Last Chance Corral

12/28/2025

This is the second of five stories from our holiday newsletter. Thank you for your support, friendship and dedication to equines! Victoria writes:

"Rascal, my old pal!"

Here’s Rascal, my old pal, and sometimes nemesis, the best darn horse in the barn. Actually, Megan, my number one worker and barn manager, likes to say, “He’s the best horse and the worst horse.” He definitely lives up to his name. He can figure out most every gate lock. Once he got himself out, he got two of his buddies out, and off they went gallivanting through the neighborhood. (His stall now has three different locks.)

Like most Appaloosas, he is opinionated. Most people don’t care for the breed due to their well-earned reputation for hardheadedness. I, on the other hand, love Appaloosas. I enjoy the challenge of this breed’s mind. Definitely some mental gymnastics going on in there. Once you have developed a language with your Appaloosa and earned his respect, he is your horse for life. He will go through hell and high water for you.

I love riding this horse. He’s very forward and can be quite fresh. He gives a little buck now and again. He just loves to go. You’re not a passenger on this guy. You have to be in the present and actually be riding him. If he has a good opinion of you, he will do your bidding, but you have to know how to ask, or it’s adios, amigo. We’ve used him to pony young horses and offer moral support to thoroughbreds learning the fine art of trail riding.

He finds special delight in terrorizing new volunteers and employees. “He tried to bite me. He tried to kick me. He won’t let me put his halter on. I can’t catch him.” After they invest a little time in getting to know him, they wise up and call his bluff. Then it’s game’s over, but I swear I see a little smirk on his face.

Change is the only constant

My dear friend is heading toward the big pasture in the sky. We haven’t been on a ride in quite a while. He has an autoimmune disease, pemphigus, a rare immune-mediated skin condition where the horse’s body produces antibodies in response to a bacterial or viral infection. Sometimes a vaccine can trigger the immune system. Other times, the cause is idiopathic, or unknown.

I have seen this condition twice in the thousands of horses I’ve helped through the years. Quality of life is a definite issue. Eventually, most will founder and have to be euthanized. For now, he’s comfortable under Dr. Rourke’s treatment.

The good news is that this disease is rare. But it doesn’t offer much hope to hang a star on. Tomorrow is promised to no one. I’m trying to see this as an opportunity for me to find a new horse to befriend and love. I miss being in the woods with my pal, enjoying the beauty of nature. That experience washes over you and fills you with joy. Rascal and I have enjoyed many hours together on the trails that I’ll never forget. I know there will be another horse to share those experiences. He will find me, or I’ll find him. My “farm good-bye joke” is, if I don’t see you in the future, I’ll catch you in the pasture.

- Victoria Goss, Founder, Last Chance Corral

CAPTION: Victoria and Rascal: "When we could steal away for a quick ride, I’d hop on bear back. I’m as comfortable that way as with a saddle, maybe even more so. Rascal and I have enjoyed many hours together on the trails that I’ll never forget."

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays to all! Our newsletters have been mailed, and we'll post the stories from 2025 here over the next week or so. This is the main story, which carries gratitude for all who have helped Last Chance Corral in the past, present, and future! We couldn't do this without you:

“Tomorrow is promised to no one.”

This year, Last Chance Corral will begin a partnership with FOCUS Rescue & Rehabilitation.

Change is inevitable.

Time keeps on marching forward. Change is the fallout. Some changes make us happy, some sad, and others simply leave us bewildered. Regardless of how we feel about it. Change is going to happen. It’s how we react and deal with it that matters.
I have a definition: Precipitate to bring about abruptly, headlong, suddenly, unexpectedly. In all honesty, I can’t say that all the changes that came my way this year took me by surprise. Some of it’s been happening. I’ve just been in denial, but when everything came together, it certainly felt precipitous. Deliberation was called upon to mediate and find resolution within. I found myself in a position that is forcing me to make necessary revisions to my original plan. “Hold fast to your dreams, but temper your ideals with reality.” The Vermont State motto and my creed.

