Cheyenne & Whisper

Alexa Atchison of West Farmington, Ohio, had always dreamed of owning a horse.

“When I was told that I was going to get one, I couldn’t keep my eyes off myrighthorse.org,” Atchison says.

While much needed to be done before she and her family were able to bring a new horse home, when she saw Cheyenne and her dam advertised, they immediately planned a visit for the following day to ASPCA Right Horse Partner Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary in nearby Raveena, Ohio. During the visit, while Atchison was busy meeting the horses, her father noticed the cute-faced Whisper in the stall across the aisle.

“Her fee happened to be waived for Adopt a Horse Month,” Atchison says. The family was smitten with her and signed the papers that evening. “I fell in love with Cheyenne, and Whisper was the perfect companion to help her leave her mother. I was thrilled, because not only did my dream come true with bringing Cheyenne home, but because of Adopt a Horse Month, we were able to bring Whisper home, too.”

Pony Hero

In 2024, Alina Bartlett of Springdale, Ark., adopted Hero. Bartlett had previously adopted other horses from the ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center (ETAC) in El Reno, Okla., but unlike her other adoptions, Hero was not supposed to stay.

In the process of being relinquished by owners that could no longer care for him, Hero stayed with Bartlett overnight before she was to return him to the ETAC.

“He was coming to my house for only one night,” Bartlett recalls. She says that while she didn’t know Hero’s entire story, she did know that at some point he was mistreated. “In his younger years as he was growing, his halter had grown into his soft tissue and had to be surgically removed.”

Hero was also exhibiting some behavioral challenges while at Bartlett’s home. He was very nervous and untrusting around people. As such, Bartlett placed Hero in a stall and advised her boyfriend, David, to be watchful. Wanting to ease David’s mind, she also told him not to worry because the pony would be going back to the ASPCA in the morning.

A bit later, as Bartlett was feeding her other horses, she found David sitting in a lawn chair in the stall with Hero. Soon enough, Hero had taken to David and was allowing him to give pets and scratches, much to everyone’s surprise.

“I had no need for a pony, nor did I want this one,” Bartlett says. “I was taking this pony back and adopting another horse.” David, however, had another idea. He spent hours in the stall forming a bond with the timid little pony.

“David fell in love with this pony,” she says. The next morning, as she went to hook up her trailer and head out, David told her to call whoever she needed to and find out how to keep the pony.

Now, she says, on top of the many horses they already have, they also have a pony that is just around for David to love on.

“Hero is very spoiled and really only likes David,” Bartlett says. “He was meant to be here with David. They needed each other.”

Ella’s Story

“Adopt a Horse Month is such a great opportunity to promote our available equines,” says Allison Hungerford, director of communications for the Susquehanna SPCA in Cooperstown, N.Y., an ASPCA Right Horse Partner.

In 2024, the organization received a stipend from the ASPCA Right Horse program to spend on paid advertising for their horses, something that allowed them to expand their audience.

“The opportunity was one that I was grateful for because so many of our adoptable horses at the time were going to be happiest living out their days as companions only, which is something that can be an adoption hurdle,” she says. With the stipend, Hungerford was able to target groups looking for horses similar to the ones at the facility.

“While these promotions increased inquiries for all of our adoptable equines, there was one horse in particular that found her match through the campaign,” Hungerford says.

Ella had come to the Susquehanna SPCA through a suspected animal cruelty case.

“She was extremely emaciated upon arrival and had a foal at her side that she was caring for,” Hungerford recalls. “After the case was closed, Ella became ours. Ella’s foal was quickly adopted, and she was healthy and searching for a pasture where she could spend her days relaxing while munching on grass, maybe participating in some light riding now and then.”

Hungerford says that sadly, Ella kept getting overlooked and had been waiting for her person to come along for quite some time.

“With the help of paid and targeted advertising, I was able to reach folks who lived in areas we weren’t necessarily accessing with our regular organic outreach,” she says. “This did the trick for sweet Ella, and she found her match!”

