Po-Tato Pony, A Solstice Story

27/12/2024

Good morning friends!

On this daybin 2020 i was on the move again. I had left the auction to spend Christmas at the quarantine barn in North Carolina, and now I had made my way a few hours North to the southernmost part of Virginia to the original home of Central Virginia Horse Rescue in Brodnax. I'd be in excellent hands with Ms. Cindy! I even arrived with their special horse, Christmas. He was in bad shape as well. We both didn't know that although we would feel worse before feeling better, we were actually on our way to our best lives!

This is the photo my humans recieved to let them know I was safely at my next destination.

I was pretty wide eyed here as I struggled to understand why everything kept changing so quickly. I didn't understand the journey I was on! The little pink bit in my mane is a piece of duct tape with my auction ID number. Ms. Cindy made sure I had senior mash I could eat and a clean, dry stall to rest in. She tried to get me to eat but I just didn't feel hungry and I was becoming more quiet and withdrawn. She told my humans I was a mess. I was covered in f***l matter thay soaked my tail and rear legs, I had a very thick, unclean coat that smelled and my little hooves were curled into elf shoes.

I didn't know what was in store for me or that my human team in Maryland was making plans and phone calls with vets to plan the last leg of my journey.

I had made it to Virginia, but I was still one state away! Originally, Central Virginia Horse Rescue was going to help me get closer by transporting me and Christmas to their Fredericksburg barn, but covid and the bad shape Christmas was in would derail those plans.

My new humans were saying goodbye to one of their beloved herd members and helping her across the rainbow bridge, but they were eager to see me and get me the help I needed and they were swinging into action! Even in the darkness of winter and their grief, they said they clung to my little light and refused to let it dim any further.

This is my Solstice Story 💕

Love, Po
🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉

26/12/2024

Good morning friends!

On this day in 2020 I was awaiting a ride North to my next destination. My humans didn't have any photos that day, but they knew the plans were being laid. I still wasn't eating and I had horrible green diarrhea. My super long, curled toes made it difficult and painful to walk and my eye watered constantly and hurt.

I shared a photo of me yesterday that my humans got on Christmas Day. Here is a photo of me today! You can see how far I've come. I'm still shaggy, but it's winter and I have a hearty Shetland coat lol. But I'm much brighter and happier ✨️ ☺️ ❤️. You can see how clean I am now in comparison, my hooves are trimmed and my painful eye is long gone! My coat has grown back in to a richer hue and my silver bay colors really pop now!

Very soon I'd be making my way to Virginia and just one more stop from my forever home! The days would be getting ever so slightly longer and this, this is my Solstice Story 💜.

Love, Po
🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉

25/12/2024

Good morning friends!

Merry Christmas and Horsey Holidays!

4 years ago I was at the first stop in my journey North to my forever home. The quarantine barn was very nice and I got plenty of food and a clean stall. I wasn't feeling great though and all I wanted to do was stand in the sunshine. My health was taking a dangerous turn, but the new humans in my life would be on top of my health and comfort! I was headed towards my best life and yet I felt sad and defeated.

My humans we SO SO happy and excited to see this photo and within the next week...I'd be on the the move North to the next stop on my way to my forever home! This is part of my Solstice Story 📝.

Wishing you the happiest of holidays and sending my love to all! 💜🎉

Love, Po
🎄🎁🎅🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉🎅🎁🎄

24/12/2024

Good morning friends!

Yesterday I was conferring with Maggie! We were discussing who made the nice list and I'm pretty sure we all did! I think those humans are a bit dramatic when they say I'm naughty 🙄. I mean look at me! I'm as sweet as the watermelon 🍉 I shovel into my face! 🤭 Maggie is slightly more questionable when it comes to being good 🤔 but I think she just slipped by to the nice list.

On this day in 2020, I had been picked up and transported out of the scary auction lot and I was safe at the quarantine barn even though I didn't know what was going on. Because it was almost Christmas, my quarantine angel was busy with her family and didn't send update pictures that day to my very worried new family. It's ok! I'd soon be making my way North to join them 🥰

Watch my page later and I'll be sure to post my annual Christmas eve 🎄🌙 photo!

Love, Po

23/12/2024

Good morning friends!

On the winter Solstice in 2020, my human found a desperate pony in a broker lot in NC. He was the lowest priced pony and the one in the worst shape. He was thin ans shaggy, had significantly overgrown toes, needed his teeth done and needed his left eye removed. He was confused as to why he was there. Things were scary and unfamiliar and he didn't understand what was happening. He lost his home and his name and history to the crowded and chaotic environment of the auction. He was given a number and that was all. He didn't know that 2 states away, there was a group of people who wanted to make a Christmas miracle for him and give him the life of love and care he deserved, but didn't realize existed.

