I post so often about the rescues and rarely about my baby. Sam you came into a complicated world and you were and are so loved. You are a compassionate loving soul and today’s while it’s “‘mother’s day” i felt the need to remind you that you made me a mother …you helped me rescues horses and dogs and cats because of your compassion. Life is so hard and you got this. 🤠😘🥰🌸☺️ and we got you!
#lifeintheponylounge #tinybutmighty #michiganhorserescue #saveakid
Happy World Donkey Day to the long-eared souls who somehow manage to be equal parts stubborn, hilarious, gentle, and wise. 🫏💛 At 3rd Coast Sanctuary, our donkeys are more than rescues- they are our therapists, protectors, comedians, and family. From demanding snacks to supervising chores to quietly standing beside us on the hard days, they leave hoofprints everywhere. People often underestimate donkeys, but anyone who has truly earned the trust of one knows just how intelligent and deeply emotional they are. Today we celebrate Thomas, Auto, Trixey, Doug, Grty and of course Princess Midgey as well as every donkey who reminds us that kindness, patience, and trust are worth fighting for. Happy World Donkey Day from our tiny but mighty herd. 💛. to purchase the book about Midge’s first day being born please check the link in bio! All proceeds go to feed the herd!
#WorldDonkeyDay #sirthomasofwhiteass #3rdCoastSanctuary #lifeintheponylounge #theadventuresofmidgeythebabydonkeybook
SONNY PART 3! stick with us here as we help Sonny get past his fear of the parachute/tarp! Horses are pattern thinkers so he likely sees this as a large hole he’s about to fall into! Sonny regressed today and didn’t want to cross the tarp. What seemed simple yesterday suddenly felt big and overwhelming again. Maybe seeing Roman drag the tarp didn’t help? 🤷🏼♀️ It took a lot of patience (and a lot of quiet persistence from Debbi) just to get a few small steps forward.
The interesting part? This might not be new. Debbi suspected that Sonny had never walked across the parachute and our friend Liz (#LizJuenkieTheHorseWhisperer) reminded us that even as a tiny baby, Sonny struggled with the parachute. Looking back through old videos… she’s right. We can’t find a single one of him confidently crossing it. Soooooooo, this isn’t stubbornness. It’s something deeper in his brain that we need to help him work through, slowly, safely, and on his terms.
This is the work after the rescue work. Building real confidence, not just getting or expecting compliance. And we’ll keep showing up for him until it clicks. Please consider joining us with a like or a follow, and check out other ways to support the rescue herd in the link in bio ⬆️ with options to purchase merchandise. @seescandies and more! Every dollar goes to feed and support our herd of rescues! special thanks to @rydquist44 our academy who captures so many special moments with the herd including the ball video and she picked the music! ♥️🤠♥️#lifeintheponylounge #tinybutmighty #michiganhorserescue #3rdcoastsaveahorse
There’s something about Sonny… He’s not even 5yo yet - still very much a baby in horse development - and lately he’s been telling us, loud and clear, that the big blue tarp and the parachute are just too much. Even after all this time, his fear has actually grown instead of faded. And that’s the thing about rescue… it’s not linear. Roman had the same exposure, the same opportunities and he charges right in without a second thought. Sonny? He needs time. Consistency. Patience.So that’s what we’ve been doing.For the past seven days, we’ve shown up and let Sonny tell us what he’s ready for. No rushing. No forcing. Just listening. And then @debbi_skinner - our incredibly calm, intuitive friend and trainer had a simple but brilliant idea: put the balls on top of the tarp. Because Sonny isn’t afraid of the balls (makes zero sense right?). Mix the scary with the not-so-scary… and maybe it helps his brain find a new path.
And today… it did.The video you’re seeing is def a highlight reel of the very real (and oh so dramatic 😅) moments from this morning but what matters most is how it ended: Sonny walked over the tarp. On his terms. And Roman? No halter, no prompting and just walked right up and handled it like it was nothing. Two horses. Same start. Completely different journeys.That’s the work. That’s the responsibility. And that’s why we keep showing up. ❤️ If you believe in this kind of work - slow, patient, sometimes messy, always worth it! there are ways to support that don’t have to come straight out of your pocket. We’ve added simple shopping links in our bio, and even a See’s Candy @seescandies fundraiser if you feel like treating yourself or someone you love.
And if all you can do is watch, like, or share… that matters more than you know.
