Lilly's Monthly Needs

Lilly:  The One We Couldn’t Leave Behind

Lilly is the kind of horse who doesn’t demand attention—but quietly becomes unforgettable. For over 14 years, she has been a steady, gentle presence at Melody’s Haven of Hope, offering safety, patience, and trust to the smallest riders taking their very first steps with horses. Once an uncertain beginning, Lilly has grown into a true teacher—soft, kind, and endlessly giving. Now, as age brings the need for extra care, she asks for nothing… yet deserves everything. Your support helps ensure that Lilly can remain comfortable, loved, and right where she belongs—continuing to change lives, one quiet moment at a time.

 

Can you help Lilly by covering a portion of his extra care? 
Here is a breakdown of her monthly cost for Medications, Farrier, and Dental

Care Item

Monthly Cost

 

Ozactin (comfort & inflammation)

$120

 

Specialized Farrier Care

$90

 

Dental (once a year need $300)

$25

 

Supplements

$30

 

Total Monthly Care above not including basic care: $265                   (Scan to Donate)

Basic Care:

(Basic care including hay, low-sugar feed, bedding, and routine veterinary care averages $430/month)

A Call That Changed Everything

At Melody’s Haven of Hope, some horses come to us in moments of crisis…and Lilly’s story began with one of those moments.

We first heard about Lilly through our farrier at the time. He reached out about one of his clients who had suffered a traumatic brain injury and could no longer care for her horses. With both her short- and long-term memory affected, her world had changed overnight—and the future of the horses she loved was suddenly uncertain.  Lilly is our oldest living resident—a quiet, steady presence who has now been part of our herd for 14 years.

The Day We Said Yes

We were originally told about a gelding who might make a good lesson horse, so we agreed to go meet him.  But when we arrived, we found five horses…and among them was a beautiful Paint mare named Lilly.  We never intended to bring home two.  But the situation quickly became urgent. The environment was unstable, emotions were high, and we were told the horses might not even be fed. It became clear that if we could help, we needed to act.  “Come get them… no don’t… come now.”

So we did.  Even while not completely feeling safe, we tried to load the two horses—but they refused. The stress, the confusion, the uncertainty… it was all there. Still, we didn’t give up. With patience and persistence, we were able to get them both loaded and safely out of there.  And then… the real story began.

Starting From the Beginning

Lilly was very green and inexperienced. What we thought we were bringing home was not who she truly was. So we went back to the beginning—spending time with extensive groundwork, building a foundation, and slowly developing her riding skills.

She was one of the most athletic horses Letitia says she has ever ridden—powerful, capable, and at times more horse than most would know what to do with. She could do things you wouldn’t want most horses to even think about.  But with patience, consistency, and time… she started to come around.

The Horse She Became

Lilly helped with camps, learning her role step by step, but she didn’t give lessons for years. She was simply too much horse—until she wasn’t.  And now… look at her.  The same horse who once needed so much understanding is now quietly carrying the littlest of the littles—helping young children take their very first rides, patiently and willingly.  It’s a transformation that only time, trust, and commitment could create.

Caring for Her in Every Season

Over the years, we have also come to understand Lilly’s physical needs. She has developed arthritic changes that require ongoing management to keep her comfortable. From making sure her neck is covered in the winter to support arthritis there, to trying different approaches to maintain her comfort—we continue to listen to what she needs. Our vets say horses like Lilly need to be moving and working is good for them.

Currently, Lilly is on Ozactin IV as we work to support her mobility and ease inflammation. We are also monitoring whether she may benefit from a combination of MetaRX and Ozactin to further improve her comfort.

Our goal is simple—to give Lilly the most comfortable, pain-free, and happy life possible for the rest of her days.

A Lifetime Worth Supporting

Because after everything she has given…she deserves nothing less.

Become Lilly’s Sponsor

For fourteen years, Lilly has quietly said “yes”—to the uncertain beginning, to the hard work of learning,
and now, to the smallest riders who trust her with their first experiences.  She has given her heart without asking for anything in return.  By becoming Lilly’s sponsor, you help us give back to her.  Your support provides the care she needs to stay comfortable, supported, and loved—from her ongoing joint support and farrier care to the small, thoughtful details that keep her feeling her best each day.  Most of all, you are helping ensure that Lilly can continue to live the life she has earned—safe, valued, and surrounded by the people she has helped for so many years.

Because horses like Lilly…the quiet ones, the steady ones, the ones who shape lives in the smallest moments—are the ones who deserve the most in return.And with your help…we can continue to say yes to her.