“There were times where I, in the moment, I thought I was going to lose my life,” Dedera says.

She wasn’t sure if she and the gelding could successfully move forward, but she didn’t want to give up. Rojo needed her to help him find a home.

Rojo Rogue as a new arrival settling into his gentling pen before starting training with Dedera. Photo by Lydia Dedera’s Horse Training

Challenging Choice

Dedera never owned a horse as a child, but she grew up going to horse camp. At 15, she accepted a job as a stable hand. There, she discovered she enjoyed working with horses. If she found a one with a problem, she searched for an answer. She started helping friends and acquaintances with their horses, but she didn’t consider herself a trainer.

Dedera didn’t realize Mustangs existed until she stumbled across a video about them on social media. Intrigued by the video and encouraged by friends and family, she entered a local Mustang adoption challenge when she was 19. That’s where she met Rojo.

When her turn to choose a horse for the competition came, she remembers feeling called to select Rojo, so she did. But despite her initial confidence in the selection process, her first encounters with Rojo discouraged her.

After multiple close calls, Dedera desperately searched for a way to establish trust with him. This led her to a revelation: She realized she viewed herself as a stable hand who wanted to be a horse trainer but didn’t feel qualified. She felt out of her element and even awkward, and she wondered if Rojo felt the same about his current situation.

“I chose him when nobody else did; he wasn’t chosen for another competition, and he was one of four horses left,” Dedera recalls. “I truly felt like I was his last chance.”

She returned to Rojo with a renewed commitment, proceeding only as his comfort level allowed. As she gained his trust, his aggression stopped. Dedera continued his training by using positive reinforcement and approach-and-retreat methods. Eventually, Rojo’s fears faded away, and the two formed a relationship built on trust and respect.

The Four Wins

As of March 2024, a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) report estimates that there were around 5,154 wild horses and burros in Oregon, but the number of wild horses and burros the state can sustainably support is closer to 2,700.

BLM’s website explains, “Because wild horses and burros are federally protected and lack natural predators, the BLM must manage population growth to ensure healthy wild horses and burros thrive on healthy public rangelands.” Placing wild horses and burros in qualified homes through adoption is one of several management methods.

Erica FitzGerald is the president and founder of Teens and Oregon Mustangs, an organization that matches trainers with wild Mustangs to promote their adoption. It’s through this program that Dedera found Rojo.

For every competition Teens and Oregon Mustangs puts on, FitzGerald aims to accomplish what she calls “four wins.” Those are:

◆ Find the Mustangs entered in the competition good “forever homes.”

◆ Help the trainers develop better horsemanship.

◆ Reduce the number of Mustangs in BLM holding pens.

◆ Provide buyers with solid horses that have fantastic foundations.

FitzGerald says Dedera (who competed in the adult division) checks all of those boxes.

“All those wins are met with Lydia for sure, and that’s our mission,” she says.

By the competition date, Dedera and Rojo had formed a partnership that made it possible for them to compete in what became Dedera’s first horse show. They entered the ridden division of the challenge, where they placed 2nd in the Novice Trail class and 12th overall. But more importantly, Rojo sold for $9,000 to a home where Dedera continues to work with him.

Dedera and Rojo competing together at the Teens and Oregon Mustangs competition. Photo by Jenn Koenig Photography

When Rojo left the competition with his new owner, a flood of feelings rushed over Dedera.

“I remember loading him up in his new family’s horse trailer and fighting tears,” she says. “I handed his owner a bag of his favorite treats, and when I turned around, the whole stable was empty. I had a hard time knowing what to do with myself for the remainder of that day, but I also felt a strong sense of completion.”

Transforming Lives

Rojo’s adoption marked the beginning of what has become a yearly project for Dedera. Her second year competing with Teens and Oregon Mustangs introduced her to a South Steens Herd Management Area (HMA) Mustang, Firefly, that she kept after the competition.

Lydia Dedera and her personal Mustang, Firefly. Photo by Jenn Koenig Photography

In 2024, Dedera helped her entry, a Palomino Buttes HMA gelding named Simba, not only find a home, but also become one of the highest-selling horses in the program’s history, with a sale price of $34,000.

FitzGerald explains that Dedera’s work with the Mustangs she trains makes them into family horses, which helps them find forever homes.

“She puts a solid foundation on her horses and makes them really adoptable,” she says.

At home, Dedera works with all breeds of horses, but Mustangs are her favorite. She’s trained eight from the wild, and estimates that she has worked with more than 100 Mustangs in total. Her experience with Rojo taught her the value of instilling trust and respect in all of the horses she trains.

“If I can get a horse, a Mustang, to trust me as its friend, as its leader, and to want to be with me and to want to please me, then I can do anything with that horse,” Dedera says.

While it’s clear the Mustangs Dedera works with undergo transformations, those horses have transformed Dedera’s life, too. She explains that her faith encourages her to pursue qualities like patience, diligence, integrity and purposeful living in her daily life. Dedera says God has used Mustangs to grow her in those very areas.

“When you’re studying an animal and you’re helping him become his best, you can’t help but look on the inside as well,” she says.

Dedera isn’t certain what the future holds, but she thinks it will be exciting. She can see herself continuing to teach lessons, train horses and compete, but she would also love to start traveling and performing with Mustangs.

Wherever she goes and whatever she does, the uncertainties of yesterday are gone, and the promise of tomorrow looks bright. And today, in the present, Dedera confidently calls herself a horse trainer.

This article about Lydia Dedera appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Lydia Dedera: Changed by Mustangs appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“She was pretty healthy looking, but she was really wild and traumatized,” says Valdivia-Abdallah. “If you just walked in her pen, she would jump out. She did it multiple times.”

