charlie

Charlie is the horse that started it all at Rewild Refuge.! Our founder, Kristen, met him in 2017 through a series of serendipitous events that felt meant to be. Charlie had come from a feedlot in Eastern Washington, where he had been overlooked and discarded. People called him the "ugliest horse" on the lot, and no one wanted him. He was nothing but skin and bones. While the feedlot estimated his age at 15, a veterinary exam later confirmed he was likely in his late 20s—and in desperate need of care.

The moment Kristen met Charlie, she knew he was special. At the time, he was being used in a children's riding lesson program, having just come in from the feedlot, and despite being severely underweight and clearly depressed he was being used as a riding tool. Seeing his condition, Kristen fought to have him removed from the program and, after much persistence, convinced his owner to let her take him into her care.

For the better part of a year, Kristen dedicated herself to rehabilitating Charlie—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. What emerged from his recovery was a horse full of personality—hilarious, bold, stubborn, and more energetic than horses half his age!

Now believed to be in his mid-30s, Charlie is on daily medication for Cushing’s disease. He has little left in the way of teeth, so he thrives on three protein-rich mashes a day since he can no longer chew hay. But don’t let his age fool you—Charlie still runs and bucks through the pastures more than any of the other equine residents! His spirit is as strong as ever, and we are endlessly grateful for the role he played in inspiring Rewild Refuge to help animals in need!