At 28, Bud was not expected to go to Equine Affaire. But when two other horses had to return to the farm, staff from the MSPCA at Nevins Farm brought him to the 2025 event—and he met the person who would adopt him. Amber D. of New Hampshire took him home the next day. Their story is about an unexpected opening, an older horse finding a home, and the companionship he shares with Finn.
How Bud’s chance meeting led to adoption
Bud, a registered Missouri Fox Trotter, had arrived at Nevins Farm after his previous owner became ill and could no longer care for him. He was new to the organization, underweight, and not initially slated to attend the four-day Equine Affaire event in 2025.
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When two other horses struggled with the event environment and had to return to the farm, Nevins Farm staff brought Bud instead. Erika Tonnon, the farm’s equine and farm animal placement coordinator, said they hoped the exposure would benefit him. At the event, Amber met Bud in the barn and walked him to get a sense of his disposition. She found him calm and decided to adopt him. She picked him up at Nevins Farm the following day.
“However, when two of our other horses couldn’t handle the environment and had to be sent back to the farm, we decided to take a chance with Bud, hoping the exposure would benefit him.”
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— Erika Tonnon, equine and farm animal placement coordinator for Nevins Farm
Amber was looking for a companion for Finn
Amber had adopted Finn, a 31-year-old American Paint and retired show horse, 15 years before meeting Bud. She initially thought she needed another show horse. Instead, she realized she wanted the right companion for Finn.
“Finn was lonely,” Amber explains. “I thought I needed another show horse, but what I really needed was the right companion.”
— Amber D., Bud’s adopter
The ASPCA story describes Finn and Bud as close companions. Tonnon summed up the work behind the match this way: “It’s more than just adoptions; we make connections.”
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Amber’s account of Bud’s progress
Bud was thin and weak when he arrived. Amber said he had a body condition score of 3 on a scale of 1 to 9. His hooves were trimmed at Equine Affaire, and by March he had gained nearly 600 pounds and could stand by himself for the farrier, according to Amber. The article does not specify the year of that March, and the weight gain is a report about Bud—not a general expectation for an adopted horse.
Bud has poor and missing teeth. Amber feeds him mash, carrots, apples and soft treats. These details describe his individual situation; they are not a feeding or rehabilitation plan for other horses.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.“He was a 3 on a scale of 1 to 9; he was skinny,” Amber says. “They trimmed his hooves at Equine Affaire, but he was still weak. By March, he’d gained nearly 600 pounds and can now stand by himself for the farrier.”
— Amber D., Bud’s adopter
Where to look for adoptable horses
People interested in adopting a horse can browse listings through My Right Horse, the resource recommended in the ASPCA story. Bud’s experience is one individual adoption story; it does not establish what to expect from every older horse or adoption.
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Read the ASPCA’s account of Bud, Amber and Finn for the full story.
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