Photo courtesy Mountain Shadows Equine Revival

Adoptable Horse: Stella, a 4-year-old, 13.1hh grade mare
Organization: Mountain Shadows Equine Revival, Laramie, Wyo.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Stella

Stella is a young, sweet-natured mare with a kind disposition and a bright future ahead of her. Though smaller in size, she has an excellent work ethic, an extremely solid mental foundation and a willing attitude. She has a solid foundation in groundwork, stands politely for the mounting block, and has recently begun her under-saddle education and has taken her first few rides wonderfully—remaining calm, willing, and showing no bucking or resistance while remaining soft, forward, and attentive to her rider. She has just ridden at a walk and trot, and recently completed her first ride outside the round pen.

She is very solid when it comes to desensitization and takes new experiences in stride, making her a pleasure to work with on the ground and under saddle. Stella is eager to learn and shows a genuine desire to please, responding well to guidance and consistent handling.

Her sweet personality has quickly made her a favorite among the rescue’s volunteers, and she enjoys human interaction and attention. With continued training, Stella has the potential to develop into a reliable and enjoyable partner for a variety of disciplines.

Stella would do best in a home that is ready to continue her education at a steady, positive pace. She is an excellent candidate for someone looking for a young horse to grow with and build a strong, trusting partnership.

Contact Mountain Shadows Equine Revival today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Stella!

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Stella appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Wild at Heart Horse Rescue

Adoptable Horse: Remi, a 16-year-old, 15.2hh American Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred- cross mare
Organization: Wild at Heart Horse Rescue, Lancaster, Calif.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Remi

Meet Remi – your next project with a heart of gold.

Remi is a 2010 Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred cross mare who’s ready for her next big adventure! She’s completed Wild at Heart’s groundwork training and has just been started under saddle, showing a smart, willing attitude every step of the way.

Currently being introduced to a rider, Remi is progressing beautifully and proving that she’s eager to learn and ready for guidance. If you’re looking for a horse to finish off and make your own, Remi is your girl — full of potential and ready to shine in the right hands.

Clever, willing, and full of heart, Remi is waiting for someone ready to invest in a partnership that will pay off in confidence, trust, and fun. Could you be the one to help Remi reach her full potential?

Contact Wild at Heart Horse Rescue today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Remi!

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Remi appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“The incidence of PPID increases with age,” says Kate Christie, DVM, a veterinarian with Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. “PPID is considered ‘uncommon’ in horses under 15 years of age. The prevalence increases to 20 percent of horses over the age of 15 years, and 30 percent of horses over the age of 30 years.” In rare cases, PPID has been diagnosed in much younger horses.

An example of a long, wavy haircoat that can be a sign of PPID. Photo by Christiane Slawik

One of the classic signs of PPID is delayed shedding or a long, wavy haircoat that doesn’t completely shed out. Other clinical signs include:

◆ Decreased athletic performance

◆ Change in attitude

◆ Lethargy

◆ Loss of topline muscling

◆ Tendon/ligament laxity

◆ Regional fat deposits (“cresty neck,” over tail head, above eyes)

◆ Laminitis

Out of Balance

As the name implies, PPID is directly tied to the pituitary gland, which is an endocrine gland located along the bottom of the hypothalamus in the horse’s brain. Because it controls hormone production, any dysfunction of this gland can cause problems.

“Age-related degeneration of the neurons that control hormone secretion from the pituitary gland leads to higher-than-normal levels of hormone production,” says Christie. “Increased ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) production from the pituitary gland has many effects throughout the body.”

In simple terms, hormones become unbalanced because the pituitary gland is working overtime.

“One of the most important effects is the release of excessive amounts of cortisol (the stress hormone) from the adrenal glands,” she says. “These abnormal increases in hormone production are responsible for the main clinical signs of PPID.”

