Community Equine Outreach of Eastern Washington

09/27/2025

When weariness and sadness creep in, go catch your horse.

When grief and anger stream down your cheeks, saddle up.

When you're exhausted, and burned out from life, mount up and let your horse lead the way.

It might not change anything, but it might change everything. There is something about leather and horse sweat that heals the wounds of the brokenhearted.

I pray that if you have a horse in your life, that you let them carry some of your load. They truly are angels on earth.

❤️Richelle

09/27/2025

What does it really mean to "let them go on a good day?"

It means it will be your hardest day. It won't matter if you've never done it before, or if you're gifted a dozen good days, each good day is always the hardest one.

It means they won't know what the fuss is about, why they're getting so many treats and extra belly scratches and hugs.

It means you will second guess your decision right up to the very last moment, the very last breath. You'll second guess yourself afterwards.

They'll knicker at you when you arrive, just like any other day.

The weather, perfect. They are content. They look sound today. They are breathing well, eating well, they get up easily enough from a nap in the sun....the list goes on. Whatever issue they struggle with, today they aren't.

Today you euthanize them.

This is what going on a good day means: sending them out while they are happy, while they are healthy, while they are eating well, walking well, etc. You make the choice to do it before an emergency takes the choice away from you, before your horse has to experience any more trauma or pain.

Their last memory will be filled with love.

It'll rip your heart out every time.

We can see the patterns and the increasing trends. We can predict it a little. We can obsess over the past and worry about the future.

Fortunately, horses, all animals, live in the moment. They don't worry about those things. They aren't worried about winter. They aren't worried about July, or allergies, or progressive diseases like cushings or dsld. They don't think about the close calls they've had before, and they certainly aren't thinking about the close calls that are destined to come, as their body continues to age and break down. They just are. They are happy and healthy, or fearful and in pain, on that day, in that moment.

It is the most difficult, most loving gift we are blessed to be able to give.

And that first ice storm will come, that first deep snow, that first heat wave....and you will find a little relief, no longer doubting the choice you made.

They were happy, and safe, and loved. That is all that matters.

It is never easy. ~Kelly Meister, author

09/27/2025

❤️ There will come a time...When you ride them for the last time.
When you buy their feed and cringe at the price, not knowing it’s the last bag you’ll ever buy.

When you scrub the dirt from beneath your nails, their hair from your clothes...unaware that soon, you’ll miss the mess.

When you text the vet about a mystery lameness, dreading the bill...never realizing it's the final call.

When you clean their sweat from the saddle pad, pick the wads of hair from the washing machine, and don’t think twice about the routine.

When you send their blankets off for repair, frustrated by the baseball sized holes, never imagining they won’t need it next season.

When you cancel a ride because they found the only muddy spot in a ten acre pasture and rolled until they were unrecognizable...just as they always do.

And then, the time will come when you hang up their bridle.
When you clean their halter and tuck it away into a shadowbox, a silent tribute in the hallway.

When you carefully store the tail you sent them to heaven without, waiting to turn it into something that keeps them close.
When you hold onto their worn horseshoes, knowing you’ll never hear them clinking down the barn aisle again.

It never happens the way you expect.
You always think there will be more time.
You’ll wish life had slowed down, just enough for you to be there more, to appreciate them longer.

And then, one morning, you’ll wake up...just as I did...and realize the horse that raised you is tired.
That they need you to be strong one last time.

Maybe, somewhere down the road, another horse will come along and leave their mark upon your heart.

But it won’t be them...they wove themselves into your soul...
And nothing...or no one can take that away.

🩷 Michelle | Born In The Barn

08/05/2025

06/26/2025

We are SO excited and happy to announce that today is Gotcha Day for Spirit! He's been with us for a year, getting cared for, loved, trained, and today was his day. He has deserved this wonderful partner all along and we can't wait to see what adventures they have together. Many, many blessings and good wishes to you both!! ❤️




Photo credit to Daykota Marie at Desert Lens Photos . Beautiful work capturing a beautiful moment in time. ❤️

06/23/2025

✨There’s something about the sound of quiet chewing in the stillness.
🐎The way a horse just stands there — not trying to fix you, just being with you.
✨And suddenly, the weight you’ve been carrying doesn’t feel quite so heavy.

No one asks you to explain yourself.
No one hurries you along.
You’re just allowed to be — messy, tired, joyful, anxious, human.

The barn doesn’t care if you cried on the way there.
It welcomes you anyway.
And the horses?
They listen with their whole heart.

It’s not therapy.
But it’s a kind of medicine.
The kind that reaches places words can’t always touch💕

🧡🐴

06/17/2025

Chance, now Charlie, living his best life as a retired pasture puff. According to his Mama, he is happy, peaceful, content, and "fat as a fritter. He loves her (granddaughter) and she loves him. She calls him her nay nay."

06/13/2025

Member Penny? She was adopted by a wonderful family a few years back. We love getting updates of this sweet girl as much as they love her!

06/11/2025

Remember Churro? He's spending the summer in the Tetons. What a gorgeous place He's doing fantastic with his new family, and we're thrilled with the home they provide.

06/11/2025

I want to apologize for not getting back to everyone who has sent a message, called, or emailed us. I'm slowly working through them. Know how much you reaching out means, the lack of response is not reflective of that. Thank you so much for your care, concern, shares, comments, and messages. An update will be forthcoming!