Serendipity Farm & Rescue

12/25/2024

*Trigger Warning* What Happened to Relationships Over Results?

I came across this video today that shattered my heart. It was titled “Smooch Day One, and I Love Him So Much Already,”(I think) but what I saw was anything but love.

In the video, a BLM Mustang gelding a horse that has already endured so much—is subjected to training methods that are nothing short of abusive. His front legs were tied together, restricting him from standing or moving. It appeared the ties were connected to his halter or wrapped around his neck. This poor horse couldn’t even get his legs under him to stand, so he raised them in the air, desperately trying to escape by jumping on his hind legs.

Eventually, he collapsed from exhaustion, his respirations labored and his body visibly heaving. The trainer then wrapped a rope around the pen to pin his head to the ground, calling it “training.” She prides herself on “training mustangs in days,” but what I saw wasn’t training—it was breaking a spirit.

Training is supposed to be about building trust, creating a bond, and fostering a relationship. It’s about respect, patience, and giving these horses a voice. This isn’t training—it’s creating a helpless creature. It’s robbing these magnificent animals of their dignity.

Mustangs are symbols of freedom, strength, and resilience. They deserve better than this. They deserve trainers who see them as partners, not objects to dominate.

If we truly care about these animals, we must hold ourselves—and others—accountable. Let’s demand more from the equestrian community. Let’s advocate for relationships over results, for compassion over control, and for the humane treatment of every horse, especially those who have already endured so much at the hands of humans.

I’m speaking out because silence allows this to continue. If you see something like this, don’t ignore it—share, educate, and stand up for these incredible animals.

We owe them that much.

12/16/2024

These are used in harness racing. When will the industry do better?

12/05/2024

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Peace & Happy Crafting!
🎄💜🎄💫

12/04/2024

𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟰 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗮 𝗣𝗶𝗴𝘀!

We have been asked to help find homes for four sweet guinea pigs surrendered by their owners due to job and lifestyle changes. They’re seeking a loving home where they can stay together, as they are deeply bonded. Fosters or adopters will need to sign an SFAR contract.

Meet the Piggies:

Dolly (Female, 1 year)
- Shy and sweet, Dolly trusts Bonnie more than anyone. She loves playing tag and doing adorable little hops when running around.

Bonnie (Female, 1.5 years)
- A true princess! Bonnie is sweet, a bit prissy, and loves chin scratches. She’s like a mom to Dolly. Though she’s the chunkiest, she’s all charm—just don’t expect her to love nail trims!

Bandit (Male, 2 years)
- The “dark and mysterious” one. Bandit is sweet but prefers to be a loner. He’s bonded with Smokey, and while he’s more dominant, he’s never aggressive.

Smokey (Male, 2 years)
- The ultimate cuddle bug! Smokey adores attention, pets, and squeaks with happiness. He’s a gentle soul—always the kind-hearted “mama’s boy.”

Supplies Included:
They come with water bottles, food bowls, bedding, hay, food, treats, a hay feeder, and grooming supplies—everything needed for a smooth transition.

How You Can Help:
📱 Interested in fostering or adopting?
Text (423) 800-4479 for more details or to receive an application.

📣 Can’t adopt? Please share this post to help us find these piggies a loving home!

We are grateful to the owners for putting the well-being of their pets first, and we’re thankful to be able to help all creatures, big and small.

Let’s do this, Village!
Peace & love,
Tonja & Team Serendipity

12/02/2024

🌟𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 & 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲!🌟

Join our village in supporting Serendipity Farm & Rescue, a 501(c)(3) non-profit where horses and humans find healing together. During the last year, we've weathered many storms, but in true serendipitous fashion, we've emerged stronger. Despite facing challenges, including the impact of a rogue board member, our commitment has never faltered. Instead of “closing our doors,” we dug our roots deeper, building a foundation for the future we envision — one of healing, growth, and unity.

We are in the early stages of rebuilding and restructuring what was lost but the transformation is incredible! As we continue forward placing one foot in front of the other, we are energized by the progress we're making and the potential that lies ahead.

Our vision for 2025 is a future full of hope and promise—one where individuals and animals alike are empowered to embrace authenticity, foster open communication, and nurture a compassionate, supportive community.

Your donations will fuel these goals, helping us create impactful programs and resources. With your support, we can shape a place where compassion, healing, and understanding thrive.

Ready to make a difference? You can easily donate using any form of payment through our secure "Giving Tuesday Campaign" on GiveButter by clicking this link: https://givebutter.com/OneFoot24

Or if you prefer to donate via bank wire transfer or USPS, simply reply to this email or contact me directly at (423) 800-4479, and I’ll be happy to provide the details.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Tonja Wilkes
Founding Director, Serendipity Farm & Rescue

11/10/2024

Heartbreaking Update: We’ve Lost Him, But We Will Not Give Up.

