Sun, Fire, Moon, Luna and Starlight are the inspiration for Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary. This family band of mustangs was rounded up and removed from public lands in New Mexico in the spring of 2007. Sun, Fire, and Moon were hide and bone after starving during the harsh winter on over-grazed range, and Luna’s heavily pregnant belly hung below sharply protruding ribs. A first glimpse at the holding facility found them against the back of the corral, deeply wary of any human. Their poor condition made their future more uncertain and their clear family bond fed a strong desire to keep them together. This original Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary Band of Mustangs was adopted on May 1, 2007, and Luna’s foal Starlight arrived three weeks later.

Today, the growing Sky Band of Mustangs thrives within their bonds and freedom restored. Each is sleek muscle, sinew, and raw power as they fly across their sanctuary meadow at a full gallop. Deep connection shows in their whinnying for each other when seeking to gather the band together, and in how they circle to graze in each other’s company at sunset. The Sky Band continues to teach us about the power of sanctuary and freedom, and of a true vision for wild horses and the wild places they roam. These teachings are the soul of Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary’s commitment to freedom, wildlife, and wild lands as true sanctuary.

Mustangs adopted into the sanctuary roam with the Sky Band for the rest of their lives, free of the abuse, neglect, and slaughter that cause so many wild horses suffering and death. Sanctuary land and water is conserved for the mustangs and all wildlife who share it, ensuring all thrive now and into the future. Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary is red and purple wild flowers stretched across the meadow and the yipping of coyote puppies as the sky darkens and then lights up with stars. It is the hoof beats and the heart beats of mustangs reveling in their freedom. Join the Sky Community that makes this possible.

Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary envisions a world in which all wildlife live free and thrive within healthy ecosystems.

The mission of Sky Mountain Wild Horse Sanctuary is to create healthy ecosystems for wild horses and other wildlife while providing refuge for vulnerable mustangs where they roam free forever.

Freedom

We value freedom and work for wild horses roaming wild with their family bands throughout their natural lives.

Wildlife & Wildlands

We value a whole ecosystem approach and work for conserving wildland to sustain wild horses, all wildlife that share it with them, and the environment.

Humanity, Science, & Technology 

We value the most respectful and humane treatment for wild horses joined with scientific and technological innovation and work to translate these into action for healthy wild horses and healthy wildlands.

Collaboration

We value building strategic, respectful collaborations and work for continuous learning and action to achieve larger gains for wild horses, wildlife, and wildlands.

Community

We value inclusive sanctuary and environmentalism and act for wild places and our communities to protect wildlife, humans, and the planet.

Ethics

We value integrity, strategy, gratitude, and sustainability, and direct efforts toward what we stand for while living our values in all of the sanctuary’s work.