A chestnut horse standing in a green pasture, with a message about changing the world for one rescued horse at a time

Pearisburg, Virginia · 501(c)(3) horse rescue

A safe landing for horses in need.

Angels Wing Farm works to keep unwanted, neglected, and abused horses out of the slaughter pipeline.

Vote for Angels Wing Farm Contact the rescue

That vote button is free — it takes you to MyGivingCircle, where your vote helps us win grant money for the horses. You can vote once a week. See how it works below.

Our mission

“To help unwanted neglected and or abused horses stay out of the slaughter pipeline.”

About Us

Angels Wing Farm came into existence in December of 2021. December 4 to be exact, my birthday and the day I brought Stormy and Lady home here at the farm. But it became an idea before that.

When Lady became my horse in July of 2021 I realized there were so many horses out there like Lady that needed a place to land. Somewhere they will be safe, loved and well cared for. So I headed to the auction in August and thats where I found Stormy. Being at the auction let me see first hand how strong the need really is.

I began the process of turning my home into a farm and a rescue and sanctuary for many more horses in need. Since that December day in 2021 horses have came into our lives and been adopted into new wonderful homes.

But it wasn't until August 2025 that I finally made it right and registered the farm, Angels Wing Farm, as a non-stock cooperation with the state of VA and then applied and received the 501c3 through the IRS. Now we are a true rescue and sanctuary ready to keep helping all the horses, and other animals, that we can.

Help us with your donations or by sharing our story and we can keep helping them. Thank You and God Bless, Cindy

A four-photo collage of the four horses currently at Angels Wing Farm
The current herd at Angels Wing Farm.

Founder & President

About Cindy.

A lifelong connection with horses—and the journey that led to Angels Wing Farm.

Hello, My name is Cynthia, aka Cindy, founder and President of Angels Wing Farm. In 1978 my father set me up to start taking riding lessons. Sleepy Hollow Farm in Moneta Virginia. They taught me so much. I remember going past a place that was a horse slaughter facility and wishing I could save all the horses there. I got my very first horse in July 1979. Captain Pepper/ Cappy.

A young Cindy riding her gray horse Cappy
Cappy and me

He also taught me so much. I rode him everywhere and we went to many shows. In 1981 I bought my first young horse. 5 month old palomino QH I named him Mighty Kasey/ Kasey. I raised him and did all his training for running barrels and poles.

Kasey, Cindy’s palomino Quarter Horse, standing saddled
Kasey

Over the years there were more horses added. Kasey was a stallion and so we got him his own herd of mares with many foals to come over the following years. Cappy lived to be 34 and Kasey lived his life with a herd of mares. I have learned through the years about farrier work, home veterinary care, what feeds are best for horses and so much more. From 2001 to 2021 I was without horses. Lady was my first horse in 20 years. Oh how the things have changed in the horse world. I still have the desire to save the horses and Lady showed me there was a need. And so my journey began, and is still going today. I have such big hopes and great plans and large goals for the future of Angels Wing Farm. With the support of all of you behind this rescue, we can save them. Maybe not all, but hopefully the ones that need it.

Cindy standing beside Lady
Cindy and Lady
Cindy standing in front of Stormy while holding her lead rope
Cindy and Stormy

Current Fundraisers

Three ways to help right now — vote for free on MyGivingCircle, or give toward hay for the winter and getting Wingman back on the road.

Vote for us on MyGivingCircle — it costs nothing

That orange “Vote for Angels Wing Farm” button at the top of this page goes to MyGivingCircle. MyGivingCircle is a site that gives grant money to charities — and how much a charity can win depends on how many votes it gets.

Here is the simple part: voting is completely free. You do not have to donate any money to vote. You just click the button, find Angels Wing Farm, and cast your vote. It only takes a minute.

You can vote once a week, every week, and this round runs through December 30. Every vote helps us climb higher, and the higher we finish, the better our chance at grant money for hay, feed, and care for the horses through the winter.

