The beginning of Goobie’s adoption story is unfortunately not unusual. But for Goobie’s sake, thankfully it has a happy ending.

In a story, “Donkeys on Duty! Albert and Yankee Get New Jobs and Second Chances” posted on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (ASPCA) website, when a horse or donkey is being rehomed, it is often due to a change in their owner’s life circumstances. In Goobie’s case, he and his equine companion found themselves alone in the world when their elderly owner passed away.

Further complicating matters, there were no family or friends to step in and take over their care, illustrating the importance of an often-ignored area of equine ownership: having an emergency plan in place.

It was not until well-meaning neighbors intervened that local law enforcement officials collected Goobie and the horse, delivering them to River Edge Farm Horse Rescue near Lyles, Tenn., for care and adoption.

Although safe, Goobie’s story took another sad turn. While his partner soon found a good home, Goobie’s adoption proved a bit more challenging. One reason, perhaps, is that his beauty is found more in his personality than his physical appearance.

Companion Donkeys

Meanwhile, some 150 miles away, my journey toward adopting Goobie was unfolding.

In September 2021, I purchased a young American Warmblood gelding named Bucky. My herd already consisted of a Half-Arabian mare, Sally, and her companion donkey, Harmony.

Sally, who has metabolic issues, lives on a dry lot year-round, making it an easy management choice for the donkey, who flourishes (despite not facing similar issues) within her living arrangement.

Although I made it possible for Bucky to both see and hear his companions, it was important that they not be able to touch. Sally, extremely mareish, made plain her intention to injure him.

It quickly became clear that he needed a companion of his own. Even a system I developed to share Harmony’s companionship ultimately failed, expediting my need to find Bucky a new friend.

A Link to Goobie

A few months later, I had still not found a suitable companion equine. But by February 2022, Bucky and I were ready for the next step in our story, one that would ultimately lead us to Goobie.

My schedule as a teacher, writer, and farmer can be extremely full. I decided that for Bucky to be better prepared for the fun I had mapped out for us that spring, I would need to send him to a trainer, Brittany Malinoski in Lebanon, Tenn.

It was an enjoyable time in both our lives as Bucky progressed and my friendship with Brittany grew. Through our talks, I learned that in addition to client horses, Brittany also trains rescue horses for River Edge, a kind act that often makes them more adoptable. It was through her relationship with the farm that she became acquainted with Goobie.

During updates and riding lessons, we talked about my need for a donkey companion for Bucky. It was during one of these conversations that Brittany told me about Goobie and his plight. Based solely on her description, by the time Bucky’s 90 days of training ended, I had agreed to adopt him, sight unseen.

Meet and Greet

Because Bucky’s vacant training spot was being filled by a horse from River Edge, they kindly agreed to deliver Goobie when they brought the new horse to the facility where Brittany trains. The first time I met him, when my husband and I brought the truck and trailer to bring Bucky home, the two of them had already had an opportunity to become familiar with one another.

Even though he was about to catch the best break he’d had since his owner’s passing, in Goobie’s eyes, our arrival was an unwelcome surprise.

Despite being well-informed, I was a little taken aback by his appearance. Then, nervous and mostly unskilled at trailer loading, he refused to be caught so that he could be loaded.

Still, once he was caught, he willingly followed Bucky as he was brought onto our spacious stock trailer. I decided to press forward, and the pair quietly traveled home.

Opposites Attract

Over the last year and a half, Goobie has proven that beauty is much more than in the eye of the beholder, and he is doing well with his new companion.

He is as knowing as his ancient appearance suggests he would be, and he is a perfect partner for his young pasture mate. Spinning, trotting, galloping, and bucking at a moment’s notice, Bucky can be playful and unpredictable in the pasture.

Goobie, his polar opposite, offsets Bucky’s antics with his calming presence. Sometimes Bucky also enjoys a good play fight—biting, rearing, striking, and more. While Goobie is not always willing to join in, he is accepting of Bucky’s antics rather than fighting back, and he has become a wonderful instructor of manners to his young friend!