Strike one:
I find myself on the cusp of turning 70. That’s a hard 70, at least on my body. The years of sports, adventure, and being a bit of an adrenaline ju**ie, has taken its toll. The years of working with behavioral issue horses comes with a price. Perhaps the most damaging factor has been me being me. Let’s face it. I’ve always been a leap-before-you-look kind of gal. I won’t bore you with a litany of injuries. Suffice it to say that I simply don’t have that volume of paper on hand. Physically, I’m not who I once was. Fight it, though I may, I’ve come to terms with the fact that concessions must be made.

Strike two:
This past summer, I suffered the abrupt loss of my sister, Rebecca Chamberlain. She ran the office, did all the computer work, photography, sussing out adopters, putting together newsletters, website, Facebook, you name it, everything. After so many years and so much contribution, both behind the scenes and on stage, we are at a huge loss. She will remain irreplaceable in my life.

Strike three:
Our Rock of Gibraltar, Dr. Stacy Rourke. For the past 10 years, Stacy has been putting herself through a ridiculous amount of work. She has her own veterinary clinic to manage, and she works at the LCC in the early morning and evenings, seven days aweek, and sometimes till two or three in the morning. There comes a time when enough is enough and too much is clearly too much.

As my body has been breaking down, more and more of the burden of my work has been shouldered by Stacy. She knows I won’t stop beating myself up without her providing a push. Sometimes the biggest assistance you can offer is to offer less assistance. I suppose that would make her my enabler, but no more. She needs to cut back on the time she spends here. There’s that push. Clearly, it’s time to find a new way of going about this full business. I’m not giving up, but I am giving in. This will not be the end, but a new beginning.

I saw the light; My home run:
This year, the Last Chance Corral will begin a partnership with FOCUS Rescue & Rehabilitation. Founded 14 years ago by Rebecca Scalise in Mogadore, Ohio, Rebecca adopted three foals from us many years ago.

The following year, she took six and facilitated their adoptions. Through the years, she has taken in countless foals and is not one to shy away from hard work. She struggled through long nights and frustrating days with some very sick foals, pulling them through to thrive under her watchful eye. They’re now solid horse citizens, living in wonderful homes. I trust and respect Rebecca. When I needed to inventory all the horse people I knew to find a possible partner, she was the no-questions-asked, hands-down, number-one, first-choice candidate. When she agreed to the collaboration, the weight of the world came off my shoulders. A sigh of relief settled over the valley.

Initially, I will bring the foals here to the Last Chance Corral. This allows Dr. Rourke to examine them, pull Coggins, a blood test, and perform triage. Then we do what we do best. Teach foals to drink, making sure food is going in and out at an acceptable rate. Once stabilized and able to travel, the foals will make the trip to the Focus facility. Once they’re in their new barn, Rebecca and her family will ensure their continued care and eventually place them in approved adoptive homes. She will handle screening and adoptive services using the same qualifications and standards we use here.

I’m so fortunate to have someone with Rebecca’s moral fortitude to share this responsibility. The thought of not being able to offer these little guys this chance was crushing me. It’s easy to forget that we are not alone. Did I lose focus ... when I reached out my hand? A hand reached back. The foals are the winners. This partnership will secure this year’s crop and those for years to come. Congratulations and thank you to Focus and Rebecca Scalise. I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together.

- Victoria Goss
Founder, Last Chance Corral

11/19/2025

Good afternoon, fellow horse friends. Two things of note as we prepare the holiday newsletter for mailing:

1) *We have a new email!* lastchancecorral1 at gmail dot com. Please make a note of it, as we would love to hear from you!

2) If you would like to share before and "now" pictures of your LCC foals or adult horses, please email them to us at the address above. Please include their names (and your name), ages, and tell us about them. We would love to know about their progress and their stories!

Thank you!! And may you all have a lovely Thanksgiving holiday!
- Victoria and crew.

10/21/2025

Our “follow-up” tack sale is Sat, Oct. 25, 10-2pm!! Prices are lowered, make an offer!

Or! Call Victoria to arrange an appointment to visit during the week: 740-594-4336

Saddles, boots, helmets, clothing, blankets, fly masks, and loads of refurbished tack! We are not set up to ship items.

We hope to see you!! And big thanks to those who showed up last weekend! All proceeds go toward the foal season that’s right around the corner - January thru June!

10/19/2025

“Leftovers” sale Sat, Oct. 25, 10-2!! Call Victoria for weekday appointments to come by between 10-2!

