In 2019, MCR team member Rachel came across a post on Facebook of an elderly BLM mustang at an infamous kill pen in Texas who would be shipping to Mexico to be slaughtered the next day. The photo depicted a very thin, older mustang with a visible BLM freeze brand on the left side of his neck, standing tied to a post — dejected. We assumed that he was being used as a riding horse until the time he was sold at auction because he had shoes on his front feet.

Brownie at the Kaufman kill pen in Texas.

We stepped up to buy this elder gelding and made arrangements for him to be quarantined before being shipped to our satellite facility in Sonoma, California.

We named him Brownie. From his BLM freeze brand, we learned that he was 27-years old and was rounded up as a foal in 1993 from Nevada.

He handled the trip to California beautifully. Everyone who met him along the way commented on what a sweet horse he was, and how much he likes people. He is extremely personable, gentle, and likes to follow people around for pets and scratches. It seems like Brownie had someone who cared about him at one time in his life, and we wondered how he could end up in such a sad situation.

Brownie shortly after arriving at MCR. Photo by Kimerlee Curyl

Brownie has Cushing’s disease which is common in older horses -- a dysfunction of the pituitary gland that results in hormonal imbalances. He has been on medication to help with the Cushings and make him more comfortable while he grazes with his friends in his pasture.

Close to a year later with love and care, Brownie looks like a much different horse.

Brownie with MCR trainer Rachel, who saw him at auction. Photo by Tara Arrowood

Brownie now spends his golden years in a pasture with his new best friends. When we see Brownie, we have reminded of the over 130,000 horses a year ship over the US border to Mexico and Canada where they await a horrific fate and how his life could have taken a much different path.

If you would like to support our work with rescued horses like Brownie, please consider becoming a sponsor. You would be helping to provide safety and refuge for horses in need.

Sponsor Brownie