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Breed: Grade Gender: Filly Age: 2 Height: 13.0hh Color: Bay Disciplines: Companion, Other, Trail Riding Adoption fee: $1,500 Location: Heart of Phoenix — Shoals, WV PLEASE NOTE: THE INQUIRY FORM ON THIS PAGE IS NOT THE HEART OF PHOENIX ADOPTION APPLICATION Name: Vixen Foal Date: 2024 Breed: Grade Color: Bay Gender: Filly Height: HH 13.2 est Vixen is in training with Caity Sammons at #hopteamVixen. Follow along here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064704037378 FEE: $1500 From Trainer 7/6/26 How is it already time for our second required post? It feels like just yesterday Vixen stepped off the trailer, unsure of the world around her. Now, every day she reminds me that healing isn’t about giant leaps. It’s trusting a little more than you did yesterday, and finding someone willing to walk beside you. That’s exactly what Vixen has been doing. We’ve been spending a lot of time on the trails, with her being ponied alongside another horse. Every ride introduces her to something new like creeks, wildlife, dogs, people, different horses, and unfamiliar places. With each new experience, I can see her confidence growing. The horse that once questioned everything is beginning to look around, take a deep breath, and say, “Maybe I can do this.” One of our biggest victories has been something that most people would never think twice about: backing off the trailer. For weeks, Vixen just couldn’t do it confidently. She would hesitate, question herself, and freeze. At first, I thought she simply needed more practice. Then I realized the problem wasn’t entirely hers. Vixen doesn’t just follow because she’s told to. She wants a partner. She watches every move I make, and she trusts what I communicate with my own confidence. When I asked her to back off the trailer, I stayed grounded in front of her. I wasn’t asking her to do it with me, I was asking her to do it alone. That realization changed everything. So we went back to the beginning. We slowed down. We returned to groundwork. We celebrated every tiny try. Every single backward step became another brick in the foundation of her confidence. Now she self-loads onto the trailer… and she confidently backs herself right back off. To someone else, that might seem like such a small accomplishment. To us, it’s proof that trust is stronger than pressure. It’s proof that confidence can’t be rushed. And it’s proof that when Vixen believes in herself, there’s very little she can’t do. Today, Vixen: Walks, trots, and canters beautifully while being ponied. She will also carry a trail bag. Crosses water. She actually loves the water, I’m convinced she was a duck in her past life. Is one of the easiest horses in the pasture to catch, usually the first one waiting at the gate or comes running when called. Stands quietly tied for grooming, bathing, fly spray, and the farrier. Waits patiently on cross ties or tied to the trailer. But she does like to look around and be nosy lol Walks away from the herd without becoming anxious or buddy sour. Lunges both directions Has competed in showmanship, halter, and trail classes, standing quietly and taking everything in stride. Walks, trots and backs confidently in hand. Doesn’t mind the sound or feel of clippers. I clipped a small bridle path, and she stood there like she’d done it her whole life. She’s low in the pecking order and seems happiest in a smaller herd. Even when turned out with a large group, she naturally finds a smaller group of friends. I’m sure I’m missing other things, but all you have to really know is she is 100% a good girl. I love this little bay filly so much. She has come farther than I ever imagined and is going to make an incredible partner for someone. Vixen is a Morgan cross, likely with Mustang, and currently stands around 12 hands tall. If you’d like to support Vixen’s journey, I’d still love to have her DNA tested! Donations toward her hay, feed, and daily care are always appreciated. She’s currently thriving on Purina Ultium Growth, free-choice hay, and minerals. If you’re not able to donate, sharing her posts helps more than you know. None of this journey would be possible without the people who have chosen to believe in this little bay filly. Judy McGlone – donating one bag of Purina Ultium Growth every month to help Vixen continue growing strong. Kelli Whitt – providing her PowerPak dewormer to keep her healthy from the inside out. Paula Weinfurtner – donating $50 toward grain and supplements. Dawn Holland – sponsoring our obstacle