Diagnosis

If your horse shows clinical signs of PPID, there are two current methods of diagnosing the disease:

◆ Baseline ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) test

◆ TRH (thyrotropin releasing hormone) stimulation test

Baseline ACTH is the best place to start in most horses when PPID is suspected. Because this hormone varies by season and reaches peak concentrations in the late fall/summer months, this test is also the preferred diagnostic for testing between June and December.

“If the baseline ACTH is normal but clinical suspicion is still high, a dynamic response test may be indicated,” explains Christie. “In the case of PPID, a thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test is the most commonly used dynamic test.”

She adds that this test may be more helpful when identifying PPID earlier in the disease process. Because of seasonal variation in hormone production and the pituitary’s response to TRH, this test should only be run between January and June.

Baseline ACTH reaches peak concentrations in the late fall/summer months, so this test is the preferred diagnostic for PPID testing between June and December. Photo by Chelle129/Adobe Stock

Limiting Risk

Early diagnosis of PPID is important so that medical management can begin. If the disease is allowed to advance without treatment, worsening clinical signs can include:

◆ Sluggishness

◆ Exercise intolerance

◆ Infertility

◆ Excessive hair growth

◆ Topline muscle atrophy

◆ Rounded abdomen (“potbelly”)

◆ Weight loss

◆ Abnormal sweating (increased or decreased)

◆ Recurrent infections

◆ Bulging fat deposits above eyes (supraorbital fat)

◆ Laxity of tendons and suspensory ligaments

◆ Laminitis

Horses with PPID are often immuno-compromised. They tend to carry higher parasite burdens and be more prone to chronic infections, including rain rot, scratches, non-healing corneal ulcers, et cetera.

“Early diagnosis is important to prevent some of the more devastating complications of this disease,” Christie warns.

Laminitis Risk 

Laminitis can develop in both early and advanced cases of PPID. The risk of laminitis is associated with increased insulin levels, which can be determined by testing.

“Approximately 30 percent of horses with PPID show signs of insulin dysregulation,” says Christie. “Insulin dysregulation is characterized by either a high resting insulin, a high postprandial (after feeding) insulin, tissue resistance to the actions of insulin at a cellular level, or any combination of these.”

Laminitis can develop in both early and advanced cases of PPID. The risk of laminitis is associated with increased insulin levels. Photo by Christiane Slawik

When insulin dysregulation is not controlled, the risk of developing laminitis is much higher.

Your veterinarian will likely suggest testing to determine your horse’s insulin status to assess the risk of laminitis and help decide the next steps, including any necessary changes in diet.

EMS May be a Factor

Some clinical signs of PPID can be confused with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), and it’s possible for a horse to have both conditions. It’s important to realize that when a horse is diagnosed with both, the risk of laminitis is increased.

Having some degree of insulin dysregulation may indicate that a horse also has concurrent EMS. Christie points out that somewhere between 20 to 30 percent of horses with PPID also have insulin dysregulation that may be caused by underlying EMS, but a large subset of horses diagnosed with EMS do not have PPID.

Both PPID and EMS cause a disruption in metabolic function and increase a horse’s risk of hyperinsulinemia-associated laminitis. Although PPID and EMS can both be associated with insulin dysregulation, the pathophysiology of the two diseases is not the same.

Management, Not Cure

Although there isn’t a cure for PPID, medications are available for lifelong management, allowing horses to live comfortably.

The medication of choice for treating PPID is pergolide. An FDA-approved version of pergolide is available as Prascend (marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim).

When dealing with a medication that must be given for the rest of the horse’s life, owners often seek out better price options.

“Some pharmacies will compound this medication, and although it seems less expensive initially, the compounded versions are typically less [effective] than the FDA-approved product,” says Christie. “You[r horse] may require a higher dose of the compounded version to control clinical signs. Ultimately, the price advantage of compounded [medication] is negated by the decreased efficacy.”

She has found that some horses stop eating the medication in their feed, even when the pills are cleverly hidden in treats.

