We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Letty Guttilla. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Letty below.
Letty, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
As the owner of a non-profit horse rescue, I have experienced both deeply saddening and heartfelt rewarding moments. My mission is to provide assistance to as many at-risk horses as possible that have suffered from abuse, neglect, and starvation.
This mission holds significant personal meaning due to my profound compassion and empathy for horses requiring human intervention for their survival.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Since I was a child, horses have been my greatest passion. Their strength, grace, and unbreakable spirit have always inspired me. After retiring in July 2020, I decided to dedicate my time and energy to giving back to these incredible animals by founding Wild Sage Horse Rescue, Inc. a non-profit organization focused on rescuing abused and neglected equines.
Many of the horses we take in have heartbreaking stories—some were abandoned, others suffered years of neglect or abuse. But with care, compassion, and proper rehabilitation, we’ve seen these majestic creatures transform. Their resilience is awe-inspiring, and witnessing them thrive is one of the greatest joys of my life.
Our mission goes beyond rescue; we strive to provide these horses with second chances. Through extensive rehabilitation efforts, we help them regain their health and trust in humans. We are also committed to finding each horse a loving, permanent home where they can live out their lives in safety and happiness.
Every day, we work tirelessly to ensure their well-being, but the cost of care, including feed, veterinary treatment, and shelter, is substantial. We rely entirely on donations to continue our work and give these horses the future they deserve.
Your support can make a world of difference. With your help, we can rescue more horses, provide them with the care they need, and ensure they find the loving homes they deserve. Together, we can change their lives and give them the happy endings they’ve always deserved.
If you would like to support us on our journey, please visit wildsagehorserescue.org to donate. Every bit helps!
In addition, we warmly invite anyone who shares our love for horses, is interested in being around them, learning about them, or simply experiencing the healing power of their presence to reach out to us. You can connect with us through our website, Instagram, or Facebook to schedule an appointment.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
In the early days of our horse rescue, we faced a particularly challenging case. A severely emaciated mare, whom we later named Pearl, was brought to us after living years of neglect and was not given food or water for days and resorted to drastic measures for survival. She was so weak she could barely stand, her ribs protruding, and her spirit seemed utterly broken. The vet who came to assess her suggested that euthanasia might be the kindest option.
But something in Pearl’s eyes told a different story—a faint glimmer of will, a quiet plea for a second chance. We decided to fight for her.
The journey to Pearl’s recovery was grueling. It required round-the-clock care: feeding her small, frequent meals to prevent refeeding syndrome, providing her with clean water, and constant wellness checks throughout day and night when her survival seemed uncertain. Our team poured their hearts into her recovery, not just physically but emotionally, showing her love and kindness to help rebuild her trust in humans.
After months of dedication, Pearl defied all odds. She transformed into a vibrant, healthy horse, her coat shining with newfound vitality. Pearl not only survived but thrived, eventually finding a loving forever home where she now spends her days galloping freely.
See before and after pictures of Pearl below.
That experience taught me and my team the true meaning of resilience—not just Pearl’s resilience in fighting for her life but our own as a team in refusing to give up, even when the odds seemed insurmountable. It reinforced why I do what I do and continues to inspire me and my team in every case we take on.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Effective and transparent communication is fundamental to my expectations for the volunteer team. Open dialogue, facilitating the sharing of ideas and suggestions for rescue improvements, is crucial. Demonstrating appreciation and respect for our volunteers is key to maintaining their motivation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wildsagehorserescue.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildsagehorserescue?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildsagehorserescue?mibextid=JRoKGi
- Linkedin: [email protected]
- Twitter: [email protected]