Facilitating Adoption

When the Adopt a Horse Month initiative officially started, everyone involved dreamed about how it would evolve and what it would one day become.

“Adopt a Horse Month plays a critical role in raising awareness and excitement around equine adoption,” says Cailin Caldwell, director of the ASPCA Right Horse Program. “In 2024, thousands of horse lovers explored equine adoption for the first time by visiting myrighthorse.org and met adoptable horses online.”

Caldwell says that as a result, more than 200 horses, donkeys, and mules found homes during the month through ASPCA Right Horse Partners.

“We’re hoping to make this year’s Adopt a Horse Month even more impactful and encourage everyone to get involved,” she says. “If you know someone looking for a horse, encourage them to consider adoption by visiting myrighthorse.org or their local adoption group. Or share on your social media channels to raise awareness and interest in these amazing horses. Whether you’re looking to adopt or not, there are countless ways to get involved and support these amazing equines.”

Be part of something big during Adopt a Horse Month 2025. Join The Rescue Effort to see how one adoption creates space for more horses to be helped. Learn more at aspca.org.

This article about Adopt a Horse Month appeared in the May 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Adopt a Horse Month 2025: Finding Forever appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

See below for the horses available during the ASPCA Virtual Adoption Event of May 2024!

Tristan

From Wild at Heart Horse Rescue in Lancaster, Calif.

Meet Tristan, the six-year-old pony who’s both safe for children and an absolute superstar in the making. With his gentle demeanor and unwavering reliability, Tristan is the perfect companion for young riders looking to embark on their equestrian adventures. Whether it’s walking, trotting, or cantering in the arena, Tristan excels with flying colors, making every ride a memorable experience. But his talents don’t stop there — Tristan is equally at home hitting the trails, whether it’s exploring independently or joining a group adventure. Plus, Tristan is a model citizen for the farrier and is up-to-date on all his care needs, ensuring a smooth transition into his forever home. Learn more about Tristan here.

Titan

From Wild at Heart Horse Rescue in Lancaster, Calif.

Titan is the epitome of a sweetheart with a heart of gold. Each day in the arena, he continues to amaze Wild at Heart Horse Rescue with his progress, growing softer and more correct with every session. But it’s on the trails where Titan truly shines, showcasing his unparalleled confidence and contentment in the great outdoors. If you’re dreaming of endless adventures on the trails with a horse you can trust and rely on, Titan is the perfect match for you. Learn more about Titan here.

Dream

From Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary in Ravenna, Ohio

Looking for a horse that will make you LOL? Dream is your guy! This dark and bold gelding may not be able to be ridden, but he’s got a personality that’s pure gold. He loves to stick his tongue out and play the fool. Learn more about Dream here.

Keep an eye on our Instagram stories to keep up with this Virtual Adoption Event to celebrate Adopt a Horse Month!

The post ASPCA Virtual Adoption Event: Adopt a Horse Month 2024 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Imagine an entire month dedicated to celebrating adoptable horses: For the past four years, the month of May has been just that. With help from the ASPCA, rescues and shelters across the country will take all of May to highlight the important work they do all year long. To celebrate, two ASPCA Right Horse Partners with somewhat different yet still key roles share their Adopt a Horse Month success stories.

Wild at Heart Horse Rescue

Over the past few years, Wild at Heart Horse Rescue in Lancaster, Calif., has undergone a growth spurt. Last year alone, they saw their biggest jump yet, bringing in 32 horses and adopting out 37.

“We are more like a transition facility,” says Executive Director Leslie Stewart. “We take 100 percent owner-surrendered horses.”

In situations where an owner has passed away or developed a terminal illness and their family doesn’t know what to do with their horses, Wild at Heart takes them in. This act helps keep horses out of auctions.

“We’re helping horses, but we’re helping people, too,” says Stewart. Surrendered horses undergo a health screening with the organization’s veterinarian and, if healthy, are placed into training with professional trainers that work with the rescue.

