- Alex Sanford
- Feb 23
- 6 min read
Happy February, Toni's Ponies family!!! I know in my last blog post I promised a more in-depth bio update on all the horses, and I still absolutely want to do that! For now though, I wanted to do a quick rundown of the herd to get you all caught up on who's here and how everyone is doing. I also have some exciting sponsorship news. This one is going to go fast - or at least that's how I'm typing it - so buckle up!
Here we go…
Here on the farm we have been plugging away through a mild but still very muddy winter, and we are so grateful for all of our volunteers who come out and help each week! If you have been thinking about volunteering, we kick things off on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9am for morning feeding. If it's your first time, plan to arrive right at 9am so you can see everything that goes into the morning routine. We have a really good time out here! Dress to impress… just kidding. Dress warm, wear layers, and do not forget your boots. Trust us on that one.
We always start with the "pony side" when we feed, so let's start there!
The Bachelors - Carl Wayne and LeRoy
First up are our two little bachelors, Carl Wayne and LeRoy. These guys came to us through a feedlot almost five years ago. They are both small stallions who are too old to geld, and while they are getting up there in years, they have settled down quite a bit. That said, you will still catch them goofing off with each other from time to time - some things never change! One of my favorite things about these boys is that they are incredibly tidy. They almost never poop where they eat and honestly, I think that is just fantastic. They are both doing great!
The Donkey Field + Baja
Next up is the donkey field! You all probably know Gin and Tonic, our OG Toni's Ponies donkeys. We also have Missy and Bobalouie joining them. Missy came to us with really rough feet that curled up like little Dutch shoes, but we are so happy to report that her feet look amazing now! She was very standoffish for a long time but she is really starting to warm up to people and has discovered that she loves a good brushing session. We love that for her!
Then there is Bobalouie. There is really no other way to say it - that boy is a stinker. He is a total food hound and you will almost always find him with his head covered in soaked alfalfa. He positions himself right under the feeder while Baja is eating, just waiting - and sometimes actively helping - food fall his way. He has a system and he is very committed to it.
Speaking of Baja, our sweet one-eyed cart pony has been absolutely loving life in the donkey pen. We cannot wait for spring when we can get him back to working with his cart. He really does love it and it shows!
Blazer
One stall over we have Blazer, who has very strong opinions about his water to grain ratio. If it is not exactly right, he will absolutely let you know about it. He also happens to own his own flock of chickens, which is pretty cool if you ask us. Blazer is an older guy who was struggling to keep weight on for a while, but we are so happy to report that he is looking really good right now!
Princess and Remi
Princess and Remi are fan favorites with our walkers since they are the closest to the road and very much enjoy the attention. They love being brushed, pampered, and visited. The kids from the forest school down the street often stop by to say hello and these two are just so sweet with them. Both are doing wonderfully and seem to really enjoy being roommates. On that glorious 60 degree day we had recently, we pulled all the blankets off the minis and let them soak up the sun and get a much needed brushing. And would you believe they are already starting to shed out?! What in the world!!!
We are going to pause the herd updates here for today! Next week we will cover the rest of the crew
- Barbie, Darby, Jewel, Rusty, Nova, Phara, Wildfire, Megs, Stazi, Elvis, Cedar, Timber, Dusty, Roper, and Stetson. That’s 25 total!
Oh, and who am I forgetting? Ah yes… Bailey. 26!
Bailey Has a Sponsor!
We have the most exciting news to share and we just cannot wait to tell you! One of our incredible Toni's Ponies contributors, Diane Larson, reached out to us wanting to know how she could do more. She asked what sponsoring a horse would look like and honestly, we are SO glad she did!
Diane has committed to fully sponsoring our one and only Bailey for an entire year! That means every bite of food, every vet visit, every hoof trim, every treat, and everything in between is completely covered for our girl. It is such an incredible gift and one that truly keeps this rescue running and our horses thriving.
Now if you don't know Bailey, let us introduce you. Bailey is a retired lesson horse who has absolutely put in her time. She has been the go-to riding horse for years, carrying countless riders and doing her job with dedication. These days she is very much settling into her retirement era and honestly? She has earned every single second of it.
Bailey is also known for her very unique and very unforgettable personality. She is full of sass - like, full of it. We always joke that Bailey is the horse most likely to literally bite the hand that feeds her. Is she misunderstood? Maybe. Do we understand her perfectly? Also maybe. Whose to say! Either way, we love her fiercely and she is so deserving of this incredible gift.
Diane, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. This means absolutely everything to us and we know Bailey appreciates it too...in her own special way. 🐴💛
Horse Sponsorship Levels
We are so grateful for every single person who helps make this rescue possible. Every horse here receives the love and care they deserve, and sponsorships like these are a huge part of how we make that happen. Whether you want to contribute a little or a lot, every single dollar goes directly to caring for our herd. And if you fall in love with a specific horse and want to sponsor them fully, we would love that too!
Full Sponsorship: $400/month This is the most special level of giving! By fully sponsoring a horse, like our sweet Bailey, you become their person. You cover everything they need for an entire year - food, vet care, hoof care, treats, and all the little things in between. It's an incredible gift that we will never take for granted!
Hoof Hero: $100/month Healthy hooves mean happy horses! Your contribution helps us keep all of our horses sound and comfortable with regular farrier visits and hoof care. This is such an important part of their overall health and we are so thankful for every Hoof Hero!
Vet Buddy: $50/month Every horse here receives regular vet care and your gift helps make that possible! From routine check-ups to unexpected medical needs, your monthly contribution helps ensure that every horse in our care stays healthy and thriving.
Feed Friend: $25/month There is nothing quite like watching a happy horse dig into a fresh flake of hay! Your contribution helps keep all of our horses well-fed with the hay, grain, and supplements they need to feel their very best every single day.
Treat Champ: $10/month Every horse deserves a little something special and you make that possible! Your gift helps us spoil our herd with treats and goodies that make their eyes light up. It's one of our favorite parts of the day and it's all because of you!
No matter which level feels right for you, just know that your support means the world to us and to every horse in our care. We would love to chat more about sponsorship and find the perfect fit for you. Please don't hesitate to reach out - we love connecting with our amazing community! If you are ready to move forward with horse sponsorship you can talk to us or sign up online here. We use a platform called Zeffy which is amazing as we do not pay any transaction fees with them and your full donation reaches the horses!
Ok That’s a wrap for today! Stay tuned for more herd gossip next time!
