Horse Sponsorships

BETSY DOWDY EQUINE CENTER

In 2018, 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

ARROW

Born: 1998 
Removed from wild: December 2021

Arrow was removed due to extreme habituation and aggression caused by being fed by humans. Despite our best efforts to correct both Arrow’s behavior and the behavior of people who came in contact with him, we were left with no choice but to remove Arrow and his mare Valentine from the wild herd for their safety and the safety of people. Arrow is in his 20s, and is a very sweet and personable horse, and always first at the gate for attention. He requires careful handling because his food aggression and reactive behavior is something that will never change, but luckily we are well-equipped to handle horses like Arrow. He has a very important role on the farm, helping educate people about why it’s so important to follow the rules and not feed the wild horses.

BELLA

Born: 1995
 Removed from wild: November 2017

In the late 90s, after the horse fence was installed, there was a group that continued to circumvent the barrier and roam the paved areas of Corolla. They were rounded up in 1999 and moved to Dews Island, which is situated in the Currituck Sound just west of our farm. They continued to produce offspring until the stallion, Little Red Man, died in 2009. Colts were removed and adopted out, but the mares were left on the island. In 2017, we were asked to remove the remaining mares. Bella is cautious around strangers but very friendly and gentle once she’s comfortable with you. She is very closely bonded to Betty and they are rarely far apart from each other in the pasture. Bella’s dam was Brownie and her sire was Little Red Man.

BETTY

Born: 1993 
Removed from wild: November 2017

In the late 90s, after the horse fence was installed, there was a group that continued to circumvent the barrier and roam the paved areas of Corolla. They were rounded up in 1999 and moved to Dews Island, which is situated in the Currituck Sound just west of our farm. They continued to produce offspring until the stallion, Little Red Man, died in 2009. Colts were removed and adopted out, but the mares were left on the island. In 2017, we were asked to remove the remaining mares. Betty was named after our dear friend and protector of the horses Betty Lane, and can most often be found in the pasture with Bella.

BLOSSOM

Born: 1991 
Removed from wild: October 2023

Blossom was one of the oldest horses in the wild herd before her removal. She was rescued after a resident called to report that she was unable to move or put weight on one of her front legs. Our vet took x-rays and found that she had severely torn a ligament. Due to her age, it was decided the best option for recovery would be letting the ligament heal and fuse itself. She will always have a slight limp, but is healing incredibly well. Blossom is the mother to multiple horses both at the farm and in the wild, including June and the late Junior. She will live here for the rest of her life – we are honored to have such a legacy here at the farm, and glad that we can provide her a happy, safe retirement.

BONITA

Born: 2012
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 navigable water, we were unable to extend the fence any further. After many failed attempts at permanently relocating the horses back to NC, federal officials informed us they were deeming the horses “nuisances” and asked that we move them to the farm. Losing six healthy horses from the wild herd was devastating, but we are glad they are safe now and will be for the rest of their lives. Bonita stands out from the rest of the herd with her four white socks and off-center star. Bonita’s dam is Taka, who is now one of the oldest mares in the wild herd.

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 had passed away. With specialized care, Brio has fully recovered and happily shares a pasture with other horses at the farm. He loves digging in the sand and playing with toys, and is being started under saddle this year too. Brio is friendly and charismatic and has a bright future ahead of him. His mother’s name was Monkey, and his dad Rocky is still in the wild and has continued to sire foals.

BUSTER

Born: 2006 
Removed from the wild: 2007

CWHF now uses a non-hormonal contraception to manage the population of wild horses, but before that colts were often removed from the herd and adopted out. Buster is part of the last group of horses that were removed for that reason. He was adopted out for several years but returned to CWHF and will live out the rest of his days with us. He is a friendly horse who is great with children, and was one of our best outreach horses before his retirement. He’s always the star of the show during summer camp. Buster’s sire was Tyson and his mother, Anne Bonny, is still wild on the north beach.

BUTTERCUP

Born: 2005 
Removed from wild: November 2017

In the late 90s, after the horse fence was installed, there was a group that continued to circumvent the barrier and roam the paved areas of Corolla. They were rounded up in 1999 and moved to Dews Island, which is situated in the Currituck Sound just west of our farm. They continued to produce offspring until the stallion, Little Red Man, died in 2009. Colts were removed and adopted out, but the mares were left on the island. In 2017, we were asked to remove the remaining mares. Buttercup was born on Dews Island and is the daughter of Little Red Man and Brownie, both originally taken there in 1999. She is one of the friendliest horses on the farm and has never met a stranger – horse or human.

DEWEY

Born: 2000
Removed from wild: 2001

In the late 90s, after the horse fence was installed, there was a group that continued to circumvent the barrier and roam the paved areas of Corolla. They were rounded up in 1999 and moved to Dews Island, which is situated in the Currituck Sound just west of our farm. They continued to produce offspring until the stallion, Little Red Man, died in 2009. Dewey was among several colts born on the island that were adopted out after being weaned. He and his brother Dudley lived with a wonderful local family for most of their lives before coming back to CWHF in 2022. Dewey can be a bit shy around strangers but loves attention from his favorite people.