This year, with help from the ASPCA, the organization has its largest plans yet for Adopt a Horse Month.

“It’s going to be on social media everywhere,” says Stewart. “We’re going to be doing a couple of open houses where people can come meet the horses.”

Last year, the group also held a pancake breakfast and barbecue. Due to the success of these two events, they plan to repeat them this year. The public is invited to attend both events.

Success Stories

Having a special month dedicated entirely to shining a light on adoptable horses has its benefits. On average, Wild at Heart sees four to five adoptions per month.

But in May, thanks to special promotional efforts, that number has doubled. The additional exposure from Adopt a Horse Month has brought about some unanticipated adoption success stories.

For example, last year an aged horse, River, came in with moon blindness and was already blind in one eye. Stewart explains that due to his long-term prognosis, River was going to be difficult to adopt.

That’s when fate stepped in. Thanks to an Adopt a Horse Month social media post featuring him, River was discovered and then adopted by a son as a surprise for his father, who was River’s original owner!

But, Stewart emphasizes, even if you’re not ready for adoption, there are still ways that you can help.

“I always suggest the people come out and volunteer,” she says. She encourages volunteers to take photos during their visit and post them on social media. “Word of mouth is the best form of advertising.”

Stewart also advocates for other rescues not yet affiliated with the ASPCA to join in.

“It has been a godsend for us,” she says. The organization, she says, has helped with grants, promoting the rescue’s horses, and much more, allowing them to serve more horses and people.

Humane Society of North Texas

The Humane Society of North Texas, located in Joshua, Texas, takes a slightly different approach.

“The ranch itself is part of the Humane Society of North Texas, but we are at a separate location [on 35 acres approximately 25 miles away] from the actual shelter in downtown Fort Worth,” says Director of Equine and Livestock Steve Stevens.

“We rescue horses and some livestock, and focus primarily on cruelty and owner surrenders,” he continues. “We have a director of cruelty and a cruelty team that works out of the shelter in Fort Worth.” This team, Stevens says, goes on calls to surrounding areas.

When the organization receives a call about an animal that is struggling, they go out and check on it. Typically, a conversation is started with the owner to determine if the concerns are legitimate, and, if so, the owner is first educated about reasons such as a lack of deworming or dental care, that may be the cause. From there, the owner receives a 30-day warning, after which they need to provide proof from a veterinarian that they are working to improve their horse’s health.

In extreme cases, the organization’s cruelty director works with the local judicial system on seizures or negotiated seizures. Stevens explains that negotiated seizures are preferable.

“It means that we are asking them to turn over their horses so we don’t have to seize them,” he says. Rather than going to court, which can take several weeks, negotiated seizure comes with the advantage of providing the organization with immediate ownership, something that can benefit certain aspects of the horse’s care.

Results in Texas

Last year, the organization took in 100 horses. Forty percent of those were cruelty cases, while an additional 40 percent were owner-surrendered horses—those coming from homes where the owner was struggling financially or experiencing some other type of life-altering event. The remaining 20 percent were horses that were transferred in from other organizations.

New horses are quarantined, undergo an exam, and receive any medical care they need. While some horses may require time to benefit from refeeding, others may be ready soon after settling in to begin the process of retraining needed to help remove obstacles to adoption.

“It’s a rehabilitation-based training, centered on connection work and building trust with the human,” says head trainer Amanda Stevens.

Many of the horses at the facility will be promoted as companion horses. Even so, trainers work to provide sustained support to those adopting these horses. It’s a successful formula with some individuals adopting multiple companion horses to be enjoyed by their families.

Using grants available from the ASPCA, particularly around social media promotion, the organization has seen an increase in adoptions. Overall, 90 horses were adopted last year, with 10 horses finding homes during Adopt a Horse Month.

“We focus on telling their individual stories and celebrate these horses at whatever level they are at,” Stevens says, adding that it’s important for potential adopters to meet the horses and identify which ones they make a connection with.

