Grab a cup of coffee ... I've got a story for you! But the tl;dr is, please consider donating to my fundraiser to support the horses at the MSSPA. This organization has made a huge difference in my life since I became involved with them back in February, as well as in the lives of every horse they have touched in their long, storied history. Any amount is appreciated, and if you can't donate, please share within your network! Let's smash this goal!

I adopted Tony on August 4, 2021, but that was not the beginning of our journey.

I had no idea the adventure that was about to start one January day when I heard about a scared, unhandled little colt spooking and getting free from his handler upon arriving in Maine. A facebook post quickly went up asking for help, and as the days, and eventually the weeks wore on during the coldest part of the Maine winter, I said to my husband Jesse, “I’m sorry, but I need to help this horse. I don’t know how I know, but I feel it to my core that he belongs with us.”

He had been pulled from a kill pen and hauled up to the Northeast, already a traumatic and horrible start - kill pens are, as you can imagine, not a nice place to be. A wily little fellow, he evaded all efforts to capture him for over a month! For some reason, I felt extremely drawn to this colt, even going out to Springvale to walk the trails where he had been spotted, as well as contacting the owner to inquire about purchasing him. I just couldn't stop thinking about this little baby, running loose through the woods alone, facing frigid temps, snowstorms, predators, and hunger. I guessed that the level of trauma he'd have at the end of this ordeal, if he survived, would be immense.

Eventually, he settled at the property of a lovely couple in Springvale. He would sleep under their 2nd story deck, empty their bird feeders and eat the seeds, pull the tarps off of their firewood, and just generally cause mischief (the good kind) around their house. Somehow, these folks convinced the owner to sell him to them, upon which they immediately surrendered him to the MSSPA. Their act of kindness toward this horse is one of the most selfless things I’ve ever witnessed. They were prepared to spend their whole savings to save him, with no intention of keeping him.

The rescue created a plan to capture him and were successful. The instant they announced that they had him, I submitted an adoption application (Feb. 23, 2021). Tony spent several months at the rescue getting healthy, being gelded, gaining weight, and learning that people can be good. 

As soon as the rescue began opening up in the Spring (after being closed to the public because of Covid), I started visiting Tony. Pretty quickly, I started volunteering at the rescue as well, and it has been such a privilege to meet the amazing staff and volunteers, as well as to do my small part in helping with the horses! 

When Tony came home last month, he acted as if he'd been here his whole life, even laying down to sleep within the first day (horses need to be very comfortable and feel safe to lay down, as it's a vulnerable position for them). He LOVES people and is so curious. To be able to trust so fully after everything he has been through in his short life is beyond me and is a model for all of us. He has integrated into our little herd beautifully, despite our gelding, Tango, being a little put out that he has to share his mare with the new guy. He still has not fully agreed to sharing, but Tony is persistent and seems committed to winning him over!

Tony's escapades through the Maine woods garnered him thousands of fans across the state and beyond. Because of Tony's great escape, the person who originally owned him was brought under increased scrutiny, resulting in the eventual seizure of 20 other horses (in addition to dogs, cats, chickens, reptiles, etc.) from the same person. To me, this little pony is a hero, responsible for shining the spotlight on a bad situation and saving all of those other animals, many of whom were in REALLY tough shape, and some whom, unfortunately, did not make it.

I'm riding in this fundraiser for the MSSPA because I believe in their mission and I see the goodness in the hearts of the staff and volunteers that come to work every day to help abused and neglected horses. I'm riding for horses like Tony who have not yet found their forever homes. I'm riding for the 20 horses that came in from a neglectful situation, and who are now learning to trust and love again. I'm riding for Madison Donahue, who put her whole heart into teaching Tony the basics of safely getting along with people and who I know loves him dearly. Finally, I'm riding for the horses - nothing more to say than that!

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Every year, the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals rehabilitates and rehomes dozens of formerly abused and neglected horses. 2021 became a year like no other when 20 horses removed by the state were brought to the shelter in a single day. Everyone at MSSPA was up for this challenge, but it is a challenge indeed! Many of these horses need significant veterinary care, farrier work, and refeeding. In addition to the Neglected 20, there were 27 horses already in the River Road shelter and more new arrivals since. Will you join up with me and other horse lovers to ride to the rescue of this big herd? My goal is to raise $1,000 toward the campaign goal of $21,000 in 2021!