“While side effects are low, one major side effect is often decreased appetite, which can be really tough for older horses who already have body condition score concerns,” she says. “For these horses, splitting the dose into a twice-daily administration or decreasing the dose to a half or quarter of a tablet once a day for several weeks before increasing to one tablet may help.”

Christie has seen some cases where the horse cannot tolerate Prascend, or is poorly managed even on high doses of Prascend. This is typically only in late stages of the disease.

If clinical signs are not well controlled, or if your horse doesn’t tolerate Prascend, your veterinarian may add alternative medications, such as injectable cabergoline or cyproheptadine.

“The most important thing to understand is that medical management is just that—management,” says Christie. “Horses diagnosed with PPID require lifelong treatment and management, as well as close monitoring for worsening of clinical signs.”

Management Steps & Key Takeaways for Horses with PPID

In addition to daily medication, practical management is important when treating PPID.

Body clipping may be necessary for horses who no longer shed out completely.

“Depending on your horse’s insulin levels, specific dietary management may be recommended by your veterinarian to try
and control the risk of developing laminitis,” says Christie.

Your veterinarian may recommend switching to a diet that is low in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). Concentrates aren’t the only concern. Hay and grass also contain sugar and starch, so managing PPID may include use of grazing muzzles or restricted turnout on grass.

Hay and grass contain sugar and starch, so managing PPID may include use of grazing muzzles or restricted pasture turnout. Photo by Jackienix/Adobe Stock

Certain supplements can also help manage insulin sensitivity.

Fecal testing has shown that horses with PPID have higher strongyle egg counts. Ask your veterinarian about recommendations for deworming protocol.

For horses showing any signs of laminitis, consistent farrier care is crucial.

“Work closely with your veterinarian and your farrier to monitor any changes in your horse’s overall or hoof health to prevent laminitis,” urges Christie.

Because PPID can be managed, it’s important to be aware of clinical signs of the disease. Have your horse tested promptly if signs develop.

This article about PPID in horses appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post An Overview of PPID in Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds

Adoptable Horse: Lil Bit Sideways, a 5-year-old, 16.0hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds, Cocoa, Fla.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Lil Bit Sideways

Lil Bit Sideways is a 5-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred who raced nine times. “Sideways” is the best cuddle bug you will ever meet and has the smoothest gaits you will ever feel. He stands on crossties, stands for the farrier, grooming, tacking, etc. He also loads great on the trailer and loves to work and make you happy.

Contact Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Lil Bit Sideways!

Photo courtesy Hidden Acres Rescue for Thoroughbreds

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Lil Bit Sideways appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

No matter who they are or what they do for us, often, our animals need our support too and that is why we have developed 4CYTE Epiitalis® Forte. Made with our world-exclusive, patented, ingredient – Epiitalis®, 4CYTE is scientifically proven to support joint health in horses and dogs.

What is – Epiitalis®? It is a natural, sustainably sourced and derived from a plant seed oil high in unique fatty acids, Epiitalis® is our exclusive, patented active ingredient that is supported by world-class research and is making a big impact on the joint health industry. Epiitalis® is easily digestible and readily absorbed into the body.

How 4CYTE Epiitalis® Forte supports your horse:

• Supports normal joint function, mobility, and flexibility
• Helps maintain the health and resiliency of joints and connective tissue
• Supports normal recovery capacity post-work
• Aids with maintaining healthy cartilage development
• May help address occasional gait irregularity and unwillingness to travel forward
• Supports normal movement patterns
• Helps maintain career longevity and competitive edge
• Eases joint stiffness due to normal daily exercise and activity
• Supports ability to meet performance demands

Since 2008, 4CYTE and Epiitalis® have undergone rigorous assessments to evaluate their safety and efficacy in laboratory, in vivo, and clinical trials across multiple species including dogs, horses, and humans. Many of these studies have been peer reviewed and published in leading international journals.

