Meet the Herd!
Lucas
Lucas is a Belgian draft horse who came to us from Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue. CDHR rescued Lucas after he was seized by the police from a hoarding situation. Where Lucas was living, there were dead animals on the property. He was skin and bones when the police seized him. He is thought to be around 20 years old. Now, here at his forever home, Smokey Chestnut Farm, Lucas is thriving as the man of the barn, who takes his responsibilities very seriously!
Lucky
Lucky came to Smokey Chestnut Farm in 2022 at the age of 23. Prior to that, she was a star lesson and show pony; however, her caretaker realized it was time to let her retire and live the life of leisure. Lucky is often a well-mannered polite lady, when she’s not hanging out with her partners in crime, Hope and Faith, of course.
Hope and Faith
We found this mother (Hope) and daughter (Faith) team in a kill pen in Pennsylvania in 2017. They were probably five and three years old when they arrived here. They are thought to be Chincoteague ponies from an island off the coast of Virginia. Hope and Faith were extremely reliant on each other when they first arrived, but they have slowly shown more and more of their independent personalities over time.
Kelce and Dakota
Kelce and Dakota are the two blind Belgian mares that were spared from slaughter. Last February, they were taken from their home in Pennsylvania and driven across the country to Texas in a big truck filled with a lot of other scared horses. Kelce and Dakota were destined to cross into Mexico to be killed. Like so many horses, they worked hard and did everything that was asked of them, but there came a point in time that wasn’t good enough.They tried their best to stay together side by side finding solace only in their deep love for each other, but they were terrified. But then, with the help of our generous patrons and community, we were able to rescue these two beautiful souls.
Update: We lost Kelce in June 2025, but her spirit lives on in every member of the herd and team especially her friend Dakota.
Grace
In July 2025, Heidi saw a Facebook post of a blind Standardbred mare in Tennessee who was scheduled to ship. This blind mare pulled a buggy until going to the kill pen. Heidi paid her bail, and she came home in August. Heidi named her Grace and boy does she embody it. Even though some humans have not treated her well in the past, she still trusts and gives so much love to the volunteers as well as her fellow herdmates. Grace’s disability does not hinder her; she still moves around the paddock like she knows every corner and crevice. Grace is very curious and very intelligent and we cannot wait to get to know her more as she enjoys a peaceful and safe life in sanctuary.
Dory
Dory, a Quarter Horse, came to Smokey Chestnut Farm in July of 2019. We were asked to give Dory a home because she was chronically coming up lame. However, Dory is not anything if not useful and an integral part of the herd (not that she ever needed to be anything but herself to be loved). If a volunteer or visitor needs someone to brush and spend time with, Dory is the one. Dory is a gift! She is happy if you brush her, sing to her, braid her mane, feed her treats, or paint her toes. She loves attention, and she loves people. Dory also provides a steady and calm friendly presence to other horses. She currently shares a paddock with one of our newest additions: Meadow Moon. The pair often share a hay bag and salt lick while enjoying each other’s company.
Meadow Moon
In March 2025, our friend Annie rescued this brood mare from a kill pen down South. Together, she and Heidi named her Meadow Moon. Initially, Annie thought she could offer Meadow a spot in her equine-facilitated psychotherapy program. However, after getting to know Meadow, it became apparent that what she needed was sanctuary. We knew then that Smokey would be the perfect place for her to rest and relax. Meadow Moon has a lot of healing to do. We will do our best to build trust and reteach her that there are lots of good and kind people surrounding her that want the best for her!
Rascal
As a young mare, Rascal was brought to the MSPCA. The MSPAC suspected that Rascal was a Premarin foal. Premarin is a drug made from a pregnant mare’s urine. It is given to women during menopause to supposedly help with symptoms. It is a form of factory farming. The byproduct foals that are produced are often sent to auction, bought, fattened up, and sent to slaughter. Thankfully, someone surrendered her to the MSPCA, where she lived for nine years in Methuen, Massachusetts. Then, she was adopted and lived in New Hampshire for six years. Recently, her caregiver became unable to home her and asked if we could take her in. Rascal, like Dory, is a Quarter horse. We believe she’s about 20 years old. Rascal is extremely sweet, but she lives up to her name!
