Loyal, kind-hearted, easygoing and calm. These character traits are
considered by all who have worked with this month’s beautiful highlighted
horse to be only “part” of the amazing “whole” that makes up our
wonderful mare Tilley!

“Tilley is the sweetest, most gentle horse on the Ranch,” according to Red
Bucket volunteer Stephanie Onstot. “She does absolutely anything you ask of her
in a calm, easygoing manner.” The proof, according to Stephanie, “can be seen
in her big, beautiful and caring eyes.” Susan Peirce sums Tilley up like this, “She
has an outstanding personality…she is a dream. I would trust her completely with
almost anyone in the family. She’s just that good.”

It was disgraceful to hear how such a sweet mare as Tilley had been callously
tossed away, sent to an auction where kill buyers congregate to purchase horses
by the pound. Red Bucket heard of her situation and a loving home was found on
the “Ranch the Horses Own” two years ago. With her kind heart and winning
ways, Tilley has become one of the ranch favorites. She is a beautiful and super
broke Quarter Horse with impeccable ground manners. Affectionate to all, with a
very gentle and extremely sweet disposition, Tilley will make someone a very
blessed and lucky new owner!

“She is a very social horse and loves to be groomed,” says Red Bucket volunteer
Davana Valentino. “She loves attention.” Michelle Mendez, our Curry Comb Club
Coordinator, sums Tilley up this way, “I just love seeing her interact with
volunteers. She is so calm and approachable, allowing volunteers to gain their
confidence with being around and brushing a horse.” Michelle continues, “The joy
and satisfaction that comes over her face is priceless. Usually the volunteer will
find her favorite spot on her neck to be scratched while Tilley extends her neck
out in pure pleasure; her eyes start to get heavy and then her bottom lip starts to
droop.” She is the perfect Curry Comb ambassador.

Her best horse friend on the Ranch is Autumn. They are the closest of friends
and have lived together side-by-side in a double wide stall for awhile. At night
they are turned out together in the pasture where they can be seen running and
playing joyfully! “Tilley is a constant companion to Autumn,” says Michelle. “Even
when Autumn ignores her during their enrichment time in the turnout, Tilley never
falters and is at Autumn’s side through thick and thin…always to comfort her.”
According to Stephanie, “They are best friends.”

Tilley was named after our long time Red Bucket supporter and TWO-TIME
adopter, Karen Tilley. She is a very loved and adored horse here on the Ranch,
and deserves her own wonderfully loving forever home.

Our mission has three parts. We rescue slaughter bound, abused and desperate
horses. We give them the time they need to heal, and provide rehabilitation and
training they need for the final part of our mission which is a forever home. We
take the lives of our horses and our work very seriously. And it is with a saddened
heart that Tilley passed after this article was written. In honoring her, we still
wanted her story to be told.

Written by: Johanna Downs