One study led by Dr. Wayne McIlwraith reported a world first, scientific breakthrough – read the study at https://www.epiq-ah.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Published-Paper-Horse.pdf.

You can use 4CYTE preventatively or for maintenance for joint care. It is safe in ponies over the age of six months and there have been no reports of negative side effects from long-term use. It is palatable and easy to administer and has a 100% money back guarantee for palatability. The horse formula tastes like apples which is delivered once daily, orally. The flavor makes resistance less likely. The dosage varies by weight but an average cost per day is about $1.60 per horse.

Your animal deserves this innovative approach to joint care that is unlike anything else on the market. Check with your veterinarian or purchase online.

The post A Revolution in Joint Care appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The good news is that there are answers, and the more knowledge you have, the more power you have to make the right decisions for your horse.

We sat down to chat with Ann Andrews, DVM, CVA, of Park Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., to answer your most-asked questions.

Photo by Christiane Slawik

Q: Does my horse need vaccinations?

As modern-day horse owners, it’s easy for us to take for granted the health advantages that vaccines now offer our equines. Not too many years ago, horses died from tetanus, rabies, Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, and other diseases.

Nowadays, horses can be protected from these diseases with vaccinations; if not completely, at least with the resulting illness being less severe. The key is developing a program alongside your veterinarian that meets the individual needs of your horse.

Q: Is there a safe and essential minimum of vaccinations required?

Like many equine veterinarians, Andrews follows the guidelines of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), which recommends a few core vaccines for all horses.

“The AAEP is a great resource for horse owners, and not just for vaccinations, but many health issues,” she says.

There are five diseases the AAEP’s core vaccines protect against: EEE, WEE, rabies, tetanus, and West Nile virus. Photo by peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock

Here’s a brief description of the diseases core vaccines protect against, and their recommended frequency.

◆ Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE) are viral diseases spread by mosquitoes that cause neurological damage or death. Vaccine frequency is annual in spring prior to the rise in vector season.

◆ Rabies is a fatal neurological disease that affects all mammals; it can be transmitted by raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. Vaccine frequency is annual.

◆ Tetanus is a bacterial disease that is often fatal; it can be contracted through wounds or punctures. Vaccine frequency is annual.

◆ West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurological disease transmitted by mosquitoes; it can be fatal, and recovered horses may have abnormalities in behavior and gait. Vaccine frequency is annual in spring prior to vector season.

“Depending on your geographic location, regional prevalence, exposure risk, stabling environment and other factors, your vet may also recommend certain additional risk-based vaccinations,” says Andrews.

Commonly recommended risk-based vaccines include:

◆ Equine herpesvirus (rhinopneumonitis/EHV): EHV-1 and EHV-4 are viral diseases that can cause abortions in broodmares, neurological issues, and respiratory illness. Horses that travel, compete, or are kept in high-density environments are particularly susceptible.

u◆Equine influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral disease that causes respiratory illness and impacts performance. Horses involved in activities that involve contact with other horses are at highest risk.

◆ Potomac horse fever (PHF) is a disease caused by the bacteria Neorickettsia risticii and transmitted to horses drinking from water sources where parasitic worms have infected aquatic insects. Vaccination is recommended in areas where the disease is prevalent, as well as for horses traveling to or through those areas. 

◆ Strangles (Streptococcus equi) is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes swollen lymph nodes and respiratory issues. Horses in high-risk environments (for example, where new horses arrive frequently) are most susceptible.

Flu/rhino and strangles vaccines are a good idea to add to the list for horses that travel to competitions. Photo by Janet/Adobe Stock

Other risk-based vaccines include:

◆ Anthrax

◆ Botulism

◆ Equine viral arteritis

◆ Leptospirosis

◆ Rotaviral diarrhea

◆ Snake bite

◆ Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE)

Q: Do vaccinations differ for horses that compete or are stabled in a large boarding facility versus a small herd or retirees that never travel?