#lifeintheponylounge #tinybutmighty #3rdcoastsaveahorse #3rdcoastsaveadonkey #michiganhorserescue
This one is hard for me to share… but it’s important. With rescue, the story doesn’t end. it’s really just the beginning.Sonny came to us as a baby- one week old with his tribal rodeo Momma. He’s been loved, handled, and given every opportunity to succeed. But horses, even an almost 5-year-old (!), must learn to be safe in a human world. sometimes that learning includes moments that shake your confidence. 13 weeks ago, after lots of lessons I hopped on Sonny and forgot to check his cinch. The saddle slipped and Sonny went full bucking bronco. resulting in 3 stable fractures at L1, 2, 3. it could have been so much worse. it became very clear that we have a responsibility to make sure Sonny is not just a sweet boy, but truly safe for anyone. That takes time, experience, and for me, expert help (who has become a dear friend). What you’re seeing here is desensitizing work with our trainer, Debbi Skinner. I brought Debbi on board because she genuinely loves horses and is an expert at putting them under saddle at their own pace. The parachute on the ground may look simple and non-threatening, but to a horse it can feel big and scary. This work is about teaching him to pause instead of panic. To think instead of react.l, trust instead of bolt (or buck!). And it takes time, patience, and repetition. There is nothing harsh happening here, only guidance, consistency, and quiet leadership. Debbi is asking questions, and Sonny is learning how to answer them without fear. Rescue doesn’t guarantee ease.Love doesn’t replace training.And doing it right means we don’t skip the hard parts. this makes me emotional. Because I love him. Because I was hurt. Because I want him to succeed. But this is also what responsible horsemanship looks like. We don’t rush them or ignore the signs. We don’t put anyone in a position where they could get hurt. We do the work on the ground, so everything that comes later is built on trust and safety. This is the part people don’t always see. But it matters more than anything. It’s likely the reason so many horses end up on the direct ship pens.
#lifeintheponylounge #tinybutmighty #michiganhorserescue #3rdcoastSonny
Looks like we got a show-donkey on our hands! Today was so awful rainey and flooded the pasture! the amazing @hailow96 set up an obstacle course this morning and we had a little fun with the donks reminding little 3 yo Midgy the baby donkey that she knows how to fly - it took a few minutes but once she remembered - oh baby! and so happy to see #3rdcoastGee has made a long awaited recovery with his hoof issues thanks to our awesome vets! If you want to help support this herd of 8 Mustangs, 6 donkeys and that feel Mule please check the linktree in bio for so may ways to help! We are actively fundraising for one more load of hay as this inconsistent weather has meant we need more hay to keep the herd warm on these cold nights! Note our partnership with #seescandies - click on the link and a portion of your purchase will be donated back to the herd! We appreciate every like and share as spreading the work helps too! Thanks for tuning in to this edition of what to do on a rainy day when the pasture is flooded! 😉🐴🤠🥰💫
#lifeintheponylounge #tinybutmighty #3rdcoastsaveahorse
This spring we’ve been on a wild ride with the weather, but this resilient herd of rescued Mustangs, donkeys and that mule have been a consistent source of love and joy ♥️☺️🤠
#lifeintheponylounge #tinybutmighty #3rdcoastsaveahorse #3rdcoastsaveadonkey
The past few weeks at the sanctuary have been centered around one set of very important hooves - Gee’s. Between vet visits, farrier work, PEMF treatments, medications, and even trying boots (which unfortunately didn’t help much), it’s been a long road getting him comfortable again. Hoof recovery takes time and patience, and there were moments when progress felt frustratingly slow# - and with a little spring weather finally arriving, we’re starting to see something we’ve been waiting for a bit more comfort in his movement and that familiar twinkle back in his eye. Small changes, but they mean everything. Meanwhile the rest of the herd is navigating the wild swings of Midwest spring - sunshine one day, thunder and lightning the next. These dramatic temperature shifts are hard on equines, but we’re grateful for the quiet moments when they stand in the sun after trims and enjoy the changing season. My broken back is healing more slowly than I planned, so I’m especially grateful for the incredible team here who are doing the heavy lifting while I mend. Caring for a herd like this is never simple, and the extra vet, farrier, and treatment costs add up quickly and now seeing Gee start to turn the corner reminds us why we keep going.
Thank you, as always, for caring about this herd and helping us keep them safe.