Donkey Differences

Despite his quiet inner beauty and good relationship with Bucky, their relatively new partnership does have its imperfections. While I considered myself somewhat knowledgeable about donkeys, since I had already owned a donkey for several years, Goobie has presented me with his own unique set of learning opportunities that differ from those of Harmony.

Far from halter broke, Goobie still adamantly refuses to be haltered. On the few times I have been able to manage it and experiment with the various styles and padding options of breakaway pasture halters, each has rubbed his sensitive skin. So for now, he remains halter-free. Instead, I have discovered that he will quietly allow himself to be wedged between a panel and a wall for routine farrier and veterinary care, something I hope to improve on in the future.

Goobie and I have arranged an understanding. Because I frequently bring Bucky and Goobie in from the pasture together, he willingly trots ahead on the way to the barn. Much like my other donkey, he lets me know when he wants attention and when he doesn’t, further narrowing down his preferences from a pat or scratch to a more extensive grooming session.

Basic Training

In their website story, “6 Tips for Getting Donkeys Adopted,” the ASPCA advocates for training donkeys to be haltered, led, groomed, loaded onto a trailer, and have their feet picked up. I believe these basics are important for all equids to ensure a safe landing in the event the unexpected happens.

Though I never intend for Goobie to find himself in an uncertain situation again, he is still very much a work in progress. In spite of the work still to come, I plan to provide him with a home for the rest of his life where he knows nothing but love and good care.

Though the adoption story that Goobie and I share is somewhat unusual, I strongly encourage anyone considering adopting a donkey to do their research and, if it seems like a good fit, begin the process of searching for your perfect match. You, too, may find an unusual but happy pairing.

This article about adopting a companion donkey appeared in the June 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post An Unlikely Friend: Adopting a Companion Donkey appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

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.

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 13, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise chat with Adrienne Brandes, an equestrian who has channeled her love for entertaining into a cookbook and cooking show. Then, they talk with Ava, an 11-year-old with a special ASPCA Right Horse success story.

Click to listen on mobile.

Listen to Barn Banter episode 13 now to meet Adrienne and Ava.

Title Sponsor: Straight Arrow Family of Brands

Adrienne Brandes, Realtor & Cook

Based in Orange County, Calif., Adrienne Brandes is a residential luxury property realtor by day, but her side passions include horses and cooking. In the 1980s, she became the 60th female police officer to graduate from the Los Angeles Police Academy. She has a lifestyle and cooking show on YouTube and an online cookbook that is free to access. When not busy entertaining, she spends time riding her Friesian horse and working on their
dressage skills.

◆ Adrienne’s Cookbook
◆ Adrienne’s YouTube Channel
◆ Adrienne’s Instagram (@adriennebrandes)

Ava, ASPCA Right Horse Adopter

Our second guest this month is Ava, an 11-year-old from West Virginia who adopted her horse, an Arabian/Selle Français cross named Little Man, after reading about the ASPCA Right Horse program in Horse Illustrated. While her dream was to own an off-track Thoroughbred, she found them a bit out of her budget since she was saving up her own money. While browsing the myrighthorse.com website, she fell in love with 14-hand Little Man. Although unstarted under saddle, he showed a lot of potential and was very sound, two things that appealed to her. After her application and screening interview she was approved to adopt, so her parents drove her out to Oklahoma to pick him up. Over the months since then, the pair have been focusing on groundwork and building their relationship. Ava is very thankful for Little Man this Thanksgiving season!

Title Sponsor of Barn Banter

We want to thank our Title Sponsor, the Straight Arrow Family of Brands, makers of Mane ‘n Tail, Cowboy Magic & Exhibitor’s, with over 100 years of grooming excellence. For more information about your favorite products, visit straightarrowinc.com and find Straight Arrow Products at a tack shop near you!

In addition to Barn Banter episode 13, you check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 13 from title sponsor Straight Arrow Products appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.