“Even for older horses and those that live in a closed environment with no interaction with outside horses, the four core vaccines are always advised,” says Andrews. These provide protection from common diseases and illnesses, especially those that are spread by mosquitoes or chance encounters with wildlife.

“For horses that travel to competitions and/or live in large barns where lots of horses come and go, I’d also recommend additional vaccines to cover their exposure, including flu/rhino at least annually and perhaps a booster every six months, and strangles,” she adds.

Q: If my horse has reactions to vaccines, what can help minimize them?

Common reactions include swelling at the injection site, lethargy, going off feed, and sometimes colic and laminitis. The best solution might seem to be spreading out vaccinations over several days or weeks to avoid bombarding the horse’s system with multiple antibodies at the same time.

“The problem with this approach is that each vaccine can cause a reaction, even if it’s minimal,” says Andrews. “Then the horse’s system has to process, and potentially react to, each vaccine spread over many days instead of one episode with multiple vaccines.”

However, there are ways to work with your vet to help minimize reactions:

◆ Vary the injection sites for each vaccine, such as different locations on the neck and hip. “This also helps identify reactions to certain vaccines if there’s swelling at the injection site,” says Andrews.

◆ Allow the horse free movement after vaccinations to help his system process the antibodies.

◆ Devise a proactive approach, such as treating with Dexamethasone or Banamine the day before the injections, the day of, and a couple days after.

◆ Another benefit of having a client/vet relationship is the ability to dig deeper to find solution (see more below).

“One client’s horse had severe reactions to vaccines,” she recalls, despite trying the ideas above. “I decided to switch the brand of vaccines, and for whatever reason, that worked for him. Now we have an established protocol that we follow every time, and it’s helping keep his side effects as minimal as possible.”

If your horse has severe reactions to vaccinations, you might consider asking your vet about checking titers—the level of antibodies in the horse’s blood that are specific to a particular pathogen.

Q: Are there any differences for vaccines based on geography, weather, et cetera?

Certain diseases or illnesses can be more prevalent in some areas of the country than others, and your vet’s vaccination recommendations will reflect that.

For example, Potomac horse fever was first discovered in Maryland near the Potomac River. It’s since been reported in numerous states (including California), and it seems to peak in summer and fall in areas with bodies of water, like lakes, creeks, rivers, and ponds.

Botulism, a potentially fatal neurologic disease, is not a regional disease per se, but it’s more commonly found in horses that eat from large round hay bales as well as fermented haylage and silage feeds. If these forage types are common in your area and consumed by your horse, your vet may recommend this vaccination. 

Botulism is more commonly a threat for horses that eat from large round bales. Photo by pimmimemom/Adobe Stock

Horses in Florida and other areas with higher mosquito populations or longer mosquito seasons may be recommended to have boosters for Eastern/Western equine encephalomyelitis and West Nile virus.

Quarantine and Biosecurity Imagine this. After years of searching, your dream horse had finally arrived. You smile as he steps off the trailer and into his stall in the big barn.  A couple days later, he’s lethargic and has stopped eating. When you go to halter him, you notice the area under his jaw was swollen. You call the vet, sure that he has an abscessed tooth. The vet arrives and peeks over the stall door. “Your horse doesn’t have an abscessed tooth. He has strangles.” Within days, every horse in the barn is sick. The following weeks of treatment, mess, stress, and expense could have been avoided with a simple quarantine and biosecurity program. “I believe every horse owner should quarantine any new horse that comes to their property,” says Andrews. “At the client barns where we have a quarantine protocol, I’ve seen numerous times how it prevented huge outbreaks of illness and confined it to one horse.” Setting up a quarantine system is simple and well worth the time. Here’s how: ◆ Use portable panels to set up a corral that’s away from the barn and pasture fence lines. ◆ Keep the new horse in this area for a minimum of two weeks, and up to three. Monitor daily for elevated temperature and other signs of illness. ◆ Avoid cross-contamination with feed and water buckets, grooming tools, et cetera, and be sure all handlers wash their hands after contact with the quarantined horse. ◆ If the quarantined horse gets sick, use biosecurity measures when treating the horse, including separate (or disposable) clothing/gowns, gloves, hats, boots, and masks. ◆ When the horse is released from quarantine, thoroughly clean the area with a 5-10 percent bleach solution and allow to dry. If you don’t already have a separate area, use portable panels to set up a corral away from other horses during the quarantine period. Use brushes and water buckets that aren’t shared with any other equines. Photo by Christiane Slawik

