Pastured Place

A 501(c)(3) providing retirement, rehabilitation, retraining, and rehoming to Thoroughbreds.

[PTK LLC @KinPTK]

We were overjoyed to hear of Comin’ Back and Madi Barnett's efforts in the inaugural Thoroughbred Hunter Derby at the beautiful Upperville Colt & Horse Show yesterday. They placed third in a huge class of 57 entries, and did us very proud in the process!

The real goal of any breeder is to raise horses that are a credit to the Thoroughbred, whether on or off the track, and we rank Comin’ Back among our greatest achievements as breeders because he is precisely that. We can’t thank @PasturedPlace, Ali Rawles, Mary Crawford, or Madi enough for believing in him and helping to guide him into the next phase of his life, it’s been an absolute thrill to witness.

Here is Madi and Comin’ Back’s second round which combined with their first round score to secure them a “podium” finish. If you’d like to help show the world what Thoroughbreds are made of, please consider making a contribution to Pastured Place at https://t.co/ev0A9i7Rl0. Founded by the humans behind PTK and our partner in ensuring aftercare is never an afterthought. 💚

Signing off as we can’t wait to show Comin’ Back’s mom what her son has been up to! #MaydellTheGreat

🎥 @ClipMyHorse

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

The enthusiasm leading up to and surrounding the TB Hunter Derby at Upperville was wonderful. If there was any doubt about demand for classes like this then yesterday put it to rest. We thank all the amazing people and sponsors who dreamed it into being. 👏

Here's a peek at Pastured Place grad Comin' Back and Madi Barnett's first round where they secured a spot in the top 12, qualifying them for the second round. They ultimately placed third out of a whopping 57 entries, and we are so very proud of them both. It's hard to believe this horse was only adopted in 2023, last racing just three and a half years ago!

It’s safe to say his adoring breeders PTK LLC @KinPTK are equally thrilled, so check out their page later today if you want to see Comin’ Back’s second round!

https://t.co/Q7pWRKFIXA
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📸 Teresa Ramsay
🎥 https://t.co/b0KtsL6kj7

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

Amy and Sekt braved the elements with a smile at @fmfhorses on Sunday. This was Sekt's second effort at training level, and we're so proud that he didn't let the weather rain on his parade. Many thanks to all the volunteers and organizers for making the show go on! 🌧️

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📸 Erin Gilmore Photography

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

Our beautiful girl SALTINTHECITY wants to wish you all a very happy Easter weekend! 🐣

Salty has come a long way since she joined our resident herd in 2023 as a victim of neglect. By Salt Lake out of Society's Child, by Affirmed, she was purchased as a two year-old by PTK. They reluctantly parted ways during her racing career, which spanned an incredible six years and 82 starts. After a short stint as a broodmare that produced three foals from 2018 to 2021, she dropped off the radar, cropping up in poor condition two years later.

It took a village of amazing people for her to find her way to us, but thankfully, PTK is always willing to step up when called upon. Lindy and her team at Six M worked some rehab magic and for her part, Salty had a will to live that would not be defeated. She'll be celebrating her 19th birthday on April 10 and is making the most of her new lease on life. While she is only pasture sound, she is happy, fulfilled, and safe, and that's more than enough for us.

We featured her briefly last year, but we thought she deserved the spotlight this weekend. Salty is a true symbol of resilience and strength, characteristic of Thoroughbreds and our favorite of their many incredible qualities. We can think of no horse better suited to remind us all to stop and smell the roses. 🌼🌹🌺

Photo Credit: KMKPhotos

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@KinPTK

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

Dona Paula raised her hoof first when we asked who wanted to be the star of our holiday post, and she made sure she sparkled like one in her photo shoot! 🌟

Foaled in 2013, Paula raced once as a two year-old and twice at three before retiring due to a combination of foot injuries and a case of the slows. She is just one of our many beloved permanent residents living out their days in sanctuary. Your support not only helps us get our adoptable horses started on their next chapter, it also helps us provide a lifetime of peaceful holidays for horses like Paula. ⛄️

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

-The Humans & Horses of Pastured Place💚❤️

https://t.co/Q7pWRKFIXA
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Photo Credit: KMKPhotos

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

Triumph and tragedy are two sides of life with horses, and we are so saddened to confirm that the whole Pastured Place family is grieving the tragic loss of our precious, pink-nosed boy Wealth to colic on Sunday.