10/19/2025

10/19/2025

Thank y’all for coming out yesterday! We’re open until 4 today!! (what rain? It sounds great from inside the foal barn!) lots of cool stuff and yummy snacks!

10/19/2025

Rain be damned!! We’re still here! And yes, we have saddles and whole lot more!

10/09/2025

UPDATE: We will take credit cards!! Cash or checks work, too!! Thanks, and see y’all this weekend!!

Things are heating up for our “Last Tack Sale!” I’m working as hard as I can on as much as I can, but alas! I am still a mortal. There’s so much to do and so little time to accomplish everything. Not to mention that one of our two helpers broke her wrist. These things are never part of the plan.

If you happen to be in the mood to help clean tack, give me a call! Otherwise I’ll see you at the sale on October 18 and 19th, 10 to 4 at Last Chance Corral in Athens, Ohio. I guarantee a fun time and ridiculously good deals! Don’t forget to bring photos of your equine pals. - Victoria

10/05/2025

UPDATE: We will take credit cards!! Cash or checks work, too!! Thanks, and see y’all this weekend!!

It’s all happening! The "Last Tack Sale" at Last Chance Corral!

October 18-19, 2025 - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

We’re practically working around the clock to get this tack sale off the ground in time! Sooooo many winter blankets to wash … and saddle pads and bridles, oh my!

If variety be the spice of life, be prepared for some tasty treats. The only thing we’re shy on this year is saddles (hint, hint). But I swear, “if we don’t have it, you don’t need it.”

Of course, there will be ice-cold cider, snacks, snappy conversation and more.

One new activity will put your skills as a “TACKATARIAN” to the test. It’s the “build a bridle table.” I have three giant totes of bridle “pieces” … let’s see how quickly you can assemble one. At a buck a try, it should separate the horseperson from the not-so-horseperson. You’re sure to have fun and go home with some sort of bridle as well as some laughs.

Bring some pictures of your horses to share and go home with quality gifts for yourself, your horse, and your horsey friends. I swear you could get all that holiday shopping done in one stop!

I’ve heard tell that it’ll be the social event of the season. I hope to see you there (don’t forget your wallet).

October 18-19, 2025 - 10 am - 4 pm
(The next weekend will be leftovers.)

5350 US Highway 33, Athens, OH, United States, Ohio 45701

09/13/2025

Save the dates! We hope to see you on Oct. 18 and 19, 11am to 4pm, Athens, Ohio!

The Last Tack Sale!!

We start with a situation like this ... a pile of dusty and dirty tack ,,, and create ACTUAL useful tack to offer to you for pennies on the dollar prices!

Why, you might ask, go to all this trouble?

Two reasons:

1) Waste not; want not!

2) To raise the financial resources necessary for all the equines who find their way to Last Chance Corral. You can be a valuable partner in this work by attending the sale and sharing the moment with us.

And remember: Don’t let our suggested prices limit your generosity!

We hope to see you on Oct. 18 and 19, 10am to 4pm, Athens, Ohio!

The Last Tack Sale!!

UPDATE: We will take credit cards!! Cash or checks work, too!! Thanks, and see y’all this weekend!!

08/30/2025

The Last Tack Sale! Save the dates, contribute, volunteer, or join the fun!

The Last Chance Corral is readying for our Last Big Tack Sale on Oct. 18 and 19, 10a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

“This’ll be it for me,” Victoria said.

This sale takes a great deal of time and effort … too much effort for her arthritic hands, and the fact that the workload for this event has significantly increased with the passing of her sister, Rebecca. Still, we hope the sale goes out with a bang!

If you have qualifying items (not in need of extreme cleaning or repair) that you feel will contribute to the sale’s success, or, if you would like to volunteer to help with the sale or readying items, please let us know.

Call Victoria at 740-594-4336.

🌲 Of course, there will be deals galore, snacks, cider and more. Come for the bargains, stay for the sparkling conversations with your horsey pals. Get your horse, your horse friends, or yourself some holiday gifts. 🐴🎁

We hope you make it! A good time will be had by all!!

The proceeds will go toward the first ton of milk for the start of foal season in January. 🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴

UPDATE: We will take credit cards!! Cash or checks work, too!! Thanks, and see y’all this weekend!!

To donate to LCC: https://lastchancecorral.org/