Unbridled Sanctuary honored for ethical leadership in equine welfare

GREENVILLE—Unbridled Sanctuary has been named a recipient of the 2026 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics, recognizing the organization’s longstanding commitment to integrity, transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in equine protection and welfare.

Presented annually by the BBB of Upstate New York, the Torch Awards for Ethics honor businesses and nonprofit organizations that go above and beyond to build trust within their communities and demonstrate ethics in action through leadership and operational excellence.

Unbridled Sanctuary is one of only two nonprofit organizations recognized in Upstate New York for 2026.

Founded in 2004 by Susan Kayne, Unbridled Sanctuary began with a mission to create meaningful, lifelong protection for vulnerable horses. Over the past two decades, the organization has evolved into a globally accredited equine sanctuary providing permanent refuge, rehabilitation, advocacy, education, and humane engagement for horses, donkeys, and mules of all breeds who have survived abuse, neglect, slaughter trafficking, abandonment, and systemic disposability.

Today, approximately 65 rescued equines call Unbridled home.

“At Unbridled, sanctuary is where life is no longer asked to prove its worth,” said Susan Kayne, founder and CEO of Unbridled Sanctuary.

“This recognition reflects the ethical foundation upon which this organization was built: stewardship, accountability, transparency, and respect for the lives entrusted to our care,” she said.

More than a rescue organization, Unbridled Sanctuary has become nationally recognized for combining equine protection with immersive education, literacy initiatives, public programming, storytelling, and advocacy designed to deepen society’s understanding of horses, donkeys, and mules as sentient beings with emotional lives, intelligence, relationships, and inherent worth.

The recognition follows another major honor received earlier this year when Unbridled Sanctuary was awarded the 2026 A. Gary Lavin Equine Welfare Award from the American Association of Equine Practitioners in recognition of more than two decades of service to vulnerable equines.

Kayne noted that the BBB Torch Award also reflects the collective efforts of the Sanctuary’s supporters, volunteers, board members, and community partners.

“Our supporters deserve to know that the organization they entrust with their hearts and resources is stewarding both responsibly and honorably,” Kayne said. “Accreditation and ethical recognition matter because trust matters.”

The 2026 BBB Torch Award recipients represent a wide range of respected organizations across Upstate New York. Fellow honorees include West Herr Auto Group, Woodford Bros., Inc., Adirondack Basement Systems, Prentice Wealth Management, Schoen Auto, Golec Music Studio, and the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce.

The award ceremony will take place June 5 at Jazzboline Restaurant & Bar in Amherst. Unbridled Sanctuary will be represented by longtime volunteer Marvin Knapp.

As part of its ongoing public engagement initiatives, Unbridled Sanctuary will continue hosting seasonal Open Days through November, inviting visitors into meaningful connection with the rescued equines who reside at sanctuary. The organization is also preparing for its 22nd anniversary celebration later this year.