Bluegrass Burro Rescue

10/13/2026

What a hot day! I’m not looking forward to the temps going from 91 to 33 though!
Today was a good day for the wild burros! Chico walked cautiously up to me to sniff my hands, and Churro came close too! People that have equines may not realize that wild ones don’t know what treats are. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Today, Cheech got brave and took treats from my hands! That’s huge! Once they learn that they can be rewarded, and I won’t hurt them, then progress will finally start happening. It’s a baby step, but also a huge step in the right direction. Chong watched Cheech eat the treat, and decided to sniff it all over- lol. I’m really happy they are coming up to me now. It’s on their timeline, not mine. Could I force things to go quicker? Sure, but I want them to WANT to be with me…
Felix the barn cat (also one of my rescues) was a big help. 😹
(My phone died before I got photos of Cheech and Chong 🤦‍♀️)

10/13/2026

I’m happy to say that our Shetland pony is now at a new home as a companion to an older mare. I’ve known the adopter for years, and feel that this is a good fit. Diva has been difficult, to say the least, when it comes to catching her. With time and patience, I think she will be just fine. 😊

10/07/2026

Two days ago, Ashlyn and I said goodbye to the horse that started it all for us, Handsome. He was the very reason for our equestrian life, Ashlyn’s career, our farm, this very rescue. My daughter, Kayy, would not have met her fiancé had we not bought this farm.

Handsome came into our lives in 2012. He had 5 owners prior to us, and he was only 10. Ashlyn was 9, begging to get a horse. She had saved every penny, and told me she had enough to buy a horse. I told her she needed lessons on horse care and riding.

Ashlyn was horribly bullied in 3rd grade. It took some doing, but I was able to buy her shaggy looking lesson pony after learning his owners had abandoned him at the lesson barn. He, too, was bullied out in the field by the bigger horses. Ashlyn and Handsome shared that common bond.

To say that this horse was a gift from God is an understatement. Handsome fulfilled my lifelong dream of owning a horse. At 50 years old, he was the answer to my prayers.

Was he easy? No. He was the biggest jerk at times. 😂 Ashlyn and Handsome were quite the pair. She dressed him up in the most coordinated outfits, groomed him to perfection, showed him in 4-H. Ashlyn ended up being a national 4-H winner several times over, a 21 time KY State Champion for her horse knowledge, and a 4.0 college student in equine studies, all because of this one pony.

I promised Handsome that I would never sell him. I sang the “My Little Pony” theme song to him all the time, and called him my “Handsome Man”. I kissed him all the time, and loved to inhale his scent.

Life is beyond sad without him here. I look out in the pasture, and just feel empty inside.

We fought his pe**le cancer for 12 years. Finally, it spread and we could not let him suffer. Ashlyn held him as the vet laid him to rest.

We will never recover from losing Handsome, and I will never love another animal as much as I loved him.

We will continue to fight for those donkeys and horses that need our help, and I will do it in memory of our beloved Handsome. I know he will be waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge. I’d better be bringing him his jelly beans and his ginger snaps, and he better be ready for my kisses.

Rest In Peace, Handsome. I love you and will miss you until the day I die. I know Ashlyn will too.

10/06/2026

Yesterday was one of the worst days of my life. I just want to curl up and die. Sadly, that’s not an option as I have others depending on me. Today, I’m sitting on a lawn chair in Cheech and Chong’s pen. The curiosity is getting to them, and Chong had to finally give in and sniff my legs. It’s a beautiful day weather wise, but my heart feels like the sun will never come out again.

10/03/2026

We are set up at Silas Baptist Church at the Model Horse Swap. We are raising funds to support our rescues. We need hay! It’s not too early to shop for Christmas. We have stocking stuffers starting at $1.00! Free coffee and donuts!

09/30/2026

Long, productive, hot day. Diva got trimmed, dewormed and vaccinated, as did Gemini. Diva was a doll the whole time. Gemini got to learn to be tied, pick up feet, and get her feet trimmed for the first time. Shaggy was sniffing Maze through the fence, making friends with the Doberman- lol.

09/29/2026

Today was a really sad day for me, as we laid to rest my daughter’s beloved cat, Loki. I just felt like crawling into bed, but life goes on. I got to spend time loving on Diva, who has been a really challenging case. We had her adopted to two different families, and both returned her. I’m slowly breaking down her walls, and she was very easy for me to catch and bring into the stall tonight. She was just what I needed, after such a horrible day. Thank you, Diva, for letting me love on you.

09/28/2026

I felt like tonight was huge progress. I was able to walk up to Diva, and lead her into a stall with no lead rope. She has had such difficulty letting go of her fear, but she’s trying so hard.
Then, both Cheech and Chong began eating hay out of my hand. Churro took some as well, but he really had to overcome his terror. Chico finally took some as well. Now that I’m not about to pass out from the heat, I’m hopeful I can continue to break down their walls, little by little. Could I force it on them? Sure- but what am I teaching them, but to continue their fear?

09/24/2026

Here is an update on Daphne and Shaggy, the two rescued from a killbuyer. Daphne’s tail is so much better. No hair growth yet, but no longer an oozing sore. She’s trying so hard to heal, both mentally and physically.

09/23/2026

Yay Ashlyn and Gidget!

📨 INVITATIONS for the Wild Mustang & Burro Finals FREESTYLES went out!!!
🎉🎶🎉🐴🎉

**With so many good virtual submissions, we decided to expand the Adult performance list to 15 entries! Check out the lineup. Then get ready for a fantastic show at the Finals! 🎪