In Memory of Horses who have passed

​Jewels

Age: 26 years old
Breed: Grey Quarter Horse Mare

Jewels holds a very special place in our hearts — she was my first personal horse, acquired when I was just seven years old. Born under tragic circumstances, Jewels lost her dam at only four days old, and I had the honor of bottle-raising her. From that moment, she ignited my true passion for horses, particularly senior horses who deserve love and care in their later years.

Now fully retired due to arthritis in her front knees, Jewels enjoys a carefully managed routine to keep her comfortable and healthy. She receives daily Equinox and DuHou supplements, regular acupuncture from our wonderful veterinarian, and a special diet including ground flax, Purina Amplify, chia, mineral oil, and 6 pounds of Triple Crown Senior feed each day.

Despite her age and arthritis, Jewels remains a gentle, loving presence in the herd, embodying the heart and spirit of our sanctuary and reminding us why every senior horse deserves a life of care, comfort, and compassion. 💖

Buttons

Age: 7 years old
Breed: Quarter Horse

Buttons came to me for training in 2024 as a nervous, uncertain horse. It was clear he had experienced a difficult past. Friends of ours had purchased him from an auction, but he wasn't the right fit for their family due to some quirky behaviors, so he came to us.

Over the next year, those behaviors slowly changed. What first seemed like training or behavioral challenges began to look much more like something neurological. As his condition progressed, we took him to Littleton Equine, where he underwent an extensive workup including a scope, ultrasounds, X-rays, and a great deal of lab work. Unfortunately, despite every effort, no definitive diagnosis could be found.

His condition continued to worsen. The horse who had once just seemed anxious eventually began struggling to walk. Watching him decline without answers was heartbreaking, but when his quality of life could no longer be maintained, we made the difficult decision to give him the peaceful goodbye he deserved.

At only 7 years old, Buttons left us far too soon. Though we never got the answers we hoped for, we know we gave him every chance we could and, in the end, the greatest gift we could offer was freedom from suffering. He will always be remembered for his sweet heart, his resilience, and the lessons he taught us about compassion, patience, and loving a horse through the unknown.

Charlie

Age: 25 years old
Breed: Paint Gelding

Charlie is a gentle giant at 17.2 hands, with a calm and shy demeanor that has always been part of his personality. We welcomed him to our sanctuary when he was just 2 years old, having never been handled before, and have watched him grow into the kind and patient horse he is today.

Due to back issues, Charlie has retired from work, but he continues to enjoy a happy and comfortable life thanks to regular acupuncture and chiropractic care. He thrives in our peaceful environment, surrounded by friends, love, and the care he needs to feel his best every day.

Blaze

Age: 6 years old
Breed: Tennesse Walking Horse

laze came to us after his owner was no longer able to care for him or find the cause of his health issues. At only 6 years old, he struggled to maintain a healthy weight and had a very abnormal gait. It was clear something serious was going on, and we were determined to give him every chance we could.

With a specialized diet, we were able to help him gain weight, and after extensive lab work, we finally had an answer: Blaze was suffering from a severe case of EPM. We immediately began treatment, hoping he would improve.

Sadly, despite our best efforts, the treatment was not successful. His condition continued to decline, and he eventually began experiencing seizures. As difficult as it was, we knew we had reached the point where keeping him alive would only prolong his suffering.

Making the decision to humanely euthanize Blaze was one of the hardest choices we have ever had to make, but it was also the greatest act of love we could give him. He was only 6 years old and deserved so much more time, but we are grateful we were able to give him comfort, answers, and peace in his final chapter.

Misty

Age: 3 years old
Breed: Tennesse Walker

Misty came to us as a 3-year-old mare from a severe hoarding situation. She was neglected, underweight, unhandled, and pregnant. She was terrified of people, and it was obvious that humans had never been a source of comfort or kindness in her life.

Slowly, with patience, consistency, and love, Misty began to change. She learned that not all people were something to fear—that she would be fed, cared for, and loved. Watching her begin to trust was one of the greatest rewards, and she was making incredible progress.

Tragically, Misty suffered a pasture accident that resulted in a fractured shoulder. After veterinary evaluation, it was determined that her injury could not be repaired, and there were no humane treatment options available.