Please vote each week if you can, and share the link with friends — more votes really do make a difference. Thank you for helping the horses in a way that costs you nothing but a minute of your time.

  • It’s freeNo donation needed to vote.
  • Vote weeklyOne vote per week counts.
  • Through Dec. 30This voting round ends Dec. 30.
  • Helps win grantsMore votes = a better shot at grant money for the horses.
Vote for Angels Wing Farm on MyGivingCircle

Want to do a little more? You can also donate through MyGivingCircle — and every $1 you donate counts as a vote for us, too.

Donate to Angels Wing Farm on MyGivingCircle

Hay and winter expenses

Support the horses through the colder months.

Or you can donate through the websites donation links, just drop a note telling us it is for the winter fundraiser.

Four horses gathered around a round bale feeder with the mountain behind them
The herd enjoying a round bale.
Donate to the winter fundraiser

Help Wingman get back to saving horses

In July of 2026 I had some trouble with my GMC 1500. During the repairs the mechanic noticed some issues that will become problems if I continue to put so much stress on the 1/2 ton truck. So I worked and scrounged up a little funds to get the rescue its very own truck. I knew it had something going on with it, that's why it was for sale at a price I could afford. Unfortunately the issues were more than I was led to believe. Now the rescue has a cool truck that isn't running. This truck has had a lot of repairs over the years, updating the brakes, engine block and new transmission to name just a few. The value, when running, is more than 3 times what I will have in it. A perfect truck for the rescue. I just need help getting it there. Any donations made to help Wingman get back on the road are tax deductible. You can donate through the GoFundme. Or you can donate through the websites donation links, just drop a note telling us it is for the truck. Thanks and God Bless.

  • Camo wrap 2016
  • Moonshine Tuner 2016
  • New Transmission 2016
  • Rebuilt Transfer case 2016
  • New Sending unit 2018
  • New CP3 pump 2019
  • New Engine block 2019
  • New Brakes and Rotors 2024
  • 8 new injectors 2024
  • New thermostats 2024
Wingman, the camo-wrapped 2002 Chevy 2500HD
Wingman, the 2002 Chevy 2500HD.
Donate to the Wingman fundraiser
Angels Rest mountain beneath a blue twilight sky, seen from Angels Wing Farm

The view behind the name

Where Angels Wing Farm got its name.

Angels Rest Overlook sits on top of this mountain, rising above the farm. That familiar view inspired the name Angels Wing Farm.

Horses of Angel’s Wing Farm.

A growing record of the horses who have come through the rescue. As their stories are shared, this gallery will grow to include horses at the farm and those who have been adopted.

The Angels Wing Farm herd grazing across a green pasture
The herd out in the pasture at Angels Wing Farm.
The Angels Wing Farm herd grazing in a green pasture bordered by trees
The herd out on pasture.
Five horses grazing across the pasture in warm golden-hour light
The herd grazing at golden hour.
A four-photo collage of the four horses currently at Angels Wing Farm in their paddock at night
The four horses currently at Angels Wing Farm—the current herd at night in their paddock.
Stormy, Lady, and Smiley walking together through the pasture
Stormy, Lady, and Smiley together at the farm.
Stormy, Lady, and Smiley grazing together, with Stormy wearing a fly sheet
Stormy, Lady, and Smiley grazing together at the farm.

July 2021 · The first rescue

Lady’s story.

Lady was purchased from auction by my friend in June of 2021. She had been run through the sale with the loose horses at the end and my friend paid $300 for her. When she posted the pictures of the horses she had got I saw Lady and fell in love. After over 20 years being without a horse, I was back into the horse world with Lady as my ride. She was a 4 year old Quarter horse mare. I couldn't understand why a beautiful young horse sold for so little money. She was trained to lead. She would lunge either direction using voice commands. I saddled her with no problems and even rode her a few short rides. She showed signs of pain when being ridden and that's where her story gets sad. It turned out that Lady had DSLD. I also found out she had COPD/Heaves. Both of these medical conditions made it unlikely that she would ever be a riding horse. But she was my beautiful Lady and I was gonna take care of her. She was Stormy's friend and she helped other new horses adjust to life here at the farm. Until someone begged me to let them take her home. She would have 25 acres of pasture to eat and other horses as her new friends. So I said yes. I regret my decision to this day. That story is told in the Adoption section.