“We want to support anyone that comes out,” he says. Stevens encourages the public to watch for adoptable horses on their social media pages.

Adopt a Horse Month Success Across the Country

“Last year, 400 horses were adopted during Adopt a Horse Month thanks to the tireless efforts of equine rescues and shelters across the country,” says Cailin Caldwell, ASPCA Right Horse Program Director. “We are thrilled to kick off the fourth annual Adopt a Horse Month this May to continue raising public enthusiasm and commitments to horse adoption.

“We encourage the public to not only adopt, but use this opportunity to raise awareness of equine adoption with their friends, family, barn mates, and social media networks,” she continues. “Visit myrighthorse.org to find an organization near you this May—and beyond—to support adoption, fostering or volunteering.”

If adopting a horse, volunteering at a rescue, or promoting an adoptable horse on social media sounds right for you, consider taking part during Adopt a Horse Month—and all year long.

Keep an eye out for featured adoptable horses this Adopt a Horse month during a virtual adoption event hosted by ASPCA and Horse Illustrated!

This article about Adopt a Horse Month success stories appeared in the May 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Adopt a Horse Month Success Stories appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

In 2021, during the second annual Adopt a Horse Month, more than 44,000 people viewed adoptable horses on myrighthorse.org, and participating adoption partners reported an average increase in adoptions of 43 percent during that month.

See below for the horses available during the second ASPCA Virtual Adoption Event of May 2023!

Espresso

From Win Place Home, Inc. and located at Birtwick Park Equestrian Center in Canyon Country, Calif.

Espresso is a very sweet and mellow 4-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. He enjoys being groomed, hanging with his human friends, and being part of the fun! He broke his left front fetlock and had surgery in 2022, but that does not stop him. He’d love to have a companion home. Learn more about Espresso here.

Tik Tok

From Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary in Ravenna, Ohio

Tik Tok is a curious and intelligent 6-year-old Mustang gelding who is trusting of people. He will make a wonderful partner for a person experienced enough to provide continued confidence in his training. He’d love a home with another horse. Learn more about Tik Tok here.

Onyx

From New Mexico Horse Rescue at Walkin N Circles Ranch in Stanley, N.M.

Onyx is a 1-year-old black beauty who is waiting for her loving home. She has blossomed at the New Mexico Horse Rescue and learned to trust new handlers. She tends to bond deeply with her person and has experience in-hand working over a variety of obstacles. Now, she’s looking for an adopter to continue her training! Learn more about Onyx here.

Suri

From Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Mo.

Suri is a calm 14-year-old Quarter Horse mare who turns heads everywhere she goes! Going on trail rides makes her happiest and she has impeccable ground manners. She’d thrive with an adopter who wants to hit the trails and seek adventure. Learn more about Suri here.

Ty

From Second Stride in Prospect, Ky.

Ty is a real piece of eye candy and has the charm to match! He is a barn, track, and fan
favorite – a real sweetheart. He is easy to groom, gets along well with his neighbors, and enjoys watching the farm. He gives love like a champ and will make a great partner in his next career! Learn more about Ty here.

Keep an eye on our Instagram stories to keep up with this Virtual Adoption Event to celebrate Adopt a Horse Month!

The post ASPCA Virtual Adoption Event – May 24, 2023 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Claire, a 22-year-old 15.1hh Standardbred mare
Organization: Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, Ravenna, Ohio

Get to Know Claire

Do you enjoy trails for the beauty and the ability to unwind? You can find your riding partner in Claire. Claire is a friendly, willing mare, sound and ready to hit the trails! Making a comeback after providing pasture companionship, she is willing to please and does well with a kind and leading hand.

Claire is an easy keeper and gets along well with others in the pasture. As a bonus, she settles well in her stall also and is easy to clean after. Snap Claire up soon, as she is sure to find her home and hit the trails by spring’s end.

Could this be your Right Horse? Click here for more information about Claire, the ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.

