Our Florida Mustang Rescue and Retirement Ranch
Our Horses Work Hard For You;
We Work Hard For Our Horses
Many of our school horses have worked for years as part of our riding program, teaching riders–both young and old–as well as transforming their lives. These horses deserve the best retirement possible.
In 2010, Marc Schumacher purchased a ten-acre property in Alachua County, Florida. His original idea was to host winter camps for students who wanted to compete at H.I.T.S. (Horses In the Sun in Ocala, FL). Twelve years later, that ten-acre property has grown to fifty-acres and houses the CZ Mustangs Rescue and Sanctuary.
When our horses are ready to retire, we ship them down to our Florida property where Marc’s wife, Dr. Shelly Nice and her daughter, Cat Zimmerman, take care of them and let them live their remaining years being horses in large, open pastures under sunny Florida skies.
Besides our retired school horses, they also rescue wild mustangs which are either retrained by Cat Z or put onto sanctuary if they are deemed unsuitable for rehoming. Currently, there are thirty-five rescued, sanctuary, and retired horses on property being cared for by our Florida team.
We encourage our riders to visit our Florida facility, just 40 minutes from the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida.
We believe that these videos say it best!
Catherine Zimmerman (“Mustang Cat”) is not just SHS owner’s stepdaughter but also SHS youngest Junior Instructor. At the age of 12, she was accepted into the Bureau of Land Management’s 2015 Youth Mustang Makeover program and began working with Comancheria (“Monche”). On the outside, she might look like a privileged young girl. However, unbeknownst to many people, she is a typical teenager facing many of the same hardships that other young people encounter but often hide from others.
In 2016, at 13 years of age, Cat created this inspiring video that describes her own struggles and determination to overcome many of the social obstacles and life hardships that other young people are forced to deal with: school or cyber bullying, lack of self-esteem, parental divorce, disease, substance abuse, and depression. Her video shows the power that horses have to heal people. It just takes a dream and hard work to overcome the hardships that so many of us face.
Both Cat and SHS dedicate this video to all young people and adults who might find themselves in a similar place. It is our heartfelt hope and mission to be able to help anyone, young and less young, overcome adversity, find comfort and joy in our environment and achieve their potential. Let the healing power of horses help you find who you can be.
You can now watch Cat and her progress through 501c3 non-profit mustang training and rescue facility www.CZMustangs.com and see how many other Mustangs are rescued, retrained and rehomed thanks to Cat and her mother’s efforts, the support of Seaton Hackney stables and friends and customers like you.
Watch Our New Videos!
Caution! If you share a genuine love and appreciation of horses as most of us do, this will make you cry. Keep a box of Kleenex nearby!