Drifter’s Hearts of Hope of Franktown, Colorado brought a well-trained, sweet mare into their care after finding her at a local auction. Her name was “Annie;” she wore the brand of a local dude ranch and helped forge a relationship between the two groups. The new partnership led to 35 retiring dude ranch horses safely transitioning into new homes through Drifter’s program as an alternative to auction. Drifter’s Hearts of Hope looks to expand the program, called The Annie Project, to encompass all 55 Colorado-based dude ranches and is laying the groundwork to expand the program nationally.