Spanish Mustang | Born 2001

Rio Rojo Joe, affectionately known as Joe, is one of the founding members of our sanctuary herd. Born in 2001, this handsome Spanish Mustang was part of the Foxton 5, a family band of five mustangs whose story helped shape the very beginnings of Great Escape.

In 2011, shortly after receiving our nonprofit approval from the IRS, we came across a desperate Craigslist ad offering five mustangs for free to anyone willing to take them. Knowing the horses could be at risk of ending up in the slaughter pipeline, we knew we had to help. There was just one problem: we didn't even have sanctuary land yet!

But that didn't stop us. We secured a temporary safe place for the horses, arranged transportation, and began the work of finding a permanent home where they could remain together. That family included Joe, his half-brother Tanner, Tanner's mother Flowers, and Dulcenea with her daughter Naja. Together, they became known as the Foxton 5 and were among the very first horses entrusted to Great Escape's care.

Joe eventually became the lead gelding of our sanctuary herd, a role that was put to the test in 2015 when he suffered a serious injury to his left eye, possibly from a yucca plant. Despite immediate veterinary care, his eye ruptured, requiring emergency surgery to remove it.

While Joe recovered in a stall near the ranch, something remarkable happened. His half-brother Tanner began leading the entire sanctuary herd up from the pasture to check on him. The horses continued making their way to the ranch throughout Joe's recovery, maintaining their connection with their longtime leader.

After two months, Joe was finally ready to return to the herd. And he didn't miss a beat! He ran toward the horses, circled them twice, and off they all went, with Joe leading the way once again.

Today, Joe continues to lead our sanctuary herd, navigating life with one eye and the same confidence he's always had. As one of the original Foxton 5, he holds a particularly special place in Great Escape's history. His story reminds us not only of the incredible resilience of wild horses, but also of the importance of preserving the family bonds that mean so much to them.