For more on recommended vaccines, visit the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

This Q&A about vaccines for horses appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Horse Vaccines Q&A appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Humane Colorado’s Harmony Equine Center

Adoptable Horse: Peach, a 4-year-old, 14.2hh grade mare
Organization: Humane Colorado’s Harmony Equine Center, Franktown, Colo.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Peach

Peach is a sweet and shy mare that loves a treat. She has been saddled and has begun to learn a few tricks. Peach is four years old and already showing great potential. Because of her age and training level, Peach would do best with someone who can continue to teach her so that she can continue to grow. Don’t miss out on Peach!

Contact Humane Colorado’s Harmony Equine Center today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Peach!

Photo courtesy Humane Colorado’s Harmony Equine Center

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Peach appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Welcome to your home away from home to relax, enjoy a trail ride or lesson, and soak up life on a one-of-a-kind farm. It doesn’t hurt that it’s lavishly and whimsically designed with equestrians in mind.

Photo by L.A. Berry

Your Host, Cari Swanson

The wind beneath the wings at Windrock Farm is Cari Swanson.

A U.S. Dressage Federation silver medalist and graduate of its “L” education program, Swanson applies her experience as an international-level dressage and national-level eventing competitor, trainer, and instructor to the entertainment industry. She’s put good seats and hands on inexperienced actors like Farrell, Beyoncé, Russell Brand, Russell Crowe, Hillary Duff, Jonathan Groff, Ethan Hawke, Salma Hayek, and Tim McGraw, all while training horses to perform complicated stunts and action scenes. Hollywood horses must hit their mark with the acuity of a Spencer Tracy.

Cari Swanson on the horse that inspired a mission: Red, the namesake of Red Horse Rescue. Photo by Swanson Productions

“Cari gets the shot every time,” said Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee about working with her on Taking Woodstock. “Her horses hit their mark for each take, even when the human actors do not.”

“Cari trained me for The Magnificent Seven,” said actor Haley Bennett. “I started out fearing [horses], and learned not just how to ride, but ride with gracefulness and integrity. She treated horses as equals. I found that a rare and dignified trait.”

Swanson-trained horses have contributed to the production of films Arthur (2011), H. (2014), and Echo Valley (2024); the video game Red Dead Redemption II (2018); miniseries Orange is the New Black, The Knick, The Plot Against America, and White House Plumbers; and commercials for E*Trade, the New York Knicks, New York Lotto, and Ralph Lauren.

“The horse’s wellbeing and joyful attitude are the most important criteria for training,” says Swanson, whose own story of finding Listo, owned by Ashley Waller, reads like a script. She had flown across the country to see an Andalusian for sale, only for his owner to warn her that the stallion was “too dangerous” to purchase.

“I’ll take him,” she said.

Fast-forward to the fall 2016 Unbridled Spirit campaign, projected from the windows of Ralph Lauren’s flagship store on Madison Avenue in New York City, where the “dangerous” Listo is seen at liberty in a slow-motion video sequence across eight windows, connected by an invisible thread to Swanson’s every ask.

“I was proud of that one,” she says. “The stage was maybe three strides. It was super hard because he had to run, rear, and jump a 1-foot pole, but we had to make it look like 5 feet!”