Harvest Moon
Harvest Moon came from a kill pen in Missouri. When we first saw the video of Harvest, she was unable to take a full breath. She was in tough shape, and we were not sure she would even live. However, the woman who ran the quarantine facility said every day she could see Harvest fighting to stay alive, so we kept trying everything we could to support her. When she finally became strong enough to make the long journey home to Massachusetts, we had our own vets come and assess her. Her airway was 95 percent constricted and thus the reason she could not breathe fully. We were fortunate that her condition was able to be corrected with surgery. Now, Harvest Moon is the unofficial Queen of Smokey. Many visitors and volunteers are drawn to her presence, and she loves to love.
Whiskey
Whiskey is an off-the-track Thoroughbred who was not successful at winning. His owner was kind enough to let him come to a sanctuary. Whiskey was one of the lucky ones as he never entered the slaughter pipeline. He loves to hang out with his buddy Zilla and watch their neighbors, the alpacas.
Zilla
Zilla is a Standardbred who raced for a few years as a youngster and then pulled buggies for the Amish community. He then ended up in a kill pen in his early teens. In March 2020, his sponsor (a Standardbred advocate) reached out and asked if Smokey could take over his care. Zilla came to the farm in April of 2020. He is a sweet boy who spends his days with his buddy Whiskey.
Bonnie and Clyde
In January 2021, we found this team of mules, Bonnie and Clyde in a kill pen in Pennsylvania. As is the case with so many other working animals, after their “usefulness” is exhausted, they are thrown away. After spending several months in quarantine, Bonnie and Clyde arrived home in March of 2021. They are both very sweet and friendly, and we are so happy to have them here with us. Even though we do not believe they are related, the two definitely act like siblings— they love to annoy one another.
Mama and Pumbaa
In August of 2019, we received a request to take two potbelly pigs, Mama and Pumbaa. These two cuties were found at a local cultural festival while being sold for roasting purposes. A caring couple scooped them up and kept them safe in their back yard until we could build a proper living space for them. Unless it’s mealtime, Mama often lounges as the queen of her shed and Pumbaa sleeps cozily in his little house.
Finnegan
Finnegan lived with a family in Brockton. He became much bigger than the family ever expected, and they were not prepared to care for such a big boy so they asked if we could offer him sanctuary. Finn now shares space next to the sweet goats and the wild and sassy ponies. Finn loves treats and back scratches (Don’t we all? Haha!). He is a fan-favorite of most of our visitors as he adores meeting new people and hanging out with old friends.
Pepper and Rose
In September 2020, Snickers, Pepper, and Rose came to the farm when their previous caregiver, an older gentleman from our community, reached out and asked if we could help. The trio enjoyed about four years of fun together at Smokey Chestnut Farm as Snickers passed in December 2024. However, Pepper and Rosie keep their friend’s spirit of love and happiness going strong. The pair are quite curious and vocal so you’ll usually hear some baa-ing while hanging out at the farm. A beautiful serenade!
Daisy, Desert Rose, and Dahlia
Daisy (center) came to Smokey from a kill buyer in Virginia in 2022. Prior to that, she had been used her whole life for breeding purposes. Unfortunately, a lot of female alpacas are seen as vehicles for breeding, selling the babies, and making money. In 2023, we rescued two more alpacas, Desert Rose (right) and Dahlia (left) who were being relocated due to their physical and behavioral “ineffectiveness” at their previous home. Dahlia can be quite shy; Desert Rose is often wary of others but very very curious; Daisy will come up to anyone with a treat. They may be unique, but their quirks make us love them even more!
Merlot
Merlot came to Smokey as a stray. Heidi named him “Merlot” because he’s a big “winer.” You’ll often see Merlot moving about the barn and paddock areas. He is the watch-cat of the farm. Merlot does like to be patted, but only on his own terms. Often if he comes up and starts rubbing against your legs and purring, then you’re good to go.