Success Stories

Baxter

Here is our story, short and sweet, straight from the heart.
It all started with a bag of feed. We weren't looking to rescue a horse or change our lives, but that is what happened. We met Passion Horse Rescue at Tractor Supply Co. We were there to shop. We were often drawn there out of a curiosity looking for something and nothing. Jim, Ally, and I stopped to look at the beautiful horses in the lot and met Debra Naismith and her volunteers. We bought some oats to “Feed the Need” and by doing so began to find what we were looking for as a family.
Ally was being approached by negative influences as she approached her teens. Jim just retired and was looking for something new, and I was lost in my work and looking for a way to make a new difference. We all needed something to unite us and fill our hearts.
We met Baxter and thought he was the loudest and proudest horse ever. Debra told us his PMU story and it tugged at our hearts just as all the rescue stories did. But for us there was something that meant him for Ally. It was his "horsenality". Now they are inseparable.
Once someone told me to help myself, first help someone else. What that brings heals many things. Now we volunteer at Passion Horse Ranch, helping to Save Lives and Inspire People.

Zoe

My name is Sonja. My son and I came from Germany, about 13 years ago to Texas. It's been my dream to have a horse and a "Little House on the Praire". You can imagine how hard it was starting out. Working for minimum wage and doing every thing on my own. I've learned a lot.
I bought a horse named Tex. I loved him very much but he did not appreciate the good life he had with me. He was hard headed and did not cooperate with me. He ran off with me twice in the pasture and broke my stirrup but I did not fall off. Next he stepped on my foot and the doctor had to remove my toenail. Then he kicked me in the face, my teeth went into my cheek and knocked me unconcious. I had to go to the emergency room. After weeks of thought I decided not to sell him but gave me back to my friend that I had purchased him from. Tack, trailer and and all. I thought I was done with horses.
I often visit Tex at my friend's farm. One day we were drinking coffee and my friend mentioned horses and Tex. She knew I loved horses and she handed me a Passion Horse business card. She told me to go see the horses. After some thought I agreed and called to make an appointment.
I went to Passion horse and I met Debra. We talked for awhile and I explained my experiences with Tex and she just shook her head. Debra offered to help me and be able to love and ride again. She showed me around and I saw Zoe! A beautiful horse 3 years old PMU rescue. She is a Belgian/QH cross. She had just come home from being trained by Wendy White in Weatherford. Right away we had a good connection with each other but I was still afraid. With words of encouragement and support from the Passion Horse volunteers and taking lessons I began to get my confidence back. Deb, my teacher is very supportive and passionate person full of understanding.
So I bought Zoe!!!! Soon Debra and Jeff delivered Zoe to my farm and we cried together. Zoe found a good home and I got my dream back!! We were fulfilling both Passion Horses' and my dream. Thanks to Deb becauase she is the one who taught me to love and ride again. You will not believe what she does for her horses. I can say only come to Passion Horse Ranch and have your own experience.
Now when I come home from work, the first thing I do is see how Zoe is doing and get ready to work her in the round pen. Even if I am tired Zoe gets me going and just having fun. When the sun comes up we can see her from the kitchen window or sit on our backporch and drink a cup of coffee. We call her and she comes running! What else could you want??? With hard work and belief and trust in myself I did it! I have achieved my dream. If you love horses you will forget the pain.
I am so thankful to Deb and Jeff Naismith and all the volunteers from Passion Horse Ranch. God bless each one of you. It has been an experience that I will never forgot in my life and I think I will take it with me to the other world.
Thanks Sonja

Dexter

Hello my name is Dexter and I am a two year old Belgium Draft/Paint horse cross; and this is my success story.

I came to Deb's Passion horse rescue as a five month old, and it has been my home ever since. But Deb's main mission was to find me a forever home one that would love and care for me for the rest of my life. In order to show me off and try to find that perfect home I got to travel (I love riding in the trailer!) and go to various Tractor Supplies around the area.

It was at the Tractor Supply in Mansfield that I got the first glimpse of my new owners. It was a hot Saturday and I was in the pen with Dakota, and another horse. Several people had come by to look us over but none of those people looked like my forever people, I was nervous and not real anxious to meet them. But then it happened! Amber and her mom stopped by and my interest was caught. I did everything that I could do to make them pick me; I chewed on their shirts and tried to give them kisses. They laughed and petted me; but then to my dismay they drove off. I was not sure what I had done that made them leave.

Deb loaded us all back up and we headed home for the night. It was the next afternoon when my stall doors opened; and guess what? It was Amber! She and her parents had decided that they wanted me to be their horse!

Gentry