therefore is unable to ever be ridden or perform physically taxing tasks. What he lacks in physical abilities he more than makes up for with his personality. He adores attention and is a cuddle-bug! He loves other horses and wants to be friends and play with everyone, but he definitely is still a baby and sometimes annoys his herd mates with his endless energy. He does best in a herd with other geldings, but can be turned out with mares if they set boundaries with him.

Izzy is a 22-year-old Pinto mare with beautiful blue eyes. Due to lameness issues, Izzy isn’t able to take the weight of a human. She has, however, proven her abilities in the ground training arena. She learns ground liberty and other ground skills very quickly. Izzy usually gets along with other horses, but can be dominant. She loves her food, so attention to diet and physical fitness are a must. Izzy is in need of further guidance from a more experienced handler.

Mystic is a 24-year-old gray mare who steals the hearts of everyone she meets. She is well mannered and a sweetheart. She is very responsive during training and loves attention. She and Duke adore each other and we hope that they will be adopted together (and Duke's adoption fee will be waived if adopted with Mystic), but that is negotiable.

Duke is a 24-year-old gelding and is as sweet as can be. He is always very patient with our less experienced volunteers and is easy to handle despite his size. Due to health issues, Duke is not ridable and is on medication. He and Mystic adore each other and we hope that they will be adopted together (and Duke's adoption fee will be waived if adopted with Mystic), but that is negotiable.















Upcoming Events
17999 W. 60th Ave.
Arvada, 80403 United States
17999 W. 60th Ave.
Arvada, 80403 United States
17999 W. 60th Ave.
Arvada, 80403 United States
17999 W. 60th Ave.
Arvada, 80403 United States
17999 W. 60th Ave.
Arvada, 80403 United States
17999 W. 60th Ave.
Arvada, 80403 United States
Donate
HELP HORSES BY HELPING The HPL
MEET THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS!
Your generous donations can make a life-change different for surrendered horses, helping our horse rescue provide vital care, rehabilitation, and a second chance at a loving home.
Volunteer
You Can Be The Change!
Join our horse recuse organization as a dedicated volunteer/member and be a compassionate force in the lives of horses in need, contributing your time, skills, and passion to create a brighter future for these majestic creatures.
The HPL conducts monthly volunteer orientations and handler training. Participants must register. Click here for details.
CERTIFICATIONS
Candid / Guidestar
The Candid Silver seal on a profile denote a higher level of transparency, including comprehensive details about finances, Board of Directors, staff and overall demographics.
EQUUS Foundation
Guardians are organizations on the Equine Welfare Network that demonstrate a commitment to public transparency by their willingness to make comprehensive data about their programs, horse care practices, and governance available for public scrutiny.
The HPL is a 501(c)3 nonprofit tax-exempt organization, located at the historic Churches Ranch in Arvada, Colorado.