The Best Horses in the World
Dillon
Dillon’s journey ended at the feedlot in Zillah, WA, where he was waiting to be shipped to slaughter. But it began anew when Laughing Pony Rescue stepped in just in time. With the feedlot closing and all remaining horses set to be shipped out, Dillon was one of the lucky ones. Jenna and Zak, who were fostering for Laughing Pony, took him in, providing food, care, and a chance at a better life while they worked to find him a safe home.
Dillon’s kind, gentle personality made him a perfect candidate for The Whole Horse Place, but we weren’t sure how safe he would be for kids to ride. We didn’t know if he had experience with children or how he would respond under saddle. It was a risk, but Dillon’s potential was worth getting to know.
After driving all day to meet him, we immediately saw something special. He was calm and quiet, though we still didn’t know if he’d be suitable for kids to ride. The next day, we had the chance to test him. Dillon was calm under saddle, but it soon became clear that he carried some trauma from his past—especially when tied up. Dillon has PTSD from his difficult experiences before his rescue, and we’ve worked hard to accommodate his needs. He’s terrified of having his feet worked on by the farrier, but our farrier is patient, taking the time needed to help Dillon feel safe and comfortable.
When it came time to load Dillon onto the trailer to bring him home, he made his feelings known. He fought us for over an hour, refusing to load. We gave up, let go of his rope, and he bolted- running to his rescuer and resting his face against hers. After a few quiet moments, Dillon let out a deep sigh, turned, and loaded himself onto the trailer. He wasn't going to leave without thanking Jenna and saying goodbye.
We later discovered Dillon had once been a racehorse named “Take It Or Leave It,” born on April 3, 2000. His time on the track didn’t bring success, and though he wasn’t “good enough” for racing, he’s proven to be more than good enough for the life he has now.
Dillon’s gratitude shines through in everything he does. He’s eager to please and tries so hard to understand what’s being asked of him, despite the challenges he’s faced. His heart is gentle, and he’s become a beloved part of our barn. Dillon has found his place here, and we are incredibly grateful for him.
Luna
This is a letter of introduction for Luna from her lifetime owner, Sue:
Hello! My name is Sue, and I’m so pleased to introduce you to my incredible horse, Luna, and to be part of the Whole Horse Place in Port Orchard, Washington. Luna has an extraordinary story—one of resilience and overcoming adversity with grace.
At the peak of her dressage career in 2009, I brought her to Washington for the summer to escape the Las Vegas heat. On our very first day, she had a terrible accident. While rolling in her blanket, she caught a leg in the blanket strap, rolled down a hill, and became tangled in a fence. Unbeknownst to me at the time, she fractured her T18 vertebra during the ordeal. Luna, in her incredible spirit, allowed me to ride her with this fracture for four months until her increased workload began to reveal signs of stress. Once diagnosed, she recovered from the fracture and eventually resumed her training.
In 2011, as we prepared for a major dressage competition, Luna’s health took a turn. Just two days before the show, she became weak in her hind end, stumbled, and exhibited neurological symptoms. After extensive testing, a veterinarian in California discovered she had a cancerous melanoma that had metastasized to the same area of her T18 fracture. We treated the tumor with immunotherapy rather than chemotherapy, and while the treatment helped, I was advised never to ride her again.
For five years, Luna enjoyed a peaceful retirement in a pasture in Sequim, Washington. She was a beloved companion, but I always sensed she wanted more. Her desire to work never faded. I began training her to pull a cart and lunged her regularly, but Luna clearly longed to be ridden again.
In 2017, I moved her back to Nevada. During a routine veterinary check, I was encouraged to “see if she could make a comeback.” With careful consideration, we reintroduced her to dressage training. She excelled—her counter-canter and half passes were stunning! However, as the intensity of her training increased, her body could no longer keep up. We decided to officially retire her once more.
The next day, as if Luna’s journey wasn’t challenging enough, she suffered another traumatic injury—she stabbed her eye with a metal wire. The veterinarian recommended removing the eye, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I treated her with ozone gas to combat the infection. Luna stood patiently every day for 20 minutes over the course of four weeks, allowing me to administer treatment. This saved her eye, though it left her blind in that eye.
Now, Luna has found her next calling at the Whole Horse Place. This is her opportunity to share her strength and grace with others—particularly children who have faced their own adversities. Thank you, Tina, for giving Luna the chance to shine once more.
