Spring Update
- Alex Sanford
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Hello everyone!
We’re long overdue for a farm update—don’t you think?
Spring is definitely in the air, and we are so excited to finally be out of the mud. Some of our volunteers have even traded their boots for sneakers, and we’re loving it. The horses are, too—you’ll find them most days grazing, soaking up the sun, and enjoying afternoon naps.
With the change in weather comes the return of the zoomies, which is always a treat to watch. The younger ones have so much energy—looking at you, Nova, Stazi, Timber, and Wildfire. When they get going, it’s pure joy.
Yesterday marked a big first for Toni’s Ponies. Our incredible vet, Toby, came out to vaccinate all of the horses for the summer. With such a mild winter, we’re especially concerned about bugs this year—things like West Nile and other insect-borne diseases.
In the past, vaccinating all of our horses at once just wasn’t financially possible. But this time, every single one of our 26 horses was seen. Even those who are still a bit on the wilder side. Each horse was vaccinated, examined, and overall, the report was a good one—they’re in great health.
Some of our older horses are reaching the point where their teeth can no longer be floated, which makes eating more difficult. That just means we get to make them special meals—and we’re more than happy to do it. Right now, 7 of our 26 horses enjoy a warm, mushy breakfast and dinner every day. That’s the job, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
We also took a closer look at our old boy, Rusty, who has been dealing with abscesses in both front hooves. Toby took x-rays to check for any underlying issues, and thankfully, everything looks good for now.
Caring for an older herd can feel like a bit of a detective game—figuring out what each horse needs to stay comfortable and healthy. We’re so grateful to have Toby’s guidance in that process.
So how were we able to care for all 26 horses at once this year?
You might have heard about a little shop in Kingston called Toni’s Ponies Thrift.
Since opening in late October, the support from this community has been incredible. Thanks to your donations, your shopping, and your word-of-mouth, we’ve been able to grow the shop, bring in new items daily, and build a dedicated team of volunteers who keep everything running.
We’re also incredibly lucky to have an amazing group of volunteers at the farm. Huge shout out to Andy for all that he does heading up feeding, grain pick up and hanging with the volunteers on volunteer day! Our dedicated feeders show up morning and night to make sure everyone is cared for, and twice a week we have a wonderful crew who come out to scoop poop, clean troughs, brush horses, and keep the farm looking its best. We truly couldn’t do this work without them.
Because of you, we’re now able to provide a level of care for our horses that simply wasn’t possible before.
When you donate, shop, or even tell a friend about Toni’s Ponies Thrift, you are directly helping improve the lives of these animals.
From the bottom of our hearts—thank you.
If you haven’t visited the shop yet, we’d love to see you. And if you’re doing some spring cleaning, we’re always happy to accept donations.
Come by, spread the word, and be part of something really special.
Toni's Ponies Thrift is located in the Safeway shopping center in Kingston. 8202 NE State Hwy 104 Suite 105. We are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-6pm.