#lifeintheponylounge #tinybutmighty #3rdcoastsaveahorse #3rdcoastsaveadonkey
It’s been quite a week! Some parts of this human life can feel fragile. But out in the paddocks… the herd is steady, healthy and happy 🤎 This little February warm-up has brought sunshine, rolling in the sand, soft noses for Valentines kisses 😘 , and that grounded energy only our rescued horses and donkeys can give. We even fit in some farrier time this week thankful for Wendy our farrier and healthy hooves, patient donkeys, and a whole lot of standing still (mostly 😉). There was a tiny bit of early-morning drama the other day when Roman decided the grass (under the snow) might be greener beyond the fence. Thankfully, the county Sherriff and some wonderful neighbors helped us safely return him before most of the world had finished their first cup of coffee. Community matters more than ever out here in the Metamora Horse country!. And because we know that the winter still has a grip on us, we are so grateful to the donated round bales thanks to @debbi_skinner which immediately arrived are are in the pasture thank you @dblack1010 these bales give them no chance of running out of nourishment to keep the warm and help us save money by exclusively using our expensive square bales - combining the two will help carry the herd through the rest of the cold months. That hay means warmth. It means full bellies. It means peace in the pasture.
The rescues are healthy.
The water is flowing.
The hay is stacked.
The back cracks are healing.
If you’ve been thinking about supporting 3rd Coast Sanctuary, this is the season when it truly counts. Every follow, share, and $5 donation helps us keep them safe, fed, and thriving.Thank you for standing with this herd. 🌾🐴
#3rdCoastSanctuary #RescueLife #lifeintheponylounge #tinybutmighty 3rdcoastsaveahorse
Because of you, they are safe.♥️♥️♥️
Every animal you see here was saved because people like you chose to care. Whether you follow this page, like a post, share our stories, or donate $5, every single act of support adds up. It keeps bellies full, shelters stocked with hay, and our rescue herd fed, warm, and cared for through this brutal winter.Thank you for being part of their story. Truly.We couldn’t do this without you. 💫 Thank to to my crew who are doing the heavy lifting while my back heals and thanks to Carly for the snaps today of our beautiful healthy herd!
#lifeintheponylounge #tinybutmighty #3rdcoastsaveahorse #3rdcoastsaveadonkey #michiganhorserescue
Today was a reminder of how quickly things can change when you work hands-on with animals who carry trauma and big feelings. Rescue work is never static, and while safety is always a priority, moments still happen. After being thrown from a horse (my fault for not checking his tack properly!) this morning, I was grateful that instinct kicked in and that I was able to protect my head and face. I sustained fractures to my lower lumbar spine at L1, L2, and L3, along with significant bruising and incredible pain. These injuries are expected to heal but come with limitations for the next several months, including no lifting or straining. I am deeply thankful that Hailey was there, calm and capable, focused on keeping both me and Sonny safe. While I was evaluated at the emergency room, she and Carly got busy to also coordinate coverage for the herd so their care will continue uninterrupted. The sanctuary does not pause while a body heals. This herd depends on consistency, experienced handling, and gentle, knowledgeable care. As I focus on recovery so that I can return fully functional, we will need additional experienced help to keep everything running safely. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who supports the herd through follows, shares, and donations. Every bit truly matters. We are also thankful to partner again with See’s Candies for our annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the herd - jus check the link in our bio.☝🏼
Thank you for standing with our #tinybutmighty sanctuary. ♥️
#lifeintheponylounge #3rdcoastsaveahorse #3rdcoastsaveadonkey#michiganhorserescue
We’re riding the wild weather swings here in the Great Lakes State! freezing temps one day, sunshine and 60° the next, followed by heavy, wet snow that’s both beautiful and dangerous. ❄️☀️ That means long days on the road, back and forth between the farm, the rental, and construction… but our number one priority never changes: making sure the herd is fed, safe, and warm. Today we’re sending out the biggest THANK YOU to a true angel donor who stepped in and filled our barn with hay right when we’d normally be running low and asking for help. Because of that generosity, not only is the herd set for winter, but we’re also able to plan ahead - so spring vaccinations are covered and we’ve even been able to add a little cushion to our emergency fund. 🙏 At a time when things feel tight for so many, this kind of support is nothing short of a miracle. Our incredible monthly patrons continue to carry the grain budget, and every donation — big or small, truly keeps this sanctuary moving forward. 💝 Want to help the herd and treat someone you love? Our See’s Candies Valentine’s Fundraiser is officially underway! Every box sold supports daily care for the horses and donkeys.👉 Link is in our bio- Thank you for stopping by, checking in, liking, sharing, and cheering us on. Your support means the world to us — and to the herd. 🐴🤍
#lifeintheponylounge #tinybutmighty #3rdcoastsaveahorse #3rdcoastsaveadonkey #michiganhorserescue
