Saving Lives at Winsome Acres Horse Sanctuary

When Cocoa first arrived, she was a heartbreaking sight—a senior sorrel mare with only one eye, her body bruised and thin from neglect. Patches of missing hair revealed the toll that stress and starvation had taken on her. Fresh cuts mixed with old wounds along her flank, and a yellow discharge streamed from her injured eye. She stood before us frail and weary, her spirit nearly gone.

We wondered if she could survive the transport… or even make it through the night. With no teeth and a long road of medical care ahead, we knew her recovery would be one of our hardest yet.

But then something unexpected happened.

Cocoa lifted her head, took a small step toward us, and gently lowered her neck—as if to say, “I’m ready… if you’ll choose me.” In that moment, every doubt faded. She was ours, and we were all in.

From that day forward, Cocoa has known only gentleness, safety, and love.

This is her new beginning—and at Winsome Acres, she will never face the world alone again.

We call her Cocoa.

Whiskey, a 21-year-old Thoroughbred bay mare, once carried the strength and elegance of a beloved racehorse. But by the time she came to us, she had been discarded—thin, malnourished, and struggling to graze with only her remaining back molars. Her head hung low, her body showed the signs of prolonged neglect, and her once-bright eyes had grown dull with uncertainty. She avoided eye contact, unsure of how she had ended up in such a vulnerable state.

Yet even beneath her timid, confused demeanor, there was a brief, unmistakable spark—just enough to reveal the horse she once was and could become again. Her scheduled ship date to an uncertain future was set for the following morning, and we knew we could not let that happen. We drove two and a half hours to bring her home because we believed she still had a life worth fighting for.

Rehabilitation will take time: time for her to trust, time for her body to heal, time to rebuild strength and spirit. But from the moment she stepped onto our trailer, we made a commitment to her. We are in this for the long haul, prepared to give her the space, care, and unconditional love she deserves.

   Goose came to us with no known history—only a tag number and the weight of what he had endured. A 12-year-old flea-bitten grey Quarter Horse, he arrived bruised, thin, and emotionally shut down, standing quietly against the fence as if trying to disappear. His ribs showed through his dull coat, and his once full mane had become tattered and sparse. After weeks confined in an overcrowded pen among hundreds of sick and neglected horses, Goose had simply given up.

Yet even in his weakened state, there was a gentle kindness in his eyes.

The first time we offered him food, he ate slowly but steadily, as though each bite helped rekindle a spark inside him. With careful feeding to protect his fragile digestion, his appetite—and his hope—began to return.

It didn’t take long for Goose’s personality to shine. This sweet, goofy gelding quickly became known for his cheerful expression, his hay-covered green nose, and his eagerness to pose for the camera. Whether greeting visitors or mingling with the herd, Goose has become a favorite among all who meet him.

Welcome home, Goose. Your new beginning starts here.

When Bear first arrived at Winsome Acres, he was a senior gelding in critical condition—thin, trembling, and exhausted from years of neglect. His once-chestnut coat had faded and dulled, his hooves were painfully overgrown, and his eyes held a quiet resignation. He had clearly given much of his life in service, only to be forgotten when age caught up with him.

Today, Bear’s journey looks very different.

Months of dedicated rehabilitation have transformed this gentle soul. His meals, once small and carefully spaced to protect his fragile digestion, have gradually increased as his body strengthened. His hooves, trimmed in stages to avoid pain, now support him with far greater stability. After necessary dental work—including the removal of two damaged teeth—he can finally chew his grain and forage comfortably again. With proper deworming, specialized nutrition, and consistent medical care, Bear has begun to reclaim his health.

But it is his spirit that has shown the most remarkable change.

Where he once stood motionless with his head hung low, Bear now greets us with curiosity and quiet confidence. His coat has grown healthy and bright, his eyes clearer and more expressive. He seeks out affection, enjoys gentle grooming sessions, and has even started bonding with the rest of the herd. Each day, he reveals a bit more of the horse he once was—and the horse he is becoming again.

Bear’s recovery has been slow and intentional, but his progress reminds us why this work matters. He is living proof that with patience, compassion, and proper care, even the most fragile horses can find their way back to strength.

Bear is no longer simply surviving. He is healing, growing, and rediscovering joy—one day at a time.

Thunder—our striking black beauty—arrived at Winsome Acres exhausted, frightened, and fighting for his life. At just eight years old, he had already spent most of his days working hard for the Amish community, his young body pushed far beyond its limits. Though his spirit was gentle, his frame told a different story: arthritis had already settled into his joints, and a severe limp revealed the toll years of labor had taken.

But Thunder’s physical pain was only part of his struggle.

He came to us dangerously ill, battling a serious upper respiratory infection. Thick green discharge poured from his nose, and every breath was a labor. His eyes darted nervously, flinching at the slightest sound or touch. He didn’t know where he was, who to trust, or whether safety even existed. The fear in him was overwhelming—deep, raw, and heartbreaking.

So we moved slowly. Quietly. Gently.

One day at a time, Thunder learned that hands could heal, not hurt. That voices could soothe. That food would come regularly. That he was finally safe.

Months of dedicated care transformed him. His infection cleared, his body grew stronger, and the severe limp softened with treatment and time. And then—Thunder began to reveal who he truly was.

Thunder is extraordinary. When he looks into your eyes, it feels as if he sees the truest part of you—your emotions, your intentions, your heart. He connects deeply, fully, and without hesitation. His presence is grounding. His affection is pure. And when he moves, even with the memory of old injuries, it is with a rhythm and softness that feels almost like music.

