Horse Adoption, Welfare, and Charities | Horse Illustrated https://www.horseillustrated.com/category/horse-care/horse-adoption-welfare-charities/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 21:28:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Jemini https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-jemini/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-jemini/#respond Tue, 03 Nov 2026 12:00:14 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=953350 Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Jemini! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse. Adoptable Horse: Jemini, a 19-year-old, 14.3hh Arabian gelding Organization: Houston […]

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

]]>
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Jemini! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse.

Adoptable horse Jemini.

Photo courtesy Houston Humane Society

Adoptable Horse: Jemini, a 19-year-old, 14.3hh Arabian gelding
Organization: Houston Humane Society, Houston, Texas

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Jemini

This handsome light gray gelding stands quietly at the gate, watching the world go by with a calm, level-headed expression. He’s already broke to ride, which makes him a step ahead of many prospects — but he’s still a work in progress, and we’re being honest about that.

Jemini is currently carrying a bit too much weight — slightly obese, which Houston Humane will be addressing carefully. He’s pending a full veterinary workup, so they don’t yet have his full health picture. He’s also pending an under-saddle evaluation — Houston Humane knows he’s been ridden before, but they want to see how he goes under saddle now, in his current condition, before they make any promises about his job or level. This evaluation will also help them gauge his fitness, manners, and suitability for different riders.

From what Houston Humane can see, Jemini is a sensible, easygoing sort — the type that stands politely while you groom him and doesn’t fuss over much. He seems like the kind of horse who wants to please, once he understands the question.

The plan is straightforward: get Jemini through his vet workup, address his weight with a sensible feeding and exercise program, and get him evaluated under saddle. Once Houston Humane knows where he stands health-wise and how he goes under saddle, they’ll have a much clearer picture of the right home for him. If you’re looking for a project with potential — a horse who’s already started but needs the right person to finish the job — he might be worth a look.

Contact Houston Humane Society today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Jemini!

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: Jemini appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

]]>
https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-jemini/feed/ 0
The OTTB Transition https://www.horseillustrated.com/ottb-transition/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/ottb-transition/#respond Fri, 30 Oct 2026 11:00:52 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=953197 Thoroughbred aftercare has come a long way since Horse Illustrated first began regularly tackling the topic of retraining after racing in 2010. Programs such as the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) and the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) give horse owners incentives to give horses second careers after they are finished racing, and the versatility of the […]

The post The OTTB Transition appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

]]>
Thoroughbred aftercare has come a long way since Horse Illustrated first began regularly tackling the topic of retraining after racing in 2010. Programs such as the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) and the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) give horse owners incentives to give horses second careers after they are finished racing, and the versatility of the breed shines through in their ability to be anything: pasture pets, trail horses, show jumpers, barrel racers, eventers, therapy horses, and more. Being aware of how an OTTB’s first career on the track influences their shift into their “retirement” helps create a smooth transition.

As awareness of aftercare has grown, so has industry support. Major racing organizations, including The Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Charities of America, now allocate substantial funding to aftercare efforts, helping to ensure that more horses find safe and meaningful second careers.

Sunrise at a horse show.

Thoroughbred aftercare programs have an increasingly large focus on retraining, so that horses can be adopted ready to go in their new discipline. Photo courtesy Retired Racehorse Project

The Initial Transition

Amanda Tucker, trainer at the Lexington, Ky., branch of the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, likes to use the facility’s round pens to transition the horses into turnout. After they are comfortable in the round pen, she buddies them up with another horse in a smaller paddock before eventually adding them into a larger herd. The end goal is to be able to have them go outside all night, or even 24/7, but Tucker emphasizes the importance of taking an OTTB’s transition slowly.

Two horses grazing in a field.

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program buddies up horses freshly off the track with a babysitter horse in a smaller paddock before adding them to the larger herds. Photo by Margaret Burlingham/Adobe Stock

Layne Schaffer is the farm manager at Arrowwood Farm in York Springs, Penn. While Arrowwood raises Thoroughbreds to race, they are committed to finding new homes for those that don’t show talent racing or are ready to retire. Schaffer has competed at the RRP Thoroughbred Makeover and barrel races her own Thoroughbred, Floo Powder.

Like Tucker, Schaffer uses a transitional turnout system. She says that each horse’s personality and what he did previously on the track makes a difference. If she knows the horse is more laid-back, she transitions him to a regular turnout situation more quickly.

“I think a quiet buddy is also ideal,” says Schaffer. New Vocations has a similar strategy, with an older, permanent resident “babysitter” named Ranger, whose job is to help make the transition more seamless.

