About this Horse
This pretty girlâs name is Thistle! Thistle came to us in 2023 with three other mares, all suffering from neglect and several hundred pounds underweight. She needed dental care and farrier work, along with groundwork from our trainer. After a couple months in our rehabilitation program and after being put on a strict refeeding diet, Thistle gained the weight she needed to be evaluated by our trainer!This striking mare has had quite a journey since then. During her initial evaluation, it became clear that Thistle had big feelings, especially when introduced to new tack. When our trainers placed a bareback pad on her, she responded with significant bucking and gruntingâmore accurately described as broncing, not the kind of bucking a typical rider can sit through. Shortly after her recovery, however, one of our Lead Equine Care Specialists fell in love with Thistleâs bold personality and adopted her. During her time with this experienced adopter, Thistle was sent to a professional trainer and eventually returned home where she was ridden at the walk, trot, and canter and even hauled off-property a few times. Unfortunately, the progress didnât last. If Thistle wasnât in consistent work 7 days out of the week, she would resume bucking. Her adopter spent months working with vets and paying for chiropractic evaluations to try and find some type of cause for Thistleâs behavior, but no physical cause could be found. Due to her dangerous behavior, Thistleâs adopter made the difficult decision to return her to us after trying her best to give this mare the home she deserved. Now, Thistle is here at Longmeadow, living in a pasture with other equine, and waiting for her forever home. In the herd, she occasionally takes on the role of lead mare but typically resides in the middle. She thrives with other mares but is fine with geldings as well. Sheâs a quick learner, loves attention, eats anything you offer, and is known for her constant âsmile.â If adopted again as a riding horse, sheâll require an advanced rider working closely with a professional trainer. If adopted as a pasture companion, she still needs an advanced intermediate handler due to her strong personality and sensitivities (her previous adopter noted that she reacts strongly to new sensations, and even consistent desensitization didnât show long-term improvement).Adoption Fee: $600Height: 15.1hhMaximum Carrying Weight (includes tack and rider): 225lbs
Contribute to THISTLE's Stash!
100% of THISTLE's balance will be sent to whoever adopts THISTLE.
Adopt THISTLE and Receive THISTLE's Fund
Adopting a pet can be expensive, and we're trying to help by fundraising for each individual in need of adoption. After verifying the adoption, THISTLE's new family will receive the funds that their pet has raised.
$0.0 is THISTLE's current balance
The adopting family is the only party eligible to receive the contribution. If you adopted the THISTLE, thank you for providing a home and a loving family!
Please begin the process of claiming THISTLE's contribution here.
For adoptions in which nokillnetwork.org was the matchmaker and we have contact information for both parties, we make every effort to contact the adopting family. For adoptions that were not facilitated by nokillnetwork.org, we still encourage the adopting family to claim the contribution by submitting the necessary information.
The adopting family is the only party eligible to receive the contribution. The adopting family will be required to provide proof of adoption between 4-6 weeks after adoption. This is to ensure that the home is a good match and THISTLE was not returned. After we have verified the adoption, THISTLE’s balance will be sent to the adopting family. Our staff provides instructions and help throughout this process.
We want the THISTLE’s balance to go to the adopting family as a way to say thank you for providing a loving home and to help with pet care expenses. In the unfortunate event we cannot contact them and verify the adoption, THISTLE’s balance will remain in our general fund. This fund may be used to match contributions made to other adoptable pets, incentify other adoption-related actions, promote our mission, or support the operating expenses of nokillnetwork.org. If you would like to make a direct contribution to nokillnetwork.org to help us help other pets in need, you can go here. We appreciate your generosity and help!
Contribute to THISTLE's Stash!
100% of THISTLE's balance will be sent to whoever adopts THISTLE.
About this Horse
This pretty girlâs name is Thistle! Thistle came to us in 2023 with three other mares, all suffering from neglect and several hundred pounds underweight. She needed dental care and farrier work, along with groundwork from our trainer. After a couple months in our rehabilitation program and after being put on a strict refeeding diet, Thistle gained the weight she needed to be evaluated by our trainer!This striking mare has had quite a journey since then. During her initial evaluation, it became clear that Thistle had big feelings, especially when introduced to new tack. When our trainers placed a bareback pad on her, she responded with significant bucking and gruntingâmore accurately described as broncing, not the kind of bucking a typical rider can sit through. Shortly after her recovery, however, one of our Lead Equine Care Specialists fell in love with Thistleâs bold personality and adopted her. During her time with this experienced adopter, Thistle was sent to a professional trainer and eventually returned home where she was ridden at the walk, trot, and canter and even hauled off-property a few times. Unfortunately, the progress didnât last. If Thistle wasnât in consistent work 7 days out of the week, she would resume bucking. Her adopter spent months working with vets and paying for chiropractic evaluations to try and find some type of cause for Thistleâs behavior, but no physical cause could be found. Due to her dangerous behavior, Thistleâs adopter made the difficult decision to return her to us after trying her best to give this mare the home she deserved. Now, Thistle is here at Longmeadow, living in a pasture with other equine, and waiting for her forever home. In the herd, she occasionally takes on the role of lead mare but typically resides in the middle. She thrives with other mares but is fine with geldings as well. Sheâs a quick learner, loves attention, eats anything you offer, and is known for her constant âsmile.â If adopted again as a riding horse, sheâll require an advanced rider working closely with a professional trainer. If adopted as a pasture companion, she still needs an advanced intermediate handler due to her strong personality and sensitivities (her previous adopter noted that she reacts strongly to new sensations, and even consistent desensitization didnât show long-term improvement).Adoption Fee: $600Height: 15.1hhMaximum Carrying Weight (includes tack and rider): 225lbs
