The next chapter of Casey's

Petunia came to us in 2013 from a hoarding situation. We’re fairly certain she had never been inside a barn before — some of the early photos show Sue patiently working to help her feel safe enough to walk through the doors. Our veterinarian estimated she was about five years old at the time, which makes her roughly eighteen now. Donkeys often live longer than large horses, sometimes into their 40s and beyond.

We later adopted her out to Rustic Road Farm just down the road. They were looking for a donkey to help protect their chickens from local coyotes. Unfortunately, Petunia took her job a little too enthusiastically — charging through the chickens and creating total chaos — so she was returned to us.

In the photo gallery below, you will see Petunia with hay on her back. No, it was not thrown there by the groom. Almost immediately, when she gets her hay meal, she takes a bunch and throws on her back. Mitch, once commented that she is the smartest equine in the barn - next to Prince, of course. He says she does this to keep the flies off of her back!

Donkeys are excellent at detecting predators and can even fend off coyotes, so Petunia found her true calling guarding our senior ponies at the sanctuary. She did a fantastic job.

Over time, she became our ambassador — and quite the personality — even having her own Facebook page for a while. She definitely rules the barn. Like many donkeys, she can be stubborn with staff and volunteers, but with visitors she transforms into a gentle, patient greeter.

One of our favorite memories is from a senior group tour. One resident did not want to get off the bus at first, saying "I only came along for the ride." We encouraged her to join the group for just a quick look. When her wheelchair stopped in front of Petunia’s stall, Petunia leaned over and rested her head right in the woman’s lap. The moment was pure magic — and that visitor returned several more times after that. She was also wonderful with other visitors that came to Casey's. Many people returned just for Petunia!

With many years love and gratitude,
The Casey’s Safe Haven Team

Dear Friends of Casey’s Safe Haven,

After 13 incredible years of rescue, healing, and community outreach, Casey’s Safe Haven Holistic Horse Rescue and Sanctuary will be passing the reins to Second Chance Saddlebreds (SCS). 

May that spirit live on through Second Chance Saddlebreds and every life they touch. After losing our lease and unable to acquire a suitable barn for our rescues, we are eternally grateful to SCS that our rescues will continue to flourish with the same devotion and heart that built Casey’s.

This upcoming transition marks not an ending, but a beautiful continuation of the mission that began when Casey’s was founded — to save, heal, and give new purpose to horses in need while touching the lives of people along the way.

From our earliest days, we recognized that many of our rescues would live out their lives as part of our Sanctuary, and that they, in turn, had the power to heal others. Our guiding words — “People Helping Horses Helping People” — have defined part of our mission. Through the years, we have opened our barn doors to senior citizens, Girl Scout troops, and special needs groups, witnessing countless moments of joy and connection.

We have been blessed with a dedicated team of volunteers, share boarders, and monthly supporters, along with grants and contributions that have made our mission possible. Because of you, our awesome family, our horses have known love, safety, and purpose for over 13 years.

As we move into this next chapter, SCS will carry forward the work of compassion and care that has defined Casey’s over the years. Our barn manager/trainer, Mitchell Bornstein, will continue his management and training with SCS. We are confident that under his guidance and knowledge, our horses, ponies, Petunia Donkey and Billy will continue to thrive. 

This transition also comes with reflection — including the challenge of debt accumulated after cancelling over five fundraisers because of COVID, canceling our largest fundraiser – this year’s Fall Open House, along with the five months loss of boarder’s income, all who understandably needed to find a new home. While continuing to work with SCS through the transition process, Casey’s will continue as a NFP 501(c)3 through our fiscal year-end of 06/30/26. We will keep everyone up-to-date with any Casey’s activities through our website, newsletter and FaceBook.

To our volunteers: The future of a volunteer program is currently unknown. Your dedication, love, and enthusiasm have been invaluable to Casey’s over the years and we will keep in touch, if and when, updates become available.

We are filled with gratitude for every person who has walked beside us — rescuing, healing, laughing, crying, and growing together. The equines who came through our gates taught us as much about resilience as they did about love.
 

From all of us at Casey’s Safe Haven, thank you.
Together, we have proven that healing truly goes both ways — 

from humans to horses, and horses to humans.
 

With love and gratitude,
The Casey’s Safe Haven Team