05/18/2026
Our for Month is this beautiful adoption story shared with us by ERAF adopter, Susan. 💗 She had us all crying happy tears with her words.
Whether you're looking for one - or four! - We can help you find your . Visit www.ERAF.org to learn more.
Susan's Adoption Story
Four Horses, One Unexpected Journey
When we first met the four horses at ERAF, we had no idea how much they would change our lives.
What started as a simple visit quickly became something much bigger. Each horse had their own personality, their own history, and their own quiet way of asking for a second chance. We came home that day knowing our lives were about to look very different.
Over the past year, these four horses have become part of our family in every possible way.
Like many horse owners, we entered this journey with a mixture of excitement, determination, and honestly… a little fear. We knew horses required time, work, money, patience, and constant learning, but we underestimated just how much heart they would require too.
The first few months were a crash course in horse ownership. We learned about feeding schedules, hay storage, fly control, supplements, hoof care, vet visits, fencing repairs, muddy pastures, and the never-ending cycle of cleaning water troughs and filling feed buckets. There were moments we questioned whether we were doing enough or doing things right.
But the horses were patient with us.
Little by little, trust began to grow.
One horse who was once hesitant (BG), started greeting us at the gate. Another who seemed unsure slowly relaxed into a calmer routine (Honey Bee). Personalities emerged that we never could have imagined in the beginning (RedSox, our Beauty Queen/Comedian). We learned who loved attention (RedSox), who preferred quiet companionship (Honey Bee), who waited impatiently for treats (Victoria), and who simply wanted to stand nearby and feel safe (BG).
The transformation was not just theirs — it was ours too.
The horses changed the rhythm of our lives. Our mornings now begin earlier. Our evenings are spent outside more often than inside. We have learned to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the simple routines that come with caring for animals who depend on you every single day.
There have been hard days, too.
Owning horses is not always picture-perfect. There have been worries over injuries, unexpected expenses, storms, heat, flies, mud, and the exhaustion that comes with caring for large animals in every kind of weather. There were days we felt overwhelmed and unsure of ourselves.
But there have also been moments we will never forget.
The first time BG (who seemed really unsure about us) fully relaxed around us.
The quiet sunsets spent in the pasture.
The sound of four horses running together across the field.
The simple peace that comes from sitting near them after a long day.
These horses brought something into our lives that we didn’t know was missing.
They have taught us patience, consistency, resilience, and the importance of showing up every single day. They reminded us that healing takes time and trust cannot be rushed.
Most importantly, they showed us how powerful rescue truly is.
Rescue is not only about saving animals. It is about creating new beginnings — for both the horses and the people who welcome them home.
This past year has been filled with learning curves, laughter, hard work, and unforgettable memories. What began as adopting four horses became a complete lifestyle change and, in many ways, the beginning of a new chapter for our family.
We are incredibly grateful to ERAF for trusting us with them.
Because of that trust, four horses found a home.
And in return, they gave us far more than we ever expected.
We are incredibly grateful to ERAF for trusting us with them forever.
