Wild Heart Restart Ranch is located in Cotati, CA, and is a place for Off the Track Thoroughbreds, BLM Mustangs, and any soul who needs a restart in life.


Meet Maverick the Adoptable Puppy!

Wild Heart welcomes Maverick! A giant teddy bear of a failed livestock guardian dog. He enjoys chasing butterflies, snuggles from his people,  wallowing in water troughs and goofing around with his buddies. Maverick prefers a life of leisure. He was the kind of employee who showed up late, took a long lunch and left early! Roughly 80 lbs. Anatolian, Akbash, Great Pyrenees mix. Nine months old and growing! Wants to snuggle his way into your heart. Will require excellent fencing, lots of space and someone familiar with livestock guardian dog behaviors. Maverick is learning to walk on a leash, come when called, how to sit and to sleep in a crate overnight.


We are seeking donations to help with neutering and to offset some of our costs with feed, bedding and acclimation. Thank you for supporting Maverick and Wild Heart Restart Ranch!


 
 

Follow our journey:

Wild Heart Restart Ranch to the Rescue

On Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, a desperate call went out for help from the Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County: 7 puppies had been left in the rain in a cardboard box, in front of the O'Reillys Auto Parts store in Ukiah. The shelter was at capacity could not take them in, and the person who found the puppies could not keep them... so Wild Heart Restart Ranch decided to offer help. The puppies were delivered to Wild Heart on Sunday, December 3rd and here begins their story. With the help of Jameson Humane, we have a healthy pack of rescue puppies ready to find new homes. 

We believe that everyone deserves a chance to survive and thrive. We strive to let each animal take a break, decompress and begin a new career using groundwork, time under saddle, and adventures to new places before finding their perfect partner.

121436589_174081350878418_2081840397561036665_o.jpg

Current Wild Heart Horses

Meet the current Wild Heart residents who are getting a restart and will be available for adoption!

121436589_174081350878418_2081840397561036665_o.jpg

Wild Heart Success Stories

Meet the horses who have gotten a Wild Heart Restart and a new chance at the life they deserve.

 
MS Logo Final.png

Mustang Showcase

One of our goals is to raise awareness about the American Mustang and what wonderful partners they can make in the domestic world. And so, the Mustang Showcase was born.

 

Heartfelt Thanks

We would like to extend an enormous amount of gratitude towards all of those who have helped turn Hilary’s dream of Wild Heart Restart Ranch into a reality! To Jessica and Lindsay Merget, who make up the hefty administrative backbone of the Mustang Showcase and Wild Heart Restart Ranch. To Hilary Merrill of Rayo Ranch for hosting the Mustang Showcase and being such a steady and inspiring supporter. To Jen Bodnar for being the most dependable ranch hand and equine bodyworker. To Uncle Bob, Charlie, Pat, DB and Kelly for putting in the countless hours, sweat and muscle to physically build the ranch into the beautiful haven it is today. And, last but certainly not least, to Hilary’s dad, John Hansen, for always supporting and encouraging his daughter to follow her heart and live her dream of making a difference to so many horses and animals in need over the years. Without him, none of this would be possible.

 

Be a part of it.