clinic, giving Vixen another opportunity to build confidence. Sunrise Excavating – donating hay to keep her belly full. Kathy & Wayne Felty – donating hay and helping make sure she never goes without. Zach Taulbee—thank you for agreeing to hook up the trailer and drive us anywhere, anytime. It truly takes a village to give a rescue horse every opportunity to succeed, and Vixen is so incredibly lucky to have all of you in her corner. From the bottom of my heart… thank you. Currently, Vixen is thriving on Purina Ultium Growth, 24/7 access to hay and pasture, and Elevate Vitamin E supplementation. Since arriving, we’ve successfully treated lice and internal parasites using Quest Plus, Ivermectin, and a PowerPac deworming program. When Vixen arrived, she was completely feral and had never been halter broke. Despite that, her sweet personality quickly made her a barn favorite. Today, Vixen: Leads willingly Trots in hand Loads and unloads from a trailer (though backing off still makes her think a little!) Stands tied quietly Picks up all four feet Side passes in hand Ground drives Ponies off another horse like a seasoned pro Stands quietly for baths, fly spray, and grooming Has been shown in showmanship and trail pattern classes Loves obstacles and learning new things She is always the first one to greet you in the pasture and comes running when called. She loves obstacles, water crossings, trail rides, and has become one of my favorite hiking buddies (along with Cayde). One thing I’ve learned about Vixen is that once she trusts you, she gives you her whole heart. She wants to be your partner and genuinely enjoys being with people. If Vixen trusts you and you trust her, there’s no telling what you can accomplish together. That kind of partnership is unstoppable. This mare has eyes that can melt your heart and a personality as sweet as sugar cubes. If you don’t submit an application for her, you’re truly missing out. To quote Zach: “She’s the first Face Off horse I’ve really, really wanted to keep.” And if you know Zach, that’s saying something! This past weekend, Vixen stepped into the show pen and competed in a showmanship class, earning 1st place! For a filly that started out completely feral and had never even been halter broke, that’s a huge accomplishment. She has also been shown in trail pattern classes and continues to take everything in stride. One of my favorite things about Vixen is her versatility. She enjoys trails, obstacles, hiking, and groundwork, but she also shines in the show pen. She is the kind of horse that could go in just about any direction her future person chooses. This past weekend, Vixen completed a 5-mile trail ride while being ponied by a horse she had never met before. We walked, trotted/gaited (Vixen is not gaited but the horse I was riding was), loped, and even jumped logs along the way. Vixen never missed a beat. She was definitely tired by the end, but she handled everything like a champ. While Vixen has come incredibly far in a short amount of time, I truly believe her best days are still ahead of her. Every week she grows stronger, healthier, and more confident. Watching her transformation has been one of the most rewarding experiences, and I cannot wait to see where she is by August. Adoption fees may be outdated, as a horse may have moved into training, so check us on most current fee. Horses typically adopted UTD on vaccines, dental floats, farrier care and all vet needs. We are looking to adopt to safe homes. A history of good horsemanship, the ability to provide sufficient care with good vet, farrier and peer references are important. If you are a first time horse owner, we will require you to board at a facility for the first year while you learn more about care. We encourage everyone to take advantage of riding lessons. Foal adoptions require previous, established experience with youngsters. Our adoption process makes sure you get the right horse for you – it is a no fail process for finding the right match. Apply at https://horseandridermatch.com Apply at https://www.wvhorserescue.org/adopt PLEASE NOTE: THE INQUIRY FORM ON THIS PAGE IS NOT THE HEART OF PHOENIX ADOPTION APPLICATION Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue is a rescue; this horse is for adoption, not for sale. Message Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue here on tacktack to ask about Vixen and the adoption process. Rescue website: http://www.wvhorserescue.org Original listing on My Right Horse: https://www.myrighthorse.org/available-horses/filly-grade-from-shoals-vixen