Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Donna Griffin got back in the saddle by letting an adoption story unfold one decision at a time. After losing two horses, she learned about animals needing homes, saw a photograph of Jasper online, met him at the Sanctuary, and eventually brought him and Starlight home to Rifle, Colorado. Jasper was a six-year-old mustang at the time of publication; Starlight was a 16-year-old purebred Arabian mare. Their story, reported by Sarah Thornton for Best Friends Animal Society on September 4, 2020, is a personal account of rebuilding trust, confidence and a life with horses—not a general promise about how every adoption or return to riding will go.
A magazine opened the door to horse adoption
The first lead came from someone Donna knew
Donna did not begin with a formal plan to adopt two horses. A customer at her workplace gave her a copy of Best Friends magazine and pointed out that animals at the Sanctuary, including horses, needed homes. That conversation put adoption in front of her at a moment when she was living without the two horses she had previously lost.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The idea became concrete when Donna searched online and found Jasper. Her recollection captures the turning point: “So, I got online,” Donna says, “and there was a picture of Jasper. That’s when it started.” The photograph led to a specific horse rather than an abstract wish to own one again.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →One intended adoption became two
Donna initially expected to adopt one horse. As she learned more, she prepared herself to adopt both Jasper and Starlight. The decision was not presented as a comparison between breeds or as a formula for choosing a rescue horse. It was a response to the individual animals she encountered and to the possibility of giving them a home together.
#1 Best Overall
- Fixed position, angled side dee rings feature a two bar design and offer easy access-you can snap in with just one hand
- Leg straps help prevent slip-through and are made from heavy-duty coated webbing that is heat-sealed to prevent fraying and ensure a quality product
- Two additional dees located on the bottom of the waist Back for attachment of one of our ditty bag options or a first aid kit
- Seat strap floats on waist belt for Easy positioning and comfort and is lined with soft oil Tanned top grain steer hide leather
- Not to be used for fall arrest
Jasper and Starlight arrived with different histories
The two horses were not interchangeable cases. Their backgrounds shaped the work that had already been done with them and the kind of transition Donna was preparing to manage.
| Horse | Details reported in 2020 | What the Sanctuary experience addressed |
|---|---|---|
| Jasper | Six-year-old mustang; born near Gallup, New Mexico; had been underweight and had little experience being handled | A local rescue group took him in, and foster care helped him become less afraid of people |
| Starlight | 16-year-old purebred Arabian mare; had lived around people throughout her life | She still had anxieties, so Sanctuary staff worked with her daily to build confidence and help her relax |
The ages in this table are the ages reported when the feature was published in 2020, not a current status update. The account also does not provide a later age, medical update or confirmation of where either horse is today.
Jasper’s progress began with basic trust
Jasper’s early history included two obstacles: he was underweight, and he had little experience being handled. Those details matter because they explain why progress was measured in confidence as much as in riding ability. A local rescue group took him in, and foster care gave him opportunities to become less frightened of people. The story does not identify a particular training method or claim that his experience represents every mustang.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchStarlight needed confidence despite human contact
Starlight’s situation was different. She had been around people throughout her life, yet she still had anxieties. Sanctuary staff worked with her every day, focusing on confidence and relaxation. Her history shows why familiarity with humans does not automatically remove fear or tension; an individual horse may still need patient, consistent support.
Donna’s return to riding was gradual
Foot surgery added a physical limit
Donna was recovering from foot surgery while Jasper was still in training. The story does not give a medical timetable or a general recommendation for when someone should ride after surgery. It does show that her return was not treated as an instant switch from “no horse” to “full riding.” Her physical recovery and Jasper’s training were both part of the circumstances.
Rank #2
- Fixed position, angled side dee rings feature a two bar design and offer easy access-you can snap in with just one hand
- Two additional dees located on the bottom of the waist Back for attachment of one of our ditty bag options or a first aid kit
- Extra wide 6 inch waist Back is foam filled and lined with soft oil Tanned top grain steer hide leather
- Not to be used for fall arrest
- Tested to ASTM F887 standards and meets ANSI Z133. 12 requirements
Her first ride with Jasper happened at the Sanctuary
Before either horse went home, Donna rode Jasper in the arena at the Sanctuary. She was hesitant at first. Then the act of riding brought back how much she had missed having a horse. “I started crying when I was riding in the arena there,” Donna recalls, “because it just hit me how much I had missed having a horse. At first I was even hesitant to get on.”
The arena ride served as an important intermediate step in the narrative: Donna could meet Jasper in a setting where his training and the staff’s familiarity with him were already established. It was not described as a test that guaranteed a problem-free future. It was the moment when hesitation and grief gave way to the recognition that she wanted horses in her life again.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The emotional return did not erase the practical work
Donna’s tears communicate relief and grief, but they do not replace the preparation required for two individual horses. Jasper was still in training, and Starlight was continuing daily confidence work. The account keeps those facts alongside the emotional reunion, rather than presenting feeling as the only measure of readiness.
Preparing for two horses instead of one
The adoption expanded after Donna met the animals’ needs
Donna had intended to adopt one horse but prepared to adopt both. That change reflects a commitment to the specific pair, not a claim that adopting two is inherently better. The source does not list the property’s fencing, shelter, feed arrangements, veterinary plan or transportation details, so those should not be inferred from the story.
It does mention one comfort-related step: Donna ordered a special bit and a custom saddle pad for Starlight. No brand, model, bit type, dimensions, material specification, price or performance comparison is provided. The detail shows her attention to Starlight’s comfort, but it cannot support a recommendation for a particular piece of equipment.
Rank #3
- Cushioning & shock absorption: High-quality padding provides extra comfort and reduces strain on the rider and horse by distributing impact forces.