It is with deep sorrow that I share that the sweet senior horse we’ve been fighting to save has passed away. Yesterday, after months of advocacy and care efforts, we learned that he had finally succumbed to the neglect he endured. Our hearts are shattered, but we won’t let his death be in vain.

For those who’ve followed his story from the beginning, you know how hard we’ve fought to get him the care he needed. When we first learned of his condition back in April, he was emaciated, isolated, and suffering. Despite numerous calls to authorities and offers of feed, the owner refused help, and we watched, helplessly, as his health declined further. While we had small moments of hope when we saw slight improvements, the lack of consistent care eventually took its toll. And now, he’s gone.

Yesterday, after hearing the devastating news, one of the main citizens who had been involved with this horse from the start texted me, asking if we could give him a name. It’s a tradition of ours — when we name a horse, it feels like we are finally giving them a voice. She chose a name for him that would honor his journey and legacy: “Abir”. Abir is a name with roots in Egypt, India, Jordan, and Hebrew, meaning “to fly” or “to soar.” It was a perfect fit — this horse deserved to soar in life, to live with dignity and love, but instead, he was denied that. We will remember him as Abir, a soul that deserved so much more.

After hearing about Abir's passing, I sent a message to Tina, of Safe Haven Equine Warriors who came alongside us throughout the last few days of this fight. I shared how I felt that I had failed him — that I could have done more. Tina, however, reminded me that we didn’t fail him; the system failed him. She also shared an inspiring idea: we could turn this tragedy into something that could help prevent future neglect cases like Abir’s.

Years ago, when Tina worked with Days End Farm in Maryland, they started offering free equine education to animal control officers and law enforcement — everything from assessing body scores to safely handling a downed horse, and even how to photograph and collect evidence for legal cases. This initiative made a difference and is still going strong today, 20 years later.

She urged me to take this on in our area (oddly, I had discussed my interest in creating such a program during my phone conversation with the District 4 County Commissioner on Thursday). "It only takes one person to start," she said. And she offered to help write a curriculum for us. This is exactly what we need. We cannot keep letting horses like Abir suffer because of a lack of education and training in the system. Tina believes that this case — Abir’s story — should inspire us to work with law enforcement to create a better system for future horses. She suggested we could even introduce a legislative bill — “Abir’s Law” — and create petitions to take to the governor to make real, systemic change.

Yesterday was a tough day, as we spent hours on the phone with mentors, piecing together the timeline of events. Abir had been down since early morning, and we knew he was not going to make it. I called the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department (CCSD) to offer to pay for a vet to humanely euthanize him, but they didn’t arrive until later in the day. By the time they contacted me to let me know he had passed, I felt a mix of relief and anger. The corporal who called me said that the owner had been providing “adequate food” and mentioned Abir’s age — 32 years old. When I tried to explain that a round bale of sub-quality hay wasn’t adequate food for a senior horse in such poor condition, the corporal didn’t seem to understand. My anger was overwhelming, and I couldn’t bring myself to continue the conversation.

Throughout the day, I had been in contact with Lori Rosser Yonts of Sunkissed Acres
Rescue, who has been involved with trying to help Abir from the very first day this case was brought to my attention. Lori has been a steadfast presence, “boots on the ground” dropping off de-wormer & nutrition to Abir, offering support, guidance, and compassion every step of the way. In our last conversation yesterday, Lori pointed out where I had missed the mark in my conversation with the corporal. One of the many qualities I love about Lori is not just her enormous heart but her ability to be sternly informative — she knows how to stand her ground and ensure that the right message is heard. Lori, if you're reading this, I want you to know how deeply grateful I am to have met you, and how much your friendship and mentorship have meant to me throughout this incredibly difficult process. You’ve been one of the driving forces that have kept me going through the travesty that happened to Serendipity and the challenges I have endured. The world is most definitely a better place with you in it — blessed to know you and call you friend.

It’s hard to know what to feel at this point — relief that he is no longer suffering, but anger at the system that allowed this to happen. Anger at the cruelty of a situation that was allowed to drag on for so long. We had so many people trying to help — other rescues, concerned citizens, and compassionate souls who reached out — but in the end, the system didn’t respond in a timely or meaningful way. Abir, like so many other animals, paid the price for this failure.

But his story doesn’t end here. We will continue to advocate for him. We will continue to work to make sure this doesn’t happen to another horse. We will take the lessons from Abir’s life and death and channel that energy into creating change.

Thank you to everyone who tried to help, to everyone who offered a prayer or a thought for Abir. We won’t forget him. And we won’t stop until we make sure situations like Abir’s are lessened and no longer accepted as normal.

Rest in peace, sweet Abir. You deserved so much more.

