Abandoned and injured in rural San Luis Obispo County Sriracha, a miniature horse, is now an ambassador for Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Paso Robles, California. Sriracha’s rescue journey highlights how specialized care changes the lives of abandoned and injured horses.
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Abandoned, SLO Animal Services Intervenes
SLO County Animal Services responded to a rural SLO county welfare check in the late fall 2024. Officers discovered a gentle donkey and a small bay miniature horse. Although they had each other, they had little else. Neither animal was in poor body condition as each made good use of the sparse pasture. However, it was obvious their care had been overlooked for far too long. Their hooves were severely neglected, obviously overgrown, twisted, and misshapen. The little miniature mare was struggling the most; she was barely able to even walk.
Sriracha’s Story Unfolds
Giving her the name Sriracha, after the hot sauce featuring Thai spices, Animal Services quickly realized her challenges went far beyond untrimmed feet. She stepped with her right hind leg in a sideways position with each swing forward compensating for the pain of an untreated old injury.
X-rays later showed the extent of the problem: the leg had healed incorrectly long ago forcing her to walk on the side of her hoof. Since the injury was never treated, years of compensating had caused her hoof to grow abnormally. This only added more strain to Sriracha’s already damaged leg.
Animal Services determined this little mini mare needed a permanent home with specialized care. So, they contacted Redwings Horse Sanctuary seeking help in finding the darling a permanent safe haven. Sriracha arrived at the sanctuary in May 2025, ready to begin the long journey toward rehabilitation, comfort and a better quality of life.
The Process of Sriracha’s Journey from Abandoned to Ambassador
Every new arrival at Redwings receives a thorough intake and individualized care plan. Sriracha’s case required especially detailed collaboration between the veterinary and farrier teams due to the longstanding nature of her injury
No One-Size-Fits-All Rehabilitation Plan
Sriracha’s rehab plan was custom-designed for her needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach. Key elements included:
- Comprehensive veterinary evaluation & imaging:
X-rays assessed the old leg injury and understand how the bones and joints had healed. This allowed veterinarians and farriers to design a safe, realistic plan to improve her comfort instead of attempting changes that might cause more harm. - Pain management and supportive care:
Medication, careful handling, and safe footing are prioritized so she moves around the sanctuary without worsening her condition. - Corrective trimming and specialized farrier work:
Because Sriracha had been walking on the side of her hoof for years, her hoof capsule had grown in a distorted way. A long-term schedule of gradual corrective trims done by Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center was created to very slowly improve hoof balance and function without over-stressing the leg. - Ongoing monitoring and adjustment:
Revisiting her plan happens every five weeks as Redwings hauls her to Alamo Pintado. If she responds well, trimming and shoeing strategies continue or progress; if she shows discomfort, the approach is adjusted.
Sriracha’s Journey: A Success Story
This mini mare’s healing has been gradual and is still ongoing, but several clear stages have emerged:
First, stabilization and relief are achieved: After her arrival at Redwings in May 2025, the first focus was comfort, pain management, limited but safe movement, and careful initial trims. Sriracha was outfitted with a strong specialized adhesive product secured to her bad hoof as an extension.
This special aid provides support and aids her in walking normally. Without it she goes back to walking on the side of her hoof/pastern/fetlock instead of upright on her foot. The extension gives her the correct support to keep her damaged fetlock joint in the most natural position, which takes the pressure off her damaged ligaments in that hoof. As her pain was controlled to a more comfortable level, the staff noticed she moved willingly around her space and interacted calmly with caregivers.
Next, improved mobility and confidence: With regular corrective trimming and the specialized extension, Sriracha’s stride began to look more stable. She still has an unusual gait, but she can move with more ease and less hesitation. Her willingness to walk to her caregivers, explore her paddock, and engage with her donkey and equine neighbors has increased.
Finally, emotional relaxation and trust: As her physical comfort improved, her demeanor softened. She has become more relaxed during handling, more curious, and more expressive. These are small but meaningful signs that she feels safe and secure in her new environment.
While Sriracha will likely always have some physical limitations, her improved comfort and increased confidence clearly show how much the consistent, specialized care at Redwings has transformed her day-to-day life.
Sriracha will remain a permanent resident of Redwings, receiving lifelong care and the compassion she was denied for so long. She is now an ambassador for Redwings Horse Sanctuary demonstrating the difference specialized care and handling can make in an animal.
Lessons Learned from Sriracha’s Abandoned to Ambassador Story
Sriracha’s journey reinforced several key lessons. Early neglect can create lifelong medical needs. Collaborative care between Animal Services, veterinary teams, farriers and sanctuary staff is essential. Every horse needs an individualized plan as no two rescues are the same. Board leadership makes deep-care cases possible through sustained financial support and strategic planning. Having an engaged, active board and staff is crucial to ensuring Redwings has the resources and stability to say “yes” to complex, long-term rescue cases.
Stories like Sriracha’s remind us how vital dedicated leadership is to our mission and how many lives depend on it.
Redwings Horse Sanctuary Board of Directors
Would you like to be a part of making life better for neglected horses and retired race horses needing a career change? Redwings is seeking new board members to expand professional skills, strengthen local community connections, and support long-term sanctuary growth and sustainability.
Board of Director’s Duties
The Board provides strategic direction, financial oversight, governance, fundraising leadership, and long-term planning support. Board members also act as ambassadors within the community and support the Executive Director.
Redwings seeks men and women of achievement from the local community, who are dedicated to animal welfare, to serve as Board Members for a two-year term. Prior board or nonprofit experience is not required, but members must attend monthly meetings, participate in committee work, and actively engage in fundraising efforts. Skills in nonprofit governance, finance, law, marketing, or community relations are especially valuable. This position offers a meaningful opportunity to directly impact the rescue and well-being of horses.
For more information, contact:
Susan Carr, Executive Director
susan@redwingshorses.org or 805-237-3870.
“Serving on the Redwings Board has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I’ve seen horses arrive in heartbreaking condition and, through the dedication of staff, volunteers, and donors, transform into healthy, confident animals.
As a board member, I know the decisions we make directly support that transformation—whether we’re approving a budget for specialized medical care or helping raise funds for new facilities. If you care deeply about animal welfare and want to see your time and skills create real, visible change, Redwings is a wonderful place to serve.” -Linelle Soxman
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