February 22nd, 2024

Meet Willow!

This is Willow. She is an Appaloosa Mare that we found at the Sugarcreek, OH Auction in 2023. She was advertised as part of a herd of horses that a man owned prior to his recent death. Willow was advertised as "possibly pregnant" due to being "exposed to a stud" but no one was 100% sure.

We initially bought Willow to become our owner, Lisa's, personal horse versus just a rescue. However, when we went to load Willow into the trailer, she made it very clear she would need a lot of work before she would be rideable. She was utterly terrified of any human contact due to being unhandled or mishandled and was very "shutdown," carrying her head low the entire four hour trailer ride home. 

Once we got Willow home and were able to see her in the light, we noticed she had bronc brands on her front shoulder. It also became clear she had recently had a baby taken off of her, as her milk bags were still mildly swollen.

Lisa has been working with Willow from day one to get her more comfortable with humans.

She has come a far way, but still has a VERY long way to go before she is able to be handled regularly by multiple people. Right now, Lisa is still the only one able to touch her, and that is if she is worked with frequently.

We have, however, determined Willow is in fact, pregnant. She is due literally any minute now and we cannot believe she has held onto the baby this long!

More updates to come on Willow as she progresses in her rehabilitation and when her baby is born!

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Above is a picture of Willow in the beginning of January, when we thought she had moved her baby into the "birthing position."