None of us imagined that this was how, or when, we’d have to say goodbye. We all had big dreams for Wealth, and he had them for himself. Whether it was being our first real public venture as a new nonprofit, the poster child for our mission, the ambassador of the breed that we believed he could be, or just finding him his very own equally talented person, everything was on the table when it came to this plucky boy’s future. On a professional level, we’re devastated that he did not get to realize those dreams. And on a personal one, we’ve lost a dear friend, a horse we would have been all too happy to care for, root for, spoil, and dote on for years to come. A million more kisses were meant for that pink nose, and we’re poorer for the loss of his presence in our lives.

We never got to talk about or promote him as much as we hoped or he deserved, and that’s because he evolved into something of a medical mystery. Following a bout of colic in May of 2024, which resolved nonsurgically at New Bolton Center, he had milder but persistent GI episodes that proved extremely difficult to diagnose, though we didn’t hesitate to try. Our team followed the best veterinary advice, and at times it seemed we had it beat. Wealth enjoyed long stretches where he was as he appeared in our August post—comfortable, cheerful, ready to tackle anything and everything. But those good times would eventually be interrupted by short periods of this disruptive and concerning GI discomfort.

After a recurrence this fall, and with Sydney abroad on a new adventure in England, Wealth returned to Meadow Spring for some R&R, with everyone determined to root out the cause of his problem once and for all, for better or worse. The hope was to find answers and solutions, having him waiting for Sydney upon her return or retiring him to our sanctuary program if those answers continued to elude us. Sadly, fate had other plans, and we were all robbed of either outcome when Wealth suffered an acute GI rupture on Sunday. Despite heroic efforts on the part of Meadow Spring and arriving at NBC only 30 minutes after symptom onset, examinations made it clear that there was only one option available to us. Preliminary necropsy results from NBC confirmed a rupture, and we have some hope we’ll get answers to our many whys when final results come back in a few weeks.

We want to thank Wealth’s regular vet, Dr. Erika Jo Beck, who worked tirelessly over the last year to get to the bottom of this, and all at NBC who cared for him in his darkest hour. And we send our deepest condolences to the people who loved Wealth and gave him their best each and every day. To the whole Sydney Solomon Eventing crew, who brought our boy out of his shell and helped him show the world, and himself, what he was made of. There was nothing quite like seeing Sydney and Wealth fly around a XC course. To the team at Meadow Spring Farm, who made sure he wanted for nothing and were at his side on the day. The last thing Wealth knew in this life was that his people were going to take care of him, and we’re so very grateful for that.

We have mourned horses before, but something about this one is hitting us all a little differently. Perhaps it’s because Wealth is the first horse we have lost since founding Pastured Place. Perhaps it’s that we used to have to mourn our horses privately, and this is the first time we’ve had a community with which to grieve. Perhaps it’s because of what an incandescent individual Wealth was, the sense of humor he had, his love for his people, and his gameness. Perhaps it’s the festive season and what it adds to how loss feels. Perhaps-and probably-it’s all of the above. One of the more poignant scenes in A Christmas Carol comes to mind, and we’d like to borrow from it now:

“I am sure we shall none of us forget Tiny Tim… or this first parting that there was among us.”