While some horses need down time after retiring due to an injury or to unwind mentally, many do better staying in a program.

“The racetrack is a hard job, and whatever job you give them is likely going to be a walk in the park compared to that,” says Schaffer. “They are used to their people and routine and getting to do something.”

Often, too much time off can backfire and cause unnecessary stress and change in routine for the horses.

Feed First

Nutritionally, a lot of factors go into making the best gameplan.

“Once they leave race training, their nutritional demands depend on a few factors,” says Amy Parker, M.S., a nutritionist at McCauley Bros. “Does he need some sort of rehabilitation due to an injury? If he’s going to be on stall rest or very restricted turnout, you may not feed him as much as a horse that immediately starts to train for his next career.”

Parker adds that for most horses, caloric needs decrease when they finish racing. However, the change in routine can cause some horses to develop ulcers or not want to eat.

“For 99 percent of the horses coming off the track, that first three months is a big transitional period with a whole lot of changes going on,” she says. “They are now in a new environment with a new routine and new people and new horses. In this way, horses are a bit like people. Some people handle change fantastically and some don’t.”

An equestrian training an OTTB through its transition period.

At three months off the track, Amanda Tucker of New Vocations is focusing on walk/trot/canter, both inside and outside of the ring, and not much more yet. Photo by RH2010/Adobe Stock

Choosing a feed is an important part of this change.

“If the horse is 2 or older and not pregnant or lactating, a good 10 or 12 percent protein feed is going to more than meet his protein requirements,” says Parker. “Protein will not necessarily put weight on a horse. Calories will.”

The time of year the horse comes off the track also makes a difference.

“We often see a lot of horses, especially in the Thoroughbred world, get retired following the fall race meets,” says Parker.

This often coincides with pasture quality declining, and horses are often being asked to adjust with minimal winter coats in colder weather.

“A horse that retires at, say, the end of October, versus a horse that’s being retired at the end of April, will have different nutritional demands simply because of Mother Nature,” she explains.

Although there is a lot you can’t control during the horse’s transition, trying to minimize the stress as much as possible will help in the long run.

A horse eating pelleted feed.

Pelleted feeds can seem foreign to a horse freshly off the track, so you may need to start with what he is used to before gradually introducing something new. Photo by Dusty Perin

“Instead of trying to force the horse into whatever pigeonhole you’ve got in your situation, work with the horse,” says Parker. “If he was on an alfalfa/grass mix hay at the track and on a sweet feed, and you feed pelleted feed and grass hay, maybe get some alfalfa/grass mix and use that for a few weeks. You might want to start with a sweet feed and transition to a pellet, because if he’s never seen a pellet, he might have no idea what it is.

“There’s no cookie-cutter [solution] for this, because we have to treat every horse as an individual,” she adds. “That’s the one thing that I can’t stress enough.”

Restarting Under Saddle

Tucker’s first time riding a horse off the track greatly depends on his personality. Taking the time to get to know him as an individual is critical for making sure the first ride is productive. This can look different for every horse.

“I read their vibes as I’m tacking them up to see if I think they need to be longed or not,” she says. “We have gotten to know them for a couple weeks at that point, so if they seem calm, cool, and collected, I sometimes skip longeing and just hop right on. If they are giving any signs of anxiety, we start with longing or more ground work.”

Schaffer agrees.

“The first few months have looked different for all my OTTBs that I’ve taken to be riding horses,” she says.

Her gelding, Floo, needed time to rehab from a slab fracture in a knee, while her 2018 Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover mount retired sound and went right into his new job.

A barrel racing OTTB that needed a bit more time to transition.

Although he came off the track in 2015, it wasn’t until 2019 that Floo hit his stride running barrels, winning a year-end buckle from a local series. Photo courtesy Layne Schaffer

Not all horses retire from racing already knowing how to longe, so taking the time before the first ride to establish ground work routines helps build the horse’s understanding of what he’s being asked to do.

The first few months off the track are all about establishing the foundation, according to Tucker.

“At three-ish months, at least with most of the babies, I focus on walk/trot/canter, both inside and outside of the ring, and not pushing them much more than that,” she says.

Tucker uses the facility’s trail course, including bridges, logs, and a small bank, to give the horses more to think about and test how ready their brains and bodies are for larger questions.

Next Career

Once the fundamentals are established, the horse can start to focus on his next career.