DUDLEY

Born: 2000 
Removed from wild: 2001

In the late 90s, after the horse fence was installed, there was a group that continued to circumvent the barrier and roam the paved areas of Corolla. They were rounded up in 1999 and moved to Dews Island, which is situated in the Currituck Sound just west of our farm. They continued to produce offspring until the stallion, Little Red Man, died in 2009. Dudley was among several colts born on the island that were adopted out after being weaned. He and his brother Dewey lived with a wonderful local family for most of their lives before coming back to CWHF in 2022. Dudley is bold, brave, friendly, and takes good care of his brother.

JASMINE

Born: 1995
Removed from wild: November 2017

In the late 90s, after the horse fence was installed, there was a group that continued to circumvent the barrier and roam the paved areas of Corolla. They were rounded up in 1999 and moved to Dews Island, which is situated in the Currituck Sound just west of our farm. They continued to produce offspring until the stallion, Little Red Man, died in 2009. Colts were removed and adopted out, but the mares were left on the island. In 2017, we were asked to remove the remaining mares. Jasmine acts much younger than her age, and enjoys going for walks around the farm. She is dam to Little Star, who lives on the farm with her.

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 to become an outreach ambassador. She is smart, easy-going, and agreeable. June’s sire was Roamer, and her mother Blossom lives on the farm with her.

KITTY HAWK

Born: 2009 
Removed from wild: May 2018

Kitty Hawk 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 navigable water, we were unable to extend the fence any further. After many failed attempts at permanently relocating the horses back to NC, federal officials informed us they were deeming the horses “nuisances” and asked that we safely move them to the farm. Losing six healthy horses from the wild herd was devastating, but we are glad they are safe now and will be for the rest of their lives. Kitty is a wild spirit who often initiates play among the rest of the mares and is always up for an adventure.

LITTLE STAR

Born: 2003 
Removed from wild: November 2017

In the late 90s, after the horse fence was installed, there was a group that continued to circumvent the barrier and roam the paved areas of Corolla. They were rounded up in 1999 and moved to Dews Island, which is situated in the Currituck Sound just west of our farm. They continued to produce offspring until the stallion, Little Red Man, died in 2009. Colts were removed and adopted out, but the mares were left on the island. In 2017, we were asked to remove the remaining mares. Little Star was born on Dews Island and is the daughter of Little Red Man and Jasmine. She is a strong-willed, smart, brave mare and loves ear scratches.

LOUIE

Born: 2000
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. Louie was adopted out as a young horse but returned to the Fund in 2022 and will stay with us for the rest of his life. He’s a social butterfly with both horses and people. Louie’s sire was Bob and his dam was Helicia.

RIPTIDE

Born: May 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 usually something the wild horses can overcome without 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 due to his friendly, laid-back nature. He’s sweet, curious, and one of the biggest Banker horses from Corolla, measuring 14 hands. Riptide’s dam was Cora Mae and his sire is Surfer, who is still in the wild.

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 trained and put into our adoption program. 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.

SQUIRT

Born: 2010
Removed from wild: March 2020

Squirt was removed from the wild due to a condition called DSLD – degenerative suspensory ligament disorder. This causes a breakdown of the ligaments in the leg, which is ultimately fatal. However, with proper hoof trimming, good nutrition, and therapeutic support when needed, it is manageable for a time. Since coming to the farm, Squirt has remained relatively sound and it seems like deterioration has slowed down some. Experts believe that the condition may be genetic (it is often seen in breeds similar to the Bankers) and we did not want to risk him breeding and passing it along to any offspring. We will keep Squirt happy and comfortable for as long as we can, and provide him with the support and care he needs to stay that way. Squirt is a quiet, sweet horse who has a strong independent streak.

VALENTINE

Born: 2011 
Removed from wild: December 2021

Valentine was removed due to extreme habituation and aggression caused by being fed by humans. Despite our best efforts to correct both Valentine’s behavior and the behavior of people who came in contact with her, we were left with no choice but to remove Valentine and her stallion Arrow from the wild herd for their safety and the safety of people. Valentine has been successfully rehabilitated and no longer shows signs of food aggression or reactivity towards people. She is very outgoing and friendly, loves attention, and shares boss mare duties with her sister Virginia Dare. Valentine is being trained under saddle and has turned into a wonderful ambassador for the Banker breed.

VIRGINIA DARE

Born: 2008 
Removed from wild: May 2018

Virginia Dare 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 navigable water, we were unable to extend the fence any further. After many failed attempts at permanently relocating the horses back to NC, federal officials informed us they were deeming the horses “nuisances” and asked that we safely move them to the farm. Losing six healthy horses from the wild herd was devastating, but we are glad they are safe now and will be for the rest of their lives. Virginia’s son Mateo and her daughter Ocean Pearl have both been adopted out to wonderful homes, but she will spend the rest of her life on the farm. She is a smart, classy lady who shares boss mare duties with her sister Valentine.

Horse Sponsorships

BETSY DOWDY EQUINE CENTER

SPONSOR A BANKER

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

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