My Right Horse

My 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.therighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA’s Right Horse Adoptable Horse: Claire appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

In 2021, during the second annual Adopt a Horse Month, more than 44,000 people viewed adoptable horses on myrighthorse.org, and participating adoption partners reported an average increase in adoptions of 43 percent during that month.

While Adopt a Horse Month also raises public awareness and encourages conversations about adoption, adoption is, of course, the top priority. With these virtual adoption events, ASPCA hopes to place horses in loving homes.

See below for the horses available during the first ASPCA Virtual Adoption Event of May 2023!

Noelle

From West Virginia Horse Network in Elkview, W.Va.

Noelle is a sweet pony who has won the hearts of volunteers at West Virginia Horse Network! She would be great as a companion for another very laid-back docile horse. Noelle is 30 years old and is not rideable but she’d love to be groomed, walked and loved on by horse lovers of all ages! Learn more about Noelle here.

Cara

From New Mexico Horse Rescue at Walkin N Circles Ranch in Stanley, N.M.

Cara is a petite 9-year-old mare who is easy to halter and just loves attention! She was originally found wandering alone. No one has come to claim her but since she has been found, her rescuers have quickly become her family and are now searching for an adopter! Learn more about Cara here.

Tag

From Wild at Heart Horse Rescue in Lancaster, Calif.

Tag, also known as Atlas of Taggart, is a chunky monkey-type with more “woah than go” smooth walk, trot and canter. This 15-year-old gelding has been primarily working in the arena but, now that he’s got the basics, he can enjoy himself on the trail more. He loves his treats and friends too! Learn more about Tag here.

Dakota

From MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen, Mass.

15-year-old Dakota is a pint-sized little peanut who is ready to snuggle his way right into your heart! Since his arrival, he has quickly become a staff and volunteer favorite. Dakota did not have a lot of formal training but has started to work on his ground manners and learns quickly. He aims to please! Learn more about Dakota here.

Orchid

From MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen, Mass.

Orchid is a 3-year-old petite mare with tons of potential! She will need a long build-up of groundwork and conditioning before she could carry an adult rider. While she is still learning the basics, this sweet girl is ready to find a person who she can learn and grow with together! Learn more about Orchid here.

Keep an eye on our Instagram stories to keep up with this Virtual Adoption Event and others to come during Adopt a Horse Month!

The post ASPCA Virtual Adoption Event – May 10, 2023 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

In 2020, Cosmo was a small colt who was part of an entire abandoned herd of horses discovered near the Continental Divide in northern New Mexico. The New Mexico Livestock Board took the colt in and delivered him, along with his dam and two other fillies, to the New Mexico Horse Rescue at Walkin N Circles Ranch (WNCR) in Stanley, N.M.

Despite his rough beginning, Cosmo grew into a healthy gelding who, during his two years at WNCR, excelled at gaining trust in humans and learning to negotiate obstacles in-hand along with round pen exercises. As time passed, he became more respectful, attentive, and eager to learn, easily making him one of the most popular horses on the ranch.

His successes led him to be one of the featured horses during the May 2022 ASPCA Adopt a Horse Month, where he caught the eye of mother and daughter volunteers Lori and Sarah. Sarah, new to volunteering for WNCR, was looking for her first horse. WNCR was one of 90 ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Partners and other equine rescues that participated in last year’s nationwide campaign.

Lauri Michael, President of the New Mexico Horse Rescue at WNCR, shares that the pair fell in love with Cosmo’s spunky, can-do attitude. His personality matched Sarah’s perfectly. She officially adopted Cosmo in August 2022, and today, Sarah looks forward to learning together with Cosmo. She has already hopped on him bareback, and once he’s saddle trained, she hopes to participate in local shows with him, as well as riding the many mountain trails that surround her home.

Adoption stories such as this one surround Adopt a Horse Month, a yearly ASPCA campaign from to celebrate and promote equine adoption.

The Roots of Adopt a Horse Month

First implemented in 2021 by the ASPCA Right Horse program, Adopt a Horse Month continues to grow and gain momentum. From the beginning to the present day, one important goal of the program has always been to help horses find good homes with the right person.

