Cait Oponski horse rescuer describes herself as a volunteer, but she is much more than that. Cait has rescued countless horses, brought communities together, built and strengthened collaborations between organisations, individual rescuers, expats, and locals, empowered people to take better care of their horses.
All of the work Cait has done has been on her own; no logo, no charity, no payment, no bureaucracy, just one woman’s determination and passion to do something about the suffering she saw. This is what it takes to make a difference in the world, and Cait Oponski has proved that when we act and do so out of compassion and with no personal financial gain, we can be an incredible force for good in the World. Here is our interview with Cait Oponski.
In your own words, what do you do?
My name is Cait and I own Corral West Horse Adventures and Lucky Break Horse Rescue in Arizona. We rescue at-risk, slaughterhouse pipeline, auction, kill pen and owner surrender equines. Our team saves, rehabilitates, trains, and rehomes/adopts second chance horses. All of our herd at Corral West is also made up of entirely rescued horses who take out guests to our area on trail rides. While saving individual horses is our passion, we also advocate saving horses to other people to change the stigma around horses that end up in dangerous situations. Over the last 5 years we have rescued 85 horses ourselves and our network of sister rescues has saved over 275 together.
What sets Corral West apart from its competitors?
I don’t like the term “competitors” because there is plenty of room at the table for everyone, but we are not only a female-owned business in a predominantly male-dominated space, we are also the only trail ride operation that uses exclusively rescued animals. Shattering the narrative that rescue animals did something to deserve the hand they were dealt is just as important to me as encouraging other young women to pursue their entrepreneurship dreams.
When did you make animal rescue a part of your life?
My mom is my hero, best friend and has the kindest heart you could imagine. While I didn’t inherit her green thumb for plants, I did inherit her heart for animals (and people) in need. Growing up we always had rescued pets. As an adult, I have fostered over 70 rescue dogs. Five years ago, I learned about the plight of American horses being sent to slaughter in Mexico and rescued two horses. That same year, I purchased Corral West (then, an existing business) as a way to generate income and ultimately rescue more horses. Initially, I leased guest horses from a summer operation in Wyoming, but as we kept rescuing good horses, we no longer needed to borrow horses. Two years ago we became 100% rescue horse-powered and have never looked back. Our horses are great ambassadors for the general public and I could not be more proud of what they’ve done to encourage others to take a chance on a thrown-away animal.
How are you changing the world?
One of my favorite quotes is from Mother Theresa: “not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love.” While I wish I could wave a magic wand and ban horse slaughter, I know I can’t do it by myself. I am very grateful to the crew or rescue advocates, customers, friends and family who have helped us spread our mission. We try to focus on helping where we can in our corner of the world so we can someday look back and see how far we have come. Another fitting quote for this question that keeps all of us going on even the hardest of days: “saving one horse won’t change the world, but it will change the world for that one horse” helps center me and re-focus when the hill seems too steep to climb.
What has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
Becoming a 100% rescued herd, receiving our 501c3 and trademarking “save a horse, ride a rescue” as our slogan have probably been some of my greatest accomplishments thus far. While other business owners may consider profit margin growth, perfect reviews on Yelp (which I am of course proud of), years in business as their benchmarks, we measure more qualitatively with equine lives saved, human lives touched, and memories made. And, of course, doing something you were told you couldn’t do is reward enough 😉
How important is collaboration?
Teamwork makes the dream work. When I first started rescuing horses I felt like I was on an island, fighting a solo battle. Over the years I have met so many rescue sisters who are dear friends, fierce champions and amazing people. I am forever grateful to have a rescue (and small business) sisterhood. As our social media following has grown I am also forever indebted to the brands, boutiques, makers and other small businesses who have created content with us and shared the rescues. When my first rescue horse, Zane, was featured in a Wrangler ad for the first time, I cried. It was a victory not for Zane and me, but for rescue horses everywhere.
What is your next big goal?
Our next dream is to purchase a forever home and sanctuary for the rescues. While I love being a small business owner – rescue is my true passion and purpose. We take our herd to summer pasture in Wyoming each summer and watching them run free in waist-high grass is a view that never gets old. We would love to have a bigger facility where we can rehab and rescue more horses each year.
How do you think modern women can feel more fulfilled?
In my journey, I have found the most fulfillment in life (both professionally and personally), when passion is pursued. Corral West is proof that you can both pursue the things that make your heart sing and the things that pay the bills concurrently. As women, we are so often defined by other people or society’s expectations of us, that we forget what our dreams were as little girls. I know 6-year-old Caitlin would be proud of what has been accomplished. As women, we need to encourage eachother, silence the noise from the “neigh-sayers” and get out of our own way.
To what do you attribute your success?
While I can’t give credit to a “what”, I can certainly give it to a whom/who. I am very fortunate to have parents who believed in me, supported me, and encouraged me every step of the way. Additionally, I have some of the most supportive friends a girl could ask for. When you need a mental health day, great friends who have your back – even when you aren’t in the room – are so important for every girl. I also have a wonderful fiancé who balances me out in every way…he is the yin to my yang and not only completes me, but complements me. With a good support system, a little grit, determination and a positive mindset when obstacles arise, anything is possible for us ladies.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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