Lady standing beside a horse trailer
Lady walking through a pasture
Lady standing healthy in the paddock after being at Angels Wing Farm for some time
Lady standing saddled after being at Angels Wing Farm for some time

August 14, 2021 · The next rescue

Stormy’s story.

Stormy came to Angels Wing Farm on August 14th 2021. My son and I went to Hollins Stockyard to the Cowboy Up horse auction. After Lady we decided she needed a companion. When Stormy came into the ring the only other person bidding on her was a known kill buyer. When bidding exceeded the price per pound range for slaughter they backed out and Stormy became mine. She was a very lonely horse. I later found out she had just been separated from her sister who she had lived her whole life with. Stormy was 17 and Snowy (the sister) was 19. In 2024 I did try to purchase Snowy from her owner in Eastern VA. No go. Stormy is a 16.3 hand Appaloosa that has issues with her eyes. She will most likely become blind. As it is she is genetically blind in the dark. She is also White which means she needs special gear to keep her from getting sunburned. Stormy still rides and takes me in the local Parade every year since Angels Wing Farm opened. She will remain in sanctuary at the rescue.

From auction to home

Stormy saddled at the auction on August 14, 2021
The auction
Stormy standing by the trailer at night after leaving the auction
Leaving the auction
Stormy grazing at night after arriving home
When we got home that night
Stormy and Lady meeting at the fence
Her and Lady meet and become friends

Pictures of them together

Stormy and Lady standing together in the field
Stormy and Lady in the field
Stormy standing at the barn
Stormy at the barn
Cindy standing with Lady
Cindy with Lady
Lady standing at the barn
Lady at the barn
Cindy holding Stormy
Cindy holding Stormy
Lady resting with Stormy nearby
Lady resting with Stormy nearby
Cindy riding Stormy in the Pearisburg Marketplace parking lot
Cindy riding StormyIn the Pearisburg Marketplace parking lot.
Cindy riding Stormy in the 2023 parade
The 2023 paradeCindy riding Stormy through town.

April 2022 · Adopted

Smiley’s story.

In April of 2022 I saw a post for a mare that was currently in a kill pen. She was said to be pregnant and needed bailed out fast. So I decided to start the new rescue off helping this old girl out. I drove to Northern Virginia and picked her up. An ex racehorse that had won someone money, discarded when she was no longer needed. LaughandSmile was her registered name. She was such a good girl. Being a Standardbred she was well trained and very friendly. She fit right in with Lady and Stormy. After having the vet come and check her over we found out she was not pregnant after all. Instead she had a hernia caused from too many pregnancies. Discarded. She was not here at the rescue long before a friend came and saw her. She fell in love and begged to adopt Smiley for her daughter. So Smiley's life with us was short but she was loved here. Arriving at her forever home she met the little girl who was so excited to have her. They became fast friends and remained that way until Smiley passed from the hernia in 2023. From the moment she stepped on the trailer in April of 2022 to her passing in 2023 she had the best care and all the love we could give her. RIP Smiley.

Smiley, a black Standardbred mare, standing saddled
Smiley saddled.
Smiley standing close beside her adopter’s daughter
Smiley with her adopter's daughter.
Smiley standing in the winter pasture with hay on her dark coat and a playful caption reading, No I have not been in my hay
Smiley in the winter pasture.
Stormy, Lady, and Smiley walking together across the pasture
Stormy, Lady, and Smiley together at the farm.
Stormy, Lady, and Smiley grazing together in the pasture
Stormy, Lady, and Smiley grazing together at the farm.

Rayne & Pyra: a rescue story.