With sorrow and determination,
Tonja Denise & Serendipity

11/09/2024

This is my current situation.
☮️💟 ~ Tonja Denise

11/08/2024

New Blog Post: Consent-Based Training ft. Amy Vanner
One of my favorite trainers in the horse world is Amy Vanner of STARS Sporthorses, nestled in the suburbs of Ooltewah, Tennessee.
I've been so fortunate to cross paths with her, not just as an equine professional, but as a mentor and a sister on this journey. Every time I step onto her land, I leave with new wisdom and a deeper connection to the universe of horses. What I admire most about Amy, beyond her fierce spirit, is how she taps into the gentle flow of consent-based horse training. Before I dive into the magic of that, let me share a little about Amy's evolution and how she found this harmonious way of working with horses.

In her blog, “Empowering Equines: The Art & Importance of Consent-Based Horse Training,” Amy radiates her soul's desire for a kinder, more loving approach to her equine partners. She’s always growing and evolving. And the horses? Oh, they are her greatest gurus. While Amy’s talent for guiding sporthorses to shine in the competitive world is impressive, her heart resonates the most with the so-called "throw-away" horses—the rescues, the misunderstood, and the ones labeled as too wild or dangerous. You know, the ones other trainers might turn away from, but Amy sees their light.

In the beginning, like many of us, Amy walked the path of dominance-based training, thinking she had to make horses "respect" her by using force and control. She was surrounded by gadgets and techniques that dulled the horses’ true essence, creating more resistance than understanding. But when Amy found her quiet space, her own little haven, she tapped into the stillness, observing the horses in their purest form. That’s when she truly began to listen to them—not with her ears, but with her heart and soul.

Later in life, Amy was diagnosed with Asperger’s, which she now sees as a blessing, giving her an extra layer of sensitivity to the energies around her. This heightened awareness has deepened her ability to connect on an empathic level with the horses, picking up on the subtleties most would miss. Her roots in Spanish and Mexican vaquero traditions also flow through her, grounding her understanding in an ancient wisdom that’s hard to explain.

Amy now lets the horses guide the way, giving them the space to set the pace and direction of their interactions. This shift? It wasn’t some overnight awakening. It’s taken years of soul searching and inner work, trial, and error, but she’s found her rhythm. Now, she stands on a solid foundation built from love and respect for the horses' free spirits.

The Essence of Consent-Based Training
Consent-based training is all about treating horses, and all beings, with love, respect, and dignity. It’s a way of being in sync with the horse, flowing together in a mutual trust and understanding, not fear or force. It’s about giving horses a voice in their own journey, empowering them to choose how they engage with their training.

A few core elements of consent-based training:

1. Empathy and Understanding: Building a real, heart-to-heart connection with the horse.
2. Active Participation: Inviting the horse to show you what feels good and what doesn’t, letting them be part of the process.
3. Trust and Communication: Creating a sacred space where the horse feels safe to express their truth.

In conclusion, Amy Vanner’s journey is a shining example of what happens when we allow ourselves to evolve, embrace love, and truly see the beings we share this Earth with. Through her commitment to consent-based training, she’s shifted from the old ways of control to a more harmonious, partnership-based approach. She’s teaching us all that when we listen, learn, and let go of fear, we can create bonds with horses—and with life itself—that are rooted in love and respect. Amy continues to light the way for others, showing that the path of compassion leads to the most meaningful and lasting connections.

Are you ready to learn more about consent based training? Check out Amy’s work at Stars Sporthorses at https://www.starssporthorses.com

You won’t regret it. Peace and love, always.

11/07/2024

To say I'm upset would be an understatement. My heart is just shattered, and I’ve cried all the angry, helpless tears I have. How can anyone be okay with this?

Since April, we, along with another rescue and compassionate souls in the community, have been following this poor, neglected senior horse in Catoosa County (first photo). If you want the whole backstory, check out the previous post here. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/172U9oQARM/?mibextid=QwDbR1

The second photo is from yesterday. After another round of calls this morning, the latest update from authorities was, “The vet says he is healthy for his age.” I know this vet, and it’s hard to imagine he’d say that — but honestly, who knows at this point? When is a body score this low ever considered “healthy”? It isn’t.

I haven’t been able to sleep because all I can think about is how hungry and lonely he must feel out there. It’s one thing to be starving, but to suffer alone, with no loving presence or pasture mate— it’s just too much. Being “old” doesn’t mean a horse should be allowed to waste away like this. And what’s beyond comprehension is the fact that the owner has refused all offers of hay, grain, and other nourishment! Why not just help him or give him a peaceful, compassionate end?

This whole situation defies logic. Is this some kind of mental health issue like Munchausen by proxy? Maybe I sound dramatic, but I’m begging anyone who can help — MAKE THIS MAKE SENSE!!

All we can do is sit and watch this beautiful soul literally fade away. This horse has no hay, no grass, and winter is coming.

This isn’t just neglect; it’s cruelty.

10/30/2024

Sharing the link from TT so we don’t get muted.

Ashe” about when people do things to others & themselves BUT their actions are a part of a .

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.

10/29/2024

IYKYK 🤪🤪🤪