A Last-Minute Chance, a Lifetime Match

Bud, a 28-year-old registered Missouri Fox Trotter, had barely warmed his hooves at the 2025 Equine Affaire adoption event before he stole someone’s heart. In less than a day, his future adopter knew instantly: This was her right horse.

Equine Affaire featured dozens of adoptable horses — including many from ASPCA Right Horse Partners like MSPCA at Nevins Farm. The staff hadn’t originally planned to bring Bud to the four-day, horse‑lover’s paradise held each spring in Ohio and each fall in Massachusetts, but Bud’s last-minute appearance turned out to be exactly where he was meant to be.

“Bud was new with us and needed to put on a good bit of weight to reach his ideal body condition,” says the MSPCA’s Erika Tonnon, equine and farm animal placement coordinator for Nevins Farm. “However, when two of our other horses couldn’t handle the environment and had to be sent back to the farm, we decided to take a chance with Bud, hoping the exposure would benefit him.”

Described as a kind soul who “goes with the flow,” Bud took the adventure in stride. It paid off.

Amber D., a horse lover who lives in New Hampshire, initially shrugged off Bud because he was older, but as she walked through the barn with a friend, she couldn’t help being drawn to him.

“He was quietly eating and looked up at me,” Amber says. “And he looked so cute, like a little man. I walked him around to get a feel for his disposition. He was calm and collected.”

Amber adopted Bud and picked him up the next day at Nevins Farm.

“Amber somehow knew Bud was the right fit,” says Erika. “His adoption was one of the first that weekend — a serendipitous moment for a horse who almost didn’t attend.”

A New Chapter and the Right Companion

In his 28 years, Bud has weathered plenty of seasons — and a few turning points. When his previous owner fell ill and could no longer care for him, Bud’s next chapter was suddenly uncertain.

It didn’t take long for Amber to see into his past.

“You can tell he’s been loved; he’s got personality,” she says. “He’s incredibly sweet. He laid his head on me, and I rubbed his neck.”

Amber had adopted Finn, a 31-year-old American Paint and retired show horse, 15 years earlier.

“Finn was lonely,” Amber explains. “I thought I needed another show horse, but what I really needed was the right companion.”

A Lifetime with Horses

Amber has had horses since she was 5.

“I asked for a pony for Christmas and got one,” she says. “We’ve always rescued or adopted.”

Amber describes her home as a “zoo,” which includes a chocolate Labrador Retriever, Waylon; a Beagle/Australian Cattle Dog mix named Willie; a cat named Daffodil; and several fish for her son, Chase, who is 6 and has been riding horses since he was a baby. The household also includes her husband, James.

Amber describes her menagerie as a hobby above all else.

“I still ride Finn; I took him out of retirement and showed him last year for the first time in a while,” Amber says. “And I’m excited to ride Bud. He’s going to be comfortable.”

Building Connections, One Horse at a Time

Erika at the MSPCA enjoys hearing from adopters and is thrilled at Bud’s outcome.

“It’s hard to fully express just how important events like Equine Affaire are to our farm animal program,” she says. “It’s more than just adoptions; we make connections.”

“Past adopters visit the event and seek us out to let us know how happy they are with the equines they adopted from us,” she says. “We’ve spoken to people who adopted from us anywhere from a few months back to 20 years ago.”

“Being able to connect with other rescues at this and other Right Horse events is so valuable,” Erika adds. “It’s nice for our partners to celebrate our wins with us, and to understand our struggles, because we know they truly get it.”

Bud Bounces Back

Amber’s first mission with Bud was simple and practical: helping him get back to his ideal weight and settle into his new life.

“He was a 3 on a scale of 1 to 9; he was skinny,” she says. “They trimmed his hooves at Equine Affaire, but he was still weak. By March, he’d gained nearly 600 pounds and can now stand by himself for the farrier.”

Because Bud has bad teeth and is missing some, he gets a mash diet, carrots, apples and soft treats.

“When you give Bud a cookie, he’ll roll his tongue and suck on it, then curl it under,” Amber explains. “He’s a hoot.”

Inspired to adopt? Visit myrighthorse.org to browse hundreds of adoptable horses today.