He had been without care for quite some time, but that time was over! #1282 off the Asheboro NC lot, called Pooh on the listing, was about to get a new life. On this day, he would have his photo taken and sent to his eagerly awaiting and concerned new humans. He would pass into another set of hands and leave the auction yard for something called a quarantine barn. It would be much more quiet there and there would be a clean, warm, dry stall and food, but this pony was sad and sick and wouldn't want to eat. But he was safe and officially on a journey north! The longest, darkest night of the year was behind him and brighter days were ahead.

And that pony was ME! I remember having this photo taken as I left the lot behind. I felt so lost and I didn't know what lay ahead for me or that I'd eventually get to a place full of love and compassion and care.

This is part of my Solstice Story 💜🌙. Each day I'll share some more of my journey North! My human secretary realized my blog started after I arrived here and was fighting to feel better so its important we share all of my story so new followers can see how far I've come and old friends can be reminded of the journey we've made together.

Love, Po
🌙🎄🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉🎄🌙

22/12/2024

Good morning friends!

I've got a reason to be happy today! We made it through the shortest day and darkest night of the year! My Solstice Story had just begun and I didnt even know it yet!

I was a sick, sad pony who had given up on hope that people would treat me well. I was in the sacry auction pen and I had no idea that 2 states away, a human was working feverishly to get me to safety. I had no idea that my lofe was about to be turned upside down in the best way possible! I'd have one more day to sit at the auction barn before my whirlwind journey north to my forever home!

Gather round while I tell you each day of my journey, my Solstice Story!

Enjoy the sunshine and think of me today!

Love, Po
✨️🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉✨️

22/12/2024

Good evening friends!

I know this post is late, but here it is!

As the sun sets today on the winter solstice, I am a totally different pony. On this day 4 years ago, I sat scared and confused and sick in a rural auction in North Carolina. I didn't know it, but someone special had found me and was already at work figuring out how to get me safe.

I didn't know her, and it would take WEEKS for me to even contemplate trusting in her or any of the humans. I had given up...but she never gave up on me.

So this is where my story begins! Follow along and I'll recount my journey from discard to adoration!

My human found this poem on a friend's page and wanted to share with everyone:

To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.
- Wendell Berry, To Know the Dark

I went into the dark without sight and found indeed, even I could bloom!

Love, Po
✨️🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉✨️

21/12/2024

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped us earn $380 to help care for me and my friends at The Big Purple Barn, A Sanctuary 🎄💜🎉

Love, Po
🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉

And the results are in... 🥁

THANK YOU to everyone that participated in our 12 Days of Holiday Giving Campaign. With your help, we will be donating OVER $2,800 to the local charities and nonprofit organizations that were nominated! 👏🏼

We’re so grateful for the work these organizations do and we are proud to shine a light on their missions this holiday season. Looking forward to next year! ✨

Elisabeth Yeager Homes and Farms Group of VYBE Realty
"Voted Carroll's Best 202, 2023 & 2024"
📲 443-508-3280 | ☎️ 410-220-4648
[email protected]

19/12/2024

Good morning friends!

We got a little rain overnight and the weather has been a yo-yo of temperatures! Warm, cold, warm, freezing. Mia used to tell me that Maryland weather could be wonky, but this seems excessive, especially as I'm trying to help everyone rally their Christmas cheer 🎄 and Holiday happiness 😊!

Did you know we are quickly approaching the Winter Solstice, the shortest, darkest day of the year? And I am happy, why? Because that is the day my life changed! I didn't know it, because I was alone and confused and sick, sitting in an auction yard in North Carolina, but someone special was about to find me.

It's almost time for me to tell you my Solstice Story ❤️

Love, Po
🌙🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉🌙

18/12/2024

Happy Hump Day friends 🐫!

My humans are struggling to feel the holiday cheer this year. Maybe it's the oddly warm weather we've been having. Maybe it's because the days feel unusually short and dark. Maybe it's just something in the air. I'm not sure BUT I'm here to help!

This used to be a dark and sad time for me too! But then I came here and all of YOU shared your love and holiday spirit with me🎄, so now I can return the favor! The Winter Solstice is just a few days away so I have work to do because that's a special day to celebrate 🥳! That's the day my life would change forever ❤️.

I'm rallying around each and every one of you to life you in some holiday cheer! I've got work 💪 to do!

Love, Po
🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉

17/12/2024

Good morning friends!

It's been wild and wet the past few days! Yesterday was supposed to feel warm, but the wet in the air and the grey skies just makes you feel cold in your bones.