It was a familiar situation. The mare was one of eight at a “loose horse” auction (horses are bid on while running loose in a pen) that Valdivia-Abdallah bought.

“An Oregon man had been breeding mostly Shagya Arabians, and he died,” she explains. “The family called a horse trader who rounded 53 of them up. Most on that property were adult horses that had never been handled. She was such a difficult horse, and so not into people, that I named her after the Taylor Swift song, Love Story. It’s a version of Romeo and Juliet that has a happy ending. I like to give horses names with positive affirmations.”

Vera Valdivia-Abdallah, founder and director of Love This Horse Equine Rescue, says Love Story took about six months to tame after coming to her facility. Photo courtesy Vera Valdivia-Abdallah

Gaining Trust

She recalls that it took about six months just to tame Love Story. Valdivia-Abdallah and her daughters, Tamarah and Erna Valdivia, plus one other trainer, worked to gain Love Story’s trust. Even during this time, Valdivia-Abdallah had a special feeling about the mare.

“Once we got her going, I said that’s a Tevis horse right there,” she says. “Don’t ask me why. I just had that feeling.” California’s Tevis Cup is considered one of the toughest 100-mile endurance rides in the world. Horse and rider pairs have 24 hours to complete the race, with regular vet checks that must be passed to continue along the route.

Susannah Jones, a friend of Valdivia-Abdallah from Rough and Ready, Calif. (between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe), is always on the lookout for her next Tevis Cup horse. The three-time finisher of the race adopted Love Story in February of 2021. She took the halter-broke mare home and sent her to a trainer. The first trainer rejected her as too dangerous. The next trainer broke her to saddle, and eventually Jones began riding her.

But Love Story could still be difficult, and she bucked Jones off during a trail ride. Injured and sidelined for six months, Jones didn’t want Love Story to backslide, so Valdivia-Abdallah welcomed the mare back to Love This Horse Equine Rescue in October 2023. Her daughter Erna Valdivia began riding and conditioning the mare for endurance rides. Now 17, Valdivia learned to ride at age 5, and has been starting rescue horses under saddle since 2020.

Love Story intimidated Valdivia at first.

“The first time I got on ‘Lovie,’ I acted like I didn’t know how to ride, because I was so anxious,” she recalls. “I was shaking in my boots. She’s a big horse. She has a lot of power. It was just in my head, because she was Susannah’s horse, and I didn’t want to mess anything up and ruin her. But as soon as I stopped thinking about Susannah, and just treated Lovie like I was riding one of the rescue horses, she was easy to figure out.

“Lovie was very sassy,” Valdivia continues. “I had to be a little bit more stern with her because she’s a mare. She’d get upset with me, but then we pushed through it. When she’s with me, she knows she can’t get away with stuff.”

The two finished their first 25-mile ride together in California in January of 2024, then moved up to 50-mile rides, getting to know each other and building a strong partnership.

Valdivia took over the training on Love Story, taking her to the mare’s first 25-mile endurance ride in January of 2024. Photo courtesy Vera Valdivia-Abdallah

Targeting the Tevis Cup

After breaking to riding, many of Love This Horse Equine Rescue’s horses compete in endurance.

“Endurance riding is so good for starting our horses,” says Valdivia-Abdallah. “You have a different horse at the end of the ride. Even if somebody wants to adopt one as a trail horse, taking him to an endurance ride is valuable training. They must travel in the trailer, camp, stay tied to the trailer overnight, ride in a strange environment, ride a minimum of 25 miles under timed conditions, and complete successfully without having any issues.”

As Lovie and Valdivia accumulated more endurance rides and miles together, the “T” word came up again. Both Valdivia-Abdallah and Jones, now riding again, suggested the Tevis Cup. Jones volunteered to ride her other horse, Eli, and mentor Valdivia aboard Love Story.

“I was like, um, no!” Valdivia laughs. “I didn’t like the idea at first, because it’s Tevis. But once we got closer, and started making plans, I thought maybe it’s not too bad of an idea. I warmed up to it toward the end, and I was actually kind of excited for it.”

With Jones riding Eli and Valdivia aboard Love Story, the pairs rode two days and 50 miles of the Tevis Educational Ride in June, giving both newbies a good taste of the trail.

“It helped me, because the trails are narrow and the turns are pretty tight,” Valdivia says. “It gave Love Story peace of mind, too. It helped her watch her feet and be careful where she stepped. It was definitely a good experience.”

Erna Valdivia on Love Story (front) and Susannah Jones on Eli. Photo courtesy Vera Valdivia-Abdallah

Tevis Time

The atmosphere and idea of the Tevis Cup itself can make riders apprehensive, and the start can be chaotic. At the 5:15 a.m. start time on July 29, 2024, Love Story, not used to such a big field of 137 horses, was agitated.

Valdivia was nervous going into the Tevis Cup, but once the riders were able to space out she and Love Story relaxed. Photo courtesy Vera Valdivia-Abdallah

“I had to relax myself in order for her to be relaxed because there were so many horses around her, and all that adrenaline and energy,” Valdivia says. “It was nerve-racking for both of us.”

For most of the first 6 miles, Tevis is a single-track trail where it’s not possible to pass horses. It wasn’t until the trail opened up and they were able to spread out that Love Story settled down.

Jones rode her other horse, Eli, and mentored Valdivia for Tevis. Photo courtesy Vera Valdivia-Abdallah

The 2024 Tevis Cup was one of the hottest on record, particularly in the two deep canyons horses have to traverse, contributing to the low 40 percent finish rate.