WEALTH
May 20, 2017—December 7, 2025

📷 AK Dragoo Photography

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

We've found ourselves reflecting on all we have to be grateful for as Thanksgiving approaches, and the list is long. 2025 marks our third full year of operation, and, due in no small part to the support of this budding community, we're finding our footing, discovering where/how we fit into the bigger picture of Thoroughbred aftercare. Many people have helped us through that process and stuck with us through the growing pains. Here are just a few we're giving thanks for this year:

🏠 The adopters who have taken 27 Pastured Place grads into their hearts and homes over the last three years. We're honored that they chose to become part of our extended family.

👛 The donors who supported us and our mission with their hard-earned money, a difficult thing to do even in the best of times. Their faith in us has been truly humbling.

📻 The OTTB on Tap crew, who believed in us from the start and continue to help us get our name out there. We'll never have the words to tell them how much their support and friendship mean to us.

🏆 The trainers who treated our horses as their own and helped each one shine. It's been an incredible year, and we have their belief in the Thoroughbred to thank for it.

📣 The team at Six M Farm, who hold down the fort and look after our sanctuary herd. Many of our golden oldies have made it to their ripe ages thanks to Lindy's watchful eye, and she has always been our number one cheerleader.

🏅 The whole Meadow Spring Farm crew, who have gone above and beyond in their efforts on behalf of our adoptable horses. Their ability to meet horses where they are as individuals and sniff out their passion in life is second to none. Every successful adoption is a credit to them.

💚 And you, the one reading this post right now, and every last person who followed, shared, liked, read, viewed and clicked. Every action, no matter how small, helps us help Thoroughbreds, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Our best wishes for the happiest of Thanksgivings,
The Humans & Horses of Pastured Place
🦃

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Photo Credit: KMKPhotos

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

Maydell is the mother of Pastured Place herd members/grads Hold the Line, Comin' Back, and Minutes!

[PTK LLC @KinPTK]

We told Maydell what an epic Makeover Mom she is, and we came bearing a mint or two (or twelve) on behalf of all the @PasturedPlace adopters who love her babies. She took the news in stride, but she was preeeetty excited about the extra mints! 🍬

@RRP_TBMakeover #tbmakeover

[The Real Rider Cup @TheRealRiderCup]

What a day we had.
🏇🏆👏🏻🙌🏼

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

Gabby and Pecan really hit it off! Gabby rode beautifully, and we think Pecan would have loved to go home with her. 😆

Pecan and many of her fellow Makeover/Real Rider Cup participants, are available for adoption! Please reach out to us if you’re looking to have as much fun as Gabby did yesterday.

https://t.co/k59FUQnHLY

[Mary Kaye Vavasour @vavmark]

@mig4450 @PasturedPlace @gabriellemig @MaggieWolfndale @TheNYRA @AdelphiClub Gabby rode a beautiful round at the Real Rider Cup this afternoon!

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

It was musical horses yesterday, but Gabby did a great job with our Praline Pecan!

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

You’re very welcome! Gunleather Al is a great guy, we know they’ll take good care of each other. 💚

3 more sleeps until @TheRealRiderCup!

[TheMig4450 @mig4450]

Thank you to @PasturedPlace for giving my daughter @gabriellemig a horse to ride in the real rider cup Saturday at Fair Hill. If you can donate to a wonderful cause it will be greatly appreciated. Let’s go Gabby, @MaggieWolfndale and the entire @TheNYRA team. Thanks @AdelphiClub

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

Well, this is pretty darn cool! Congrats to Ali and Mansueto on this @paulickreport spotlight of their Makeover Championship Freestyle routine. Ali did such an amazing job with both Manny and our Pecan, who definitely made the most of her cameo. 🎥

[Paulick Report @paulickreport]

Training one horse for the freestyle division of the @RRP_TBMakeover can be a tall task, but Alcina Rawles doubled down, riding OTTB Mansueto and bringing fellow Makeover competitor Praline Pecan along as a buddy.

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

(a belated Makeover recap, copied from Facebook)

This year’s Makeover has come to a close, and we admit we’re sad to see it end. We said on the first day that this would be a Makeover to remember, and we had no idea how right we were. This one really tugged at the heartstrings, in more ways than one!