Today, Thunder continues his healing journey with new purpose:

he is now in training to become an equine-assisted therapy horse, using his innate sensitivity and emotional intelligence to help people heal from trauma, grief, anxiety, and life’s hardest moments. His gentle nature and soulful presence make him uniquely suited for this important work.

Some might say, “He’s just a horse.”

But they’ve never met Thunder.

Thunder is a teacher, a healer, and a reminder that resilience lives quietly inside even the most broken souls—waiting for someone to believe in it again.

 Gracie was, without question, one of the most heartbreaking cases to ever arrive at Winsome Acres. She had been pulled from a kill pen by an Arabian rescue group, given a chance at life and the promise of a gentler future. But instead of beginning her recovery, Gracie deteriorated for more than six months while waiting at a feedlot—growing weaker by the day.

When we learned of her condition, our hearts sank. A 26 year old mare, once full of grace and fire, was now facing an unimaginable fate. She needed urgent intervention and a soft place to land. We knew we had to help.

The trailer door opened, and what stepped out barely resembled a horse. Gracie trembled as she descended—her ribs sharply visible beneath patchy, dust-covered fur. Her head hung low, her hooves cracked and overgrown, and her eyes were dull and sunken, telling a story of deep suffering. Even for seasoned rescuers, her condition was shocking.

Gracie’s intake assessment was grim.

• Body Condition Score: 1

• Skin: Rotting in areas, covered in black dust, fleas, and mites

• Infections: Severe UTI, upper respiratory infection, and a persistent cough

• Musculoskeletal: Limping, with signs of hip or pelvic compromise due to extreme malnutrition

• Wounds: Her face and body were marked with sores and open lesions

We weren’t sure if Gracie would survive her first night.

But Gracie had a quiet determination. With veterinary care, specialized nutrition, hydration support, wound treatment, and gentle handling, she began to stabilize. And slowly—very slowly—she began to heal.

Today, Gracie is still on her journey, but her transformation is nothing short of remarkable.

She has gained weight, her coat has softened and begun to shine, her infections have cleared, and she is learning once again how to relax, interact, and simply be a horse. Watching her graze peacefully or lift her head for affection is a reminder of what compassion can do when a community comes together.

We don’t yet know what Gracie’s future holds—whether she will ever be strong enough to ride or whether she will simply enjoy her days as a cherished pasture companion. What we do know is this:

Gracie will never again face neglect, hunger, or fear.

She is safe. She is loved. She is home to live with Grace in her old age.

And her resilience fuels our mission—reminding us why we remain committed to giving horses like Gracie the second chance they deserve.

Prince arrived at Winsome Acres alongside Gracie, the mare with whom he had formed a close bond during their time in crisis. Both horses had been rescued by another nonprofit organization but were left without a permanent home. Prince’s journey had been especially difficult—he had been adopted and returned twice, never given the stability or understanding he needed. When we agreed to take Gracie, we knew Prince deserved the same chance at safety and healing, and he was welcomed with open arms.

He stepped off the trailer thin, muddy, and clearly overwhelmed. His coat was matted, and his body bore the signs of neglect, yet even in that moment, his natural beauty and elegance were undeniable. We approached him slowly, speaking softly, allowing him to feel our calm before we ever laid a hand on him. Despite everything he had endured, Prince met us with quiet trust, sensing kindness in a world where he had rarely known it.

That first day forged a bond we will never forget.

Rain poured outside as we stood with him for hours beneath the shelter, brushing away the dirt, offering fresh hay, and allowing him to rest without fear. We spoke to him gently, telling him about the peaceful life waiting for him—one filled with safety, companionship, and the chance to simply be a horse again. Prince seemed to understand, nuzzling our shoulders and releasing long, heavy breaths as if letting go of all the uncertainty he had carried through so many transitions.

Under that rain-soaked sky, Prince began his new journey.

A journey shaped not by what he had survived, but by the love and security he finally found.

Prince reminds us that the most unexpected friendships can transform us—and that every horse, no matter their past, deserves a future filled with dignity, connection, and hope.

When Blaze arrived at Winsome Acres, he could barely stand. His body was thin, his eyes were tired, and every step sent shockwaves of pain through hooves damaged by more than a decade of neglect. At just 12–14 years old—still young for a horse—he had already endured what no animal should ever face. Born with a high-grade club foot, Blaze’s condition had been ignored for so long that his coffin bone had begun to collapse. He had almost no sole left to protect him from the ground beneath him. Simply walking was impossible.

But even then, there was something unmistakable in him—a quiet spark, a will to try, a gentle nudge toward the humans who refused to give up on him.❤️

With months of veterinary care, corrective shoeing, safe shelter, and more love than he had likely ever known, Blaze began to change. Slowly, he stepped forward. Then again. And again. Today, Blaze moves comfortably, lives without pain, and has found his place in the herd. His limp is a reminder of his past—but it no longer defines him.

The best part? Blaze is now in training as a therapy horse. 🐴💛

Every week, he gently greets children visiting the ranch, lowering his soft nose into their hands, teaching trust, patience, and the beauty of resilience. Kids who struggle to open up often find comfort in Blaze’s quiet strength. He understands what it means to be afraid—and what it means to rise anyway.

Blaze’s journey from suffering to healing is nothing short of a miracle… and he isn’t done. He has so much more life ahead of him, and now he finally gets to live it surrounded by safety, compassion, and purpose.

✨ Blaze didn’t just survive. He’s learning how to shine. ✨