Eli and Love Story successfully made it to Foresthill at the 68-mile marker at 9:35 p.m. They passed the vet check, but Jones and Valdivia opted to pull their horses and not continue the last 32 miles.

“Our horses were tired,” Valdivia says. “It was so hot. Their energy was just not up. The vet said we were good to go, but I felt like if we would’ve kept going, it would not have ended well for us.”

Valdivia and Jones decided to pull out of the Tevis Cup at the 68-mile vet check, where the horses were deemed sound to continue, but the riders felt they were tiring. Photo courtesy Vera Valdivia-Abdallah

A Happy Ending

And so ended the potential fairy tale story of Valdivia and Love Story LTH completing the Tevis Cup. But the plot doesn’t end there.

After Tevis, Love Story was slated to return home to Jones, her adopter. But that’s not how the cards fell.

“Susannah told Erna she was going to gift Love Story to her,” says Valdivia-Abdallah. “It took Erna a minute to process what had just happened. And then Erna totally lost it, jumping up and down and laughing and crying at the same time.”

Valdivia modestly downplays the moment.

“I figured after Tevis, Love Story should go back to Susannah, but I’m happy that she’s mine,” Valdivia says. “We got really connected doing all the endurance rides together. We know each other pretty well.”

Jones and Valdivia became close friends while training for Tevis, and afterward Jones decided to gift Love Story to Valdivia. Photo courtesy Vera Valdivia-Abdallah

Recipe for Success

Since incorporating in 2016, Love This Horse Equine Rescue has rescued 702 mostly Arabian horses and adopted out 534, and currently has 125 in its care. The horses come from a combination of owner relinquishment, law enforcement seizures, and low-end auctions.

What contributes to the group’s success is Valdivia-Abdallah’s focus on attempting to get every horse broke to ride before offering them up for adoption.

“Since I come from a training background, I get the horses going under saddle, because a riding horse will find a home,” she says. “They’re endurance horses, therapy horses, trail horses. We’ve had horses move on to hunter/jumper careers. We have one adopter who shows in hunter under saddle and dressage at Scottsdale [Arabian Horse Show], and this year she’s gone into ranch riding. So they’re really versatile.”

By taking the time to rehab and train rescued horses, Love This Horse Equine Rescue proves that adopted horses can not only become great companion horses, but they have the potential to perform at the highest levels of their chosen sports, including endurance riding’s legendary Tevis Cup.

This article about a Tevis Cup love story appeared in the January/February 2025 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post A Tevis Cup Love Story appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“The Adoption Affaire has become a special part of Equine Affaire over the years, and we are honored to continue partnering with the ASPCA Right Horse Program in Ohio and in Massachusetts,” says Allison Rehnborg, marketing coordinator for Equine Affaire. “Visiting the Adoption Affaire stalls in the Horse & Farm Exhibits is an incredibly heartwarming experience at both of our events because you can see horses and people connecting in some truly special ways. I’ve had the privilege of hearing about the horses adopted at Equine Affaire thriving in their new homes months and years after the fact. Sometimes we even get to see them again because their owners bring them back to participate in our clinics or demos.”

Finding the Fun

The Adoption Affaire was a huge success from the get-go, and it continues to grow.

“We’ve noticed, especially over the last couple of years at the Ohio event, that public support is increasing,” says Bailey Richards, ASPCA Right Horse Program manager. “We’ve seen more people seek out the adoption barn instead of stumbling upon it.”

Visiting the Adoption Affaire stalls in the Horse & Farm Exhibits is a heartwarming experience because you can see horses and people connecting in special ways.

These visitors have expressed that they wanted to get to the barn early before all of the horses were adopted. But even if you aren’t specifically seeking out the Adoption Barn, you won’t have any trouble finding it.

“Equine Affaire is a fantastic partner of ours,” says Richards. “They let us put up signs across the whole area.”

In addition, whenever they are out of their stalls, adoptable horses wear special bright orange saddle pads and coolers with the words “adopt me” in large letters. Anyone with questions can talk directly with the horses’ handlers or visit the ASPCA Right Horse booth.

Whenever they are out of their stalls, adoptable horses wear special saddle pads and coolers with the words “adopt me” on them. Anyone with questions can talk directly with the horse’s handler.

Richards says that you might also become aware of the Adoption Affaire when you see horses strolling down an orange carpet accompanied by a ringing bell and an announcement that they have been adopted. Adopted horses and their owners are treated like celebrities with photos and cheering to celebrate the occasion.

Finally, during a showcase activity, adoptable horses are brought out to perform while information about them is shared.

Adopted horses are announced over a megaphone and walked down the orange carpet.

Success Stories Abound

According to Richards, ASPCA Right Horse Partners brought 32 horses to the Equine Affaire this past April in Ohio. Twenty-eight of those were adopted on-site. As they were returning home, interest in adoption was expressed for the remaining four horses.

Some of the most memorable adoption stories include Brianne, who adopted her first horse, Tootsie, at the 2023 Equine Affaire Ohio. In 2024, she returned with her husband to volunteer at the adoption barn. During the event, Brianne, who is expecting a baby, became interested in adding a second adoptable equine to add to the family, Toledo. Her husband, Hunter, then arranged for a surprise adoption!

Another adoption success story is that of Noelle. Noelle, a 30-year-old pony, prefers children to adults and had strong preferences about who her adopter might be. Harper, Noelle’s eventual adopter, felt equally strong about finding her perfect match. During the Ohio Equine Affaire, the two formed an instant, mutual connection that led to an adoption and new partnership.

