Tierra Madre – horse and human sanctuary

Tierra Madre Horse & Human Sanctuary is celebrating World Autism Awareness Day a day early on April 1! Join us for a morning of sensory-friendly activities that showcase our programs for children, teens, and young adults with autism and developmental disabilities. See horses either up close or from a distance, play in dirt and grindings, do a craft, learn about natural horsemanship, and relax in quiet corners of the barn to observe the activities of a working ranch.

World Autism Awareness Day takes place on April 2 this year. It is a day in which we celebrate individuals with autism and empower them! Since 2015, Tierra Madre has proudly served individuals with autism--namely children, teens, and young adults--through various programs. We develop multi-visit, multi-function programs that give people of all ages a wide range of exercises and learning experiences. From horsemanship classes to customized projects, our programs have uplifted hundreds of children over the past eight years.

On April 1, come experience the power of our horses for yourself. All ages are welcome, and entry is free.

“...and he said unto the horse, Trust no man in whose eyes you do not see yourself reflected as an equal.”~ Anonymous

Welcome to Tierra Madre
Horse & Human Sanctuary

Healing. Hope. Happiness.

Tierra Madre Horse & Human Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Cave Creek, Arizona that provides a forever home to previously abused, neglected, injured, abandoned, or surrendered horses. Founded in 2006, we have been saving horses for nearly two decades. We have one job: to give our horses healing, hope, and happiness. And our horses only have one job: to live the best lives they could have ever imagined.

Tierra Madre is the only exclusive horse sanctuary in Maricopa County, and the vast majority of our horses are retired and have a chronic medical condition that must be professionally managed. In addition to the exemplary medical care provided by our veterinarians at Chaparral Veterinary Medical Center (our partner for 15+ years), we provide to the Tierra Madre horses daily turnout, stall cleanings, fresh water, three square meals (with lots of snacks and a handful of treats in between), farrier care, and all the love in the world.

Over the years, the humans at Tierra Madre began to recognize that while the horses were being healed, the humans were receiving healing, too. Today, the horses of Tierra Madre serve as healers in a variety of programs, continuing our mission of promoting a circle of healing between human and horse that has existed for centuries.

Our vision is that all horses will have a safe place to retire at the end of their working years and be provided a forever home in which they can live out their years in happiness. Our mission is to save each and every horse with nowhere else to go, one horse at a time.

Have you always loved horses but never really learned much about them? Our interactive and educational horsemanship class will introduce you to how a horse’s mind works along with how to approach, halter, groom, and walk horses. This is a great opportunity to bring the family for a fun morning out.

Looking for a unique experience to give back to a great cause while learning life lessons from the horses? We can create a customized event for your organization, contact [email protected]. All classes and programs are done from the ground, no riding.

Events & Programs