Rayne and her mother, Pyra, came to the rescue in July 2022 after being rescued from a slaughter truck, when Rayne was only a couple of weeks old.

Pyra arrived very skinny. With safety, care, and time, she has come a long way—and Rayne has grown from that tiny foal into a mare beginning her training.

July 2022 · Day one

Pyra on the day of her rescue, visibly underweight while eating beneath the trees
PyraThin and in need of care on the day she arrived.
Pyra grazing beside baby Rayne shortly after their rescue in July 2022
TogetherPyra and her weeks-old foal, Rayne, at the beginning of their new life.

Safe, growing, and moving forward

Baby Rayne standing in the grass with a white blaze on her face
Baby RayneA curious young foal, finally safe.
A grown Rayne wearing a saddle and standing beside Cindy during training
Rayne todayGrown up and in training with Cindy.
Rayne playing and bucking in the paddock
Rayne at playFeeling good and bucking in the paddock.
Rayne, a chestnut mare with a white blaze, standing in a grassy field and looking at the camera
Rayne in the pasture
Rayne grazing peacefully with other horses at night
RaynePeaceful and grazing with the herd at night.
Pyra grazing hay beside her white horse buddy Stormy
Pyra & StormySharing hay with her buddy Stormy.
A close-up of Pyra leaning over her red stall door
Pyra todayLooking out over her stall door.

March 2023 · The last rescue here

Ozzy’s story.

A friend found Ozzy in a neglected situation and pulled him out. He came to the farm in March 2023, fit into the herd, and blossomed. Since then, he has taught a little girl how to ride and do fun things at shows, winning her many ribbons. He also takes Cindy on trail rides and rides in parades.

From neglect to a place in the herd

Ozzy standing by a wooden fence in a red halter when he first came to Angels Wing Farm
When Ozzy arrivedBeginning his new life at the farm.
Ozzy eating from a feed pan at night during his early care
Early careSafe, fed, and beginning to recover.
Ozzy grazing in a green pasture after blossoming at Angels Wing Farm
BlossomingSettled into the herd and grazing at home.
Ozzy standing in the pasture
Ozzy glowing gold after a nice bath.

Teaching, trails, and parades

A young rider wearing a helmet sitting on Ozzy
A trusted teacherOzzy has taught a little girl to ride and helped her win ribbons at shows.
Cindy riding Ozzy on a wooded trail
On the trailOzzy taking Cindy for a trail ride.
Ozzy and his young rider beside Cindy and Stormy in parade decorations
Parade partnersOzzy and his young rider beside Cindy and Stormy.
Ozzy and his young rider following Cindy and Stormy during a parade
Riding in the paradeOzzy joining Stormy along the route.
Cindy riding Ozzy in front of a Tractor Supply Co. store
Cindy and Ozzy

October 2023 · Clyde

Clyde’s story.

Its so hard when you lose one. Clyde was the first horse I ever lost in my entire life. I tried so hard to save him. He was surrendered to the rescue on October 22, 2023 due to his owner having medical issues. She had only had him for several months having purchased him from auction. He looked to be in great shape and healthy. But looks can be deceiving. On the morning Oct 29th I noticed odd behavior and immediately started checking him over. No gut sounds, colic. So I spent the most part of the day hand walking him. We gave him mineral oil and several enemas all the while speaking on the phone with the vet. After about 6 hours with no change we loaded him up and took him in. The ultrasound showed something preexisting that was causing the impaction. The only thing to save him would be surgery and it was not a good prognosis due to his age and whatever was causing the colic to begin with. And financially, I just couldn't cover the cost. So I made the hardest decision I have ever had to make and we let him go. I will always remember him, he was the first one I ever lost and it broke my heart. In rescue this is not uncommon. No one in rescue likes it but we all know it can happen. Even the best looking horses can still have problems. I always say they are at that auction for a reason. So we always pray for the best and be prepared for the worse. RIP Clyde

Clyde standing by the pasture gate
Clyde and a younger Rayne together in the pasture at sunset
Clyde with a younger Rayne, his buddy.
Clyde and a younger Rayne grazing together
Clyde with a younger Rayne, his buddy.
Clyde standing in the pasture in autumn
Clyde standing on a lead rope at night
Clyde lying down while very sick
Clyde was very sick here.