Planning for Massachusetts

Equine Affaire Massachusetts is set for November 6-9, 2025, and the Adoption Affaire will be featured within the Horse & Farm Exhibits area in C-Barn. The Adoption Affaire will include a variety of rescues and sanctuaries with healthy, trained, adoptable horses of a variety of breeds, backgrounds, and ages. Attendees can meet the horses in person and apply to adopt on the spot. Regardless of your specific reason for attending the event, a chance to meet, learn more, and potentially adopt a horse is a can’t-miss occasion.

This article about the Adoption Affaire at Equine Affaire appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Adoption Affaire at Equine Affaire appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Houston Humane Society

Adoptable Horse: Rolo, a 23-year-old, 15.0hh Tennessee Walking Horse (Grade) mare
Organization: Houston Humane Society, Houston, Texas

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Rolo

Rolo is the wise, gentle elder of the barn. With her striking pinto coat and calm demeanor, she exudes a sense of serenity that puts everyone at ease. Although she’s no longer interested in riding, Rolo still loves to spend her days grazing in the pasture, enjoying the simple pleasures of life. She’s a patient and nurturing soul, often seen quietly observing the younger horses and offering them a calming presence. Rolo enjoys her daily grooming sessions, where she stands still and appreciates the gentle attention, as well as the occasional treat—especially Nickerdoodles, which she happily accepts with a soft nudge. She’s the type of horse who loves quiet companionship, and while she may move slower these days, she’s still full of grace and charm. Rolo is the heart of the herd, and her loving nature makes her a cherished companion for all who know her.

Please note that Rolo has squamous cell carcinoma on the left eye, and possible osteoarthritis in pelvis/hind limbs.

A few fun facts about Rolo:

Favorite Activity: Grazing peacefully in the pasture and soaking up the sun

Likes: Quiet moments, gentle brushing, snacks, and spending time with her favorite human

Dislikes: Loud noises, abrupt changes, and being rushed

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

Photo courtesy Houston Humane Society

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: Rolo appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Like dating, finding the right horse can be an extensive search to find The One. The quest will most likely involve endless scrolling and comparing online listings to find your potential match. If you’re looking into adopting a horse, you just might find some extra information in that profile to make the hunt a little easier.

For example, your search to adopt a Steady Eddy could lead you to a listing for a horse named ARH Banana for Breakfast. While the palomino pinto gelding may have a silly sounding name for a senior gentleman, according to his online profile, he’s steady as they come, up to date on his vetting, an experienced trail horse, and a been-there, done-that kind of guy.

Checking Off the Boxes

How do you know? Anyone wanting further evidence can see he checks off a lot of boxes in the solid equine citizen department through the Basic Behaviors Profile (BBP) posted with his listing on myrighthorse.org.

Thanks to this handy tool, potential adopters of this seasoned steed know that he has demonstrated that he can be approached in turnout, calmly haltered and led through a gate, allows his feet to be picked up, stands calmly tied and to be brushed, fly sprayed and blanketed, and various other behaviors on the 14-point checklist of common groundwork skills.

Ground-handling skills are essential for all horses, and the BBP provides a standardized way to assess how a horse responds to these requests. Photo by ccestep8/Adobe Stock

While it’s just one part of the information on a horse’s resume, and there will be more questions, conversations, and hopefully a meet-and-greet to assess a match, the BBP has proven helpful to streamline the evaluation process on both sides.

“The Basic Behaviors Profile has helped create a standardized evaluation process for adopters,” says Cailin Caldwell, ASPCA Right Horse Program Director. “When they visit myrighthorse.org, they can quickly see the skills each horse has and which ones they still need to work on, helping them better find their right horse. Many adopters appreciate the information and transparency the tool lends to the adoption experience.

“On the other side, the Basic Behaviors Profile helps adoption organizations more efficiently identify training opportunities and then leverage that information to make happy, adoptive matches for their horses. Many of our partners now use the tool regularly when bringing a new horse into their facility, which has made the training and evaluation process smoother for both their staff and adopters.”

Origins of the Basic Behaviors Profile

The BBP was created, designed and field-tested by a team of equine experts and behaviorists to help improve the adoption process for the ASPCA Right Horse Program. Since its introduction in 2018, it has been used by ASPCA Right Horse partner organizations and is available free online for anyone to use, including equine adoption organizations, trainers, and individual horse owners.

Knowing what a horse knows is useful information. No matter what type of horse you’re looking for, ground-handling skills are essential for all horses, and the BBP provides a standardized way to assess how a horse responds to these requests.

“The Basic Behaviors profile is a series of 14 tasks that are ideal for any equine to be able to complete throughout their life,” explains Kylie Solís-McGarity, equine behavior and training specialist at the ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center (ETAC) in El Reno, Okla. “They’re things that are going to be able to support [the horse’s] health in the long term and his ability to be seen by a vet and farrier. In an adoption space, it’s a way for us to be able to look at his skillset and assess the training state on all of our equines.”

The ETAC has found significantly reduced length of stay because trainers prioritize working through the list on the Basic Behaviors Profile. Photo courtesy ASPCA

A Good Starting Point

The BBP isn’t a training method, nor does it promote any specific training technique. Instead, it’s an evaluation tool that helps assess ground manners and handling. For trainers, it serves as a useful starting point to form a training plan.

“A lot of horses come in with what I call ‘swiss cheese’ training,” says Solís-McGarity. “They know some things and they’ve got some holes in other places. This is a really great way to know where they need additional support in their training.”

Learning about any holes in your horse’s training, such as trailer loading, could help in a situation like a vet emergency. Photo by Annabell Gsödl/Adobe Stock

Solís-McGarity holds a bachelor’s degree in equine science as well as a master’s in animal behavior and welfare from Colorado State University. She applies those skills at ETAC, where services reach over 100 horses annually; of those, about half will go through some sort of behavior or training work before rehoming.