With broken hearts, we made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her to prevent any further pain and suffering. Although her time with us was far too short, we take comfort in knowing that she experienced kindness, safety, and unconditional love before saying goodbye. She left this world knowing she mattered, and she will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Angel

Age: 23 years old
Breed: Quarter Horse/Morgan

Angel came to us in 2015 after her owner was experiencing what appeared to be aggressive behavior whenever they tried to ride her. Once we evaluated her, it quickly became clear that her behavior wasn't aggression—it was pain.

We discovered she had an old tendon injury in her front left leg that had gone untreated. With the help of our incredible farrier, Angel was fitted with special therapeutic shoes that made her much more comfortable and allowed her to enjoy life again.

In 2020, Angel was diagnosed with Cushing's disease. She was started on Prascend, and the medication helped her thrive for many years. She continued to enjoy life, receiving the love, care, and comfort she deserved.

By 2025, however, her body began to shut down. Despite everything we could do, it became clear that her quality of life was declining. With heavy hearts, we made the difficult decision to say goodbye.

Angel reminded us that behavior is often a horse's way of asking for help. What many saw as aggression was really a cry of pain. We are grateful we were able to give her years of comfort, compassion, and a life where she was finally understood and loved.

Lucky

Age: 28 years old
Breed: Quarter Horse

Lucky came to us in 2026 after his owners made the heartbreaking decision to surrender him when they were moving across the country. Because of his severe arthritis, he wasn't able to endure the long trailer ride, and they wanted to ensure he would be safe and cared for.

From the moment he arrived, Lucky formed an inseparable bond with Jewels. The two became the best of friends, rarely leaving each other's side. A few months later, during a veterinary examination, we learned that Lucky had lost most of his vision and could only see about 25%. It became clear that he relied on Jewels as his seeing-eye horse, following her everywhere and finding comfort and confidence by her side.

In June, Lucky's health began to decline. He stopped eating, started losing weight, and became increasingly lethargic. After examining him, our veterinarian discovered he was suffering from cancer. Knowing there was no way to restore his quality of life, we made the heartbreaking decision to let him peacefully cross the Rainbow Bridge.

Although Lucky's time with us was brief, he spent his final months surrounded by love, friendship, and compassion. We find comfort in imagining him reunited with Jewels, running together once again, free from pain and together forever.

Mikey

Age: 28 years old
Breed: Quarter Horse Gelding

Mikey is a kind-hearted and loyal Quarter Horse who spent most of his life working hard as a ranch horse. After many years of dedication, arthritis made it too painful for him to continue that lifestyle, and he’s now happily enjoying a well-deserved retirement at our sanctuary.

In addition to arthritis, Mikey also lives with Cushing’s disease, a condition that requires careful management through daily medication and a specialized diet. Thanks to this attentive care — and plenty of love — Mikey is thriving in his golden years.

Gentle, wise, and full of heart, Mikey enjoys peaceful days with his herd, soft brushes from visitors, and the comfort of knowing he’s finally home for good. 🤎

Munch

Age: 30 years old
Breed: Paint Horse

Munch is a beloved elder at our sanctuary with a heart as big as his years of service. For most of his life, this kind and gentle Paint spent his days teaching children and adults how to ride, patiently helping beginners discover the joy of horses.

Now in his well-earned retirement, Munch enjoys spending his days grazing peacefully in the pasture with his herd mates — no schedules, no saddles, and plenty of love. Though he no longer gives riding lessons, he still adores spending time with children. His calm and trustworthy nature makes him the perfect teacher for kids learning how to safely be around horses.

Munch especially loves being groomed, often closing his eyes in contentment as little hands brush his coat. His story is a beautiful reminder that the horses who once gave so much to people deserve to live out their golden years in peace and comfort. ❤️

Tangles

Age: 18 years old
Breed: Miniature Horses

Here's a polished memorial that keeps the heart of your message:

Tangles came to us in March alongside his companion, Alfie. From the moment he arrived, his sweet, goofy personality stole everyone's heart. He loved every person he met and would happily do just about anything for a treat. His previous owner entrusted him to our sanctuary so he could continue bringing joy to others through our visits to local senior centers.

Tragically, Tangles' time with us was far too short. After being bitten by a rattlesnake, he suffered a cardiac embolism and peacefully passed away.

Though his journey with us was brief, the happiness, laughter, and love he shared will never be forgotten. We are so grateful for the time we had with him, and we know his gentle spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of meeting him.

Run free, sweet Tangles. You will always be loved and deeply missed.