Luna is truly an amazing horse, full of wisdom and love to share with those willing to learn from her incredible journey.
Huey
Huey belongs to Taylor, who grew up with him, and their bond is truly special. When the Covid-19 pandemic shut down schools in March 2019, Taylor found herself feeling isolated and missing the connection she had with horses and her friends who were still riding at our barn. In search of some comfort and companionship, she brought Huey to join us for the weekend, and the moment he arrived, it was clear he had found a new home. That weekend stretched into months, and soon, Huey became a permanent member of our family.
Huey is the ultimate playful clown, always full of energy and eager for attention. His big, goofy personality and love for people make him a favorite among everyone who meets him. Whether he’s showing off his playful side with a bit of mischief or soaking up affection, Huey’s always ready to brighten anyone’s day.
Taylor and Huey have a long history together—she has been riding him since she was in diapers, and grew up with him, forming a deep and trusting bond. Huey is the epitome of a steady-eddy; easygoing, dependable, and always calm in any situation. He’s a favorite among kids because of his patient, gentle nature, and he never hesitates to join in on the fun. Huey is up for any adventure—whether it's cow sorting, beach rides, or picnicking on the trails, he's always ready to go.
We care lease Huey, meaning we provide for all of his needs, while Taylor retains the joy and benefit of owning him. This arrangement allows Taylor to continue her bond with Huey, and, while we ensure his care and well-being in every way, Taylor is still in charge. Huey’s ability to bring joy to everyone around him, along with his infectious love for life, has made him an irreplaceable part of our barn. He’s truly one of a kind, and we’re so grateful to have him here with us!
Bart
Coming soon
Cracker Jack
Cracker Jack is a pony, or perhaps a miniature horse/pony mix—it's hard to say for sure. We found him living in a chicken coop in Seattle, with a well-meaning family who had bought him for a cowboy-themed birthday party for their kids, planning to sell him the next day.
Unfortunately, he was in poor condition, though to their credit, he wasn’t neglected in the short time they had him. It took months of care and two visits to a dental specialist to get him back to health.
Cracker Jack had a shattered jaw that had healed improperly, leaving numerous broken teeth that had become sharp, cutting picks, causing him pain with every bite. We initially thought he was about 30 years old, based on his teeth, but the vet later discovered that when his jaw had shattered, his teeth grew in to fill the gaps, making it impossible to determine his exact age. The vet jokes that he’s old enough to have voted for Kennedy!
Despite his past, Cracker Jack is a joy—pleasant, happy, and full of love. He adores snuggling and craves attention. He’s a favorite around here, making children smile when he plays dress-up as a dragon. Cracker Jack is also the ultimate greeter and troublemaker for new horses that arrive here, giving them a warm (and sometimes cheeky) welcome to the herd. His willingness, cheerfulness, and love for his job make him an absolute treasure. We’re so grateful to have him with us—he’s truly a wonderful boy.
Kenya and Tarsin
Kenya and Tarsin were being rehomed because their owners, Glenn and Mary, were moving to South Africa. They had been together for 23 years, and Mary was desperate to find them a home. However, because they were both older—Kenya, 26, and Tarsin, 31—no one wanted them.
At first, we only planned to bring Kenya home, as he was described as the slower of the two, and we only had space for one horse. But when we learned that Tarsin was going to be euthanized and Kenya had recently gone blind in one eye, we realized they were inseparable. Kenya had always relied on Tarsin, and we knew he would be so much better off with his best friend by his side. So, we decided to bring them both home.
We figured that after all those years together, they could share the big stall we had, and we were right. Tarsin, although fast, is incredibly gentle with young riders and would barely move for them. We ended up with two wonderful horses that day, and we couldn’t be more grateful to have them here.
Sadly, after a year and a half, Kenya developed severe neurological problems that made him a danger to himself and others. With heavy hearts, we said goodbye to him, and the loss left a deep void in all of us. Kenya will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Yogi
Yogi, affectionately nicknamed "Yogurt Man," came to us from a trail riding and lesson facility with 87 horses. His job there was to stand saddled and tied, all day, every day, waiting for a rider—a routine that left him burned out and defeated. The facility wanted him to find a semi-retired home where he could receive the individual care and love he needed, as it was clear he was unhappy. Many people came to see him, but no one wanted him. He seemed detached, with no spark left. But when we saw Yogi, we knew we couldn’t leave him behind.
