The Annie Project
Offering dude and guest ranches a new solution for retiring horses, ensuring they avoid falling into unsafe hands.
About The
Annie Project
Horses at dude ranches create lasting memories, but their retirement often leads to uncertain fates at auctions, risking slaughter. The Annie Project offers a compassionate alternative by providing retiring ranch horses a chance at new beginnings through reputable rescues.
When you choose a ranch that participates in the Annie Project, you’re choosing a place that puts horses first. These ranches commit to caring for their horses not just while they’re working, but for life. Guests can ride with confidence knowing the animals they connect with are respected, protected, and given dignified retirements – because doing right by horses is part of the experience.
Partnering Ranches
Annie's
Story
The Annie Project takes its name from Annie, a sweet and well mannered horse rescued by Drifter’s Heart of Hope from an auction in upstate Colorado. Her description read, “She is very gentle and probably needs her knees injected and she would be fine. She is great in the arena and a great little trail horse. I understand why they shipped her- it’s not fair to make her keep climbing our terrain. We used her for older ladies who were timid and she always took care of them.”
This short description saved Annie’s life. She sounded like an amazing horse that DHOH could quickly find a home for. Bearing a brand of a local guest ranch, Annie’s arrival marked the beginning of a vital collaboration between the ranch, C Lazy U, and DHOH. That partnership established The Annie Project, dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of horses like Annie, forging a brighter future for them.
