Pride and Joy Rescue

08/20/2026

Solo Trail Ride

08/20/2026

08/20/2026

Date Day with Cash! 🌟

Took this handsome guy out for a solo trail ride. He definitely had some excited energy, but he kept me safe in the saddle the whole time.

We are still building up his confidence out there, but he proves time and again that he is a quick learner who is easily redirected when something catches his eye.

The best part? Someone else now has the chance to step into my boots—Cash is officially available for adoption!

If you are looking for a smart, safe, and gorgeous partner to grow with, he is ready for his forever home. 🐴✨

08/13/2026

08/13/2026

From a wild herd to standing on a scale today, this moment took three whole years of patience, tears, and quiet hope.

Today, Phoenix took a monumental step forward—literally. For the first time ever, she stepped up and stood completely on a scale. To anyone else, it might look like a routine vet check or a basic milestone. But to us, it is proof of a miracle.

Mustangs are born with a deep, instinctual lack of trust toward humans. Phoenix spent a lifetime learning that our two-legged world wasn't safe and that people couldn't be trusted. Yet, despite all that deeply rooted fear, she possesses the sweetest, purest soul you could ever encounter.

Progress wasn't fast, and it certainly wasn't linear. There were days of setbacks, days of standing in the dirt just waiting for a look, and months of earning an inch of ground. But patience wins. Today, that fragile bond we have spent years building was strengthened in a massive way. Today, her pure heart chose courage, and she leaned entirely into that hard-earned trust.

To our resilient, brave mustang: thank you for choosing to trust us, Phoenix. Your soul is a gift, and watching you rise and blossom is the honor of a lifetime. We are so incredibly proud of you. 🐎✨

08/11/2026

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: ROB & CONNIE ESCAPED. 🚨

For a very brief moment in time, Rob and I managed to get away.

Like… actually away.

No hay hauling.
No feed buckets.
No vet appointments.
No “hey Connie…” followed by something that is definitely going to require money, a trailer, medication, a fence repair, or all four. 😂

And you know what?

WE NEEDED IT.

A huge thank you to our incredible staff for holding down the fort and taking such amazing care of everyone while we were gone. Being able to leave the rescue and know that every animal is being watched over, loved, fed, medicated, checked, double-checked, and probably spoiled a little is the only reason we can ever truly step away.

We came home to everyone safe, happy, and apparently completely capable of surviving without us.

Rude. 😂

I have messages waiting, updates that need to be posted, people to get back to, and approximately 742 things already forming tomorrow’s to-do list. I’ll start tackling all of that tomorrow.

Because tonight…

The dogs have filed a formal complaint regarding our absence.

Their demands include cuddles, attention, snacks, reassurance that we will never abandon them like this again, and probably compensation for emotional damages. 🐶😂

So tonight, the phone gets put down.

Tonight belongs to the dogs.

Tomorrow?

We are back. Buckle up. 😂❤️🐴

08/10/2026

❤️Gunnar Update🐴

With our camera rolls full of temperature checks, and our staff’s eyes constantly on Gunnar, we are happy to report he is on the mend!

Today his temperature is in the normal range, and throughout the past few days his spunky self has come back to shine. He’s finishing or almost finishing his meals. While we will continue to monitor him and check his temperature, we can all feel the sense of relief.

Another thank you to the Red Barn Veterinary staff for taking him in right away when Connie called with concern and giving him the best chance at success.

Thank you to everyone for their donations, prayers, and kind words. We know our community loves Gunnar along with us and we feel it.

As always, this is a nonprofit that relies on donations to care for these rescue animals, with anything not covered coming directly out of the directors pockets. Anything helps!

Not every day in rescue is easy, which makes the good days mean that much more. Seeing Gunnar back to feeling good is a victory we’ll gladly celebrate. ❤️ Thank you for being here for him.

08/08/2026

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08/07/2026

A little honesty from Rob and me tonight…

To everyone who follows us, supports us, cheers us on, prays for our animals, volunteers, donates, shares our posts, or simply cares about what happens here—we want to tell you what rescue feels like sometimes.

Tonight, we are tired.

Actually, tired probably doesn’t even cover it.

Rob and I both worked our regular jobs today. We’ve spent this entire week worried about Gunnar, running on too little sleep and carrying that constant stress that comes when one of these animals isn’t okay.

Today we spent hours at the vet with him. He needed us, and there is nowhere else we would have been. Every hour, every dollar and every bit of lost sleep is worth it when it means giving him the care he deserves.

We finally brought Gunnar home…and then we kept going.

A hay run to make. Another horse had stitches that needed to come out. Everyone still needed to be checked, fed, cared for and settled for the night, so thankful for staff, who rolled up sleeves and handled chores so we can haul hay!

Now it’s 10:30 p.m.

And the farrier will be here first thing tomorrow morning.

Sometimes people tell us, “I don’t know how you guys do it.”

Some nights, we don’t know either.

We just do.

Because rescue doesn’t stop when you’re tired. The horses don’t know you had a hard day at work. They don’t know you were at the vet for hours. They don’t know you barely slept the night before or that you’re worried about bills.

They just know they trust you to show up.

And we do.

But we also want people to know that loving this life doesn’t mean every part of it is easy. We can be incredibly thankful Gunnar is home tonight and, at the exact same time, be completely exhausted.

Rescue is hard. It can be physically exhausting, financially stressful and emotionally brutal.

You have to be tough to do this work.

And most days, Rob and I are.

But tonight?

We’re sitting here thinking that one damn break would sure be nice.

Tomorrow morning the farrier will pull in, the barn will wake up, the animals will be waiting, and we’ll get back at it.

Because that’s what we signed up for.

We love them.

We love this rescue.

And even on the nights when we are running on empty, we wouldn’t trade the lives we’ve been able to help.

We’re just really, really tired tonight.

— Rob & Connie ❤️

08/07/2026

Gunnar Update ❤️

First, thank you to everyone who has been keeping Gunnar in your thoughts and prayers. We wanted to share an update after today’s veterinary visit.

The blood work confirmed that Gunnar is fighting a bacterial infection. He had extensive dental work completed, including root removal, and is now on heavy-duty antibiotics. He also received hydration therapy to help support his recovery.

Our staff will be monitoring him closely around the clock, making sure every medication is given on schedule, keeping a close eye on his temperature, appetite, and comfort level. In 7 days, Gunnar will return to the veterinarian for additional examination and more dental work.

What is especially surprising is that Gunnar just had his teeth floated. This is a reminder of how quickly dental problems can develop in our senior horses and why routine care and close monitoring are so important.

Today’s veterinary bill totaled $1,588, and tomorrow brings the farrier as well. Like many rescues, we are feeling the strain. Along with unexpected medical expenses, we still have hay, grain, medications, and daily care costs to cover for every horse in our care.

If you have been looking for a way to help Gunnar and the rest of the herd, any donation—no matter the size—makes a real difference. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this post and keeping Gunnar in your prayers means more than you know.

Thank you for standing beside us and helping us give horses like Gunnar the care they deserve. We will continue to keep everyone updated as he heals. ❤️🐴

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