10/09/2026
With the heaviest of hearts, we share the loss of two very special members of our DEFHR family. ❤
Over the past two weeks, we have said goodbye to two beloved Equine Ambassadors, Ziporah and Officer Barney. While each had their own unique story, both shared a remarkable purpose: helping others understand the importance of equine welfare advocacy and sharing the joy of horses along the way.
Ziporah's journey from a critically ill, emaciated mare to a thriving ambassador was a powerful testament to the resilience of horses and the life-changing impact of rescue. In her final years, she helped educate everyone from Girl Scouts to animal control officers, inspiring people to become advocates for horses in need.
Officer Barney dedicated nearly his entire life to serving others. After years of service with the Baltimore Mounted Police, he spent more than a decade at DEFHR educating children, law enforcement officers, first responders, and equine professionals. His gentle nature, steadfast presence, and quiet leadership made him an extraordinary teacher and a cherished member of our farm family.
Today, the farm feels a little quieter, and the absence of these two remarkable horses leaves a hole in our hearts that will take time to adjust to. We are incredibly grateful for the years we shared with them and for the countless lives they touched through their work as ambassadors.
In the coming weeks, we will share separate tributes celebrating Ziporah and Barney's lives, the journeys that brought them to DEFHR, and the lasting legacies they leave behind.
In the meantime, if you have special photos, memories, or stories of either Ziporah or Officer Barney, we would love for you to share them with us or email them to [email protected]. Hearing how they touched your lives would mean so much to our entire DEFHR family during this difficult time.
Rest peacefully, sweet Ziporah and Officer Barney. Thank you for everything you taught us and for the countless ways you made the world a better place for horses. Your work here is done, but your legacies will live on.
