Horse Sponsorships – 2025 Draft

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BETSY DOWDY EQUINE CENTER

In 2016, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund purchased a 31-acre farm on the Currituck mainland in Grandy. Since then, dozens of Banker horses in need of rescue or removal from the wild in Corolla have been brought to our farm, the Betsy Dowdy Equine Center, for medical care, rehabilitation, and sanctuary. While some of the rescued horses in past have been candidates for adoption, many of the horses at the farm today require specialized care and will remain with us for the rest of their lives.

SPONSOR A BANKER

20 Bankers currently reside on the farm, dependent on the Fund, our small staff, and donors like you for the best of care. Over the years, our horse sponsorship program has had a significant impact on our ability to meet each horse’s needs with ease. By sponsoring a Banker, you help cover costs of rescue, veterinary treatment, medicine, hay, horse trailer maintenance, and essential upkeep of our barns and pastures.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

In an effort to be more environmentally conscious—and to ensure every bit of your donation is going directly to the horses—all sponsorships are now digital. You or your gift recipient will receive a personalized sponsorship suite via email once your donation has been processed. Please allow time for us to personalize your materials.

  • High resolution photo of your horse

  • PDF download of your sponsor certificate

  • PDF download of your horse’s story

  • PDF download of CWHF’s history

  • High resolution photo for social media use

  • Download of song "Castano" by Janet Martin

  • Sponsor added to our digital mailing list

  • Video update on your chosen horse

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HORSES AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Arrow

ARROW

Born: 1998

Removed from wild: December 2021

Arrow and his mare Valentine became very aggressive around trash despite efforts to deter their behavior. To keep them and the public safe, we removed the habituated pair and brought them to the farm. He is a sweet and personable horse on his own terms, but his food aggression will likely not change. His story emphasizes an important message: We all share a responsibility to respect the horses and to keep their habitat clean.
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Bella

BELLA

Born: 1995

Removed from wild: November 2017

Bella was part of a group of horses that were moved to a privately owned island – Dews Island – located in the sound in the late 90s after repeatedly circumventing the south fence meant to keep them away from the paved roads of Corolla. On the island, Bella’s sire and his mares continued producing foals until his death in ’09. Colts were adopted out so only mares remained until they were brought to the farm in ’17. Bella has several sisters but is often seen with Betty, another Dews mare she is bonded with.
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Betty

BETTY

Born: 1993

Removed from wild: November 2017

Betty was part of a group of horses that were moved to a privately owned island – Dews Island – located in the sound in the late 90s after repeatedly circumventing the south fence meant to keep them away from the paved roads of Corolla. On the island, the mares and their stallion continued producing foals until his death in ’09. Colts were adopted out so only mares remained until they were brought to the farm in ’17. Betty is a small mare most often found alongside Bella, another Dews mare she is bonded with.
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CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Blossom

BLOSSOM

Born: 1991

Removed from wild: October 2023

Blossom was one of the oldest horses in the wild when she was removed from the beach after severely tearing a ligament in one of her legs. Due to her age, it was decided best for her that she recover on the farm and be given time for the injury to fuse itself. She’ll always have a slight limp, but will live out the rest of her days well cared for. She’s mother to June, who lives with her on the farm, and was mother to Junior, a rescued horse who passed in summer 2024. We’re honored to look after a mare with such a legacy as Blossom’s.
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CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Bonita

BONITA

Born: 2011

Removed from wild: May 2018

Bonita belonged to a harem known as the “Renegade Six,” who repeatedly got around the north fence into VA’s False Cape State Park. Due to the marshy terrain and the fact they were going through what was navigable water for them, we were unable to extend the fence any further. After several times relocating the horses back to NC, the Dep. of the Interior informed us they were deeming the horses as “nuisances” and asked that we safely move them to the farm. Losing six healthy horses from the wild herd was devastating, but things could’ve ended far worse for them.
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Brio

BRIO

Born: July 2021

Removed from wild: March 2022

Brio was separated from his mother, and though old enough to survive without nursing, he was not old enough to survive on his own. We determined he was losing weight and growing lethargic. Once rescued and brought to the farm, he was diagnosed with pneumonia. We later determined his mother has passed away, likely from natural causes. With specialized care, Brio has fully recovered and happily shares a pasture with other horses at the farm. He loves kids and playing with toys!
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Buster

BUSTER

Born: 2006

Removed from the wild: 2007

Before the Fund switched over to using non-hormonal contraception to manage the wild horse population, colts were removed from the herd and adopted out as needed. Buster is part of the last group of horses removed for this reason, making him one of the few horses on the farm not removed due to illness, injury, or habituation. He was adopted out for several years but returned to the Fund at no fault of his own. He’s a very easy-going horse who gets along with most everyone!
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Buttercup

BUTTERCUP

Born: 2005

Removed from wild: November 2017

Buttercup was born to a group of horses that were moved to a privately owned island – Dews Island – located in the sound in the late 90s after repeatedly circumventing the south fence meant to keep them away from the paved roads of Corolla. On the island, Buttercup’s sire and the mares continued producing foals until his death in ’09. Colts were adopted out so only mares remained until they were brought to the farm in ’17. She’s a curious girl who never seems to meet a stranger.
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CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Dewey

DEWEY

Born: 2000
Removed from wild: 2001

Dewey was born to a group of horses that were moved to a privately owned island – Dews Island – located in the sound in the late 90s after repeatedly circumventing the south fence meant to keep them away from the paved roads of Corolla. On the island, Dewey’s sire and the mares continued producing foals until his death in ’09. Colts like Dewey were adopted out to maintain the harem’s size. He and his half-brother, Dudley, shared a loving home for many years until coming to the farm in 2022 together. He’s a gentle horse and a bit shy.
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Dudley

