our mission

We provide sanctuary to local senior equines in need, while connecting our southern California community through purpose and service.

​who we are

We are a 501(c)3 public non-profit charity organization for equine welfare in Ventura County, CA. We provide rehabilitation, retraining, and quality of life improvement to senior equines with special needs between the ages of 20 and 40. We practice Parelli Natural Horsemanship and work together with the Humane Society of the United States Forever Foundation Training Program to give some of our younger horses a chance at finding permanent loving adoptive homes as pleasure and companion equine partners. Our focus is on horse-human relationships and we strive to educate the public in responsible and savvy horse ownership for life. We offer summer community-based Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) literacy education, community outreach, and professional development programs. We also offer year-round youth leadership opportunities in fundraising, and volunteer experiences. ​

our equines

90% of our equines come from the Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Bernadino County Animal Shelter programs, where they are slated for euthanasia due to age/special needs. We also have equines that come from abandonment, abuse, neglect, and mishandling/no handling situations. We serve as a County Adoptions partner, and try our best to network all impounded equines to help find them loving forever homes. Coming into our sanctuary program is a last resort. We are a satellite rescue, and all equines are placed in foster care or private boarding situations. We do not have a large ranch facility of our own. We typically house between five and ten rescue equines per year. We rarely adopt out any of our equine angels, but may have one or two per year available for adoption. Our goal is to provide a loving home within our own sanctuary program for life. All of our equines need additional sponsorship support for specialized diets, supplements, medications, additional shavings for soft footing, and excellent Farrier/Veterinary care. Many have worn teeth and require a 100% pellets/cubes diet. All of our equine angels receive appropriate Parelli (or similar) natural horsemanship training and handling, and participate in our horse husbandry program. Some participate in our Horse Powered Reading EAL program and the HSUS Forever Foundation Training Competition. 

Help Us Help Them - Donate Today

Your tax-deductible donation helps us rescue more equines in need
​and care for our current residents. 
​

MAKE A DONATION

PREss

With your help, we are making a difference in our community. Read what the press is saying, from the horse's mouth.

Simi Valley Acorn

Nonprofit rescue gives 'unadoptable' horses a healing hand.

Double 'D' Trailers

Animal Guardians Horse Rescue - Ventura County, California

EQUINE AND CANINE NEWS

AGHR is featured in this excellent publication.

meet our founders

deborah greene-dellvon
Executive director/founder/board member

Deborah founded Animal Guardians Horse Rescue, Inc. in 2013 and serves as a Volunteer Executive Director/Board Member. She has served as President, Secretary, Volunteer Coordinator, Outreach Coordinator, and Foster Caregiver. Deborah began rescuing horses in Hampton, VA, in 2009 and has since relocated the rescue to Simi Valley, CA. She strives for professionalism and is proud of the accomplishments of the organization for the past 11 years. Deborah is passionate about equine welfare, adopting shelter animals, and horse-human relationships. She is a 21-year horse owner, a 17-year Parelli Natural Horsemanship student practitioner, and a proud mother of twins. Her rescue motto is "Joining Hearts & Hands to Hooves" and the logo, a white Pegasus, represents Cookie, the rescue's first California resident; a white, blind Appaloosa mare who was brave, loving, stoic and genuine. She is proud to serve as an Animal Guardian Angel volunteer.

robert dellvon
co-founder/board member

Robert co-founded Animal Guardians Horse Rescue, Inc. in 2013 and serves as a Board Member at large. He has served as Treasurer, Secretary, Director of Operations, and Foster Caregiver. Robert is a 17-year horse owner, 4-year Parelli Natural Horsemanship student practitioner, and proud father of twins. His rescue motto is "All animals deserve to be safe." Robert dedicates his heart and home to senior equines with special needs. He is proud to serve as an Animal Guardian Angel Volunteer.