I remember back when Mia told me about Maryland weather. She said it could never decide what season it wanted to be, especially in December. She told me to enjoy every day without a blanket to let my fluff fly free because soon it would be cold 🥶 and we'd be in blanket season.

Today the sun is supposed to come out and the temperature is supposed to go up and we will be able to be free from our blankets! I can't wait! ☀️

Buckle up! The weather roller-coaster continues!

Love, Po
🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉

16/12/2024

Good morning friends!

Im a little sad today. We didn't get the usual crowd of visitors for our Holiday event this year. It always makes each of us a little sad when we don't get to see lots of smiles. Maggie has been battling a bought of asthma as well and so I had to keep her calm and quiet. That meant she didn't get to be Mrs. Claus and I didn't get to be Santa Po 😕.

It's ok though! Because the volunteers and the people who DID come were all amazing and full of festive cheer 😊 and that's what matters!

Also...I got to inspect and admire the new inflatables! We have several new pieces and I'll show them to you! Here is the new Santa on a dragon that my friend Fran donated!

We've got one week to go until the solstice! That means it's almost time to tell my story 📝✨️💕.

Happy Monday!

Love, Po
🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉

14/12/2024

Good morning friends!

I've got my reindeer antlers on as I work in my role of supervisor and helper. We got all of the inflatable decorations set up and I'm so pleased with how they look! This morning, after I fuel up on a good breakfast, I'll help with the remaining decorating to get ready for our Holiday Lights Celebration today!

I am a highly trained and certified Santa's helper 🎅 and so I'll be standing in for the big guy in photos today. I am pretty sure everyone visiting is gonna be on the NICE list 📝. I can't wait to celebrate 🎄today and I'll be sure to post photos!

Love, Po
🎄📝🎅🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉🎅📝🎄

13/12/2024

Good morning friends!

Its so that gives you another day to celebrate 🥳 how amazing I am!

Add this to the winter Solstice, national potato day and national watermelon day! I was never celebrated before and now I get MULTIPLE celebrations 🍾 each year! My humans say that every day is a day to celebrate me 😍.

Happy Friday! I'll be working 💪 hard to set up my favorite inflatables to be ready for the holidays and our event this weekend!

Love, Po
🥳🍾🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉🍾🥳

12/12/2024

Good morning friends!

Yesterday was one WILD weather roller-coaster! We started off the day warm with showers and drizzle. I'm not a fan of rain, but it wasn't bad and I do enjoy my outside time. Evidently, I don't enjoy wet weather as much as Maghie here! She took great delight in wallowing in the wet sand all day. My humans said she's a wreck! Lol! 🤣

Midday the weather took a turn. The wind started blowing SIDEWAYS and it poured! My humans ran to our rescue and brought us all in to start start drying off. Some of the horses were going to need blankets because the temperature was plummeting from the 60s to the low 30s overnight!

The rest of the day was spent toweling us off, putting coolers on (like a bathrobe for a horse!) some of my friends to dry them off, and checking on us. Around 8:30 the humans did their last check, gave us hay, topped off our water and blanketed some of my friends. I'm doing so well this year I didn't require a blanket! My wooly Shetland shaggy coat was more than enough!

You know what though? Maggie continued to go out in the wet and rain and wallow in the filth 🙃. I just can't with her!

Well, the sun is out today but there is a lingering cold and dampness. It's also cold 🥶 I got work to do though to help the humans get ready for our Holiday event on Saturday! A pony's work is never done. 😉

Happy Thursday!

Love, Po
🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉

Love, Po

11/12/2024

Join us in spreading holiday cheer at The Big Purple Barn! Our Holiday Festivities include unique sponsorship opportunities, a free Holiday Lights Celebration, and ongoing support for our beloved animals. Your contributions not only bring joy to our community but also ensure the well-being of our cherished residents. Together, we can make a significant impact this season. Let's continue to nurture animal welfare and community engagement!

https://conta.cc/3ORjW7a

11/12/2024

Good morning friends!

It's a weirdly warm and wet day here in Maryland. I'm headed outside for a few hours to stretch my legs while room service comes through. I wonder if I'll get a mint 🤔 in my hay net!?

Before we headed out, I shared a little hallway time with my neighbor, Abby, while she was cleaning up what Bruce dropped! I'm happy to report she is finally making lots of good progress after fighting her lymes disease for over a year now! My humans are TENACIOUS! They never give up on us and they work tirelessly to help each and every one of us feel our best every day, and they work even harder when one of us doesn't feel well.

I never lose faith in their love and care for us! I know you love and and care for us too!

Love, Po
🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