The Windchill Legacy

05/29/2024

11/16/2022

Today we gently sent our sweet 28 y.o. registered therapy mini Spanky on his rainbow bridge journey. He was diagnosed with PPID (Cushings) and insulin resistance many years ago. We nursed him through a bad founder--he'd also foundered before we got him but with careful diet, awesome vet and farrier care he did not founder again. His beautiful coat had become wiry "old boy hair", and he was no longer holding his weight. He'd lost many teeth, his meds and very special diet weren’t working anymore so we most lovingly spared him the harsh winter. Peanut and I were by his side as Dr. Justin Dahl and Gary Niemi gently helped him lie down on the quilt, just as Spanky had been there with Peanut through each of his many surgeries. When our beloved critters lose their quality of life we help them cross, yet my eyes are raining as the reality sets in. Spanky was so loved by not only us but the many children he met on The Windchill Legacy’s years of educational outreaches. Godspeed, sweet, sweet boy—run free and graze with joy in heaven’s lush green fields…

03/01/2022

And the day we remember sweet Windchill is here again—he crossed the Rainbow Bridge in the wee hours of February 29, 2008. He believed in the people who loved him, and we believed in him. His Legacy has since taught hundreds of children how to care for animals with his mini horse ambassadors, Magic, Spanky, Peanut, and Elsa gently introducing children to horses as well. Covid put Outreaches on hold, and during that time Elsa joined Windchill across the rainbow bridge while Spanky and Peanut retired at Niemi’s Valley Brook Farm. In the meantime Dottie, Dancer and her surprise foal Pixie are preparing to be new ambassadors as the Windchill Legacy’s Educational Outreach program resume again. We will remember you with love always, Windchill, and continue to believe in your honor.

04/07/2021

After losing our sweet Elsa, we now have 2 new beautiful mini mares, Dottie and Dancer, to train to be registered therapy ambassadors for The Windchill Legacy’s Educational Outreaches and more. They are absolute sweethearts: more info soon! 🥰

12/01/2020

Peanut’s message on Giving Tuesday!

10/20/2020

It is with the deepest sorrow I have to tell you we lost our sweet Elsa tonight. A random dog was chasing the minis & as soon as Gary saw it he chased it away. None of them were at all sweaty, but Elsa was running in terror faster than he’d ever seen her run. He went behind the barn and Elsa was on the ground, twitching. He called me and I ran down there but she was gone. There isn’t a mark on her—Gary thinks she either had a heart attack or ran into the wood fence and broke her neck. She was the sweetest little girl ever, and gave so much joy to so many. I don’t know when I’ve cried so much—I will so miss that beautiful white face and gorgeous blue eyes. My heart is broken...Godspeed, Sweetheart Elsa.

07/18/2019

More pictures from Bryant.

07/18/2019

Bryant School Outreach pix: Cowboy Gary will add more too!

04/29/2019

Elsa made new friends today as part of The Windchill Legacy’s Outreach program with Lowell School’s pre-schoolers. She asked to try on Cowboy Gary’s hat while waiting to come into the classroom.