Stories

In September of 2015, a young mini horse named Cocoa arrived for auction at a barn in New Jersey, and it quickly became clear that nobody wanted her. According to Beech Brook Farm Equine Rescue, “Most folks do not realize that over 100,000…

All my girls have been retired for five or more years. Two years after relocating across the country (again) to the Pacific Northwest, I felt I was settled enough to start a casual search for my next trail partner. I hadn’t ridden at all except for short rides…

I knew in my heart rescue was for me. I saw a photo of a cute, young, black horse in southern Oregon. We drove 350 miles to see him. Upon arrival, Connie Willard from Project Spirit Horse Rescue said, “You should meet Hershey’s friend Andre.” They…

I adopted Aurora in June of 2017. The first horse that I had owned for 10 years had passed away in April and I was devastated. He had been my best friend, and had seen me through some of the hardest times of my life – then he was just gone.

After only six months of riding lessons, I wanted a horse. I would not recommend this, however, because it made it easy for people to take advantage of me. I was tricked into getting a horse that had many issues. Although she has a…

I found Rogue through my friend Katie who worked for Days End Farm Horse Rescue. I met a few horses when I when out, but instantly knew she was the one. It has taken a long time to establish the partnership Rogue and I have now, but…

I have been riding for five years now and I have been to multiple lesson barns. The latest one I went to had a horse named Peyote. He was being used by my trainer, but his actual owner also owned the barn. Peyote was used by many…

As I turned 70, I decided it was time to get another horse and teach some youngsters the joy of horses. I looked for a bit before I came across Cookie (named because she’s so sweet). I found her in a lot with about 40 other horses and I…

When we decided it was time to get a horse that we could ride, I knew exactly what I wanted: a 14-hand gaited gelding, preferably a paint, anything but black. I searched and searched through local ads and online for the perfect horse. I…

I went and visited the kill pen site after much prayer and wanting of that childhood dream. I saw J.R. and he kept coming up despite the number of horses on the site. I was afraid to take the plunge, but couldn’t bear the thought of him going…

I couldn’t sleep that night thinking about the mare and her little baby – and the fact they might be separated the next day during the auction. I called the woman up and asked her to tell me what she knew about the mare. She said she didn’t know much, but…

My husband and I imported Zabarajad from Ireland in 2012. He is an extremely well-bred and well-built horse. By age two, he was famous and expectations in Ireland were very high. He raced in Ireland and Dubai. He did not perform as expected, and was deemed…