- Breathable & moisture-wicking: Ventilated materials help keep the rider cool and dry, preventing chafing and discomfort from excessive sweating.
- Secure fit and easy attachment: Non-slip surfaces and adjustable straps ensure compatibility with your saddle while preventing unwanted movement.
- Durable & low-maintenance: Quality construction and materials withstand regular wear and tear, while easy cleaning options, such as machine washing, save time and effort.
- Lightweight design & aesthetics: Minimal added bulk ensures unhindered horse movement, while the 4 colors cater to rider preferences and complement existing riding gear.
Training and adoption were connected
Jasper’s training continued while Donna was recovering, and Starlight’s daily work focused on helping her relax. Donna therefore entered the adoption with two different starting points: one horse building handling confidence after a difficult early history, and one older Arabian mare learning to manage anxiety despite long experience around people. The story’s strength is in that contrast.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Life moved from the Sanctuary to Rifle, Colorado
The horses explored a new pasture
After the adoption, Jasper and Starlight went to Donna’s home in Rifle, Colorado. The feature describes them exploring a large, grassy pasture. That image marks a change from structured Sanctuary work to the ordinary space of a home: the horses had room to investigate their surroundings, while Donna began the next stage of getting to know them there.
The report does not provide a later behavioral assessment, a veterinary record or a timeline for how quickly they settled. “Explored” is the extent of what is documented about their first pasture experience; more detailed claims about bonding, herd dynamics or training would go beyond the account.
A quiet mountain ride was a plan, not a reported outcome
Donna hoped to trailer the horses to a cooler area for a quiet mountain ride. The wording matters. The story records her plan and hope, not a completed excursion. It should not be retold as proof that the pair successfully completed a mountain trip or that such a ride is appropriate for every adopted horse and rider.
That hoped-for outing also fits the story’s measured pace. Donna had first ridden Jasper in the arena, then brought both horses home, and only afterward imagined taking them somewhere cooler and quieter. The sequence suggests an intention to build experiences step by step, while leaving the actual outcome open.
Rank #4
- Wool Blend Saddle Pad: Carefully designed with a premium wool felt blend for dependable shock absorption, extra cushioning and moisture-wicking action to evenly cool your horse; our western horse saddle pad is ideal for comfortable and stable riding
- Crafted for Comfort: The 3/4" thick saddle horse pad provides a padded base and better movement for your equine companion while the reinforced pad spine and top grain wear leathers offer extra durability and protection
- Close Contact Fit: Built to shape to your horse's back, this contoured saddle pad reduces saddle roll, locking in place for a perfect fit while the precise cutouts under the wear leathers enhances communication between you and your horse
- Relaxed Experience: The soft, multi layered saddle pad effectively absorbs shocks, protects from rubbing and helps distribute weight evenly; this reduces strain on your horse's back while increasing comfort and confidence of the rider
- Ideal Equine Accessory: Designed for exceptional functionality and comfort, our reliable, cushioned western saddle pads for horses embody the trust and friendship between you and your horse; delivering unmatched style and durability
What Donna says about the horses
Donna’s description is affectionate and specific: “I’m over the moon happy to have horses again,” she says, “and especially to have these two. They’re just amazing horses. They are smart, they’re kind, they’re gentle … they’re low to the ground.”
Those are her observations as the adopter. They explain why Jasper and Starlight felt right to her, but they are not independent temperament tests or a professional evaluation. The feature does not identify Donna’s professional title, and it does not present standardized measurements of intelligence, kindness, gentleness or height.
Her words also complete the emotional arc that began with the magazine and Jasper’s photograph. She had lost two horses, hesitated when she first got on after surgery, and then found herself describing the new pair with unmistakable happiness. The account is about a relationship taking shape, not about ranking a mustang against an Arabian.
What this story can—and cannot—tell someone considering adoption
What it does show
- An adopter may discover an individual horse through an unexpected personal connection, then continue by looking closely at that horse’s history.
- Two horses of different ages, breeds and backgrounds may require different kinds of confidence-building and handling support.
- A return to riding can involve hesitation and strong emotion, even when the rider has previous horse experience.
- Meeting a horse in an arena or other familiar setting can be one stage before moving to a new home environment.
- Comfort-focused equipment may be part of an adopter’s preparation, although this account gives no product specifications or universal equipment advice.
What it does not establish
- It does not provide a success rate for horse adoption, a study of mustangs or Arabians, or a population-level outcome.
- It does not establish that every horse with limited handling will respond as Jasper did, or that every anxious horse will progress as Starlight did.
- It does not give medical guidance for returning to riding after foot surgery.
- It does not report whether the planned mountain ride occurred or describe the horses’ later lives.
- It does not offer enough information to recommend a bit, saddle pad or other specific product.
Readers looking for current adoption availability should treat this as a 2020 story, not a live listing. Names, ages, training status and availability can change, and the feature supplies no current placement information.
Recommended Free Tools
The lasting point of the adoption
Donna’s return to the saddle happened through a chain of small, documented steps: a customer’s magazine, an online photograph, a decision that grew from one horse to two, time spent building each horse’s confidence, an arena ride during her own recovery, and a move to a pasture in Rifle. The account does not promise an easy template. Instead, it shows how an adopter’s readiness and a horse’s individual history can meet gradually.
Jasper and Starlight mattered to Donna not because the story proves anything universal about their breed labels, but because each horse arrived with a distinct past and a distinct need. Her first ride with Jasper helped her recognize how much she had missed horses; bringing both animals home gave that realization a daily form. The mountain ride remained a hopeful next chapter, while the reported ending leaves the reader with the adoption itself: two horses, one recovering rider and a new beginning built on patience.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Leave a Reply