After rescuing abandoned horses, a ranch prepares for possible evacuation

As fires rage across the Santa Cruz mountains, it took 11 runs within a two-day period to rescue 14 horses, and a handful more, to other barns. While battling the heat and smoke, a team of four from the Horse & Heart Ranch in Soquel patiently ushered frightened and untrained horses into a trailer that would take the animals to safety. In a span of 48 hours, the ranch’s herd of 10 grew to 24.

“This is far beyond anything we could have imagined and the catastrophic damage is beyond anything we have ever experienced,” said Lori Halliday, executive director of Horse & Heart.