Windrock Farm

You don’t enter just a house at Windrock; you enter another world. It’s one of trompe-l’oeil countryside and celestial landscapes; of chandeliers, oriental rugs, and visits from four-legged friends.

Two beds and a balcony view can’t be beat as you overlook the horse pastures. Photo by L.A. Berry

“Can you trust your horse to come in the house and behave?” asks Swanson, who trains horses to go through doorways and into rooms to build confidence. “It’s vital to working with a horse on set, where there are distractions and strange footing.”

As you follow the incense through the foyer toward the staircase to your room, don’t forget to look up to appreciate an artful cosmos—and winged white stallion, an homage to Listo—painted overhead.

Each room offers a pastoral view (nothing like going to sleep to the northern lights or waking up to a horse grazing below), private bath, and ample closet space, including an extra riding helmet and boots in case you forget yours.

Windrock Farm’s carousel horse promises a magical ride at this Amenia, N.Y., Airbnb. Photo by L.A. Berry

Red Horse Rescue & Movie Nights

Ever wonder what it’s like to train horses for the movies or teach actors to ride? To benefit Red Horse Rescue and horses finding haven there, Windrock Farm regularly hosts cozy screenings for up to two dozen guests of Winter’s Tale. These include a visit from Listo before the curtain goes up, après film stories about the production, and a lively dinner by firelight.

You don’t just enter a house at Windrock: You enter another world. Photo by L.A. Berry

“The rescue has placed dozens of horses and continues to follow their careers, with a clause written in that a horse can be returned at any time,” says Swanson. “There can be six to 10 rescues at the farm [at any given time] being retrained so they can find a special human to love them in a new career.”

To help them—like you—feel at home.

To book or learn more about Windrock Farm and services offered by Swanson, visit cariswanson.com or Instagram @cariswanson17. Help horses get a second prance at redhorserescue.org.

This article about Windrock Farm appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Windrock Farm: Hollywood Horsedom’s B&B appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“It is a very wide range of things,” says Libby Hanon, equine adoption and marketing specialist at the ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center (ETAC) in El Reno, Okla. She says that the term can mean late teens and onward in terms of age. Horses younger than their late teens that are experiencing issues typically associated with senior horses, such as PPID and arthritis, may also be called senior.

Boundless Potential

But labeling a horse as a senior is not about defining him by his potential limitations. Hanon describes senior horses as “amazing,” and enthusiastically relates that they have a lifetime of experience behind them to share.

“They can offer a lot of teaching,” she says. “They are a great option for beginners or people who have not had a horse in a while.” In these situations, Hanon says that it’s often ideal if the horse comes with a wealth of experience behind him.

“They can also offer a calming effect on younger or high-strung horses in the pasture,” she says, adding that they can also provide a much-needed confidence boost to their companions.

Versatile and diverse, Hanon says that senior horses can be great candidates for riding, too, particularly trail riding. She says that having a suitable job often helps senior horses stay healthy and feel young.

“Likewise, horses keep us young and healthy,” says Hanon. “It works both ways.”

Despite popular myths, many of the adoptable senior horses available on MyRightHorse.org do not require medical maintenance or even extra budgeting to maintain their health.

But if this isn’t enough to convince you, there is a feel-good benefit that adopters often experience when they provide a senior horse with a wonderful, stable home in their final years.

Overcoming Emotions

If you are considering adopting a senior horse, it might be easy to get caught up in the fact that you will have a finite amount of time with your horse.

Hanon, however, counsels adopters to think more positively.

“On several occasions, we’ve had a horse that we would consider ‘late in life,’” she says. “We felt they might only have a few years left.” But she says that when a match with the right person is made, they often see these horses flourish and live more years than originally expected.

With a good routine, positive interactions, and gentle exercise, such as liberty work and hand-walking, Hanon says that senior horses often see an improvement not only in their quality of life, but in the quality of life of their adopters, too.

