Our founding Fresian.

In 2015, I rescued my first Friesian, Vonder P - Our Founding Friesian. He was 200 pounds underweight and deeply stressed, confined to tight quarters at a boarding facility in Northern Virginia. 

But everything changed the day he arrived at our 22 acre - rolling hills, open pastures, and quiet skies. the moment his hooves touched the grass we both knew - this was his forever home. From that day on, he became my heart horse, and I became his heart human. He followed me everywhere and I attended him as he needed. I had him fully vetted and made sure he had everything he needed to thrive. With time and care, his weight increased, and so did his spirits. His anxious habits faded. We all fell in love with Vonder, and he, in turn, fell in love with his new family. 

Vonder was already 16 when he came to us, and with Friesians typically living into their early 20's, I knew each day was a gift. I threw myself into learning everything I could about the breed so I could give him the happiest, healthiest life possible. Once he regained his strength, we began to ride. He was gentle with children, slowing his pace and lowering his head. With me, he rose to every challenge - ring work, trail rides, lessons. He carried us with care, always attuned to who was on his back. 

Before every ride, I'd whisper to him: "You will always have a home with me Vonder P. I will always take care of you."   And I believe he heard me, because he would carry me with pride. 

Then came a warmish January day in 2021. I was driving down the lane and saw him lying down in the pasture. I knew something was wrong. I ran to him - he was sweating, eyes wide with pain. They looked at me as if to say, "Help me, Please." 

I called the vet immediately and kept him walking until help arrived. The diagnosis was what I had feared: Colic. Despite our efforts - pain meds, walking, comfort - it became clear we were losing him. He was blowing through his pain meds every 15 minutes. He was suffering, and the kindest thing we could do was to put him down. We gathered around him, stroking his head, whispering how much we loved him. And then, in the place he had come to call home, he lay down one last time - peacefully, in the open pasture of his forever home. 

We placed a headstone to mark where he rests, and we still visit him often. He was 22

A connection with a Friesian is unlike any other. They say "Friesian Dreams" It's True!

Aike came to me in 2008, a quiet casualty of divorce and neglect. He had been misplaced for sometime. He was so emotionally shut down, he couldn't even meet my gaze. Stoic and distant, he carried the weight of abandonment in his eyes - eyes that spoke of a deep longing and years without connection. His body bore the marks of neglect: a large hay belly emphasized his swayed back, a physical echo of the emotional strain he had endured. But we began the slow work of healing. Through months of equine massage, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and gentle conditioning, Aike began to change. His body softened. His eyes grew brighter. He started to look less empty and more like himself. 

With quiet dignity, Aike assumed the role of the silent King - overseeing the fields, the hills, and the Friesian herd. He never asserted his leadership out loud, but it was understood by all. His presence carried weight, and the others followed his calm lead. Still it took nearly three years before Aike truly let me in. Earning his trust was not quick - it was sacred. And when that connection finally came, it was unmistakable. 

Today, Aike is Friesian Legacy Rescue's steady soul - our "Steady Eddy." Every time I walk to the barn, I am greeted with his soft nicker and a warm neck hug. That's how he says Thank You. And every time, my heart answers "You're home now."Aikers came to me in 2018 as a victim of divorce and neglect. He was so disassociated from me, he couldn’t even look me in the eyes. So stoic. I could see the pain in his eyes from the emotional abuse. He had a huge hay belly accentuating his swayed back. After several months of Equine massage, acupressure, chiropractic and light conditioning, Aike was looking and feeling much better. He became the silent king overlooking his new land and keeper of the Friesian herd. His new herd position was unspoken but known by all. It still took me 3 years to emotionally connect with Aike and earn his trust. He is now my steady eddy. Every time I walk out to the barn, I get a nicker and a neck hug. 

Armani, lovingly called "Mani,"  came to us in the summer of 2023 from another rescue. He had been surrendered as he entered early retirement. Before that, Mani had spent his days as a lesson horse, often asked to jump despite his congenital condition known as "over the knee," which affected his front right leg. With that condition, he should have never been asked to jump. Thankfully, he arrived in good shape, a testament to the quality care he received at the previous rescue. He came to us with a bag of feed and on daily pain medication. We slowly began trying natural and herbal alternatives - and to our joy, Mani was eventually able to come off the meds completely. Now he thrives in his forever Friesian pastures, content and pain free. 

Around the farm, Mani has become our gentle watchman. We affectionately call him Whiskers, our quiet farm lookout. . You'll often find him standing at the edge of the hill, gazing over the mountain range in his regal, statue-like pose. As if he is watching over all of us- grateful, grounded, and home.  

There's stillness in him that speaks of wisdom. And in that stillness, there's peace.  

Thane is our newest arrival, joining us in the summer of 2024. In his ten years, he hadn't been handled much, nor had he spent much time with other horses. Still, he was loved and cared for by his previous owner as best as they could. Thane came to us after the rented farm where he lived was sold. When he arrived, his feet were badly calloused, his coat was severely sun bleached, and he was nearly 100 pounds underweight. He had little training, poor ground manners, and didn't quite know how to be a horse among horses. But the moment I met him, something clicked. He joined up with me instantly - and me with him. He follows me everywhere now, and he's always the first to greet me at the gate. 

Though quiet and stoic, Thane is deeply intelligent and a wonderful listener. After his third hood trim and three months of care, the farrier finally gave him the green light to begin his training: groundwork, manners, and learning to respect the space of both horse and humans. 

Around the barn, we call him the "Jester." He's full of silly antics and playful shenanigans that keep us laughing daily. Thane is ready to learn, grow, and most of all - he's ready for a job and a purpose. Beneath his calm eyes is a sensitive, intelligent soul, we recently discovered that he is suffering from ulcers, something all too common in horses who hold their stress inside. A result of long term stress in stoic horses who carry more than they show. Together, we can show Thane - and others like him - that love doesn't end with rescue. It begins there!