To our team, both official and honorary members-Ali, Megan, Chelsey, Amy, Kirsten, Bryn, Niamh, Emily, and everyone who supported them-we’re in awe of you and how you all stepped up for the horses and one another. You did us proud, your horses proud, each other proud, and yourselves proud, and we couldn’t have asked, hoped or dreamed of anything more. We’re incredibly grateful that you’re all part of the Pastured Place family. We’re lucky to know you, and the horses are so very lucky to have you.

To every single member of the amazing @RRP_TBMakeover crew, who kept the show on the road through thick, thin, and tech this year—a thousand thank you's wouldn’t be enough. This event means the world to so many, and we’ve made wonderful human and horse friends because of it. It’s irreplaceable, and we hope to return for years to come.

Last but not least, to all the Thoroughbreds who make magic at the Makeover—what extraordinary creatures you are. Working with you and for you is nothing short of a privilege.

We will post a more thorough event summary in the coming weeks as it’s going to take us some time to write the epilogue our horses and riders deserve. For now, we’ll sign off with some photos that we think capture one of the Makeover's most valuable prizes: true friendship. 💚

📸 Erin Gilmore Photography

[Retired Racehorse Project @RRP_TBMakeover]

Ten champions were crowned today at the 2025 #TBMakeover, presented by @TBCharities, the banner event of the Retired Racehorse Project, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to increasing demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing.
Read more: https://t.co/ppNCEjuNC2

[Retired Racehorse Project @RRP_TBMakeover]

It’s been a big day at the 2025 Thoroughbred Makeover for @coolmoreamerica stallion Mendelssohn!

He is the sire of both our Eventing champion, Sekt and our Polo champion Qia! #TBMakeover

[Retired Racehorse Project @RRP_TBMakeover]

Congratulations to Sekt and Amy Faison, winners of Eventing, with support from Phoenix Performance Products, at the 2025 #TBMakeover, presented by @tbcharities!
Sekt (Mendelssohn) is a 2021 gelding bred in KY by Genet Racing LLC, raced by @KinPTK and retired via @PasturedPlace.

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

We're so proud of these beautiful boys!

[PTK LLC @KinPTK]

It's Championships Day at the @RRP_TBMakeover, and we're thrilled that our boy Sekt and our homebred Gullane are both participating! Sekt qualified with a 1st in Show Jumper and a 6th in Eventing, and Gullane qualified with a 4th in Eventing. Have the most fun today boys, we're rooting for you!

📸 Erin Gilmore Photography

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

The last couple days have been jam-packed emotionally, and we simply couldn’t be prouder of how our sponsored trainers and honorary team members handled themselves and their horses throughout the Makeover’s preliminary competition. You all are a really special group of people. We can’t thank you enough for giving this event your all and doing so right by your horses.

We’re going to try to grab a quick nap, but before we do, please join us in congratulating Amy Faison and Kirsten Schuitema on qualifying for Championships on Saturday! Amy & Sekt knocked it out of the park, winning the Show Jumper preliminary and finishing 6th in Eventing, while Kirsten & Gullane danced and flew through Eventing to finish 4th. We can’t wait to cheer ourselves “horse” for these two come Saturday! 🥳

Additional congratulations and cheers for someone we couldn’t do this without, Ali Rawles, who qualified for the Dressage and Freestyle Championships with her own Mansueto! (And an honorable mention to our Praline Pecan, who made a cameo in Manny’s Freestyle routine.) 💚

[Retired Racehorse Project @RRP_TBMakeover]

Preliminary competition has wrapped at the 2025 #TBMakeover, presented by @TBCharities. Hear from our preliminary round winners: https://t.co/jDxvrQFeTI

[Pastured Place @PasturedPlace]

It's pretty amazing to witness how these two have gone from the racetrack to the jump course together! A big congratulations to Ali and Praline Pecan on two great jumping rounds.