“She’s part of a lovely herd now”: After being discarded and overlooked by her original owner, this sassy little horse found her forever human in a devoted volunteer

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Jul 10, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

You know, we devote so much time to indulging in the adoption and rescue stories of darling doggos and cute cattos that we almost completely overlook the wild and wonderful world of rescues and adoptions that lies beyond those two. For everyday animals of all shapes and sizes are found, brought to safety, cleaned up and hopefully given a furever home with a furever family who will love them for the rest of their days. And today we have one of those stories lined up for you.

It is the story of a sassy little horse, who overcame the odds of an inattentive owner, was rescued from their evil clutches, and who caught the eye of a woman who was ready to do whatever it took to care for this majestic creature. It is a story of resilience, a story of persistence, and above all else, a story of what is possible when you put your heart into your actions. 
 

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  • 01
    I started volunteering at a horse rescue back in February. That's when i met this girl. She is a 10 year old rocky mountain cross. She need an intermediate rider/handler. The only reason she hasn't been adopted yet is because she is just 14.1 hands and needs a smaller rider. She has
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  • 02
    taken part in a rescue makeover and has been ridden, but i am told she is a little sassy under saddle. On the ground she is an angel and a volunteer favorite. She gets along great with other horses. She was turned over to
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  • Well, you would be a little sassy after being mistreated for years, too. Sometimes it is hard to let go of our old ways, and in many ways this horse is a fine example of exactly that, but as it always is, old habits die hard. But hay, who doesn’t like a little sass in their saddle.

  • 03
    our rescue because her elderly owner could no longer care for her. She was later adopted to be used as a child's horse, but returned, because she was too much horse for the young child.
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  • 04
    In March, I started taking riding lessons/horsemanship lessons twice a week. i volunteer at the rescue once a week (feeding, cleaning, grooming...).
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  • 05
    I let the managers of the rescue know I want to adopt her if she is still around in a year or so when i am experienced enough. I plan on pasture boarding her and working with a trainer to get her and i up to speed. In addition, i recently started doing simple groundwork with her and the trainer at the rescue.
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  • 06
    My concern is i absolutely love her and I feel like we have a connection. I am afraid she will be adopted before i can. I know this is kind of selfish... i am 150% sure this is not a passing phase. I have
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  • It is so nice to see someone taking pet adoption seriously. Taking all the steps to ensure that when they finally do get to undertake the care of an animal, that they are fully prepared for it and can truly give that animal the life that they deserve. Which after what this horse has been through, is a life fit for a queen.

  • 07
    loved horses my entire life. I also am committed to taking care of any horse i adopt for the rest of their lives. Regardless of when they can no longer be ridden. I've thought about offering to pay for her upkeep till i can take her ($175 a month). I'd even be
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  • 08
    willing to pay her adoption fee now... i'd continue to work with her and just spend bonding time with her. but i don't know if this is fair to her or the rescue. I appreciate your thoughts!
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  • 09
    I want to add that she is in good health. I am told that she has good confirmation. I plan on being present when the vet comes to see her next just to get a better idea and know what i'd be getting into.
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  • 10
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  • 11
    It's been a while since I posted this. I did end up adopting her last year in late february. She has been living with a wonderful R+ trainer. She is making progress. I am
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  • 12
    in no hurry to ride her, i am enjoying the journey with my sweet girl. She is part of a lovely herd and is living her best life being a horse. I love her to the moon and back.
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  • 13
    aifeic This is an amazing update! SO thrilled it worked out for you OP I found this thread because I'm in a similar position. I've volunteered with a shelter for a number of years and have fallen for 2 ponies that I'm now adopting. I saw them both sent out
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  • 14
    to adoptive homes and returned. One because it was given to a child with inexperienced parents, child wanted to jump higher and the pony didn't, so she was sent back. Pony was 15 at the time, so I think she's earned the right to her preference in the type of work she wants to do!
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  • 15
    The second is a young animal that was sent to a home that was an older lady who just couldn't handle a younger pony and left her in a field on her own. She came back with awful rain rot and I spent hours treating her and getting her right again.
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  • 16
    They were passing through a cycle of foster homes together and I ended up visiting them a lot and bonding with them both. When they yet again ran out of time at a foster, I just couldn't bear to think where they might end up and decided to give them a home together. They're so bonded now after almost a year together that I didn't want them to be separated.
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  • 17
    So, im beginning the adoption process. I've found them a small, quiet yard to live out 24/7 365 with the option of stables if/when they're needed. I have NH trainer who is coming to work with us all, as well as a physio, dentist and vet to check them over and make sure they are as happy as can be. It will take a long time to
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  • 18
    get them ready for regular work, and the older one may not want anything more than occasional walks around the farm, but I'm more than willing to put the time and money in to training and groundwork with them. So excited to work with them and whilst it will not be easy or quick, it will be immensely rewarding to give them the love and attention they both deserve. Even if they do end up as pasture pets, they deserve a happy, loving environment to be just that.
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  • 19
    Wishing you all the best with your baby, OP, and would love to hear more updates as and when they come!!
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  • 20
    My_dog_runs_faster OP Your story is indeed a mirror my own! I had waited to adopt her till I had her PPE and her dental. She checked out to be in great health. She had to stay at the rescue for a couple months till the trainer had a spot for her. Once she moved, it did take her a minute to adjust to some of the members in her new herd, but almost immediately she found a bff and a boyfriend.
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  • 21
    The rescue is still such a great resource. One of the girls i volunteer with is her farrier and everyone asks about her progress. I've definitely felt like we've had a team behind us. It has truly been one of the best experiences of my life. Feel free to pm me anytime! I'd love to hear about your progress as well
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after animal stories found returned herd hooman reddit story lovely sassy forever home volunteer horse
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