One of the last posts that went up was about my bareback pad purchase, where that purchase came from etc. Well today’s post is a bit different and in my opinion is far more exciting, but that doesn’t discount the bareback pad journey in any way. That being said, let’s jump into it.

I’ve always been the person who cries at those ridiculous shelter animal commercials with the most depressing Sarah McLachlan song in the background, I just can’t help myself. So when the opportunity came up to save some horses in need, I jumped on it. There were three horses initially that needed some assistance. A mustang who had been handled too roughly and was fearful of people, a paint mare who was so overweight and a founder/laminitis risk and another I thought who has since been unfortunately taken off the table to be saved. The mustang is Basil, and the mare is Poppy.

Back in 2016, following my concussion one of the things I was looking at doing to bring me back to life was volunteering for an Instagram friend who ran a small rescue in SoCal. They ended up moving recently out to Utah, but they are still under the same name (The HnH Sanctuary) and has the same owner, Kait. Currently they have 3 horses we see on social media every day, Norman, Autumn and Lila, but they really needed help getting three other horses out of precarious situations. Kait went ahead and posted a bunch of stuff for sale to fund their rescue, including her brand new Barnes Tackroom Series Nova saddle.

Now, we know how expensive saddles are, especially if you know why I chose the bareback pad in my last post. But this girl here (me), went ahead and worked out a deal with Kait to split payments to pay for the saddle and still effectively save ponies. Maybe this was a bad decision, maybe this will end up being the best decision ever, I really can’t tell you just yet to be honest.

What I can tell you is this, two ponies have a secured home for however long it takes them to regain trust in humanity and that’s what truly mattered to me if the saddle fit or not. I can always resell a saddle that doesn’t fit, or let it sit until my own horse comes along, but a precious life waiting in limbo for someone to give them a real chance is rare. That really hits home for me seeing as that’s very much like my story. I grew up wishing and wanting to go all over the globe, to have a proper education, and to meet famous people, only to do all of those things and more. Now these ponies have the best chance of reaching their full potential and finding forever homes that are right for them.

UPDATE: Since it’s been a few weeks since it arrived, I figured I let you know that it fits Capone like a glove. We’re working on a shift to more balanced riding work, and I’m so thrilled to be able to own a saddle of my own. It literally doesn’t feel real.

I spent so much of my childhood doubting that I would have any chance at a horse centered life, and here I am making my own dreams come true. I never outgrew my “I love horses” phase and I certainly never hope to. Here’s until the next update in the saddle saga.

Kait was also kind enough to send me 2 HnH Sanctuary tees, one yellow, one olive and I love them almost as much as I love the saddle. They remind me of my life, and my path from a tricky start to a full life of endless opportunities.