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 and equines with special needs. We practice natural horsemanship training techniques, based on the foundations of Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Carter Ranch Horse/HSUS Forever Foundation Training Program, and Bob Jeffreys Common Sense Training. Our focus is on horse-human relationships and we strive to educate the public in responsible and savvy horse ownership for life. We are a certified Equine Assisted Learning "Horse Powered Reading" program, offering Summer youth literacy programs with horses and ponies. We also offer community outreach programs and year-round volunteer experiences to the public. ​

our equines

80% of our equines come from the Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Riverside County Animal Shelter programs, where they are slated for euthanasia due to limited adoption interest. We also take equines 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. We accept private owner surrenders on a limited space-available basis. 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 seven and twelve rescue equines per year. We infrequently adopt out a few rescue equines per year, and mostly give all of our rescue equines a loving home within our 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
​2024 board, president

Deborah founded Animal Guardians Horse Rescue, Inc. in 2013 and serves as a Volunteer Executive Director/Board Member. She has served as Board President, Board Secretary, Volunteer Coordinator/Trainer, Outreach Coordinator, Fundraising/Bequests Officer, Certified EAL Horse Powered Reading Facilitator, Sponsor 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 15 years. Deborah is passionate about equine welfare, adopting shelter animals, and horse-human relationships. She is a 24-year horse owner, a 21-year Parelli Natural Horsemanship student practitioner, a 4-year certified Horse Powered Reading facilitator, and a 25-year special education teacher, specializing in deaf and hard of hearing/autism. 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
​2024 board, director at large 

Robert co-founded Animal Guardians Horse Rescue, Inc. in 2013 and serves as a Board Member at large. He has served as Board Treasurer, Sponsor, Secretary, Director of Operations, and Foster Caregiver. Robert is a 21-year horse owner, 9-year Parelli Natural Horsemanship student practitioner, and a retired U.S. navy veteran. His rescue motto is "All animals deserve to be safe." Robert dedicates his heart and home to senior equines with special needs. He dedicates countless hours to providing an extra hand to all foster care homes for holding horses for  vet/farrier appointments, delivering and stacking hay and supplies, and maintaining inventory for all equine essentials. He is a valued member of our organization. Robert is proud to serve as an Animal Guardian Angel volunteer.