Deciding on the direction a horse will thrive is not an exact science. At New Vocations, Tucker and her team keep an open mind about what makes sense for each horse. Just because a horse can physically do a job doesn’t always equate to it being the best path for him. Similarly, a physically limited horse can likely still do a lot of different jobs.

Schaffer urges people to think outside the box.

“People don’t think big horses can run barrels, and really it’s about so much more than sheer size,” she says. “For just about any western sport, you want a horse that moves efficiently and that has the right conformation to do the job you want. Yes, I want a bit of a lower set hock and a shorter back, but that’s not much different than what a jumper wants. You still need that quickness and efficiency. The ranch rider is still going to want that fluid, easy movement that a hunter requires. I think every discipline can learn something from the others.”

Tucker hopes to know which direction to take her OTTBs in after six months of retraining.

“If we’re going to be eventing or jumping, we should be at least doing baby jumps and baby courses and baby cross-country,” she explains.

Some horses catch onto their new jobs a lot quicker than others.

“Six months in for some people could look the same as three months in does for others,” says Schaffer. “Things are so dependent on each individual horse and how they adjust and how they train.”

An equestrian riding an OTTB through its transition period.

Six months after restarting under saddle, Tucker hopes to have the horse starting his new career—a jumper can do baby jumps or an eventer can start going around baby cross-country courses. Photo courtesy Retired Racehorse Project

Nutritionally, Parker says at this point it’s a matter of feeding them to meet the demands of their next career.

“The demands of a horse that’s being trail ridden once or twice a week versus a horse that’s going to be a barrel racer or an eventer changes a lot of his nutritional needs,” she notes.

Past that, it’s a lot of sorting out what makes the horse tick and building on those skills. Some horses thrive in competitive disciplines, while others flourish in quieter roles. The ultimate goal is not to force them into a specific mold, but to find a career path that suits each horse’s temperament and physical abilities.

Makeover Success

For Schaffer, it took several years for her and Floo to truly get going in her planned career path of barrel racing. Floo retired from the track in 2015, but he didn’t do his first barrel race until 2018. She said that in 2019, it finally started to all come together.

“He won a year-end buckle from a local series,” she recalls. “[Then] in 2020, we qualified as a Top Dog (top 5 in any division) for the IBRA National Finals. After a really great year in 2021, we went to the inaugural TIP Barrel Racing Championships, and he was the 1D Average Champion. He placed second in both rounds, but because he stayed so consistent, he won the average. That was such a huge moment for him because a horse that’s tough and looky—and hot—doesn’t always translate to a horse that stays super consistent. I was honored for him to be the one that won it because he’s such a cool, weird, silly little horse and the ultimate underdog, and he deserved it.”

Tucker had a similar experience with her 2018 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover horse, Wavemaker, known around the barn as Shakespeare. After the makeover, she continued eventing with him before deciding to sell him in 2024. She is now aiming for the 2025 Makeover with her current OTTB, Greyes Creek.

Both trainers think it’s crucial to remember that horses coming off the track are simply moving from one career to the next, and that their education on the track is important to remember during an OTTB’s transition.

“Just because you don’t speak that language doesn’t mean it’s wrong,” says Schaffer. “Thoroughbreds are truly the horseman’s horse. The people that raise them love them dearly!”

This article about the transition of OTTBs appeared in the September/October 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The OTTB Transition appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

]]>
https://www.horseillustrated.com/ottb-transition/feed/ 0
ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Queso https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-queso/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-queso/#respond Wed, 28 Oct 2026 11:00:22 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=953088 Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Queso! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse. Adoptable Horse: Queso, a 10-year-old, 16.0hh Thoroughbred gelding Organization: Hope […]

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

]]>
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Queso! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse.

Adoptable horse Queso.

Photo courtesy Hope For Horses, Inc.

Adoptable Horse: Queso, a 10-year-old, 16.0hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Hope For Horses, Inc. at Advantage Horsemanship, Fredericksburg, Va.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Queso

Queso – Jockey Club name “Fly the W” – is a really cool guy! He raced for quite a while, making 57 starts and earning $548,875. He even holds the current record at Gulfstream Park on the all-weather track for a mile and 70 yards. Queso came to Hope For Horses a few months after turning 10 and needing to retire.

Queso has been being ridden by advanced and intermediate teens at Horses For Hope and has even attended two different hunter shows so far with no groundwork needed. One show was in an outdoor arena and the other in an indoor.

Queso can walk/trot/canter but they have been focusing on consistency at the trot recently. He is a pretty chill guy that has taken everything in stride. He does have a trot with a decent amount of suspension, so posting is much more comfortable for you and him. He currently turns out with geldings and is the very, very bottom man in the field.

