Sunshine, Stories & So Much More

Oh, where to begin? We’re making it a goal to share more regular updates here at Toni’s Ponies—there’s always so much happening, and taking time to reflect (and celebrate) is important. Plus, we love keeping you all in the loop!

Summer So Far...

Our summer has been absolutely packed—and it’s been so good. Since early June, we’ve been hosting our weekly Pony Play activity hour, and it’s been a hit! Each week, we welcome about 15–20 kiddos and their families for story time, bracelet making, coloring, sensory activities, and of course... pony brushing and loving! Our minis—Princess, Remi, and Missy—have been soaking up all the attention.

We’ve also been lucky to welcome some incredible new volunteers—shoutout to Bernie, our storytime superstar! We can’t say it enough: our volunteers are the reason all of this is possible. Rain or shine, they show up early to turn the farm into a joyful space for kids to play, learn, and connect.

Just last week, we had a super special Pony Play featuring local authors Kristen Varner and Jennifer Mann, who joined us to share their books Horse Trouble and The Riding Lesson. Huge thanks to our friends at Saltwater Bookshop in Kingston for helping make that happen—thank you, Madison! You can support them (and snag those wonderful books) by visiting their shop or checking them out online: 👉 Saltwater Bookshop – Kingston, WA

We still have 5 Pony Play days left! Come on out to the farm and experience the fun!

The Yard Sale Hustle

The week before that was our annual yard sale—one of the most labor-intensive (but rewarding!) weeks of the year. We spent days unpacking, sorting, organizing, and hauling everything out. No rain this year (phew!), though we did have some of the hottest days on record.

Thanks to everyone who donated, helped us set up and tear down, and came out to shop. All items are donation-based, and every dollar goes back to supporting the ponies. We didn’t quite meet our “fill the barn” goal, but we got a solid start—and we’re deeply grateful.

A quick note on donations: We love receiving your gently used items, but we’ve learned that large or hard-to-donate items can become costly to dispose of. If Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity won’t take them, we’re often left with dump runs—which adds up fast. Next year, we may need to be a little more selective with what we can accept. Thank you for understanding!

Bike Raffle 

We’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to Russ and Penny Koons for their incredibly generous donation of the 2009 Honda Goldwing that we recently raffled off. Russ and Penny aren’t just amazing neighbors—they’re truly outstanding people, and we’re so grateful for their support. You might recognize Russ from the 4th of July parade, where he proudly rode the Goldwing before donating it to our cause. (And yes, we were in the parade too—rocking a sea of pink!) The raffle was a huge success, and we were thrilled to draw the winner. If you missed it, head over to our Facebook page to watch the video of the drawing and see who took home this fantastic bike. Thanks again, Russ and Penny—you made this all possible!

Vet Day = Pony Wellness Day

We recently had our annual vet visit with the amazing Dr. Toby. He helped us with dental work for a few of our horses and also gelded our sweet Timber. It was a smooth and productive day, and as always, we’re incredibly thankful for Dr. Toby’s calm, informative approach.

A big thanks to everyone who donated to help offset the cost of this visit—your support keeps our herd healthy! If you'd still like to contribute, you can do that here.

On a Personal Note

We also want to share something a bit harder. Just before the yard sale, Toni’s partner Andy was unexpectedly diagnosed with colon cancer. He’s had surgery to remove the tumor and will soon begin chemotherapy. It was a shock to us all, and while Andy is in good spirits—watering tomatoes and tending plants like always—it’s been a lot.

This will naturally affect the pace at the farm. If our response times slow down or things look a little different, we hope you’ll understand. Toni is juggling a lot, but we’re still here, still moving forward, and always grateful for your support.

What’s Coming Up?

We’ve still got plenty of fun ahead:

📍 National Night Out – Poulsbo | August 5 

🌞 Picnic with the Ponies | Late August – details soon! 

🕺 DISCO Gala | Nov 8 | Start planning those sparkly outfits! (Check out Lucky Star for ideas!) If you or someone you know would like to donate items for our silent auction, we’d love to hear from you.

The Thrift Shop... It’s Happening!

The thrift shop we’ve been dreaming about? It’s really happening. A few things have shifted, but we’ll be announcing the new location and grand opening date very soon. Stay tuned!

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Whether you volunteer, donate, show up, or simply cheer us on—we couldn’t do it without you.

Why Pink Is My New Favorite Color

Believe it or not, five years ago, you wouldn’t catch me dead wearing pink. It just wasn’t my color. I didn’t think about it much—it simply didn’t speak to me. But these days… well, pink might just be my new favorite. And here’s why:

Let me tell you about my friend Toni. She also happens to be the best neighbor a girl could ask for. Especially if that girl had a lifelong dream of living on a farm with horses—and maybe even told a little fib in first grade about owning two Clydesdales that lived in her very suburban backyard. (Yeah… that was me.) I never did end up with horses, or a farm, or even a real connection to them. But like many women in their 40s who once adored horses as girls, that spark was always there, quietly glowing.

