This Old Horse

Eight years ago, the Wells Creek Wild Mustangs came home. These remarkable horses are Sheldon Mustangs—wild stallions sometimes called the “Catnips”—rescued by This Old Horse in 2018 as part of the historic Hallelujah Horses mission led by Fleet of Angels. But these horses are more than survivors. They are double survivors. Descended from military horses once bred for cavalry and service, the Sheldon Mustangs carry the bloodlines of America’s war horses in their veins. Their ancestors were selected for endurance, intelligence, athleticism, and grit—horses expected to carry soldiers across impossible terrain and uncertain futures. That spirit remains unmistakably alive in them. After the military horse program was eliminated in 2014, many Sheldon Mustangs were sold into the slaughter pipeline. A small group was relocated to a private sanctuary in South Dakota, where they later endured one of the largest equine neglect cases in U.S. history, with more than 900 wild Mustangs found starving nearly to death in 2017. Together with Fleet of Angels and countless advocates across North America, all 907 horses were ultimately rehomed into safety. This Old Horse became home to 48 wild Mustangs, including 25 Sheldon Mustangs. Today, 13 of the original Sheldon Stallions remain at Wells Creek, a mixed group of sighted and blind horses. They are a herd.A brotherhood.A constellation. Watching them has changed us. Before we knew them, we imagined them as pitiful—blind, scarred, vulnerable old wild horses. Now we see them as invincible.Battle-scarred. Powerful. Collaborative. Wise. There is something profoundly moving about watching descendants of war horses care for one another with such devotion and instinctive loyalty. They move together, rest together, protect one another, and navigate the world as a team. We worked so hard to save them, only to realize they had already saved themselves. All they truly needed was a place where they could remain together, where they could simply be who they are. To every person who helped create and sustain that place at Wells Creek Wild Mustang Sanctuary- Thank you. Eight years later the stallions still run wild in spirit. Love is good.

Last week, we introduced you to a pregnant mare named Delta, whose microchip indicated she was already connected to two horses that had been part of our family. We hoped her foal would carry the same distinctive blaze as the mother… and the grandmother, Bailout Bailey. Last night, in the quiet hours just before midnight, Delta gave birth to a full-term, healthy baby boy. He did have the blaze! And more—this bay colt arrived with a small, white heart-shaped marking on his neck. But our joy was short-lived. Not long after the birth, Delta began to show signs of distress that quickly escalated into severe pain. Emergency veterinary care revealed a catastrophic complication—a twisted strangulation in her bowel that was not survivable. Early this morning, Delta was compassionately euthanized. Her baby was not yet eight hours old. In the space where grief and urgency meet, our team did what they always do—we got busy. We want you to know he is doing beautifully. Our capable team has experience with orphaned foals, and his complex needs—nutritional, medical, and social—are being carefully managed. Before her condition deteriorated, Delta did everything a new mother does. She groomed him. She nursed him. She helped him stand. Even as her pain escalated, she gave him everything she had for as long as she could. Delta was a mom to a beautiful boy. And while he didn’t have her very long. He had her. And she was incredible. That small white heart on his neck feels like something more than a coincidence—a mark she left for him, reminding him of how deeply he was loved. We’ve named him Heart. For hers. For his. For ours. Love is good.

Our horses come to us from all kinds of circumstances. Some harsh, some poignant, some happy. However they cross our path, they become part of our family. Recently, a group of five horses joined us after the death of their owner. Four of the five were a rare, distinctive breed, but one of the group, a pregnant bay mare we called Delta, was reported to be a Thoroughbred. As part of our admission process, we do an assessment that includes checking for identifying brands or microchips. And it turns out, and to our surprise, Delta had one! After researching the microchip, we learned that Delta is indeed a Thoroughbred. Her registered name is Bailout Kela. She was born in 2019. She is Minnesota-bred and had a respectable career racing in Minnesota, too. And then came more surprises. Her mother, Bailout Bailey, was one of the first to join our racehorse broodmare retirement program, which we started in 2020. Delta’s facial markings are almost identical to her mom’s. Delta’s half-brother (same sire), born the same year as she was, is Kela Bear, who retired with us and was later adopted into a loving home. And soon, Delta’s foal will arrive—another life, another chapter, another generation—a thread in a story that keeps weaving itself together in the most unexpected ways. And maybe the baby will have grandma’s star, too! Love is good. Picture 1: Delta (Bailout Kela) recently joined our family and is expecting a foal! Picture 2: Bailout Bailey is Delta’s mom! Picture 3: Bear (Kela Bear) is Delta’s half-brother on the sire’s side!

Run for the Roses with This Old Horse! Join us for our annual Run for the Roses Fun Run and Silent Auction fundraiser — a beautiful walk or run along the Mississippi River, all in support of our work and mission. Whether you’re an avid runner, a casual dog walker, or simply someone who loves a good cause, there’s a way for everyone to participate. Local friends can join us in person for a scenic course along the river. Out-of-town supporters can register as a Virtual Runner and run your race wherever you are. And for those who prefer maximum comfort, we proudly offer the Couch Potato Division — support the horses without breaking a sweat! Every registration helps provide the daily essentials that keep our horses safe and thriving. So lace up your shoes…or fluff up your couch cushions. Either way, you’re helping horses who deserve a second chance. Please register at this link. We could use your help! /Race/MN/Hastings/RunForTheRoses5kAndFamilyDay Love is good.

