Tamaya Gala raises funds for horse rescue, addresses community care needs

The Tamaya Horse Rehab Program will host its seventh annual Horseshoes & Heels Gala Saturday, Nov 29 at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa to raise money for rescuing and rehabilitating abused and abandoned horses across New Mexico. The gala is the primary annual fundraiser for the nonprofit based at the Stables at Tamaya, and organizers say proceeds pay for veterinary care, training, shelter and feed for animals taken in from across the state.

To date the program has rescued and rehabilitated more than 300 abused and mistreated horses. Last year the gala drew more than 200 guests and raised $75,000, a level of support that directly funded medical treatment and boarding for dozens of animals. With the Nov 29 event approaching, the program is seeking broad community participation to sustain its capacity to accept horses in need.

The fundraiser carries consequences that extend beyond animal care. In rural counties such as San Juan County, abandoned and neglected large animals create public safety and public health challenges. Untreated injuries and untreated illnesses among horses can lead to emergency responses that strain local services, and unmanaged populations can contribute to environmental degradation and increased risk of disease transmission between animals and people. By funding routine veterinary care and proper shelter, the Tamaya program helps prevent crises that can affect families, first responders and county resources.

Economic and social equity concerns are also at play. Rising costs for veterinary services and feed have made it harder for low income and rural owners to keep large animals, leaving some communities with fewer safe options for surrender or assistance. Nonprofit rescue programs fill a gap in a fragmented system of care, but they rely on events like the gala to cover operating expenses. When fundraising falls short, programs must limit intake or delay necessary treatment, outcomes that most directly affect those with the fewest resources.

For San Juan County residents who work with horses, volunteer, or live near equestrian operations, the gala is an opportunity to support regional animal welfare infrastructure that in turn supports community resilience. Beyond rescuing individual animals, the program provides training and rehabilitation that can return horses to working life or prepare them for placement with new owners, reducing long term costs to communities.

The Horseshoes and Heels Gala is set to bring donors and community members together at Tamaya on Nov 29. Organizers say funds raised will continue to underwrite veterinary care, shelter, feed and training that keep animals healthy and reduce pressure on rural households and local public services.