Into the Arms of Love: Buttercup's Story

When Buttercup, the palomino mare, stepped off the trailer in April 2022, she felt a shift in the air.

- BY CRYSTEL DENTON

Her hooves touched the earth gently and she paused to take in her new surroundings. The world seemed calmer here—peaceful, grounded—as though it had been waiting for her arrival. The other horses nearby watched with quiet understanding and Buttercup sensed the absence of the anxiety that had defined her earlier life.

For the first six years, Buttercup had been pushed hard—ridden constantly, expected to perform. The demands grew and her riders became frustrated, their hands unsteady and voices sharp.

With every passing day, Buttercup's anxiety deepened. She became jumpy, startled easily by sounds or movements. Her world was a blur of loud noises and soon, she became distant, less and less willing to interact.