Solsbury Hill Farm

08/12/2025

I completely believe this.

Pigs may not top most people’s list of brainy animals, but science says they should. New research from Emory University ranks pigs as the fifth most intelligent animals on the planet, surpassing not only dogs but also many young children in cognitive abilities.

In various experiments, pigs demonstrated impressive long-term memory, spatial navigation skills, object recognition, and problem-solving abilities. In one striking example, piglets quickly understood the concept of mirror reflections a skill that takes human toddlers years to grasp.

Beyond raw intelligence, studies show pigs experience a wide range of emotions and display signs of empathy, revealing a depth of emotional intelligence rarely acknowledged in livestock animals.

According to researchers, these findings align pigs with some of the smartest non-human species, like chimpanzees and dolphins. As science continues to explore animal cognition, pigs are finally receiving overdue recognition as one of the most sophisticated and socially complex creatures in the animal kingdom.

07/30/2025

The Hardest Part of Rescue Isn’t the Animals — It’s People.

Rescue changes you. It has to. You can’t see what we see, hear what we hear, and not be fundamentally changed.

We live in a world where animals are treated like possessions discarded when they no longer fit a lifestyle, no longer entertain, no longer produce. Like a pair of old shoes.

The calls, the messages, the emails, they pour in daily. And the reasons are all too familiar & very much the same.
Rarely is it a true emergency. Rarely is it heartbreak.
Most often, it’s convenience.
It’s entitlement.
It’s indifference.

“We don’t want the inconvenience of a rooster as he doesn’t give us what we expected.” “We bought chicks & one turned out to be a rooster & it’s not what we want or need.”
“My pigs are not small anymore, and getting out, can you take them?” “My pigs reproduced, they need to go somewhere.”
“Our goats don’t fit our life anymore, we’re too busy now.” “We are moving in a few days & need placement for our animals today.” “Can you come right now & pick up our peacocks because they like to roam.” “We rescued this bunny from a bad situation, but really don’t have time for it.”
“We hatched chicks because I enjoy the experience of it, but now they need a home.”
“Our horse is lonely, and it makes us feel guilty, so we want him gone.”

People say these things out loud, without shame. They tell us, without flinching, how little these animals mean to them once they stop being cute, useful, or profitable.

This is what breaks us.
Not the long hours.
Not the heartbreak of saying goodbye.
Not the sleepless nights with the sick, injured, and dying.

It’s people.
People who don’t see animals as living beings with emotions, bonds, and worth.
People who expect someone else to fix their mistakes.
People who turn their backs and call it “rehoming.”

We wish this wasn’t the reality.
We wish we could soften it.
But this is the truth.
And it’s why sanctuaries and rescuers are always full, always struggling, and always begging for support.

Because while many abandon them,
we are the ones left to pick up the pieces & to love them back to life.

07/04/2025

06/07/2025

We are blessed and abundant! So many things to enjoy and appreciate . Every day is an adventure here.

05/31/2025

Hope everyone had a Happy Memorial Day weekend. If you are looking for our horsemanship program, you need to visit Solsbury Hill Classical Horsemanship! Or better yet , TEXT me at +13045823440. Thanks

04/19/2025

People often tell me, “You’re so lucky—living the dream life with all those animals.”
And you know what? In a way, they’re right.
It is a dream. But like most dreams worth chasing, it’s wrapped in sacrifice.

You don’t see the 10-hour workday I finish before heading to the barn.
You don’t see the stalls I clean in the dark, the hay I haul in the rain, or the fences I fix in the snow.
You don’t see me sitting next to a sick calf at 2 a.m., whispering, “Please pull through.”
You don’t see the vet bills, the sore muscles, or the tears after heartbreak.

What you do see are the snapshots I choose to share—the adorable goat, the napping pony, the peaceful pasture. And yes, those moments are real. They keep me going. They remind me why I do this.

Would I trade this life for something easier? More relaxing? Less stressful?
Nope.
Because this isn’t just a job—it’s a calling.
These animals are my heart.
This land is my therapy.
And this life—tough as it is—is exactly where I’m meant to be.

I wouldn’t have it any other way. 💛

04/13/2025

03/09/2025

Are you looking for information on Horseback riding? You need to go to Solsbury Hill Classical Horsemanship!

09/18/2020

Here is a sampling of some of the products we will have available this Saturday at Gowers feed in Ranson Wv. We can also ship items to you. Biothane collars, ribbon on nylon martingale collars,chicken saddles, Safesister bracelets, and seasonal print hair scrunchies. We will also have limited quantities of paw paws from our 5 acre forest.

08/12/2020

More SafeSister whistle bracelets. These are essential for everyone. Keep your keys on your wrist. No more fumbling in your purse or pocket, no more dropping or losing your keys. If you feel threatened, or need help, blow the built in whistle on the buckle. I have many beautiful patterns, even waterproof ones for sports. $11.50 plus tax and shipping.

07/27/2020

Tubular Blue water nylon collars and leashes.Even though this nylon has a soft ,silky finish, it has a breaking strength of 4000lbs, making it the strongest webbing we carry. It is easy on hands and will not scruff up your dogs fur. This nylon is made in the USA and comes in 12 colors and two widths. 1 inch and 5/8 inch. Three styles of collars , from L to R, Martingale, tongue buckle, or side release buckle. Leash length made to your specs. Shown here is 5/8 inch, 6 ft, 5 in 1 leash.

07/05/2020

Adjustable biothane collar and leash sets. Most flexible, softest biothane ever, as as always it's washa le and waterproof.