“There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning.”— Thornton Wilder, The Bridge of San Luis Rey Four weary travelers stepped off the trailer today after a long journey from Texas. Maisy is little Madeline’s mother, steady and gentle, and by the time they arrived, she had already been “adopted” by another little baby from this rescue group, whom we call Mickey. She opened her heart without hesitation — because there is always room in a mother’s heart for one more. Meredith, thin and marked by hard days, walked over to us and quietly showed us her favorite spot to be scratched, kissed, and held. As if she already knew she was safe. Sometimes people think rescue is complicated. But so often, it begins with something simple: Just say yes. Then let the herd do the work — heal, welcome, steady one another. Today, our hearts are full of relief. Full of joy. Full of hope. Love is good. #passthesafeact RACE Fund, Inc.

Seven-month-old Madeline and her mother found themselves in a difficult, scary place. While there, they crossed paths with two other horses in similarly desperate circumstances. Our friends at the RACE Fund, Inc. asked if we could dig a little deeper, look a little harder, and find a way to say yes to helping these four. There are two considerations when determining our capacity. Do we have room in our barns? Not always. Do we have room in our hearts? Always. We found a way. There are days in this mission that bring unimaginable heartache. But there are more days filled with hope — and tomorrow is one of them. Imagine what lies ahead for this little filly, her mother, and their two brave friends who stepped onto that trailer this morning with no idea of what awaits them. At the end of their Freedom Ride tomorrow morning, there will be a gift exchange: They will give us the privilege of helping launch their new beginning. We will give them our unwavering commitment to their safety and the certainty of a future. We can’t wait to meet you, sweet loves. Safe travels. Love is good. #passthesafeact

Congratulations to Sovereignty, newly named Horse of the Year. This extraordinary horse, by Into Mischief, won two Triple Crown races last year. An incredible athlete. A remarkable career. Well deserved. Wow. And congratulations to his brother Tim (race name Lamutanaatty), his dad was also Into Mischief. Tim was a good racehorse — just not a fabulous one. He retired from racing with us last summer, ready for a new career. Tim’s brother will go down in history as a great racehorse. Tim will go down in history as a great horse. There are far more Tims in this world than there are Sovereigntys—those whose true colors and value show up after the finish line. Our hope is that Sovereignty is just as lucky as Tim has been, finding that his path forward is filled with nothing but love and compassion. We are here for the long run, the best seat in the house. Love is good. #loveisgood #forthelongrun #thisoldhorse Picture 1: Sovereignty Picture 2: Tim

“Winter whispered in my ear, ‘Quietly see me. Hold my life dear.’” — Angie Weiland-Crosby Love is good.

“All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”—Robert Fulghum We’re thrilled to welcome Bean, a 17-year-old pinto miniature horse, to our This Little Horse family. Bean is beginning his training to become part of our beloved Kevin in the City program! Soon, he’ll be riding along with our mini crew each week in their custom school bus, visiting Minneapolis preschoolers and helping teach lessons of kindness, empathy, tenderness, and connection — the same big-heart lessons we could all use more of these days. Love is good.

Connie the Cat showed up at our barn as a terrified stray kitten last year. She hid in the hay for weeks before she decided we were good enough to keep. Connie now works as an assistant instructor in our Soul Train program, helping participants learn to ‘sit hard’ when their horse spooks during her random, unexpected pop-ups from behind the arena kick walls. The rest of the time, she sits in silent judgment. She has found her place in the universe. Love is good.

A month ago, quick action diverted Ali from being shipped to slaughter from a Tennessee kill pen. Advocates recognized his Minnesota connections and knew exactly where he belonged — home. With us. After thirty days of quarantine, health care and good nutrition, Ali stepped outside on a bright, sunny winter day to celebrate his new beginning. Watching him take in the world again, it is hard to say whose joy is greater — his, or ours. Joy to the world. Love is good. #passthesafeact

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” — C.S. Lewis Many of the horses who join our family have already lived through difficult chapters — including some with significant injuries that have ended careers, breeding options, and potential life-limiting prognoses. We are deeply fortunate to be surrounded by an extraordinary community of traditional and holistic equine practitioners who have helped us learn how to bridge the gap between acute veterinary care and a safe path forward — offering horses a place where healing is thoughtful, individualized, and deeply respectful of the whole horse. Until now, this level of transitional care has been reserved for horses who have already joined our family. Recently, however, we welcomed a new collaboration with @equikare , LLC, providing space for their Transitional Care Unit for horses recovering from injury, illness, surgery, or intensive rehabilitation. While this is not a This Old Horse program, we are sharing our space and expertise to help meet a broader community need—and to give back. This reflects what we believe at our core: that healing happens best in community, when skilled hands, open minds, and shared values come together on behalf of the horse...to help change the ending. Love is good.