By no means do these skills need to be completed before a horse can be adopted. Instead, Solís-McGarity notes that it’s a useful way to communicate clearly with an adopter and pass on information about a horse’s skills and knowledge.

The BBP is one of the first steps for horses coming into ETAC.

“We do this before a medical exam because we’re going to be looking at things like, can they be haltered?” she says. “Can they be led, can they stand tied, can they pick up their feet, are they able to receive oral medications? What are their reactions to these very common and low-type stressors? Once we do the behavioral profile, we can much more easily inform our vet as to expectations with medical handling as well.”

Solís-McGarity is very specific about not doing any training while she is doing the profile.

“It’s not a time to train a horse, but to take in information on whether he knows it or not and what his reactions are,” she says. “And then if he can’t complete a task, we just move on and will focus training efforts during a different time.”

Tracking Basic Behaviors Profile Score During Training

Once a horse starts full-time training, Solís-McGarity likes to complete the profile every two weeks to track his progress, and again when the horse is adopted, right before he leaves.

The BBP offers a numerical score of completed items on the list. It’s not pass/fail; items are simply noted as complete or incomplete. Solís-McGarity explains that a low BBP score isn’t a reflection of a horse’s trainability. Instead, it’s a helpful way to get the conversation started, gather more information, and get to know the horse.

Each question has a detailed sheet, but the final page of the BBP provides for easy scoring.

“It’s a great way to start getting to know the challenges, good and bad, of each horse, because no horse is going to be perfect,” says Solís-McGarity. “Since it’s a complete/incomplete, the range of reasons why it’s incomplete could be very minimal, or it could be something that’s going to require a lot of work in the future.”

For example, if someone is looking for a great trail horse, the fact that he’s fussy about deworming may not be a big deal, while a skill like tying well is of higher importance.

Useful for Any Horse Owner

The BBP is also useful to try at home with your own horse for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it creates a safety net.

“More than anything, all of us want our horses to have a secure and safe future,” says Solís-McGarity. “And if there ever comes a point where you have to rehome your horse, if you have gone through some of these skills and given the horse a really good foundation so he knows how to be a good citizen, it really helps him find wonderful, loving homes in the future.”

It’s also good to keep skills current to avoid getting into a tough spot, such as trailer loading for a vet emergency or evacuation during a natural disaster.

Especially with young horses, or if you have a lot of horses and it’s hard to get to them all, Solis-McGarity recommends adding the BBP to expand your tool kit outside of the normal “go out to the barn and ride” routine.

Reducing Time to Adoption

At ETAC, the proof is in the numbers, with a reduced length of stay—the time a horse spends at the facility from intake to adoption.

“It has significantly reduced length of stay for us because we have a goal of getting it completed, and we get tons of information on a horse from doing the profile right off the bat,” says Solís-McGarity. “And the more info we have, the more we can pass to adopters, and the faster we can get them into their right homes.”

It worked for Banana for Breakfast, who was quickly adopted.

The BBP is available at aspcarighthorse.org/basic-behaviors-profile. To browse listings of adoptable horses, including many with the Basic Behaviors Profile, visit myrighthorse.org, the ASPCA’s online adoption platform for equines.

This article about the Basic Behaviors Profile appeared in the September 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Evaluating Horses with the Basic Behaviors Profile appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Imagine finding the horse of your dreams online, only to discover that he was thousands of miles away. While that may not be an unusual traditional horse shopping experience, for a potential adoptive family, it can seem like an insurmountable obstacle. The good news is that doesn’t need to be the case.

Geographic Barrier

No story about long-distance horse adoption would be complete without at least mentioning sisters Ava and Ilana of West Virginia. Ilana, 12, had already adopted a local horse, but Ava, 11, while reading an article titled “Reimagining Racers” in the March 2023 issue of Horse Illustrated, wanted to adopt a second one.

The story led her to the myrighthorse.org website, the ASPCA’s online adoption platform for equines, where she discovered Little Man, the horse she wanted to call her own.

The catch? He was located more than 1,000 miles away at the ASPCA Equine Transition and Adoption Center (ETAC) near Oklahoma City, Okla. Undeterred, Ava worked together with her family to facilitate the long-distance adoption and bring her new horse home.

Little Man was located at the ASPCA’s ETAC in Oklahoma, but needed to get to West Virginia. Photo courtesy ASPCA

Raising Awareness

While the tenacity of youth can almost always be counted on to overcome obstacles, long-distance horse adoption can also be easy for the rest of us.

Libby Hanon, equine adoption and marketing specialist with the ASPCA, has some great advice to anyone in this situation. One of the first barriers she faces in placing horses in long-distance adoptable homes is awareness.

“We strive to make people aware that there are adoptable horses nationwide,” she says. “The ASPCA has tried to eliminate that barrier via myrighthorse.org. It’s a powerful tool that brings awareness to adoptable horses. It showcases adoptable horses from 40-plus ASPCA Right Horse Partners.”

She says that these partners are the best of the best, putting horses through a comprehensive intake process, including veterinary and training evaluations, so that they can provide the information that potential adopters seek when searching the website.

Not Sight Unseen

Another potential long-distance barrier for horse adoption is that, for a variety of reasons, the prospective adopter may not be able to physically see the horse before they decide to adopt him. Here again, the ASPCA and Right Horse Adoption Partners work to reduce or eliminate the barrier.

“We pride ourselves on transparency,” says Hanon. “We do everything possible to make the adopter feel as if they are having that in-person experience.”

She says that her organization works with potential adopters through Zoom, FaceTime, or videos to facilitate a similar experience. Using technology, adopters can see the horse being caught in the pasture, groomed, ridden, loaded onto a trailer, and more.

