Success Stories

Sabra & Lady

“Lady’s eye had been ruptured when she was born. We took her to the vet and they told us it would be $1,000 for her surgery; my husband and I had no idea what we were going to do or how to come up with that money in such a short time. We have two kids, me being pregnant, our beloved farm animals and bills. My dad knows a lady at work and asked for any ideas about fundraising/donations, and she heard of Nexus Equine. We applied for the Care Connection Fund and big thanks to Nexus Equine and most amazing donors helping our beautiful foal “Lady”. You guys are amazing and we couldn’t have done it without you guys. Thank you Nexus Equine.” —Sabra Hardin

Mikayda & Jake

“This program has taught me a substantial amount, and gave me so much more experience in training. My passion for training, riding, and rehabilitating rescues has finally come to life for me, and I am so grateful that I have gotten this opportunity. I certainly was very lucky when I was paired with Jake, as he is one of the smartest, kindest and most willing horses I have met. For seven years, I dreamed of being able to train rescue horses. Finally, this dream has come true for me!”
—Mikayda Eastman, 2021 Nexus Equine Oklahoma 4-H Makeover Challenge Finalist

Sage & Tia

“One of my most favorite activities I have accomplished with Tia is taking her to a 4-H kid’s Day, where I presented a 4-H horse workshop for the Middleburg Public School Pre-K – 2nd graders, some of which had never seen a horse before. I gave a short presentation over what I was doing with Tia, horse safety, that Tia is blind and how to interact with her due to the blindness, then the kids came up to pet and love on her. This experience was very rewarding for Tia and I. Tia had children hugging her and loving her for four hours and she loved it. When I saw how much the kids loved her and how much she loved the kids, I knew that she had a new skill set that if one day when Tia gets older and needs something that is easier on her or even if someone took her now, she could easily thrive as a companion horse going places just for the loving and letting others connect with her.”
—Sage Payne, 2021 Nexus Equine Oklahoma 4-H Makeover Challenge Finalist

Hay Bank

Due to generous donations, we have been able to provide free hay for over 70 horses! Please consider making a donation, of any size, to help us help horse owners and their horses! With record breaking cold weather and a pandemic, horse owners and their horses have needed our help. These are some of the amazing owned horses we have been able to provide hay for through our Hay Bank.

Nexus Equine would love to continue to support Oklahoma-owned horses by providing free hay to those that are in need. We have already been able to assist over 50 horses! To help us continue our great work please consider a donation, of any amount!

Donate here: nexusequine.org/donate

*These horses have loving owners and are not part of Nexus Equine. The Nexus Equine Hay Bank is for horses that already have homes and loving owners.

“The pandemic has made things financially difficult for our family. It has been heartbreaking having to make decisions around paying bills, meeting our children’s needs and taking care of our beloved horses. The Nexus Equine Hay Bank’s help came at the perfect time for us. We are so grateful and hope to one day be able to give back ourselves!”
—2021 Nexus Equine Hay Bank Recipient

Jay & Della

Sometimes, connections are formed that go deeper than words can describe.

Meet our friend, Jay Richards. He and his wife, PJ, started fostering for Nexus in July 2020. They decided on fostering a senior mare named Della, who has been waiting for her home a very long time.

The bond was immediately apparent. Jay looked forward to going out each and every morning to feed and groom her and Della enjoyed the consistent companionship Jay selflessly provided to her. Before long, pictures like this became commonplace.

Bonds such as this are incalculable and never predictable. We are so happy that we had the opportunity to place these two together for this priceless friendship. A win-win on every level.

Thank you Jay, for giving Della this incredible life and love. Animals have the ability to bestow a joy and peacefulness that rivals even the closest human relationships in our lives. This is the perfect example of why we do what we do….

The Trimble Family & Spartacus

“Back in late June 2020, my husband looked out into one of our pastures and said that our 24-year-old Morgan, Knight, looked lonely and he needed a friend. Within a short few minutes of visiting Nexus Equine’s barn, I knew a flaxen-mane mini named “Spartacus” was the one for us. Spartacus has been wonderful, and is always nearby or in the middle of whatever we are doing. As time has gone on his personality has truly blossomed.

When we were thinking about adoption, never in my life did I think I would be so smitten with an animal. Spartacus is truly a member of our family, but more importantly, we are a part of the Nexus family. I urge anyone who is looking for a companion for their four-legged friend or even for themselves, look at Nexus Equine.

Our family has forever been changed since bringing Spartacus into our lives.”

— Chad & Melissa Trimble

Kayla & Bubbles + Piper

In the summer of 2020 the Best family acquired a sweet mare named Piper. One morning, a few weeks later, they walked out to find Piper had a surprise waiting for them: a beautiful black filly!! Because of her medical condition she had immediate problems being able to take care of her baby. They were transferred to Pine Ridge Equine Hospital in Owasso, Oklahoma in hopes to save them both.

Veterinary bills quickly piled up and it became very apparent they were going to need more care than what was financially feasible. Through our Care Connection Fund we were able to help with part of the medical bills to allow Piper and her baby to receive the care they needed. Soon enough Piper was able to produce milk and Bubbles was able to nurse on her own. Today this beautiful mother and baby are living happily and healthily with their owner Kayla Best; this would have not been possible without the Nexus Care Connection Fund.

“I ended up naming her Bubbles because she has such a bubbly personality! I have been working with her on lifting all of her feet up as well as walking on a lead. She has done fantastic and now lifts all of her feet for me.”

— Kayla

Hugo + Tiffany Smith & Karlee Boots

Hugo came to us in very poor condition. He was a 25-year-old retired Amish work horse and needed a lot of help. After months of rehabilitation and a refeeding program, Hugo was finally ready to find his forever home.

