Old Souls, New Beginnings: Why Senior Horse Adoption Matters

Head Trainer at the Humane Society of North Texas, Amanda Stevens with an owner surrendered horse named Tinkerbell

In a quiet corner stall at an ASPCA Right Horse adoption fair, Courtney Ruppert met Wilma: a small 31-year-old mare with one eye and a heavy past. Wilma had spent years being passed around, mishandled and overlooked. But there was something about her presence that stayed with Ruppert long after she left the fair.

That night, Ruppert couldn’t sleep. The image of Wilma kept replaying in her mind. By morning, she called the West Virginia Horse Network and asked the question that changed both their lives: “Can I adopt Wilma?”

Trust takes time

Meet Wilma

The early days weren’t easy. Wilma was nervous, unsure if she could trust her new surroundings. But Ruppert remained steady and gentle, giving the mare space, routine and time. “I love trying to learn and earn an animal’s trust,” Ruppert said. “It’s a very special thing to give them the time to discover that you’re safe.”

Today, Wilma is the heart of Ruppert’s barn. Her future may be uncertain, but her days are now filled with love and dignity. When Ruppert watches Wilma in the barn today, she sees more than a horse. She sees trust, resilience and a soul at peace. “She might live another 6 months; she might make it a year,” Ruppert said. “But it doesn’t matter. What matters is that she’s happy.”

Changing the narrative: the ASPCA Right Horse program

Stories like Wilma’s are at the heart of the ASPCA Right Horse program, which is transforming how people view horses in transition—horses moving through the adoption and rescue process. This is especially true for senior horses, who may come with physical or emotional needs but that also offer incredible depth, wisdom and connection. With support from partners like Zoetis, the program continues to expand its reach and impact.

The ASPCA Right Horse team brings together horse industry professionals and rescue organizations: coordinating welfare advocates to make it easier for prospective horse owners to find the right horse no matter where they live in the U.S.

One such organization, the Humane Society of North Texas, is an ASPCA Right Horse partner and does just that. Steve and Amanda Stevens have helped place over 200 horses in new homes, most of them seniors.

The Humane Society of North Texas 

“We really bought into the Right Horse program’s think-outside-the-box mission and mentality,” said Steven. “Senior horses have amazing value, even if they can’t always be ridden. They give in a million different ways. It’s our job to share that message.”

Nicky Walters, president of the West Virginia Horse Network, another ASPCA Right Horse program partner, agrees: “There’s a stigma that senior horses don’t have value, but that’s just not true. They can be calm teachers and excellent companions for other horses. In short, they’re an incredible asset to your barn.”

Partnership founded in purpose 

Sarah Pollina, a Laboratory Technician at Zoetis, took the leap and adopted her beloved Appaloosa pony, Twizzler, through ASPCA Right Horse partner Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. The staff helped support Twizzler’s transition with comprehensive care and groundwork to ensure she was ready to settle into her new home. 

“When I adopted Twizzler, it deeply resonated with me that I now get to be part of her story,” said Pollina. “Equine adoption opens the door to help shape a horse’s next chapter for the better; it’s incredibly rewarding. It took time and patience, but our trust with each other is palpable—to the point where we’re even competing in dressage now!”

Sarah Pollina, Zoetis Laboratory Technician, and Twizzler 

That same spirit of compassionate care is what fuels the partnership between our team at Zoetis and the ASPCA Right Horse program. We believe that healthy horses and hopeful futures go hand in hand.

Every May, in honor of Adopt a Horse Month, we proudly donate Core EQ Innovator^® vaccines to all horses adopted through the ASPCA Right Horse program. It’s more than just giving back to the industry—it’s a way to help ensure horses start their next chapter with the foundational wellness they deserve.

For us, this partnership isn’t just about vaccines or veterinary support. It’s about aligning with people and programs that see the deep worth in every horse, especially those that simply need a second chance to live their best lives for as long as they have left, because we know firsthand how much they give to us.

Ready to adopt a senior horse? Zoetis is always by your side

Explore adoptable horses through the ASPCA Right Horse network and consider opening your heart—and barn—to an old soul that’s ready for a new beginning or a soft landing. Adopting a senior horse might feel daunting at first, but it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences in a horse owner’s life.

Megan Patton, a first-time adopter, found her confidence through her older horse:

Are you considering adopting a senior horse but worried about the level of care the horse will need? Don’t worry—Zoetis Equine is always by your side. Here are several wellness areas to prioritize when caring for a senior horse. 

• Preventive Health: Vaccinations, fecal egg counts and targeted deworming remain essential at every age.
• Dental Health: Routine dental checks once or twice a year (depending on overall dental health) prevent discomfort and ensure aging horses continue to receive proper nutrition by improving their ability to chew and digest food properly.
• Hoof Care: Consistent farrier visits can help horses stay mobile into their senior years.
• Nutrition: Older horses may need specialized diets. Work with your veterinarian to support weight, energy and digestion.
• Metabolic Health: Conditions like Cushing’s disease or insulin resistance can be common in senior horses but are manageable with regular care.
• Joint Care: Years of activity can take a toll on a horse’s joints, especially in their senior years. As the wear and tear of a lifetime of activity builds up, it can show up in their joints. 
• Beyond nutrition and exercise, regenerative medicine devices like Pro-Stride^® APS provide non-steroidal options to help maintain long-term joint health. 
• By working with the horse’s own blood or bone marrow to encourage healing, these treatments can avoid many of the risks associated with corticosteroids, which makes them especially valuable for horses with metabolic or endocrine challenges.^1,2 Learn more about this research here. 

A new chapter for old souls

Senior horses like Wilma and Twizzler remind us that age does not diminish worth; it enriches it. Adopting a senior horse is not only about offering them a second chance—it is about welcoming wisdom, resilience and a deeper kind of companionship into your life.

By choosing adoption, you become part of their story, a story where every horse deserves dignity, care and love. With the Right Horse program's dedicated adoption network and Zoetis' veterinary-informed care solutions by your side, you will have the support to ensure every new beginning is a healthy and hopeful one.