11/01/2026
Today was supposed to be a great day at the barn. We spent the day desensitizing Richie and the other horses, watching them learn, grow, and build confidence. Then came a blow we never expected.
Eight months ago, we took in two horses because their family could no longer afford to keep them. We opened our doors, took on the responsibility, and gave these horses a chance. We invested in their care, their health, their training, and their future. We paid for teeth, Coggins, shots, and put countless hours into helping them become the horses they are today.
And then there's Richie. ❤️
Richie went from barely being ridden to becoming an incredible horse. He jumps, runs barrels, events, and trail rides like there's nothing he can't do. He's become a horse that so many people trust, learn from, and love. There isn't a kid on this property who doesn't have a soft spot for him. He has become part of our barn family, and he means so much to so many people.
So imagine our shock when, after eight months, we're told that his previous owner wants him back.
I'm honestly at a loss for words. How do you put a price on eight months of care, training, dedication, and love? How do you explain to the kids who adore him that the horse they've built a bond with might suddenly be taken away? How do you make sense of someone expecting to simply walk back in and reclaim a horse after someone else has invested so much into his future?
This was never just about a horse. It was about stepping up when help was needed, taking responsibility, and giving two horses a chance to become the best versions of themselves.
We do what we do because we love horses. We believe in second chances. We believe in putting in the work, even when it's hard, and we believe every horse deserves a chance to thrive.
But days like today are a reminder that doing the right thing can still come with heartbreak.
Tonight, my heart is heavy. Not because of the work we've put into Richie, but because of the love so many people have for him and the uncertainty hanging over a horse who has finally found his place.
Richie, you are loved more than you could ever know. ❤️🐴
Sometimes the hardest part of loving horses is knowing that even when you give them your whole heart, you can't always control what happens next.
Luckily we have a contact that saves us hopefully.
