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Equine Sanctuary

Our Horses
Background
Wild Mustang Rescue
Q&A
Meet the Team

Our Horses

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Bella

Background

Since its inception in 2014, Free Rein Foundation has been a sanctuary of love for horses in need. With unwavering dedication, we’ve rescued and rehabilitated 37 horses, ensuring that each one receives the nurturing they deserve. 13 of these beloved creatures have found their forever homes, their stories transformed from pain to joy. For those who can’t be adopted out, our sanctuary becomes their forever haven. Here, amidst the tranquility of our facility, they roam freely, basking in the love and attention of our devoted volunteers.

Every horse that comes to Free Rein is greeted with compassion and kindness. Some arrive from distressing situations, rescued from abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Others find refuge from the harsh realities of farm animal auctions, where their fate hangs precariously in the balance.

Our commitment to the well-being of our equine companions extends beyond rescue and rehabilitation. At our 4-acre facility, we provide a safe and nurturing environment where horses, mules, donkeys and mini horses are welcomed with open arms. Each day, our dedicated volunteers ensure that every horse receives the care and attention they need to thrive.

At Free Rein Foundation, love and kindness is the cornerstone of everything we do. It’s in the gentle touch of a volunteer’s hand, the soft nicker of a contented horse, and the knowing glance shared between companions. Together, we create a sanctuary where every horse is cherished, every life is valued, and every soul is touched by the transformative power of love.

horses in pasture

Wild Mustang Rescue & Gentling

The United States has a big wild horse problem. There are approximately 100,000 wild mustangs living on federal lands, when only about 27,000 can be accommodated. Many ranchers see the mustangs as an overpopulated invasive species that competes for the public land their livestock grazes. As a result, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rounds up wild horses with helicopters, which is incredibly traumatizing, inhumane and dangerous for the horses. Many are killed, injured and separated from their herd.

In 2021, it cost $78 million in federal taxpayer money to care for nearly 60,000 wild horses and burros that were rounded up out of the wild and moved into holding facilities run by the BLM.

Horse rescue organizations across the country are doing what they can to adopt and gentle these wild mustangs that are being held by the BLM. In 2018, Free Rein Foundation adopted six mustangs and created their own version of a Mustang Challenge. Six trainers at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center (HCPEC) took on a horse and dedicated their time and expertise to gentle and coach each horse with their respective discipline. The Challenge was such a success that at the end of 90 days each horse had been adopted out and placed with their forever home.

Free Rein continues to rescue and gentle wild mustangs. To date, we have successfully placed ten in loving forever homes and have four that we are currently working with.

4 Feet Documentary

Learn more about wild horse rescue and care in “4 Feet,” a documentary featuring Free Rein Foundation and other horse rescue organizations.

Sponsor a Mustang

Q&A

Q: Is Free Rein Foundation accepting any new horses?

We are nearly at capacity with 16 equines but reach out and we’ll try to help home or find a home for an equine that needs help.

Q: Does Free Rein Foundation have any horses that can be adopted?

Yes! Please contact us to discuss the availability of horses looking for their forever homes.

Meet our Equine Therapy Team

NICHOLAS SILVA
Nicolas Silva
Eagala Certified Mental Health Professional

Nicolas has worked with children and youth for many years as a marriage and family psychologist. When he isn’t working with youth in Free Rein’s pasture, he operates a private practice in Tustin, teaches parenting classes, and provides clinical support to children, adolescents, and their parents through several schools in Orange County. Nicolas was born in the United States, but grew up in Mexico where he developed a passion for horses and sports that involve horses, particularly the Mexican national sport “Charreria.”

JANE MANOLAKAS
Jane Manolakas
Eagala Certified Mental Health Professional

Jane Manolakas is an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW). She completed her Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) at the University of Southern California and has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Occidental College. In addition, she is an attorney and holds her Juris Doctorate (JD) from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific. She has worked as a Social Worker at the Friendship Shelter, located in Laguna Beach, for the past five years.

Bridgette Radzai
Bridgette Radzai
Equine & Facilities Director

Bridgette Radzai is a general contractor and is the owner and operator of a woman-owned commercial construction company in Huntington Beach.  Her commitment to helping others led her to Free Rein in 2018, where she leverages her expertise to enhance the care and facilities for the horses. She recently welcomed a new addition to her family — a rescued mustang named Journey.

JUSTINE MAKOFF
Justine Makoff

Justine Makoff is a consummate equestrian, environmentalist, and philanthropist. She has been instrumental in exposing at-promise youth to outdoor programs and equine-assisted growth and learning. Her deep connections with the LAPD and HBPD community youth programs have enabled her to orchestrate programs with inner-city teens, cadets from Sunburst Youth Academy, the Boys and Girls Club, and various other groups in Los Angeles and Orange County.