In early 2022, a 26-year-old pony named Quest safely carried young children around their first dressage show, helping them earn ribbons and experience the thrill of competition.
Though the day included a number of firsts for his riders, teaching youngsters to ride was another day on the job for the small, kind gelding.
Quest’s career as a teacher, however, began later in his life. On August 21, 2015, animal control officers in Washington County, Maryland, were completing a routine welfare check at a farm when they encountered a horrible scene. In an old barn on the property, three horses — Quest and two other ponies, Rio and Piper — were found in extremely poor condition.
Animal welfare officers learned that the horses had been locked away for more than 10 years and were suffering from extreme neglect. To continue reading…