On the morning of July 9th, we woke up to an incredible surprise—our sweet pony Minnie had given birth to a beautiful, spunky baby boy. We were completely shocked—we had no idea she was pregnant!

We immediately called our vet, and both Minnie and her foal were checked and closely monitored. Everything looked great. We began making plans to move them to a larger ranch in Agua Dulce, where they’d have more space to grow and thrive. On July 23rd, they were both given a clean bill of health and the go-ahead to move.

But just two days later, on the morning of July 25th, tragedy struck.

We received an early call that Minnie wasn’t doing well. She was showing signs of colic—a serious and often fatal condition in horses. We immediately contacted the emergency vet, but within an hour, our beloved Minnie had passed away.

We are absolutely heartbroken. Minnie wasn’t just our pony—she was part of our family, and a gentle, loving lesson horse who brought joy to so many children. She loved long grooming sessions, nose kisses, and treats. She was also an incredibly sweet and nurturing mother, always gentle with her playful little colt.

Now, through our grief, we are doing everything we can to save and care for her baby. He lost his mama far too soon, and now he needs extra care, nutrition, and support to survive and thrive without her.

We’ve started this GoFundMe to help with the unexpected and ongoing expenses of vet care, specialized formula, foal supplies, and support as we raise him by hand. Any amount helps, and even if you can’t donate, sharing this page means the world to us.

Thank you for your love and support during this heartbreaking time. We’re determined to honor Minnie’s legacy by giving her baby the best chance at life.

With love and gratitude,

Tara and Isabel

Lil Barn Riding School