Sponsorship Testimonial: A Woman and "Her Horse"

I relocated to Reno in early 2024 for work at a time of many changes in my life, a new

job, a recent divorce from a 20+ year relationship, and a new location. One of the things

I’d always wanted was to learn how to ride a horse, with an eye towards trail riding. I

reached out to Ari for lessons, and through her, met Peppy, a sanctuary horse with

HBHER, and learned about sponsorship options.

I had completed five introductory lessons with Ari and Peppy, and I was completely

smitten with him, so I committed to being his sponsor (along with continuing my

lessons). Peppy is a retired jumping/lesson horse in his 20s. We’re both just past middle age, and I wanted to build a connection with him and help him have an enjoyable semi-

retirement. He and his best friend, AJ, are both a part of HBHER, and he enjoys his new

life.

Sponsoring Peppy has been great! Ari has been so communicative about what is going

on with him, as the rescue has learned more information about his history, and she

keeps me posted on the day-to-day of how he’s doing. I tell everyone that he is “my

horse.”

I am not able to commit to owning a horse at this time in my life, and sponsoring has

allowed me to have that special relationship with “my horse.” Without sponsoring, I

would not have had this opportunity. Becoming part of HBHER has broadened my perspective on the ways that horses are trained, and the ways they are so different than household pets. I am so much more aware of responsible horsemanship and ownership and the needs of horses for rescues such as HBHER that can help horses either find their forever home with the right placement, or become sanctuary horses, like Peppy, who will have a forever home with the rescue.

I’ve told all my family and friends about “my horse", and how rewarding it is to be his

sponsor. I hope to be Peppy’s sponsor for as long as he needs me. I visit him usually twice a

week and I always take him a carrot or two as a bonus! If someone is considering sponsoring a horse, come out to HBHER and meet the horses. You can be a partial sponsor or a full sponsor, and you don’t have to sponsor a specific horse, you could sponsor a “spot” in the rescue to ensure that the horses who are in need of a home have a place to land with HBHER on their way to a forever placement.

Molly & Peppy (aka "My Horse")

Molly with BFF's (AJ & Peppy)