Through Zoom or FaceTime, interested adopters can see horses being caught, groomed, ridden, loaded onto a trailer, and more. Photo courtesy ASPCA

Horse Adoption Express

Getting the horse to his adoptive home thousands of miles away may, at first, seem like a major complication. This is where the ASPCA’s Horse Adoption Express (HAE) program comes in.

“The HAE was instituted because we saw a need on different levels,” says Hanon. “One of those needs was to transport horses between Adoption Partners. Different breeds can have their popularity regionally.”

The ASPCA’s Horse Adoption Express now makes it easier to get adoptable horses to new homes. Photo courtesy ASPCA

She describes HAE as a network of followers and transporters that can get horses to other Partners, where they can be adopted more easily.

Another aspect of HAE is to get horses to adopters more simply and economically.

“Getting a horse to an adopter is another way we are lowering those barriers to long-distance adoptions with the HAE program,” says Hanon.

The HAE transport-to-adopter stipend program is offered at any distance to companion or non-riding horses, and if ridable horses are located 250 miles or more away from their adopter, then they are also eligible for a stipend equal to half the cost of transport up to $500. Hanon says that on myrighthorse.org, around 70 percent of the inquiries and adoptions are happening long-distance.

That figure is echoed at the ASPCA, where 75 percent of the adoptions from ETAC in 2023 were long-distance.

Safety Net

Whether you buy or adopt a horse, sometimes things just don’t work out. One of the many positive aspects of horse adoption through an ASPCA Right Horse Partner is that no matter the distance, there are Partners nationwide that provide a safety net and will take these horses back.

Hanon says that successfully placing horses into adoptable homes is her passion.

“My mindset is that every inquiry I get, whether it be local or long-distance, is an opportunity to bring that person into our adoption family,” she says. “We make this doable. We make it fun.”

She explains that she wants adopters and potential adopters alike to feel like a community. The ASPCA encourages potential adopters to visit myrighthorse.org and inquire about their Right Horse with confidence, no matter the distance.

This article about ASPCA Right Horse’s solution to long-distance horse adoption appeared in the August 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Solutions for Long-Distance Horse Adoption appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

“Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to do all that we do today,” says Brittney Vallot, Operations Director at Days End Farm Horse Rescue (Days End Farm or DEFHR) in Woodbine, Md.

A Critical Contribution

Established in 1989, Days End Farm shelters an average of 130 equines a year in need of rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming. Volunteers contribute an estimated 55,000 hours of time each year caring for the horses, as well as helping with administrative tasks, facility maintenance, and assisting with the community outreach and education that is part of the organization’s mission.

Days End Farm volunteers contribute an average of 55,000 hours a year to caring for horses, administrative tasks, outreach and facility maintenance. Photo courtesy Days End Farm Horse Rescue

“Our volunteers enable us to provide hands-on interaction with each horse every single day, providing them with important care, handling and socialization that absolutely gives them a better shot at adoption,” says Vallot. “Not a day goes by that a horse goes untouched or unseen at our facility, and that’s all thanks to the help of our volunteers.”

In Methuen, Mass., the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) at Nevins Farm houses not only horses, but a barn full of creatures great and small. The multi-species facility relies on over 300 volunteers, with 49 of them being barn volunteers. A summer intern program brings in additional assistance in caring for the organization’s annual intake of just over 3,000 animals.

“I always say we could not do what we do without our volunteers, and I really mean that,” says Shyre Lancia, senior volunteer coordinator for the MSPCA at Nevins Farm. “Our volunteers are essential with day-to-day operations, as well as with assistance during adoption events and some vet visits. From a financial perspective, they allow more funds to be used directly for the animals, but it’s more than that. It’s the range of people and skills that contributes to flexibility: the experienced volunteers guiding the new volunteers, the community that is built in pursuit of a common goal. I think the community that is built among our volunteers and staff is beautiful.”

Volunteers allow more funds to be used directly for the animals, and their range of skills contributes to flexibility within each organization. Photo courtesy Days End Farm Horse Rescue

Time and Talent

When it comes to equine adoption organization volunteers, there’s no such thing as typical. While volunteers come in all ages, skill sets, and experience levels, the one thing they have in common is that they want to help and make a difference, says Vallot.

“Everyone is unique and brings something to the table,” she says. “We take volunteers of all ages, some as young as 5 years old. We are also an entry-level organization, taking in absolute beginners with open arms and giving them the education and opportunity to grow as horse advocates. Our minimal requirements for being able to volunteer means that we get a wide variety of individuals from all walks of life who share one ‘typical’ trait: they want to help the horses.”

While volunteers come in all ages, skill sets, and experience levels, the one thing they have in common is that they want to help and make a difference. Photo courtesy Days End Farm Horse Rescue

Kristin Showalter and her 12-year-old daughter, Ava Smith, were not equestrians when they began volunteering at Days End Farm. Today, they are known as the dynamic duo around DEFHR, where they have been regular volunteers for two years and now often lead the orientation for new volunteers.

“We love coming out to help in whatever ways we can, but our personal favorite aspects of volunteering include community education and outreach opportunities and, always, one-on-one horse time and hands-on horse care,” says Showalter.

For daughter Ava, Days End Farm has become a huge part of her life, bringing both horse and human friendships. She met one of her best friends while volunteering at the farm and loves being part of the “Equidopting” program that Days End Farm offers.

“I sponsor Rodgers Regent, my best horse friend at the farm, and I love the special time I get to spend with him every week,” she says. “I am so thankful that DEFHR was able to rehabilitate him and give him the life he has now! I also love the chance to learn from the trainers and staff at DEFHR, which has helped me learn everything I know about horse handling, care, and rescue.”

