This is Sammy. We purchased her on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 in Kentucky. Sammy’s ad described an 8 year old show horse who had been out of work for several months. (See last picture) Photos and videos of Sammy jumping in the local Hunter/Jumper circuit highlighted her ad.

After paying a non-refundable deposit we drove the 7 hours to pick up my 16 year old’s newest horse. When we arrived this sweet mare looked nothing like her photos… skinny with no top line or muscle tone. Dirty and covered in bites/sores, and with an undisclosed large, bony raised bump across her nose (see photos). Despite her condition Sammy trotted and cantered with the most sweet and willing disposition. We questioned her appearance and were told she had always had the bony raised area and it was congenital but it had been “shrinking in size lately”. We were told she had dropped weight due to the heat of summer but she was a sweet, willing mare with show miles. We asked a ton of questions and were assured she was otherwise sound and healthy. We finalized the purchase because there was no way on earth we could leave her there in that condition!

My daughter posted a photo with her new horse and was contacted by a trainer who had originally owned her in Ohio. She was absolutely horrified at her condition and immediately started to reach out for answers and fill in the missing pieces. She made a post on social media and people started sharing stories about the previous owner and the neglect this poor horse has endured.

She was clearly not being given proper nutrition. She had failed a PPE 4 weeks previously, she had diagnosed EPM which was not being treated , AND most alarmingly this bony structure on her nose was from a violent injury after being tied in a rope halter to a trailer in April! Sammy suffered significant injury and trauma at the hands of her previous owner who never even called the vet despite admitting she was bleeding from her nose and mouth after the incident. This growth has continued to get larger and obstruct her face since the injury on April 15th. We were blatantly lied to and deceived.

Her original owner is furious and has vowed to help walk us through developing a nutrition plan. Financially, we are out thousands of dollars already. We have the vet coming for radiographs to address her sweet, poor nose. They suspect a broken nasal bone which has gone untreated for months. Surgery is a very real possibility at this point. They also suggest immediate treatment for EPM, which she hasn’t received in months either.

We believe we were put in this situation because God knows our hearts and knows we would save this sweet mare. I couldn’t walk away from her sad eyes. Sadly we aren’t wealthy. I’m a hairstylist and my husband is a mailman… about as blue collar as you can get! BUT, We have an amazingly talented and passionate daughter who lives to ride and loves her horses! We will find a way to give Sammy what she needs and she’ll have all the love in the world. Any donation you can make will be deeply appreciated and go directly to her care and support as we navigate her injury and current condition. If you can’t donate please share to raise awareness of neglect and abuse in the horse industry. If you see something please speak up!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

-The Strohl Family