Other animals

Our Other Animals

The cats and rabbits are rescues too.

The Cats

Cindy holding Bjorn and Baby as kittens

Bjorn & Baby

Bjorn came to us in May of 2020, then in June came Ubbe, aka Baby (names from the brothers in the show Vikings). These 2 were brothers from different mothers. Both born to the feral cat colony in Pearisburg by Food Lion. They grew up together and were best friends. We lost Bjorn to an unknown illness in October of 2023. Baby is still with me, spoiled every day. He is the only totally inside cat on the farm.

Bjorn and Baby side by side on a sheet, one asleep with his head on the other Bjorn and Baby curled up asleep together Baby on his back in a lap, belly up

The Rabbits

Their stories are coming soon.

The Dogs

Their stories are coming soon.

Adoptions

An adoption nightmare

and the reason I will be very thorough.

What adoption requires

01

An adoption application, including the adopter’s name and address.

02

Vet, farrier, and personal references, which Cindy gets and checks.

03

Cindy goes to the adopter’s home to see where the horse will live.

04

Adopters send picture or video updates.

05

A no-sale contract.

06

Cindy checks everything 5 times and very well.

Thinking about adopting? Read the full application and agreement before you apply.

Adoption Application & Agreement (PDF)

Lady, my beautiful Lady. She was adopted out to a man who came through Pearisburg doing work. He saw her and wanted her so bad. Lady had health issues and I told him this. He still wanted her even though she needed special care and could never be a riding horse. So I had him fill out the application. I require references, vet, farrier and personal, which I got and checked. Of course your name and address. I even went to his home to see where Lady was going to live. I ask for adopters to send updates of the horse either in picture or video, which he always had an excuse why he couldn't. I started getting worried and he finally sent a grainy blurred video. Shortly after that his neighbors reached out to me telling me he was trying to sell Lady to them. The contract for adoption is a no sale one. I drove 2 hours back down to confront him and to my horror found Lady starved and neglected. Her body score was about 1.5. I took the contract away from him and removed Lady from his care. The neighbors wanted to assume the contract so we drew it up that day and I left Lady in good hands. But it was to late. She had suffered to much and within 3 days of me being there Lady passed away. For anyone interested in adopting from Angels Wing Farm, just to let you know, I am going to check everything 5 times and very well.

Lady healthy before her adoption
Healthy LadyBefore her adoption.
Lady severely underweight in her final days
Lady in her final daysAfter she was recovered from neglect.

Hands make the work possible

Volunteer at the farm.

Volunteers have helped Angels Wing Farm before, and more helping hands are needed now. Workdays are coordinated directly with Cindy so people, tools, and tasks can come together safely. Email Savinghorses@angelswingfarm.org to get involved.

Offer to volunteer
01

Build a stronger outer fence

The farm’s current fencing is electric tape. Help is needed to build a sturdier fence around the outer property line and make the pasture safer for the horses.

02

Clear land for more grazing

Brush and land-clearing help could open approximately 1.3 additional acres of grazing space for the herd.

03

Bring practical experience

If you have experience with fencing, brush clearing, or safe farm work, contact Cindy at Savinghorses@angelswingfarm.org and tell her how you may be able to help.

The Angels Wing Farm herd grazing on pasture

The Angels Wing Farm herd grazing on pasture.

Connect with Angels Wing Farm.

Questions about helping, donating, or the rescue’s current needs? Reach out directly.

ContactCindy Anderson
EmailSavinghorses@angelswingfarm.org
FacebookFollow on Facebook
Instagraminstagram.com/@angelswingfarmandrescue
YouTubeWatch on YouTube
TikTokFollow on TikTok
LocationPearisburg, Virginia