Dick Heiger is a longtime farm operations team volunteer at Days End Farm who has found his own way to contribute his time and talents to the organization.

“He is now in his 80s and continues to amaze us all with all that he does for us,” says Vallot. “He’s our trusty, weekly front lawn mower every spring through fall. He’s a master gardener and has planted one of the most beautiful gardens along our front driveway. He’s also painter-extraordinaire when the colder months make indoor tasks more appealing. He’s never been one to want to work in the barn, but his love of our mission and the horses is just as strong as any other volunteer.”

Finding the Why

Lancia sees a fair number of people who had some horse or farm experience in their youth circling back to reconnect when they find themselves with time to volunteer. Others volunteer to gain experience, whether they want to prepare for future animal ownership, or are looking to acquire skills and knowledge that will be helpful in applying to veterinary school.

Some volunteers had horse or farm experience in their youth and want to reconnect with their interests when they have more time to do so. Photo courtesy Days End Farm Horse Rescue

“Farm animal interaction is something of a novelty around here,” says Lancia of their location, some 30 miles from downtown Boston. “Riding lessons are quite expensive in this part of the country, so unless someone had a family farming connection or the financial means, they may never have had the opportunity to interact with a horse.”

For MSPCA volunteer Kristen Oleson, watching people connect with these animals for the first time is what stands out the most.

“I grew up around horses in a family who knew their way around a farm,” she says. “The MSPCA is in a far more urban area than you will find most horse stables. In my time volunteering, I have seen countless children, and more than a few adults, experience their first interaction with a horse or goat, chicken, emu—the list goes on. I was too young to remember the first time I touched a horse or had one blow in my face. Having had the opportunity to share that with so many people has been an absolute pleasure.”

The opportunity to volunteer is a two-way street, says Showalter.

“We love volunteering, and we choose to come out each weekend—sometimes a weekday here and there, too—to help with the variety of jobs needed for the horses in Days End’s care,” she says. “But also important is the fact that the experience of caring for horses is therapeutic for us, as well as for them. Learning each of our horses’ individual stories and backgrounds provides a window into who they are and what challenges they may be working through in their equine rehabilitation process. Being a small part of that process, helping them to regain their health, confidence, and trust in humans, is a very powerful thing to be a part of.”

Getting Started with Volunteering

There are hundreds of equine rehoming, shelter, and rescue organizations across the country, many of which rely daily on volunteer assistance to get essential jobs done. Here are some tips for anyone wanting to volunteer with an equine rescue group to get started.

1. Research Nearby Organizations

A good first step for those interested in volunteering is to identify what facilities are within a convenient distance and visit their website for volunteer information, says Lancia.

“The priority is to meet the need of that rescue, but of course it should be in a way that is achievable for the person,” she says.

2. Understand the Volunteer Requirements

Most facilities have information on their websites that will make it clear what they need help with, including any requirements applicants should meet, and Lancia encourages people to pay attention to the required skills and experience, if any are listed.

“Trust that the organization is looking for specific skills or experience for good reason,” says Lancia. “For barns especially, some of the tasks are very physically demanding, and you’ll be outdoors no matter the weather. This is obvious to equestrians, but I get a fair number of applications from new-to-barn people who don’t realize they’ll be outside in the snow!”

3. Get to Know the Organization

Most will have some sort of orientation, which is a great way to get to know their organization a bit more and decide if you want to commit, says Vallot.

Lancia also advises making sure the role is a good fit and being honest with yourself about that.

“There’s so many ways people can volunteer, and different facilities may have different roles available—don’t be discouraged if the first one you look at isn’t a good match,” she says. “Keeping an eye on the websites over time may result in something opening up that wasn’t there when you originally looked, too.”

4. Get Involved

Once you get started at a place, Vallot encourages getting involved.

“The more you do, the more you seek out ways to participate, the more you will learn and grow as a horse person.”

Lancia advises thinking outside the box and being open to helping organizations in different ways.

“We get a lot of applications for dog and barn volunteers, but very needed and helpful positions such as those handling phones and email are often bypassed,” she says.

Don’t assume you have nothing to offer, adds Vallot. Many times, obstacles can be overcome.

“Have limited time or lack of transportation? Ask the organization if there’s a way you could help them remotely. Have a physical limitation that keeps you from working in the barn? Maybe you can help them in the office or man a booth at an event. There’s always a way you can get involved and help.”

To find an organization in your area to support, please visit myrighthorse.org, the ASPCA’s online adoption platform for equines.

Further Reading
◆ Getting Started with Volunteering at Horse Rescues
◆ The State of Equine Nonprofits
◆ Ways to Volunteer in the Equestrian World

This article about horse rescue volunteers appeared in the July 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Importance of Horse Rescue Volunteers 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.”

Alexa Atchison adopted Cheyenne in May, and decided to take home Whisper as well, whose fee was waived for Adopt a Horse Month. Photo courtesy Alexa Atchison

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.

David spent hours bonding with the timid pony, who ended up staying as a permanent resident at Alina Bartlett’s farm. Photo courtesy Alina Bartlett

“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.”

BEFORE: Ella came in from a suspected animal cruelty case with a foal at her side. Though the youngster was quickly adopted, Ella took more time to find a home. Photo courtesy Allison Hungerford

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!”

AFTER: Ella found her forever home after some Adopt a Horse Month funds helped expand advertising to reach new horse lovers. Photo courtesy Allison Hungerford

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.

Photo courtesy Half Moon Bay Resort

Errol stood squarely between us and the undulating turquoise sea.

