Miracle Horse Comes Home at Last

Eleven of fifteen Peruvian horses rescued from neglect and squalor in Longmont, Colorado and then rehabilitated by compassionate Arizonans have found their forever families.

Among the horses who have found their forever families are Caudio de Colorado (formerly Zantenon) who was recently adopted by Corrales, NM residents, Debra and Bill Vargas. Colorado was considered to be the most at risk of all fifteen of the horses. He had spent his entire six year life in a filthy stall, his feet had never been trimmed, and all four legs were weak from muscle atrophy and poor nutrition. Colorado came to Arizona in May 2007 with the help of Boulder resident Rita Anderson, the Conquistador Program, Hacienda de Los Milagros Animal Sanctuary, PetSmart Charities, Petco Foundation, In Defense of Animals, Best Friends Animal Society and compassionate residents of six different states.

Caudio de Colorado was given a new name for his new life and was fostered, trained and rehabilitated by a Phoenix trainer even winning a ribbon at his first Equistar horse show four months to the day of his arrival in Arizona. Colorado’s story was so moving that he was featured in the North American Peruvian Horse Association (NAPHA) Newsletter and in the PetSmart Charities Newsletter that goes to more than 4 thousand animal welfare organizations throughout North America.

However, despite the compassion of his rescuers and his own courage and heart, Caudio de Colorado still was not home yet. He clearly craved his own forever family.

New Mexico residents Bill and Debra Vargas read his story, fell in love with Caudio de Colorado, and determined they would adopt him and bring him home to love and dignity in their Corrales, New Mexico home. After many phone conversations and trips to Arizona postponed because of snow storms, Debra Vargas and her trainer arrived in Arizona in March; met Colorado; formed an almost instant bond with him; and took him to a wonderful new life in New Mexico complete with a new friend for Colorado, their Peruvian Paso mare, Angel Fire.

Colorado has bloomed in New Mexico with the help of his new trainer, Fernando De Leon, who specializes in gaited horses; his new Mom, Debra, who also volunteers for “The Horse Shelter,” a horse rescue ranch in Cerrillos, NM; and his new Peruvian Paso best friend.

Another young stallion named Juan Enrique also rescued from the same Colorado squalor has found his forever family with lifetime horseman Arizonan Dick Chapman and his wife Elaine. Dick is Juan's very best friend. Miraculously all 15 of the Peruvian horses survived their ordeal, recovered and eleven have found wonderful lifetime families.

Peruvians still looking for their forever homes are 5 year-old gelding Capitaz, 5 year-old mare Prietta, 14 year-old mare, M.M. Zarita, and 13 year-old mare, M.M. Zarabanda. Community members who would like to adopt one of these wonderful horses should contact the Conquistador Program at (480) 232-8068 or email adoption@conquistadorprogram.org.

THE CONQUISTADOR EQUINE RESCUE & ADVOCACY PROGRAM • 2121 SOUTH MILL AVENUE, SUITE 103
TEMPE, AZ • 480-232-8068 •

WWW.CONQUISTADORPROGRAM.ORG • A REGISTERED 501C3 CHARITY

Posted by Rita Sharma, Best Friends Network Volunteer
Photo Courtesy of Pat Haight