The horse behind the mission

In the spring of 2016, a little black colt arrived earthside. He was special from the beginning. His gentle soul, his ability to read people, and his devotion to his family. 

As River grew up, it was quickly noticeable that he had a special passion for his human children. Often I would find them snuggled in his stall watching movies or simply just having a deep conversation with him. His soft eyes watching them, his ears ever so slightly moving back and forth, listening intently to what they had to say.

Time passed and before I knew it, the kids were climbing on his back. Never did he take a mis-step or act like a normal recently broke 3 year old. He didn't care if they were jumping puddles in the rain or taking a serious riding lesson, he loved his new found job.

Even though River was our breeding stallion, he never let his actual job interfere with his human time. As his babies started hitting the ground and growing up, we saw that he not only left his beauty in all his foals, but his comical, loving personality and trainability.

One of our kids in particular had a special bond with River. They grew up together. The best of friends, they had so many adventures. Summers spent splashing through the water and winters spent exploring the woods. TikTok videos, snap chat stories, you name it, River and Heidi were in it. 

The summer of 2023 started off no differently. River would come home from the breeding shed, and the summer fun would start. Unfortunately, life had another plan and River suffered a life threatening break to his pastern.  With the best vets and surgeons we would have ever hoped for trying day and night to save his leg, a month after the accident, the choice was made to let River go. He didn't deserve to live in a stall the rest of his life and not enjoy his life the way he was used to.

We lost a special family member that day, but we gained a desire to do something special in his memory. Give other equines a chance at a great life, as well as any other farm critter that needed a home. 

Orchard Hills Grand Rapids 5/26/16 - 8/18/23