Last year, during the second annual Adopt a Horse Month, more than 44,000 people viewed adoptable horses on myrighthorse.org, the ASPCA’s online adoption platform for equines. Participating shelters reported an average increase in adoptions of 43 percent during the month of May.

From the start, May was chosen as one of the best times to promote adoptable horses to those seeking to add another horse to their family. After months of being cooped up during the winter, equestrians begin focusing on shows, trail rides, and other activities, making the month an ideal time to promote available horses, according to Christie Schulte Kappert, senior director of the ASPCA Equine Welfare Department.

More Than Adoption

However, Adopt a Horse Month is much more than the act of adoption. In the case of those not quite ready to adopt, it works to raise public awareness and encourage conversations about adoption.

“It’s not just about the horses that are adopted that month, but everybody who wants to be a part of the adoption movement,” says Schulte Kappert. “Equine shelters and rescues, riding instructors, other professionals, and people who just love horses want to help more horses find homes. If someone doesn’t think they are ready to adopt a horse right now, or maybe ever, they can still be talking about it with their friends or family and posting about it on social media, or posting about a horse they used to know that was adopted.”

Whether you are seeking to adopt, want to help spread the word, or both, increasing the number of adopted horses is a win-win for everyone. Adoption fees are a great value, and adopting a horse means becoming a part of an existing community that is always willing to help.

“I think that’s really what sets adoption, especially through an ASPCA Right Horse Adoption Partner, apart,” says Schulte Kappert. “It’s all about exactly what the [Right Horse] name says: matching the right horse with the right person.”

The Horse-Human Connection

Many potential adopters have a goal or a dream of adopting a horse.

“Sometimes they have a specific type of horse in mind, or they may not,” says Schulte Kappert. Potential adopters may walk onto a farm or ranch, and through working with skilled matchmakers, their goals and dreams can be matched with the right horse.

“Sometimes that horse looks pretty different than what they initially [wanted],” she continues. “But the connection between the horse and the person is what really matters.”

Schulte Kappert elaborates that beyond matchmakers, Adoption Partners have support systems in place to fill a variety of needs. For example, should a person want to adopt but they are not quite ready, volunteer opportunities exist, along with riding lessons on the horse they are considering adopting. These introductory steps can be taken while adoption preparations are being made.

Even after the horse is taken home, if something isn’t going quite as expected, trainers from the shelter can often go out to help the new owner over their hurdle.

“Our Adoption Partners build those positive relationships so that if anything unforeseen happens, they’ve got somebody they can lean on,” she says.

Though not the only option, Adoption Partners also offer a re-homing safety net should the adopter’s financial or life situation change, and they need to return the horse to the shelter.

The Bigger Picture

As feel-good as individual adoption stories may be, there is an even bigger picture to ASPCA’s Adopt a Horse Month and equine adoption as a whole.

“By adopting, you’re contributing to the overall picture of helping horses, because a stall opens up for the next horse in need,” says Schulte Kappert.

Beyond the act of adoption itself, when adopters talk or share about it, they’re spreading the word and encouraging their friends to do it.

“The more that grows, the next horse gets adopted … it’s a whole life-saving cycle,” she says. “Adopting is a really sustainable way to get a horse, and that’s what we want Adopt a Horse Month to celebrate.”

Getting Involved in Adopt a Horse Month

For shelters and rescues that want to participate, the ASPCA has plentiful resources to help get these organizations prepared and to market themselves to the community. There’s also assistance available on how to best showcase adoptable horses through photos and listings.

Anyone can search for an adoptable horse or share listings by visiting myrighthorse.org. Schulte Kappert says that this alone is a powerful way to get involved with ASPCA’s Adopt a Horse Month, and imagines the success that could be achieved if anyone who wanted to participate could share one horse per week to help increase visibility.