He stands excellent for the vet and farrier, tying, tacking and grooming. He loads and hauls great. He has not shown any ill behaviors on the ground or under saddle.

Contact Hope For Horses, Inc. today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Queso!

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: Queso appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

]]>
https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-queso/feed/ 0
ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Maddie https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-maddie/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-maddie/#respond Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:00:41 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=953055 Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Maddie! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse. Adoptable Horse: Maddie, a 21-year-old, 15.0hh Quarter Horse gelding Organization: […]

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

]]>
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Maddie! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse.

Adoptable horse Maddie.

Photo courtesy Humane Society of Ventura County

Adoptable Horse: Maddie, a 21-year-old, 15.0hh Quarter Horse gelding
Organization: Humane Society of Ventura County, Ojai, Calif.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Maddie

Meet Maddie, a beautiful 21-year-old Quarter Horse mare who recently came to the Humane Society of Ventura County and is ready to find a family of her own.

Maddie a sweet, gentle girl who absolutely loves people, and kids are some of her favorite people to be around. She loves attention, going for hand walks, and enjoying nice, easy outings. She can even go for short rides when appropriate.

Maddie enjoys being around other horses, but she also appreciates having her own space. Due to an old knee injury, she is not quite as quick as she used to be, but she is perfectly happy taking life at a slower pace. With regular maintenance and the right care, she can be a wonderful companion and a great horse for kids.

A pretty easygoing mare, Maddie is good for the farrier, great for the vet, and she doesn’t mind getting a nice bath.

Maddie may be a little older, but she still has plenty of love to give. If you are looking for a sweet, gentle horse who loves kids, enjoys attention, and is happiest taking life one easy stroll at a time, she might be just your girl!

Contact Humane Society of Ventura County today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Maddie!

A buckskin mare.

Photo courtesy Humane Society of Ventura County

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: Maddie appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

]]>
https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-maddie/feed/ 0
ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Sweet Callie Cat https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-sweet-callie-cat/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-sweet-callie-cat/#respond Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:00:18 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=953345 Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Sweet Callie Cat! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse. Adoptable Horse: Sweet Callie Cat, a 3-year-old, 15.0hh Standardbred […]

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

]]>
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Sweet Callie Cat! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse.

Adoptable horse Sweet Allie Cat.

Photo courtesy Lucky 7 Horse Rescue

Adoptable Horse: Sweet Callie Cat, a 3-year-old, 15.0hh Standardbred mare
Organization: Lucky 7 Horse Rescue, Isanti, Minn.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Sweet Callie Cat

Sweet Callie Cat is an absolute sweetheart of a young mare. She is a joy to be around and a very forgiving girl. She came to Lucky 7 healthy and sound, and just wasn’t big enough to race on the track competitively.

She has since begun her new career under saddle. She is a lovely, forward-moving mare, eager to get out to see the sights of the world beyond that of the racetrack. She would thrive as a trail horse, but could really go any direction. Sweet Callie Cat has the time of her life carrying around a beginner rider on all kinds of trails. She trailers great, loves hanging out while camping, will soak up any kind of attention she can get, and will still keep you laughing through it all with her innocently goofy personality.

This girl isn’t super tall, so she’s the perfect smaller Standardbred for someone who loves the breed but doesn’t want the height. If you’re unfamiliar with the Standardbred breed, Lucky 7 encourages you to do some research on all they can do. Hearing “young” and “off-the-track” may make you think she’s going to be a crazy, hot youngster but that couldn’t be further from the truth; Standardbreds are known for their calm, forgiving nature and are even commonly used in therapy programs.

Sweet Callie Cat is available through Lucky 7’s Standardbred Rehoming Program, which exists for owners to safely rehome their retiring racehorses in a way that acknowledges the value of their horses. Off-the-track Standardbreds come with a lot of excellent handling and care, and are extreme athletes. When they are working, they are all “business mode.” When their harness is off, however, they show their goofy personalities. Every Standardbred has their unique set of goofy quirks — some like to twirl their heads, others like to stick their tongues out, and even more like to wiggle their lips. Like most Standardbreds, Callie comes with these wonderful qualities:

◆ Stands tied
◆ Cross-ties
◆ Trailers like a champ
◆ Good for farrier
◆ Stands for baths
◆ Up to date on everything

Standardbreds offered through Lucky 7’s Standardbred Rehoming Program are NOT rescues. They have been loved and cared for their entire lives, valued as racehorses. The Standardbred Rehoming Program exists to give horse owners the option to safely rehome their off-the-track Standardbreds in a way that acknowledges the value of their horses. Many of these horses would be sold for double or triple the price to go work on rural farms, as they are valued by those communities as working animals and transportation. When adopting a horse in Lucky 7’s Standardbred Rehoming Program, half of the fee goes to the previous owner of the horse, and half goes directly into getting two or three Standardbreds away from the hard work of working on rural farms.

