Po-Tato Pony, A Solstice Story (2025)

27/08/2025

Good morning Po-tato Family,

I saw this photo of Po and Mia and I thought it was a really important reminder of the power of friendship. Po struggled so much at the beginning of his time with us, and some of that was just sheer loneliness. Horses are designed to live in a social groups and we don't know how long Po was without friendship. Mia had lost all of her friends by the time Po arrived and she was depressed. While Po seemed very against the idea of friendship, we knew Mia could crack his hardened heart.

What grew from their initial meeting was a deep friendship that honestly saved them both. It was one of the most beautiful and inspiring things I've ever witnessed and confirmed my belief in the power of the herd to heal one another. Now, as we work to integrate Honor into the herd, we hope for the same for him. Friendship is critical to emotional and mental well-being of each horse. You don't need to look any further than the most adorable odd couple to see the power.

And truthfully, Po transcended horse friendships and built friendships with humans and helped US build friendships! We rallied around him and in the process, formed a herd of our own. The lessons and love he left for us are just immeasurable.

Remember to continue to be a light for one another because that's what the world needs most right now. Po is watching, he is with us in our hearts.

Yours in love ❤️ and light ✨️,
Tara

24/08/2025

Good morning Po-tato Family,

We made it through a wild beach ⛱️ vacation that totally did not go as planned! What we expected was a few days of sun 🌞 and relaxing 😌. What we got was one beautiful 😍 day sandwiched between the effects of Hurricane 🌀 Erin with wind, rain 🌧 and monster surf 🌊. Despite the setbacks, we embraced each day, reveled in the power of nature and enjoyed ourselves to the fullest! One thing Po taught me was to live each amd every day to the fullest 💖.

Now that we are home, it is definitely hitting me that this was the first year of not having Sookie with me and looking forward to more adventures with her. It also hit me that we came home to no Po-tato. Reality sucks sometimes 🥲. But I know the pain will ease through the years and I have lots to look forward to in new ways. Honor is here now and continuing his integration. Sailor is still loving the beach and now Gadget gets to accompany us on adventures. Life will move on and it will just be different. But the love we all have for Po will always be wrapped into the present as he is such a part of us now and I know we are all thankful for having him for the time we did.

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back to posting this week!

Yours in love ❤️ and light ✨️,
Tara

19/08/2025

Good morning Po-tato Family,

Im currently at the beach ⛱️ experiencing the power of mother nature as Hurricane 🌀 Erin throws wind, rain and monster surf all the way up the east coast. One thing Po taught me was to live every moment and find the joy! So I'm out here doing just that!

I wanted to jump on here because it is National Potato 🥔 Day and I will never let that day pass without recognizing our beloved Po-Tato Pony! In honor of Po today, and always...

🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉

Yours in love ❤️ and light ✨️,
Tara

15/08/2025

Good morning Po-tato Family,

It's been quite a year. This summer has seemed to last forever and yet feels over in the blink of an eye. Last week, we wrapped up the last of our summer camps. Yesterday, Honor celebrated a whole month in our care. Today, we have an action packed day of farrier care for hooves, and tomorrow we begin our annual end of summer break by shutting down for a week to allow the animals a little time to rest and reset before the flurry of fall and holiday activities begin.

I'll be taking a much needed break and headed to the beach for a few days to rest and reset. I don't feel I've had the opportunity to do that this year, and I need to unplug for a few days in order to continue to serve the animals and lead the humans of the barn to the best of my ability. So much has changed in such a short time and I need to be able to continue to make the best decisions I can in directing the farm and our organization.

Im sharing this photo of Mia and Po because while I'm so heartbroken 💔 that they are gone, I know they are together again and it is the 2 of them in particular who fuel me each and every day to keep going, to keep improving, to keep helping and to keep making a difference for the animals and for the people of our community. Now, more than ever, we need to be a safe haven and a beacon of love and hope, and we will continue to strive to do those things.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and hold each other up in love ❤️ and light ✨️,
Tara

12/08/2025

Good morning Po-tato Family,

2 years ago we decided to celebrate 🥳 Po-tato by hosting his birthday 🎂 on National Watermelon 🍉 Day, because that was his all time favorite treat. When he had first arrived and was so withdrawn and had no appetite, it was watermelon he couldn't resist!

I wish we had more birthdays with him 😔. We still had so much to celebrate. But I absolutely do not regret deciding to throw over the top, decoration filled, custom cookie and watermelon treat parties for him while we could. He gave us reason to celebrate every little accomplishment and every single day. We didn't know how long we would have with Po, and every day was a bonus. I'm glad we could pack his last years with as much adventure, love and celebration as possible ❤️.

Thanks for being a part of his journey 💜.

Yours in love ❤️ and light ✨️,
Tara
🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉

08/08/2025

Good morning Po-tato family,

Today I don't have any wise words for us. I'm trying to get through a hectic week and keep my sanity. Po always dragged me back to the here and now, with insistence and humor. I could sure use some of that now 💜.

What I do have to share is a photo of our favorite 😍 Po-tato 🥔 who was the most handsome there ever was!