Rather than focusing on how much time you have left, she says it’s more important to focus on what you can make of the time you have.

Preparing for the Future

While it’s important to note that not all senior horses will come with extra expenses, potential adopters should be aware that as their adopted horse continues to age, extra expenses can arise.

To help compensate, some My Right Horse Adoption Partners provide incentives for adopting senior horses. While not guaranteed, some of these incentives may include reduced adoption fees and temporary stipends to help with medication costs.

Even so, because senior horses need to have long-term, stable homes, Hanon says that if you’re considering adopting a senior horse, it’s important to take an honest look at yourself and your budget to determine what is sustainable for you, adding that it’s OK to go in a different direction and consider more affordable choices.

Success Stories

And senior horse adoption success stories abound. Nicole Walters oversees the West Virginia Horse Network in Charleston, W. Va. She has helped facilitate some wonderful senior horse adoption experiences.

“When I look at senior horses, I think of what they can do,” says Walters. “I don’t think of what they can’t do.”

She describes many adoptable senior horses as being excellent friends and entertainers and a joy to be around. The enthusiasm Walters exhibits toward senior horses is often contagious, so much so that people who have adopted a horse through her organization have realized that age is just a number, and have fallen in love with these horses as individuals.

For example, each year, Walters and her team take adoptable senior ponies to the Adoption Affaire at the Equine Affaire in Columbus, Ohio. In 2023, one of those senior ponies, Fiona, was adopted by a little girl who was very active in taking lessons and showing.

“Her family could very easily have gotten her a riding pony,” Walters says. “But she fell in love with this senior pony, and now she sends us pictures of the pony dressed as a unicorn, Christmas pictures, Easter pictures, that kind of thing. The pony is the light of her life. The family doesn’t look at Fiona as a consolation prize. They look at her at the Grand Prize.”

Though she could have looked for a riding pony, Riley fell in love with senior pony Fiona at Equine Affaire.

This year, the organization took another senior pony, Noelle, to the Equine Affaire. Initially, a veterinarian was interested in adopting Noelle, but ended up walking away. However, another family soon followed.

The family was grieving, the child having lost her father, and needed something to heal her. While the family was discussing the possibility of taking Noelle home, completely unaware of what was unfolding, the veterinarian reached out and said that while she could not adopt the pony for personal reasons, she would like to donate the cost of the adoption fee. Her donation made the decision even easier for the family to adopt Noelle.

Harper had recently lost her father and found that adopting senior pony Noelle helped her with healing.

Now the withdrawn pony who prefers children to adults has the perfect home, and her new owners are equally as thrilled.

“Senior horses are a gift to us,” says Walters. “We offer them not as an apology, but as an opportunity.”

This article about senior horse adoption appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Adopting a Senior Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

Adoptable Horse: Angel, a 26-year-old, 15.1hh gray Appaloosa-cross mare
Organization: Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, Lexington, Ky.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Angel

Angel is a lovely gray Appaloosa-cross mare who recently came to Kentucky Equine Adoption Center through an animal control case. When her owner could no longer provide care, Angel needed a safe place to land — and KYEAC is grateful to be that place.

In her 20s, Angel is in her golden years and is looking for a peaceful, non-riding home where she can enjoy life at a slower pace. She wasn’t emaciated upon arrival, but like many horses, she benefits from consistent care, good nutrition, and a calm environment. She can be slow to warm up to new people, but with trust and consistency, she is settling into her new surroundings. She has “boss mare” energy and loves her pasture buddies.

Angel would make a wonderful companion horse for someone looking to provide comfort, kindness, and a soft place to retire. If you have room in your heart and pasture for a sweet senior mare, Angel would love to spend her retirement surrounded by love and care. Her adoption fee is $500.

Contact Kentucky Equine Adoption Center today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Angel!

Photo courtesy Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

ASPCA Right Horse

ASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Angel appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.