“We hope that folks will share adoptable horses using the #adoptahorse hashtag,” she says. “We would love for everyone who loves horses to feel like they have some ownership over the month, and even if they’re not ready to adopt or never adopt, that they use their voice to help promote adoption.”

This article about Adopt a Horse Month from ASPCA Right Horse appeared in the May 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post It’s Adopt a Horse Month! appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Lauren, a 2-year-old 15.0hh Thoroughbred filly
Organization: Second Stride, Prospect, Ky.

Get to Know Lauren

Just two years old and still growing at 15 hands high, Lauren was bred for racing but was not suitable for the sport due to conformation.

Lauren is a bold and flashy filly that is learning basic groundwork and likes to explore obstacles in the arena and around the farm. She enjoys her grooming sessions and loves to be around people. She walks well on a lead rope and is good in her stall. She goes out with any aged mares. Lauren has been backed lightly and responded extremely well to her rider.

Lauren is sound. While Lauren had corrective screws in both front fetlocks, all screws are for cosmetic purposes only and those were removed. She had an OCD removed from her left hock in March 2022.

Due to her conformation, she will be best suited for flat work. However, once she is developed at age 4, she may be able to have a more athletic career.

Lauren was a star at Second Stride’s adoption barn at the 2022 RRP Thoroughbred Makeover. She was extremely curious and brave while exploring the Kentucky Horse Park, and was very well behaved in new situations. This filly holds her ground — crowds, banners, flags, golf carts, cattle. . . no problem!

Lauren is a horse that needs to be worked with regularly. She will need an adopter that is well versed in horse behavior and can help Lauren maintain her boundaries.  This horse has a ton of potential to excel in whatever you want to do with her, as she is very brave. She is headstrong but with a confident rider/handler, she will come along well. We think she would really enjoy ranch work!

Could Lauren be your Right Horse? Click here for more information about Lauren, the ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.

My Right Horse

My 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.therighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA’s Right Horse Adoptable Horse: Lauren appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Adoptable Horse: Lettie, a 6-year-old 14.0hh Paso Fino mare
Organization: Horses’ Haven, Howell, Mich.

Get to Know Lettie

Lettie is sure to be a fun partner for a lucky person who loves a mare with personality in a small package! Put together well with three flashy gaits (walk, trot, canter—she may have a Paso gait to be developed with collection work, but she has only shown a little of it under saddle so far), she’s sure to be a great partner in the arena and out on the trail.

Confident in her own ideas, Lettie will be best suited for a horse person of a confident intermediate level or higher, or a rider with the support of a trainer who enjoys a bit of spunk. Lettie is a joy to work with once she gets to know you and as long as she’s given clear, patient communication. Prior to rescue, she was green under saddle. She has gone through a groundwork program and she’s currently being ridden on the trail and in the arena—both bareback and saddled at the walk, trot and canter. She has also been exposed to some obstacle work.

She’s ready for her next adventure! She could be a great all-around horse who may excel at trail riding, endurance riding, obstacle courses or gaming with further finishing. Lettie will come with a very nice western saddle and pad ready to ride.

Could this be your Right Horse? Click here for more information about Lettie, the ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.

My Right Horse

My 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.therighthorse.org.

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

Adoptable Horse: Rex, a 12-year-old 14.1hh Quarter Horse gelding
Organization: Wild at Heart Horse Rescue, Lancaster, Calif.

Get to Know Rex

While Rex has had some bad experiences in his past, he has been able to work past them. When he first arrived, he was impossible to catch. But now after some tender, loving care, we have found out that he’s just a big ole love bug! He is arena- and trail-trained and just waiting for a confident horse person to fall in love with this diamond in the rough. Once you create a bond with this guy, he will do anything for you. He halters and leads calmly, stands for the vet and farrier, and loads in the trailer. He is up to date on everything.

Could this be your Right Horse? Click here for more information about Rex, the ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.

My Right Horse

My 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.therighthorse.org.

The post ASPCA’s Right Horse Adoptable Horse: Rex appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.