Yours in love ❤️ and light ✨️,
Tara
🍉🥔🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🥔🍉

07/08/2025

Good morning Po-tato family,

I've been busy helping Honor settle into the farm, running summer camp and attending to Abby. This summer hasn't felt like summer. It's been an unrelenting torrent of grief, frustration and work.

I think most summers actually go about the same, but this summer we are missing Po. He brought a sense of humor, light and fun to each day. He was the bright spot that kept us all going. Without him, the weight of reality feels heavier.

When you have responsibilities to animals, you can't slow down and you can't stop. They rely on you. Stopping isn't an option. You know that from when Po arrived and it was round the clock care he needed. The situations change, and nothing lasts forever. We know the farm will settle again into an easier time. But what will always be missing from now on is Po. We are so thankful for the years we got, when we thought it might have just been weeks. We are thankful, but we are still sad. It just wasn't enough time and some days, that emptiness is somehow larger and louder.

We keep going, for Po, for all of the animals here. Thank you for being a part of the effort. Your kind words and support help get me through the heavier days and I do appreciate each of you!

Heads up! Keep going!

Yours in love ❤️ and light ✨️,
Tara

03/08/2025

Hello Po-tato family,

Today is National Watermelon 🍉 Day. It's the day we chose to celebrate Po's birthday each of the past few years because of his deep love of the sweet summer treat. Back when Po first arrived and would just not eat, he was always tempted by watermelon. It's also an August date and that made it easier to host a big event at the farm and really throw a party for our favorite pony.

I announced to our barn group just a week ago that we would not be hosting an August event. Originally I thought we'd still celebrate Po and his love of watermelon, but it's just too soon and the edges of grief are just too raw. I'm hoping starting next summer and moving forward, we will be able to host our watermelon party each August in his memory and honor.

Our wonderful volunteer, Terry, brought watermelon you the farm yesterday for all of the horses to share. Looking back, I never really gave the animals watermelon. I'm not s huge fan of it and it's not the easiest treat to feed as it can be quite messy. It didn't make it's way into the barn until Po. It won't ever leave the barn now, because of Po. It's the lasting gift he gave all of the animals and a way we will always remember his time with us. It's one of the indelible marks he has left on our organization. ❤️

I hope the watermelon at the rainbow bridge is just perfect 🥰 and oh so plentiful! Happy birthday 🎂 in heaven 💛 sweet Po. We miss you!

Join with me today and let's celebrate his life, and the birthday we chose for him, by grabbing a slice of watermelon to eat. Do it for Po 🫶.

Yours in love ❤️ and light ✨️
Tara

02/08/2025

Good morning Po-tato Family,

Fran came to the farm shortly after Po-tato arrived. She pitched in immediately, joining his support team both financially, and helping to provide the midday meal, company and encouragement in those early weeks. She stuck around and became a fixture at the farm, not only caring for Po, but all of the resident animals.

Fran went on an adventure to Chincoteague for the 100th pony penning event. She took some of Po's ashes with her and spread them at the island to say a goodbye to a good friend. This is the video she sent. Excuse me while I cry again. 😢 I know just where he is, so I'll be sure to visit that part of him soon. But he's running with the wild ponies now...living his dream 🐎❤️.

Thanks for taking him on that grand adventure, Fran. He sure did love his time with you.

Yours in love ❤️ and light ✨️,
Tara
🥔🍉🌈🦄💜🎉🌈🍉🥔

30/07/2025

Good morning Po-tato family,

I'm sorry I've not been posting much lately. There has just been so much going on. We've had weeks on end of unrelenting heat, 3 weeks of summer camp, grapling with Abby's recovery process, 2 large events back to back and the arrival of Honor.

Having Honor here has both infused me with new hope, and also brought the pain of Po's passing glaringly to the forefront of my every day. Each morning I walk down to the barn to bring Honor in because he's a big strong baby and he's not out with a group yet. He sees me walking down the driveway and whinnies to me. Every day it hits me that I'm not walking down to Po's eager face. Sometimes, Honor even does the bucking and hopping that Po used to do, and he runs to the gate to wait for me. Po used to do that. I miss his little tantrums for me to hurry up because he also didn't like to be late for meals.

Some evenings I run a late errands and pull into the driveway and see Honor eating in the roundpen in a scene that was dominated by Po for almost 4 years. It's hard to not make comparisons when Po was such a huge part of my life. Some days I smile. Some days I cry a little. And it's ok to do both. I can be happy to have the opportunity to save Honor and watch his life unfold, and still hold space for my grief at losing Po. It's not one or the other. Thanks for being with me as we work together through this journey of grief and sorting through the amazing lessons and wisdom Po left for us to share.

Yours in love ❤️ and light ✨️,
Tara

21/07/2025

Just sharing Honor's official arrival video with you!

Po-Tato Pony, A Solstice Story

27/08/2025

24/08/2025

19/08/2025

15/08/2025

12/08/2025

08/08/2025

07/08/2025

03/08/2025

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30/07/2025

21/07/2025

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