My partner, Haleigh, and I adopted Peter Cottontail from MSPCA Nevins Farm at the Equine Affaire Massachusetts adoption event. Haleigh and I are avid, lifelong horsewomen and have a small farm. We had been discussing starting to look for the right horse for Haleigh as she lost her riding partner, Zoe, in 2021 due to old age. We had planned to start our search in the spring, and I admit, adoption was not on our radar.

We took a walk through the barn at Equine Affaire and saw the cutest chestnut large pony standing in the aisle with the MSPCA Nevins Farm staff. We walked over and he immediately gravitated to Haleigh. They connected instantly! Peter had the kindest, softest eyes and we listened to his story and background. He had to have his tail amputated due to trauma that left it paralyzed. He has a head tilt when he is nervous and he is very green under saddle. When Nevins first took him in, he was very scared of people and pretty much everything.

We couldn’t stop thinking about Peter and felt that we could be a great forever home for him. We filled out the adoption application and went through Peter’s medical records and discussed more details about him with the adoption coordinator. I am a veterinarian and felt very comfortable with his medical history and any and all special needs were disclosed to us.

We were approved to adopt Peter and took him home from Equine Affaire a few days later! ASPCA Right Horse sent Peter home with a lovely grooming kit and clippers. We did a little photo shoot and everyone was so excited for him!

Peter has been home for a week now and we know he will be here for life. He has been everything we expected and more. He is kind, sensible, quirky, and adorable. We hope he continues to develop into a low level dressage and western horse, as well as a lovely companion for us.

We are forever grateful to MSPCA Nevins Farm and ASPCA Right Horse for the work they did in saving Peter, rehabilitating him, and presenting him at Equine Affaire. Otherwise, we never would have found our Right Horse!