Bandit and Seven

Featured Image for November 2025

"Bandit and Seven"

These are two of the newest arrivals at the San Luis Obispo Sanctuary, although they are not new to Return to Freedom.  They are from the Gila herd and were part of a 900 horse rescue.  RTF was pivotal in helping and ended up taking the whole herd.  These two were born after the rescue at a 1000 acre ranch that RTF leased in northern California.  They have had some training with the intent to adopt them out, but these two remain at RTF.  According to RTF Founder, Neda DeMayo, the Gila horses have very unique minds.  They are believed to have originated in Spain; part of Padre Kino's original stock.  The Gila herd was captured by the BLM in 2003 in Arizona.

Both geldings, Seven (right) is super sweet and sensitive, while Bandit (left) bottles up his emotions and will stand there with his lips all tight.  They seem happy to be at the SLO Sanctuary, and for those who have been to this sanctuary in the past, and plan to join me on a future safari, you have these two to look forward to meeting, along with three other horses that were all released in SLO this summer.

This image was taken at Return to Freedom's San Luis Obispo Sanctuary on October 18, 2025, during a private photo safari tour. 

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