Adoption Stories

SPIRIT OF EQUUS RESCUE

Adoption Stories

Horses listed here have found their forever homes!

Ebony Star "Bonni"

Bonni at Liberty Ranch with her pasture pals.

Foaling Date: Spring 2002
Gender: Mare
Breed: Draft cross
Arrived at Rescue: 1/28/06
Leased: 1/6/07 - 6/30/07
Adopted: 7/1/07
Owner: Stacy Madden

“THE WIND OF HEAVEN IS THAT WHICH BLOWS BETWEEN A HORSE’S EARS.”

Bonni is a Premarin rescue, draft cross mare. She is black with white lower legs and a white mark at her shoulder. She came from a loving owner in Palmdale who could no longer care for her. Bonni trained under saddle for 3 months and quickly developed a love for trail riding. Bonni is boarding at a private ranch in Agoura Hills with several other horses. Her new owner, Stacy Madden of Westlake Village, is devoted to her. The ranch owner and boarders are Parelli-based horsewomen under whose influence Boni and Stacy are continuing their education in natural horsemanship.

Bonni’s new owner, Stacy Madden, was a former student of our Equine Course Series. Stacy met Bonni during our Behavior and Communication course at the final session on herd observation. All the other participants had gone to the large pasture, seated under a shade tree set up for the 3 hour session. When Stacy arrived in Santa Paula just a bit late, she had to set up on the opposite side of the pasture...where Bonni was grazing alone. Fate cast its spell and their special relationship began.

In January 2007, Stacy leased Bonni and boarded her in Agoura Hills at a beautiful property where she has bountiful access to green pastures, riding trails, arenas, a large pasture with shelter of her own and plenty of playmates with whom to socialize. In June 2007 the adoption was final.

On April 20, 2008, Stacy gave the Rescue an update on Bonni along with photos at her Liberty Ranch home. “Bonni and I enjoy countless hours together exploring new adventures, experiencing the magical horse/human bond and growing in the natural horsemanship principles of love, language and leadership. Bonni is soft-hearted, smart, playful, and sweet. She loves challenge, carrots, grazing and frolicking with her friends Rio, Aaghi, Haley and August. We are very happy in our new home."

Bonni has a blessed life and an active group of supporters who ensure her continued happiness. The Rescue staff hopes for just such a home for all of our horses.

FALLON FILLIES FIND NEW HOMES

Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated woman, her financial backers and her generous hauler, 5 unwanted TB/QH fillies are now in loving homes. Discovered in a feedlot in Fallon, Nevada, they were saved from auction by the nimble work of dedicated rescue organizations.

These horses were culled from a breeder, of no use, therefore expendable. Four of the approximately 1 year old fillies were placed through Spirit of Equus Rescue to individuals on our network. The fifth filly was placed through a second rescue organization.

The buckskin, bay and blue roan are in Reedley . They have been named Salvation (Sallie), Scarlet, and Destiny respectively. The fourth filly is at a private ranch in Agoura at one of our trusted adoption sites. She has been named "Violet."

Please enjoy our "before and after" photos and send grateful thoughts to the generous individuals who took these sweet girls in.

UPDATE:Dec 20, 2008. Violet is thriving in Agoura and very well-adjusted. Sallie and Destiny are now in capable hands of a trainer/gentler. They have been going to play days and equitation classes at a local community college. The 21 year old trainer is the son of a local veterinarian. We are told he is especially fond of Destiny, whom he believes will be a wonderful riding horse in the future. The third filly, the bay, named Scarlet, has been integrated into the company of the owner's two adult horses.

UPDATE Jan 23, 2009: Destiny participated in the Clovis Christmas parade, walking in front of a fire engine!! She goes everywhere with her handler/trainer we are told. SINCE SHE IS NEVER HOME, WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN NEW PHOTOS OF HER. WE ARE PROMISED SOME SOON!

Before and after pictures, from Christmas and January are below. Isn't Violet magnificient looking?

ARRIVAL: Violet, first day in Agoura. 6/29/08.

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS OF VIOLET

Violet at Liberty Ranch July 2009

Kiki Ebsen ponies 2 YO Violet out on the local trails!

ARRIVAL:Hungry girls dive into the pasture feeder!

End of June 2008

A rear view:blue roan,buckskin, and bay.

Sallie (Salvation) Jan 2009

Foster Horses Adopted!

Sahara and White Cloud (Whitey) have a permanent home with their foster parents, Kailyn and Shane Togami in Santa Ynez. They were rescued from Fallon Nevada in October 2008 and have been with the Togamis since their transport.

Both horses and humans have come to love each other, bonding well. Whitey is 4 and is starting to take a rider, Kailyn. Sahara is only 2 and enjoys her life among the 4 horses on the ranch. She and Whitey are very close and live together.

We are very pleased with the Togamis' decision to make Sahara and Whitey a permanent part of the family.

White Cloud

Foaling Date: March 11, 2005

Gender: Gelding

Breed: Appaloosa/QH, Eligible for Registration

Height: 15.2HH

Sahara

Foaling Date: Unknown.

Breed: Unknown. Best guess: TB, QH, Morgan

Gender: Filly

Height: 13.3HH