At just 18, Yogi has significant maintenance needs, including severe arthritis—a reminder that years of hard work take a toll, especially when there's no choice in the matter. He’s now on a regimen of joint supplements, and our vet provides regular injections in both hocks to help him feel better.
Yogi deserved a fresh start, with people who would love and care for him. And he’s proven he’s worth every effort. His eyes are bright again, he nickers at everyone he meets, and he is a cherished member of our barn family. He’s a delight in every way.
Chico
Chico’s Story
Chico came to us from Randy, a newly retired gentleman who rescued him from a poor situation, hoping for a riding companion. Initially kept at home, Chico was unhappy and standing in mud, so Randy moved him to a boarding barn for better conditions and horse companionship. However, without a trailer for trail rides and limited to the arena, they both became bored.
When unexpected expenses arose, Randy faced the tough decision to give Chico up after just three months, feeling Chico didn’t care much for him (which wasn’t true). Randy chose us as Chico’s new home, wanting the best for him. When we met them, it was clear Chico adored Randy—his eyes never left him. We offered to back out, but Randy, though emotional, decided it was for the best.
Chico was confused and heartbroken at first, not understanding what he’d done wrong, because he had tried his hardest to love Randy. But life can be hard to make sense of, even when we try our best—Chico knows this all too well.
Today, Chico is happy and thriving. Despite a deteriorated navicular bone caused by an old shoulder injury, he has fully recovered thanks to the dedication of Josh and Allie. When his medical needs proved more extensive than we anticipated and euthanasia was suggested, Josh, a Desert Storm veteran, stepped in. Rather than sell Chico, we entrusted him to Josh and Allie, who took over his care and expenses, giving him the second chance he deserved.
Chico now lives here under a care lease, loved by everyone. We are endlessly grateful to Josh and Allie for saving his life and giving him the second chance he so deserved.
Poppy
Poppy’s Story
We found Poppy (formerly called "Bo") through a Facebook ad and were immediately drawn to her. We rushed to Sunnyside to see her, but the seller raised her price mid-trip due to increased interest, making us wary of his honesty. He claimed she was a rodeo horse too slow for their needs and said her missing tail was from cows nibbling on it. Later, we learned horses’ tails are sometimes cut off at kill pens to signify "slaughter only."
Poppy’s personality won us over instantly—she’s pure-hearted, patient, and perfect with children. Despite moving “off,” she wasn’t visibly lame, and we believed her condition could be healed. We brought her home through terrible road conditions, during which she fell in the trailer. By the next day, her legs were swollen, and after a vet visit, we discovered an old, partially healed bowed tendon.
After some rest, she was cleared for light riding and proved to be a gentle, careful trail horse. Unfortunately, her leg failed after just two short rides. An ultrasound confirmed the tendon injury hadn’t fully healed. She’s now on stall rest with daily hand-walking, and we need volunteers to help!
We contacted the seller for more information, but he was evasive and unhelpful. From our research, it seems he flips horses—possibly from kill pens—improving their condition for resale. While we don’t judge his business, had we known about her injury, we could have prevented further harm.
Through online posts, someone recognized Poppy as a rodeo horse once owned by their cousin. Her original owner rehomed her due to their health issues, and she eventually ended up at the kill pen before being sold to us. Her name "Bo" likely referenced her bowed tendon, but we’ve renamed her Lollipop—Poppy for short—because disabilities don’t define anyone.
We are thrilled to have Poppy in our lives and will do everything we can to help her heal and thrive!
Nana
Nana’s registered name is "Flirty Ryon." She started her career as a barrel racer until she was 9 years old. After that, because of her exceptional lineage, she became a brood mare for 10 years, helping to improve a breeding program.
Later, she was sold to a 4H family for their beginner riders. She was deeply loved and cared for but eventually replaced by a show horse better suited for 4H competitions. Although they reluctantly sold her, it worked out perfectly for us.
We needed a horse that was ready to ride and comfortable around kids right away—our summer program was starting in just three days! Nana has lived up to her name and has been everything we could have hoped for in a kid-friendly horse.
We are so grateful for her!
Cats!
Harriet on the parallel bars!
