The Whole Horse Place

11/10/2025

A New Chapter for Iggy: Compassion in Action

We have always promised ourselves and our community that we will never take on more horses than we can responsibly care for. Right now, due to the economy and limited space, we are not bringing in new horses as a rule. But every once in a while, a horse crosses our path who simply needs us, and we feel called to step up.

Iggy is one of those horses. He is a wonderful soul with a heart for kids, but life has not been easy for him. His previous owner cared deeply for him but was struggling with steep property that made his arthritic knee worse. She made the tough decision to rehome him, hoping for a better life.

Iggy’s situation tugged at our hearts. Without a safe place to actually deal with his knee, he was at real risk of being passed from home to home, which is never good; especially for a horse with a knee like his. Even people who were not interested in taking him were telling the owner that being rehomed could end up as a slow death sentence. She was honest about his needs in her ad, and for that, she really got flamed. Now that I have met him, I can see that he is absolutely worth saving, and she truly was doing the best she could for him. But he needs the kind of care and rehab that Jenna is able to give, and honestly, the odds of him getting that anywhere else were just about zero.

Fortunately, Iggy was not far from Jenna, our board member in eastern Washington, who has the facilities and experience to foster him. Because of this, he was able to make the trip easily and land safely in a place where he could receive the care and attention he needed. Before he arrived, because we had not met him, we were not sure what his future would hold. His knee looked bad, and we did not want him to suffer. If it had turned out that he could not be comfortable, we were prepared to let him go with dignity.

Thankfully, after a veterinary exam and some tender loving care, he is doing much better than anyone expected. He is not even limping, and we are hopeful that continued rehab, including water treadmill therapy, will keep him feeling good.

For now, Iggy will remain with Jenna through spring and early summer, giving us time to make sure he is stable and to plan for his future. If all goes well, he will join our barn family here later this summer, where we know he will be a favorite with the kids.

We want to reassure everyone that Iggy is not replacing any horse at our barn, and no horse will ever be displaced to make room for another. Each horse here, whether new or long-time resident, is cherished for who they are. Our decisions are always made with compassion, and we remain fully committed to the health, comfort, and dignity of every horse in our care.

It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. Thanks for being here for the horses with us.

If you would like to help Iggy or support the care of all our horses, donations are always deeply appreciated. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us provide a safe, loving home for horses in need and

With gratitude,
Tina and The Whole Horse Place Team

10/31/2025

I let Artie out of his big dog kennel yesterday and he promptly tore his ear by fighting with someone. But at least he is sticking around.

10/29/2025

This is FULL. But we all know life is lifey, so if you want to be on the wait list in case people can' t attend, let me know.

Hoof Health 101 — For Every Horse Owner

When: November 29, 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Where: The Whole Horse Place Barn
Cost: Free. Snacks, cocoa, and cider provided
Spots: Limited to 10. RSVP required

Whether you are new to horses or have decades of experience, there is always something new to learn. Join us for Hoof Health 101, a hands-on, interactive workshop with our farrier. This event will give every horse owner practical knowledge they can use right away.

We will explore the latest information on hoof anatomy, daily care, and cleaning, as well as common diseases, healthy hoof growth, and the products that really work. Our farrier will also talk about building a positive relationship with your farrier, including how to ask questions, share concerns, and support your horse’s well-being as a team.

This is a relaxed space where all questions are welcome. Come share ideas, connect with other owners, and pick up some new tips to help your horse stay healthy all year.

All experience levels are welcome and encouraged to attend.

This event is free. RSVP to reserve your spot, as there is space for only 10 participants.

10/29/2025

Now there is a best of the best in Kitsap with the winners of all four, North, South, Central and Bainbridge .

So please vote!

We have a connundrum though...our vice president on our Board of Directors is the Winner of Central Kitsap and she is AWESOME. We have 2 kids from our barn doing 4H with her. Achor Valley Ranch is fantastic, and Kiki lives there! Vote for both of us! I would love to tie with Achor Valley Ranch!

Fun fact: Achor Valley Ranch (NOT Anchor! It is misspelled on the voting thing) means "door of hope" and a place of future promise, symbolizing how a place of past trouble can be transformed into a source of blessing.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1RmRYRgsde/

Check it out now!

10/25/2025

Operation "ARTY" complete. A**hole Reign of Terror Ended is a success.

His name, if he sticks around, is "Arte".

Introducing ARTE. Pronounced "Arty". Short for "A**hole Reign of Terror Ended." He got neutered today after trying to catch him for two years, beating up and sending our cat to the vet, and causing all kinds of trouble all over the neighborhood. He is the reason I rehomed Robin (which ended up being Robin's saving grace and gave her a longer life as she was getting really old and couldn't get away from predators) because Art attacked the neighbor cat and they blamed Robin. I rehomed Robin and then found out it was all Art. (Yeah, I feel bad, but like I said she has a way better home now with guardian livestock dogs who protect her.)

Art is recovering in the barn in a big dog crate covered with saddle blankets, a big feather blanket and a quilt, keeping the draft out. Lots of food and water and I think we will just leave him there a few days.

We made a donation to Mason County Humane Society because they got him in today, within 30 minutes of opening, and they saved his life. PLENTY of people wanted this cat dead, and he had no where else to go. So this guy better stick around. Just saying.

10/25/2025

Introducing ARTE. Pronounced "Arty". Short for "A**hole Reign of Terror Ended." He got neutered today after trying to catch him for two years, beating up and sending our cat to the vet, and causing all kinds of trouble all over the neighborhood. He is the reason I rehomed Robin (which ended up being Robin's saving grace and gave her a longer life as she was getting really old and couldn't get away from predators) because Art attacked the neighbor cat and they blamed Robin. I rehomed Robin and then found out it was all Art. (Yeah, I feel bad, but like I said she has a way better home now with guardian livestock dogs who protect her.)