Meet Tiffany Smith and her daughter, Karlee Boots. They initially contacted Nexus Equine
looking for a miniature horse. We had several so they came out to adopt one. But… they fell
in love with Hugo, not quite a miniature horse! They adopted Hugo and it is a match made
in Heaven. They absolutely love him and he is now living the best life.

His new home is at Aspen Ranch, a premier wedding venue in north Edmond, Oklahoma. Aspen ranch is a state-of-the-art wedding locale, but also a ranch home to many animals. Hugo has been a part of television segments, magazine articles as well as posing in professional wedding
pictures. What a good life, Hugo—we can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.

Pudge + Fatima

Fatima had been around horses for quite a while and decided to volunteer at Nexus Equine. While volunteering, she fell in love with a chubby mare affectionately named Pudge. Fatima worked with our Equine Training Manager, Katrina, to learn more about Pudge and decided to adopt her! The Nexus Equine team even gets to see Pudge when Fatima is deployed for the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

Capone + the Alexander Family

The Alexander family was looking for a “steady eddy” for their young son and Capone was a perfect match! Capone was a 25 year old pony that was looking for an easy retirement life full of love. His wishes came true and he enjoys spending time with his little boy.

Gracie & Holly + the Hirsch Family

Gracie and Holly came to Nexus Equine as a bonded pair. Josh Hirsch was looking for a pair of horses to adopt for his daughters. After making the journey to meet Holly and Gracie from Eaton, CO, Josh fell in love with these mares and knew they would be perfect! Gracie and Holly spend their days performing ranch work and entertaining the Hirsch children. We are so happy they get to continue their journey together.

Rowdy + Maddelyn

Maddelyn’s parents had begun their search for their daughter’s perfect horse quite a while ago. They worked with the Nexus team for a few weeks and we connected them with the perfect horse: Rowdy. He came to Nexus in a very poor body condition and after making a full recovery, spent time hitting the trails with our partner, Honey Lee Ranch. Maddelyn spent several weeks getting to know and falling in love with Rowdy and was surprised when he was her birthday present! These two have such a strong bond and absolutely love one another.

Felipe + Grace

Felipe will always be a team favorite of Nexus Equine! His personality is very true to the Saddlebred breed and he is so sweet and playful. Grace came out to meet Felipe on a cold, windy day. She knew immediately that he was the one for her!

Felipe learned so much in the 4-H Equine Makeover in 2019 with his youth trainer, but was still young and needed to learn more. Grace and Felipe worked with our Equine Training Manager, Katrina, to fine tune their skills together and they make an impressive duo!

Boss + Lindsey

Boss came to Nexus Equine with a racing injury. After months of rehabilitation, he was ready to find his right home. Lindsey came to Nexus in August 2020 looking for a horse that she could leisurely ride and develop a special bond. It was very apparent that these two belonged together. She took him home that day and they have been doing great things together. Lindsey now has Boss doing Equine Assisted Therapy working in a veterans’ group at her workplace.

The Witt Family & Hancho

The Witt Family adopted Hancho for their daughter. It was love at first sight! Hancho is a young, easygoing guy that just loves attention and affection. He has an old injury that prevented many from adopting him, but this family fell in love with him. They were referred to us by a family that participated in the second round of the 4-H Equine Makeover.

Chloe & Big Red

Big Red was partnered with Chloe for the first ever Oklahoma 4-H Equine Makeover Challenge. When Big Red first came to Nexus, he had been left out in a pasture with no care. After Nexus rescued him, we decided to put him in the challenge to show how a horse can recover with the right training partner! He’s now learning to paint on canvas. Chloe says Big Red made an impact in her life by teaching her patience and care. Follow them on Facebook: @bigredsjourney

The Dangora Family & April

The Dangora Family adopted April this year. April came to Nexus with a traveling history—she was born in Germany, and then moved to the US with her owner. Her owner needed to move back to Germany, and after a lot of research, decided that Nexus was the place that would be the best for her beloved horse. She’s been wonderful with the kids!

Mackenzie & King

King and Mackenzie loved to hit the trails and win ribbons in Ranch Riding Classes, until he was diagnosed with hock arthritis and needed injections to be able to continue doing what he loved. Thanks to the Care Connection Fund, King and Mackenzie are back to enjoying their time together on the trails!

Kristin & Burt

Burt came to us from a very sad and neglectful situation. Throughout his rehabilitation, he was always his gracious and soulful self—he trusted us to do right by him, and we did just that. Burt now lives with Kristin and is living his best life.

Josh & Twister

Josh utilized the Care Connection Fund to get help for Twister after she was injured from getting caught in a fence. Without this assistance, he would have been faced with the choice of euthanasia for Twister. Thanks to the support of generous donors, we were able to provide the care Twister needed to save her life. We’re happy to report that they’re riding together again, and that Twister remains in good health.

McKayla & Aubrey

McKayla and Aubrey teamed up to complete the Oklahoma 4-H Nexus Equine Makeover. McKayla worked with Aubrey for 90 days to prepare for the challenge, and they walked away as the Grand Champions! Makayla won a $1,500 scholarship and decided to adopt Aubrey. Together they are unstoppable!

The Oleary Family & Joe + Wanda

The Oleary Family adopted Joe and Wanda from Nexus Equine. Joe is a retired Off-the-Track Quarter Horse whose job now is pleasure riding with his family members. Wanda and their son Tanner make a great team working cattle and performing at 4-H events together. They live in Texas.

The Young Family & Indy

Indy is a 32-year-old Arabian—the star of our holiday cards last year—who is the second Nexus horse adopted by the Youngs. They have two children that Indy loves to spend time with. We’re thrilled that this senior gentleman has found his home! They live in Piedmont.