Contact Lucky 7 Horse Rescue today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Sweet Callie Cat!

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: Sweet Callie Cat appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

]]>
https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-sweet-callie-cat/feed/ 0
ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Lady https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-lady/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-lady/#respond Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:03 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=953059 Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Lady! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse. Adoptable Horse: Lady, a 25-year-old, 15.0hh Standardbred mare Organization: Happy […]

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

]]>
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Lady! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse.

Adoptable horse Lady.

Photo courtesy Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary

Adoptable Horse: Lady, a 25-year-old, 15.0hh Standardbred mare
Organization: Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, Ravenna, Ohio

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Lady

Meet Lady!

This cutie pie is still so full of life at 25, and enjoys having a job. While still respecting her aging body, but keeping her nimble and exercised, a home with some fun bareback riding is exactly what this mare is looking for.

Lady is an easy keeper with no maintenance, even staying barefoot. She picks up all of her feet like a champ and will do whatever you ask, as long as you explain it with confidence. Lady is very kind, but needs a little bit more work and some love before she’s ready to be called a kids’ horse. Happy Trails does believe that with the right people and time, she will make an excellent little packer!

Contact Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Lady!

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: Lady appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

]]>
https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-lady/feed/ 0
ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Blame Bourbon https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-blame-bourbon/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-blame-bourbon/#respond Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:00:10 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=953032 Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Blame Bourbon! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse. Adoptable Horse: Blame Bourbon, a 3-year-old, 16.0hh Thoroughbred gelding […]

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

]]>
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Blame Bourbon! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse.

Adoptable horse Blame Bourbon.

Photo courtesy Kentucky Equine Adoption Center

Adoptable Horse: Blame Bourbon, a 3-year-old, 16.0hh Thoroughbred gelding
Organization: Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, Lexington, Ky.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Blame Bourbon

Bourbon is a sweet yet spirited young gelding with plenty of potential for a future in lower-level riding disciplines. Due to a windpipe condition, he is not suited for high-speed activities such as jumping or barrel racing, but he is expected to thrive with the right partner in a variety of other pursuits.

This handsome gelding has built a solid foundation through groundwork and has now begun his under-saddle training. He has been successfully saddled and ridden in the round pen and will continue building confidence and experience as his training progresses. A quick learner with a willing attitude, Bourbon responds well to consistency and clear guidance, making him an exciting prospect for someone who enjoys developing a young horse. As his education advances, his adoption fee will increase accordingly (it is currently $1,000).

In the pasture, Bourbon’s friendly and social personality shines. He enjoys spending time with his herd mates and can often be found playing with his friends. As he continues to mature, he receives monthly chiropractic care to help manage occasional growing pains and currently wears front shoes to support his increasing workload.

If you’re looking for a kind, athletic young partner with a bright future, Bourbon could be the perfect match. With continued training, he’s well on his way to becoming a rewarding partner for years to come.

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

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: Blame Bourbon appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

]]>
https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-blame-bourbon/feed/ 0
ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Kasuco https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-kasuco/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-kasuco/#respond Fri, 02 Oct 2026 11:00:03 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=952721 Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Kasuco! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse. Adoptable Horse: Kasuco, a 15-year-old, 16.0hh Andalusian gelding Organization: Horses’ […]

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

]]>
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Kasuco! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse.

Adoptable horse Kasuco.

Photo courtesy Horses’ Haven

Adoptable Horse: Kasuco, a 15-year-old, 16.0hh Andalusian gelding
Organization: Horses’ Haven, Howell, Mich.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Kasuco

KA Kasuco is a stunning double-registered Andalusian gelding with a handsome, dappled gray coat and a sweet, people-loving personality. At 15 years old, he is looking for a partner to continue his journey.

Kasuco was started under saddle as a 3-year-old but then spent many years out of work. Since being restarted, he has impressed Horses’ Haven with how quickly he is relearning his training. He is confidently working at the walk and trot, developing a balanced canter, and learning lateral work. His beautiful, floaty movement and willing attitude make him an exciting dressage prospect.