Art is recovering in the barn in a big dog crate covered with saddle blankets, a big feather blanket and a quilt, keeping the draft out. Lots of food and water and I think we will just leave him there a few days.

We made a donation to Mason County Humane Society because they got him in today, within 30 minutes of opening, and they saved his life. PLENTY of people wanted this cat dead, and he had no where else to go. So this guy better stick around. Just saying.

10/24/2025

Barn Cat Drama & The Capture

For the last couple years, we’ve had a huge, mean, feral black cat making life miserable for our barn cats. He’s attacked Tom, our hero barn cat (which led to a big vet bill), gotten one of our girls pregnant while she was waiting for her spay, and generally created chaos. I’ve been trying to catch him forever to get him neutered, but he’s clever and always a step ahead. Honestly, I have a real love-hate relationship with this guy now. He drives me crazy, but I can’t help caring what happens to him.

He started sneaking into the barn for food and picking fights but was getting bolder. I began feeding him under the lockers, then left food in a live trap zip-tied open so he’d get used to it. When John set the trap, the cat figured it out and bolted. Days went by, but I kept leaving food, and he finally came back. This time, I just held the door open and waited. He walked in, I dropped the door, and he went wild trying to escape, but I zip-tied it shut. This was at 8:00 this morning. I knew this was our one shot: if I let him out, we would never catch him again.

Then came the scramble. None of the spay and neuter clinics could take him, and our regular vet was booked. Kitsap Humane might have been his last stop, but honestly, I didn’t trust that he wouldn’t be euthanized if I just dropped him off, no matter what they say. I couldn’t do it. I didn’t know what his fate would be if I just left him there.

As a last-ditch effort, I called Mason County Humane Society at 9:01 and explained the whole story. They said, "How soon can you be here?" So, off he went. The staff even said it was a miracle they could help. I know.

I pick him up in a few hours, and he’ll stay warm in the barn tonight to recover. After all this, I don’t mind if he wants to stick around as a barn cat.

Now; what should we name him? I keep thinking of an acronym like ART. (Asshole Reign of Terror.) Suggestions welcome! Drop your ideas below!

(Picture for attention)

10/02/2025

OMIGOSH! We have the same program, "Stable Paths!" For youth and veterans!

10/02/2025

For my birthday this year, I am asking for something close to my heart.
At The Whole Horse Place, every horse has a story and so does every person who walks through our gate. Bart, a 30+-year-old gelding, helped two girls from Mason County after their mom died of cancer. Caring for him gave them a place to cry, laugh, and breathe again. Peyton, one of our teens, told us, “This is the only place I don’t have to fake who I am.”
That is what The Whole Horse Place is. A forever home for senior horses who would have had no other options, and a safe space for people who need one too.
If you would like to celebrate with me, please consider donating to The Whole Horse Place. Your gift means feed, hay, and medicine for senior horses, and hope, healing, and confidence for youth, veterans, families in need of respite, and anyone who needs a moment to breathe.

Send a message to learn more

10/02/2025

For my birthday this year, I am asking for something close to my heart.

At The Whole Horse Place, every horse has a story and so does every person who walks through our gate. Bart, a 30+-year-old gelding, helped two girls from Mason County after their mom died of cancer. Caring for him gave them a place to cry, laugh, and breathe again. Peyton, one of our teens, told us, “This is the only place I don’t have to fake who I am.”

That is what The Whole Horse Place is. A forever home for senior horses who would have had no other options, and a safe space for people who need one too.

If you would like to celebrate with me, please consider donating to The Whole Horse Place. Your gift means feed, hay, and medicine for senior horses, and hope, healing, and confidence for youth, veterans, families in need of respite, and anyone who needs a moment to breathe.

Send a message to learn more

09/26/2025

I know that when these old horses come here, this is their last home. It is a joy to be able to offer them a forever home, no matter what. They are safe here. But this is the hardest part of that. I have had far too many last days.

What does it really mean to "let them go on a good day?"

It means it will be your hardest day. It won't matter if you've never done it before, or if you're gifted a dozen good days, each good day is always the hardest one.

It means they won't know what the fuss is about, why they're getting so many treats and extra belly scratches and hugs.
It means you will second guess your decision right up to the very last moment, the very last breath. You'll second guess yourself afterwards.

They'll knicker at you when you arrive, just like any other day.
The weather, perfect. They are content. They look sound today. They are breathing well, eating well, they get up easily enough from a nap in the sun....the list goes on. Whatever issue they struggle with, today they aren't.

Today you euthanize them.

This is what going on a good day means: sending them out while they are happy, while they are healthy, while they are eating well, walking well, etc. You make the choice to do it before an emergency takes the choice away from you, before your horse has to experience any more trauma or pain.

Their last memory will be filled with love.

It'll rip your heart out every time.

We can see the patterns and the increasing trends. We can predict it a little. We can obsess over the past and worry about the future.
Fortunately, horses, all animals, live in the moment. They don't worry about those things. They aren't worried about winter. They aren't worried about July, or allergies, or progressive diseases like cushings or dsld. They don't think about the close calls they've had before, and they certainly aren't thinking about the close calls that are destined to come, as their body continues to age and break down. They just are. They are happy and healthy, or fearful and in pain, on that day, in that moment.
It is the most difficult, most loving gift we are blessed to be able to give.

And that first ice storm will come, that first deep snow, that first heat wave....and you will find a little relief, no longer doubting the choice you made.

They were happy, and safe, and loved. That is all that matters.
It is never easy. ~Kelly Meister, author