So when my family decided to move back to the West Coast (best coast!) after 25 years in Maryland, we landed on a property right next to what would become Toni’s Ponies. And the moment that sold it for me? We pulled up after a long, disheartening day of house hunting, and there, under an apple tree, was what I was sure was a unicorn. I turned to John and said, “There’s a unicorn under that tree!” He looked and replied, “That’s the most dilapidated unicorn I’ve ever seen.” We didn’t know it yet, but that unicorn was Old Man Winter—a 30+ year-old rescue horse brought back from the brink of starvation. We didn’t know Toni or Andy yet, but their story—and ours—was just beginning.

Fast forward to 2020. We move in. I know no one in Kingston, WA. It’s muddy and gray, and I’m unpacking boxes with a 6-month-old while watching 12 horses through my window. I see Toni and Andy come out to feed, like clockwork, twice a day. I want to help… maybe even touch a horse. But I’m nervous. They’re welcoming, even give me a cheat sheet to identify the horses—but they say things like “the big paint” and I have no idea what that means. I start tossing carrots over the fence like a scared raccoon.

I’m an extrovert. I had spent years building a community back East—and now I was lonely and slowly driving my husband bananas. Eventually, he texted Toni and basically begged her to let me come help with the horses.

And that’s where this story truly begins.

Toni welcomed me in like family. She introduced me to her people—so many people. I quickly learned that she’s a local legend. I’d watch her stop to talk to person after person at the grocery store. I started helping out more and more—running errands, picking up yard sale donations. I watched her connect people who needed help with people who could give it, time and time again.

And I noticed something else: everything was pink. Pink rakes, pink buckets, pink halters, pink signs. The horse trailer? Pink. Her shirts? Usually hot pink. Even the horseshoes were painted pink. Oh—and don’t even get me started on her fabulous pink nails. I had never seen a woman scoop horse poop with such glamorous claws.

The pink made me smile at first. But soon, it became something more. It was a signal. A thread. A reminder that love and grit can live in the same place. That rescue work can be hard and messy—and still be joyful. Still be beautiful.

The rescue began to grow—horses, yes, but also people. Volunteers flocked to the farm, each drawn in by the horses, the mission, and Toni herself. She’s a flame and we’re all moths. We now have a core crew of about 15 women, ages ranging from teens to 70s. We show up twice a week. We’ve become a family. When one of us goes through something, we all step in. And yes—on Wednesdays (and Saturdays), we wear pink.

Today, I drove through Kingston with my windows down, waving to friends as we headed to the Fourth of July Parade staging area. We’d picked up a couple friends, parked at another friend’s house (a big win—parking’s a mess on the 4th), and I found myself thinking: five years ago, I didn’t know anyone here. Today, it feels like I know the whole town. And I owe so much of that to Toni’s Ponies—and to Toni Houck.

Toni’s Ponies couldn’t survive without its volunteers and the incredible community that surrounds it. But it also wouldn’t exist without Toni. Her care, her grit, her love for these horses, and her ability to bring people together is unmatched. She’s given so many of us a place to belong. A reason to show up. A way to be useful. A place to heal.

We walked in the parade today dressed in pink, pulling the glittery pink trailer and the sparkling pink Kubota. All to support the 30+ horses, minis, and donkeys that now call the farm home.

And now, pink doesn’t just remind me of something cute. It reminds me of resilience. Of kindness. Of magic. It reminds me of Toni—and of the power of saying yes when someone opens the gate.

So yeah. I guess pink is my favorite color now. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Herd highlight

🐴 Herd Highlight: Bobalouie the Mini Donkey Meet Bobalouie—our spirited elder mini donkey and the undeniable snack king of the pasture. Though he’s the oldest of our four minis, you’d never guess it from the way he trots up for treats or nudges in for snuggles. Bob is full of heart and personality, and he brings a calming, joyful energy to the herd every single day.

Before coming to Toni’s Ponies, Bobalouie was deeply loved and well cared for. When his previous family faced a heartbreaking health crisis, they made the incredibly compassionate decision to find a safe and loving place for their animals—somewhere they could trust. We are honored that they chose Toni’s Ponies as that sanctuary. Bob’s story is a reminder of how love shows up in many forms, including the difficult choice to let go when it's in an animal’s best interest.

Now, Bobalouie is living his best golden years surrounded by a herd who adores him and a community that cherishes his gentle soul. 💛

Fun Facts about Mini Donkeys:

• Miniature donkeys are incredibly social and thrive with companionship—they can even become depressed if left alone!

• They communicate with expressive brays (also known as “hee-haws”) and a whole range of charming facial expressions.

• Despite their size, they are surprisingly strong and can pull up to twice their body weight.

• They love routine, snacks, and scritches—just like Bob!

• Originating from the Mediterranean, these sweet, sturdy little guys were once used to carry water and supplies across rough terrain.

Mini donkeys may be small in stature, but they make up for it with giant personalities—and Bobalouie is living proof. 🥰

Your donation helps donkeys like Bobalouie find a safe, snuggly, snack-filled sanctuary to call home. 💛

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