Kasuco is a sensitive horse who needs a confident and experienced rider who can be clear with what they are asking as he has the potential to become overwhelmed quickly when confused. As he continues his restart, he is developing a better understanding of the rider’s leg and is becoming more confident in carrying himself forward. He is intelligent, eager to learn, and has tremendous potential for someone who enjoys bringing along a talented horse.

He requires front shoes and light hock maintenance to stay comfortable in work and continues to build strength and fitness with regular riding.

Most of all, Kasuco is simply a lovely gelding to be around—kind, friendly, and always happy to spend time with his people. If you’re looking for a handsome Andalusian with expressive movement, a wonderful temperament, and lots of potential, Kasuco could be your perfect match.

Contact Horses’ Haven today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Kasuco!

A bay Thoroughbred free jumping.

Photo courtesy Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation

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: Kasuco appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

]]>
https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-kasuco/feed/ 0
ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Ophelia https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-ophelia/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-ophelia/#respond Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:00:21 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=952688 Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Ophelia! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse. Adoptable Horse: Ophelia, a 10-year-old, 14.1hh American Quarter Horse mare […]

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

]]>
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Ophelia! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse.

Adoptable horse Ophelia.

Photo courtesy Longmeadow Rescue Ranch

Adoptable Horse: Ophelia, a 10-year-old, 14.1hh American Quarter Horse mare
Organization: Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, Union, Mo.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Ophelia

Ophelia came to Longmeadow with another horse when her previous owners moved and could not take their horses with them. She arrived blind in both eyes, but that didn’t stop her from being the sweetheart she is. Ophelia surprised the Longmeadow crew and settled quickly into life at the Ranch. It wasn’t long before she was ready to be evaluated by their trainers.

The first thing the trainers noted, besides Ophelia’s obvious blindness, was that this mare clearly had owners and trainers who did right by her in her past. She passed her groundwork tests with flying colors and had excellent ground manners. She was proficient in standing tied, loading in the trailer, and being bathed. The moment her evaluation began under saddle, she was perfectly comfortable putting all of her trust into our trainers. Since she is completely blind, she relied on her handler for guidance both on the ground and under saddle (due to this, she will require a strong and advanced intermediate rider at a minimum). When ridden in the arena at the walk and trot, she was a very good girl, responding well to neck reining and leg aids.

However, it’s important to note that due to Ophelia’s lack of vision, she is not suitable for a beginner rider or handler. Her trust in people can quickly diminish if she is mishandled or steered into obstacles, like a tree or wall. With her specific needs, Ophelia deserves a home with experienced individuals who can provide the proper care she needs.

Ophelia is an angel and a staff favorite. Her calm, kind demeanor and willingness to trust has softens hearts at the Ranch. She stands wonderfully for the farrier and the vet. She gets along with other horses and settles into new routines nicely. She truly is such a great mare.

Contact Longmeadow Rescue Ranch today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Ophelia!

A blind bay mare.

Photo courtesy Longmeadow Rescue Ranch

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: Ophelia appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

]]>
https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-ophelia/feed/ 0
ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Ocean https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-ocean/ https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-ocean/#respond Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:00:51 +0000 https://www.horseillustrated.com/?p=952503 Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Ocean! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse. Adoptable Horse: Ocean, a 27-year-old, 14.2hh American Quarter Horse mare […]

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

]]>
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCA’s Right Horse program. This week’s adoptable horse is Ocean! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse.

Adoptable horse Ocean.

Photo courtesy Days End Farm Horse Rescue

Adoptable Horse: Ocean, a 27-year-old, 14.2hh American Quarter Horse mare
Organization: Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Woodbine, Md.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Ocean

Meet Ocean! At 27 years old, this beautiful buckskin mare is ready to spend her golden years as the perfect companion horse. Ocean is a large pony with a sweet presence and funny personality, making her a wonderful addition to any farm.

While she may be retired from riding, Ocean still enjoys staying active. A few days each week, she participates in basic groundwork with a volunteer trainer to keep her body moving and her mind engaged. She enjoys having a little job and spending extra time with people.

Ocean would make a wonderful companion for someone looking for a kind, easy horse to love, groom, and enjoy. Could Ocean be the perfect addition to your herd?

Contact Days End Farm Horse Rescue today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Ocean!

A buckskin mare.

Photo courtesy Days End Farm Horse Rescue

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: Ocean appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

]]>
https://www.horseillustrated.com/aspca-right-horse-adoptable-horse-of-the-week-ocean/feed/ 0