“I need you to listen to me,” he said. “People who know how to ride never listen to this part, and they always mess it up.” His sternness was softened by a twinkle in his eyes.

My friend Beth and I looked at one another and grinned before returning our full attention to our guide, who explained how we would ride our horses into the water and get ourselves into position for an “only in Jamaica” experience: floating behind our mounts’ powerful hind ends while they swam, towing us with their tails.

Even for a pair of lifelong equestrians with a penchant for travel, this adventure was a first.

Half Moon Resort’s Commitment to Rescue

Beth and I met more than a decade ago in Colorado as volunteers for a racehorse rehoming organization. In the years since, life took us to opposite ends of the country, making in-person visits hard to come by. It made sense that our first reunion after years of separation, the stresses of Covid, and our own personal stories of grief would center around horses.

Stacey and her friend Beth arrive on the beach.

It was a perfect surprise to arrive at Half Moon Resort’s elegant stables to find that 13 of the program’s 23 mounts are adopted horses in different stages of rehabilitation.

There’s Timmy, the failed polo pony with trust issues. Precious, a sweet off-track Thoroughbred. Ebony, a 25-year-old pony who was near death when Half Moon’s Equestrian Director Trina Delisser rescued her from a roadside pony-ride operation eight years ago.

“She wasn’t supposed to live six months, but here she is,” says Delisser.

Delisser has been running Half Moon’s equestrian program for 37 years. Raised in Kingston, Jamaica, she grew up riding whenever she could as the daughter of an international polo player.

She came to Montego Bay’s Half Moon Resort when it became clear that continuing her passion would require turning it into a career. And while she has competed in polo and showjumping, she clearly loves giving horses a second chance.

Under Delisser, life at Half Moon’s Equestrian Centre is flexible for the horses. She has the skills and commitment needed to give a horse like Timmy the attention and mental rehab he needs.

Older horses like Ebony and those that are intermittently sore benefit from the opportunity to swim (with or without guests, depending on their needs). And those in good mental and physical health get a fun job.

Swimming with Horses

After touring the airy white barns and greeting the dogs, donkeys, and Gene the goat, our group of three guests and two guides mounted up and began the walk to the beach. I rode Zayne, a lanky gray rescue who sauntered happily along behind our guide Errol and his mount Coltrane.

Minutes later, we traded tree-lined pavement for sugary white sand, where we dismounted and readied ourselves for the main event: the swim!

Once the horses were untacked and the humans stripped down to swimwear, we climbed on bareback. I now rode Coltrane while Errol rode Zayne (since the gray became a natural leader in the water) and marched into the sea.   

As Errol led us toward swimming depths, he belted out Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.” The crystal clear water grew deeper, and the horses began the distinctive rumble that indicates they were starting to swim.

“Drop your reins!” Errol shouted over the noise, and suddenly, we were weightless. I tangled my fingers in Coltrane’s mane and leaned forward, letting my legs floating behind me as we swam into the rolling waves.

Errol leads the group into the sea.

Suddenly, I heard Errol’s voice again. “To the tail!” he shouted, and I gently pushed myself toward Coltrane’s chestnut tail.

As we swam in sweeping circles, I held onto Coltrane for guidance, but the sea kept me afloat, and somehow, there was minimal resistance. I turned on my side and found Beth. We were both laughing the way we probably did the first time we cantered. I kept rotating onto my back, to look at the cotton-ball clouds. Then I spun onto my stomach to take in the strange vision of horse ears held just above ocean.

As we turned toward the shore one last time, we let the waves push us onto our horses’ backs. My heart sank. The ride was over. But as I squinted at the palm-lined beach, the postcard water, my dear friend, and the shine of a wet equine neck, I took a deep breath of gratitude.

For at least a moment, it felt like Errol (and Bob Marley) were right. Everything would be alright.

Opportunities for Different Levels of Experience

Beyond the Jamaican magic of swimming with horses, Half Moon Equestrian Centre offers a range of experiences suitable for riders and non-riders:

◆ Private dressage, jumping, or polo lessons are available for beginner to advanced riders over 10 years old.

◆ Inexperienced and rusty riders 6 and older may opt for a leisurely horseback “Sand Stroll” to the beach with a bit of a dip in water (but no swimming) or a mini lesson in the arena followed by a ride around the property.

◆ Kids 6 and under can spend their time learning to interact with the array of animals that call the Equestrian Centre home, including donkeys, goats, and of course, ponies!

◆ Adults looking for some quality horse time out of the saddle can sign up for a “Positive Empowerment” groundwork session.

Beautiful clear blue waters and swimming horses make a bucket-list combination.

If you’re ready to get away and relax while admiring turquoise waters around horses, this could be your perfect destination.

Learn more and book your stay at halfmoon.com.

This article about Half Moon Resort appeared in the June 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Half Moon Resort: Swim with Adopted Horses in Jamaica appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Photo courtesy Susquehanna SPCA

Adoptable Horse: Stella, a 18-year-old, 14.2hh grade Appaloosa mare
Organization: Susquehanna SPCA, Cooperstown, N.Y.

Get to Know Adoptable Horse Stella

Stella is an 18-year-old mare that came into Susquehanna SPCA’s care after her previous owner fell upon hard times. Stella is short, sweet, and very food-motivated. She is completely blind, but it doesn’t slow her down. This pint-sized lady confidently navigates the world around her and adapts to change in stride. For instance, Stella is very comfortable with being led, trailering, entering new spaces, and locating her food and water sources. When out to pasture, Stella utilizes her remaining senses and the guidance of her companion, Matilda, to learn where boundaries lie. These best friends would love to find a home together!

Contact Susquehanna SPCA today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Stella!

ASPCA Right Horse

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

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