About TPPHR

  Coffield was a 1997 Texas prison horse that we rescued from a dire situation. Found in a kill pen that actually transports horses to Mexico, Coffield was in appalling condition when we purchased him. Despite his grave state, our efforts paid off, and he gradually regained his health.  Coffield's spirit was indomitable; he would become restless if he couldn't join the other horses for a ride. We eventually saddled him up a few times, allowing him to lead the group, which he did with great enthusiasm. Unfortunately, we lost Coffield to his medical issues less than a year after his rescue.   However, Coffield's legacy lives on. He demonstrated remarkable heart and showed daily affection to Tanya. In his honor, we established the TEXAS PRISON & POLICE HORSE RESCUE. Coffield has likely done more for his fellow prison horses than any other horse ever released from TDCJ-ID, inspiring our ongoing rescue efforts. 

 Tanya Snell Mclemee  (above riding TXPH Blue Baby) graduated from Marshall, Texas ISD in 1994. Growing up, Tanya was deeply immersed in the equestrian lifestyle, including living, working, and training at the renowned Martha Josey Ranch (MJR). As a young barrel racer at MJR, she amassed numerous buckles, saddles, and trophies.  Tanya formed a profound bond with the first Texas Prison Horse (TXPH) we rescued, named Coffield after a well-known Texas prison farm. This experience inspired her to dedicate her life to ensuring the welfare and safety of all TXPHs throughout the United States. As of September 1, 2024, Tanya and the Texas Prison & Police Horse Rescue (TPPHR) have successfully rescued, rehomed, boarded, transported, or facilitated connections with adoptive homes for over 50 Texas Prison horses. 

Sgt. Eddie has been a mounted Texas prison guard for most of his adult life, being a mounted officer means you must build a bond and trust with your horse for that horse is not just a horse, it is potentially your lifeline to surviving the violence that occurs in Texas prisons. Sgt Eddie was "issued" a horse name PACO, these horses are "tools" within the Texas prison so they must be very well trained and use to many long hard days under saddle. 

In 2023 Sgt Eddie was told to send PACO to the barn for inspection and he was issued a new mount all while believing his best friend and partner PACO would be returning to him. 

Unfortunately the bosses made the decision to retire PACO and send him to auction (all TXPH must be sold at public auction per State law) without Sgt Eddie knowing that he might never see his longtime partner PACO ever again.

The night of the auction there were about 25 TXPH being auctioned and we had still not heard the story about Sgt Eddie & PACO however as the horses are going through the ring we were told about a prison " High Rider" who lost his mount to retirement and was desperately trying to find out where his horse was going for he had only found out the same day the sale was occurring that his best friend PACO was being sold. 

Sometimes things are just meant to be and these two being back together is one of those times because the bidder who won PACO ended up not being able to pay for him so the auction called Tanya to see if the TPPHR has anyone interested in PACO. The TPPHR still did not know if this was Sgt. Eddies horse nor did we even know how to contact him so regardless the TPPHR immediately purchased PACO.

Over the following few days we were able to establish contact with Sgt. Eddie and when we asked him the name and brands of his horse we were all happy to hear him say the name PACO !! 

We had to tell Sgt. Eddie 3-4 times that we have PACO and we wanted to gift him his longtime mount so the two of them can enjoy PACO's retirement together. 

Please see the ABC news story about the TPPHR &  PACO reunion. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt7bUthBAB4https://www.youtube.com/watchv=Wt7bUthBAB4

the story of Big Bay

Big Bay was retired out and sent to the public auction where we were able to obtain him for our own use on our ranch named "The Hard Battle" . We were needing a couple of horses for ranch work and would only consider a TXPH however once we had Big Bay on the ranch we discovered we had a true gentle giant, a horse that actually really enjoyed kids and was so good with them that we decided we should find him a home with young kids that need a very well trained horse.

We began going through our emails looking for a family with young kids and we found the perfect match.

Big Bay now lives the life of a king, he has become a large member of this young family who love him as much as he loves them. 

If you are considering a horse for beginners and/or children then please consider a Texas prison Horse for they are a very affordable and safe option for beginners and kids.