DUDLEY

Born: 2000

Removed from wild: 2001

Dudley was born to a group of horses that were moved to a privately owned island – Dews Island – located in the sound in the late 90s after repeatedly circumventing the south fence meant to keep them away from the paved roads of Corolla. On the island, his sire and the mares continued producing foals until his death in ’09. Colts like Dudley were adopted out to maintain the harem’s size. He and his half-brother, Dewey, shared a loving home for many years until coming to the farm in 2022 together. He’s a sweet horse and can be sociable when he chooses.
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Jasmine

JASMINE

Born: 1995
Removed from wild: November 2017

Jasmine was part of a group of horses that were moved to a privately owned island – Dews Island – located in the sound in the late 90s after repeatedly circumventing the south fence meant to keep them away from the paved roads of Corolla. On the island, the mares and their stallion continued producing foals until his death in ’09. Colts were adopted out so only mares remained until they were brought to the farm in ’17. Jasmine is mother to Little Star, who she still lives with at the farm.
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - June

JUNE

Born: 2010

Removed from wild: September 2022

June was removed from the wild in September 2022 when she showed signs of pythiosis infecting a cut near the top of her hoof. Pythiosis can be fatal, so she was taken to NC State University in Raleigh for immediate removal of the lesion and treatment. After several weeks in the hospital in critical condition, June finally returned to the farm and continued to heal. Now recovered, she is currently in training for outreach and shares a paddock with her mother Blossom. She was sister to Junior, who passed away in 2024.
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CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Kitty Hawk

KITTY HAWK

Born: 2009

Removed from wild: May 2018

Kitty belonged to a harem known as the “Renegade Six,” who repeatedly got around the north fence into VA’s False Cape State Park. Due to the marshy terrain and the fact they were going through what was navigable water for them, we were unable to extend the fence any further. After several times relocating the horses back to NC, the Dep. of the Interior informed us they were deeming the horses as “nuisances” and asked that we safely move them to the farm. Losing six healthy horses from the wild herd was devastating, but things could’ve ended far worse for them.
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Little Star

LITTLE STAR

Born: 2000

Removed from wild: November 2017

Star was born to a group of horses that were moved to a privately owned island – Dews Island – located in the sound in the late 90s after repeatedly circumventing the south fence meant to keep them away from the paved roads of Corolla. On the island, her sire and the mares continued producing foals until his death in ’09. Colts were adopted out so only mares remained until they were brought to the farm in ’17. Little Star’s mother is Jasmine, who she still lives with on the farm.
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Louie

LOUIE

Born: 2004

Removed from wild: Early 2000s

Before the Fund switched over to using non-hormonal contraception to manage the wild horse population, colts were removed from the herd and adopted out as needed. Louie is part of the last group of horses removed for this reason, making him one of the few horses on the farm not removed due to illness, injury, or habituation. He lived with three different caretakers before it was decided that due to some behavioral habits he’d developed, it was best for him to return to the Fund. He’s a social butterfly among horses and enjoys human attention on his own terms.
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CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Riptide

RIPTIDE

Born: April 2019

Removed from wild: August 2020

Riptide was rescued from the wild as a yearling after developing pythiosis in a cut on his leg. While injuries such as cuts and abrasions are often something the wild horses can overcome on their own without our intervention, pythiosis can be a fatal infection and will not heal on its own. He underwent surgery at NC State and fortunately made a full recovery. Riptide is our best education ambassador as he’s great around people and does will traveling for offsite programs. He’s a sweet, curious, and one of the biggest Banker horses from Corolla at over 14 hands!
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Rita

RITA

Born: 2008

Removed from wild: February 2008

Rita was rescued from the beach as a foal due to contracted tendons causing severely crooked legs. After a brief stay at the vet clinic, she and her mother Secotan were incorporated into the herd of rescues at the time. When Rita was a year old, she was adopted by a wonderful family who she lived with for nearly ten years. When her owner grew terminally ill, Rita came to the farm where she’ll live out the rest of her days. Rita’s a sweet mare and very reliable around kids. We know her adoptive mom would be very proud of the amazing ambassador Rita has become.
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Squirt

SQUIRT

Born: 2010
Removed from wild: March 2020

Squirt was removed from the wild in March 2020 due to a genetic condition – DSLD – degenerative suspensory ligament disorder. This causes a breakdown of ligaments in the leg and is ultimately fatal, however manageable for a time with proper hoof trimming, good nutrition, and therapeutic support as needed. Since experts believe DSLD is genetic, Squirt was removed so that he would not produce offspring and pass on the gene. He has remained relatively sound and the deterioration seems to have slowed. He’s polite, laid back horse who gets along with everyone.
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CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Valentine

VALENTINE

Born: 2011

Removed from wild: December 2021

Valentine and her stallion Arrow became very aggressive around trash despite efforts to deter their behavior. To keep them and the public safe, we removed the habituated pair and brought them to the farm. She no longer displays food aggression and loves attention from humans. She’s currently in training under saddle. Her story emphasizes an important message: We all share a responsibility to respect the horses and to keep their habitat clean.
CWHF Outer Banks rescue horses available for sponsorship - Virginia Dare

VIRGINIA DARE

Born: 2008

Removed from wild: May 2018

Virginia and her son Mateo belonged to a harem known as the “Renegade Six,” who repeatedly got around the north fence into VA’s False Cape State Park. Due to the marshy terrain and the fact they were going through what was navigable water for them, we were unable to extend the fence any further. After several times relocating the horses back to NC, the Dep. of the Interior informed us they were deeming the horses as “nuisances” and asked that we move them to the farm. Her son was adopted out, but she lived alongside her daughter, Ocean Pearl, for many years until Pearl’s adoption in 2024.
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