Hill Haven
Rest Easy Sweet Girl
Miss Madonna
1989-2025
Every horse that comes into sanctuary here leaves an impact - some leave decades long legacies of love and others may only be here a short time and yet have the most powerful impact.
This mare had such awful separation anxiety when she arrived that she paced the fenceline at the bottom of the driveway wanting to go back to her old life - that wasnt possible and I began to notice she stared wistfully at the neighbors far more lush (no horses) pasture and longed to flee- her intro to the herd was rough - they can really be mean to the new folks to establish herd hierarchy so she decided they were jerks and she wanted to leave - her pacing led me to realize how truly we had outgrown our current home and acreage - it was a gravel road with 8 houses on it in 1999 when we bought it and a 2 lane with 30 houses added when this mare led me to literally seek greener pastures - it is because of her sweet heart that we are at the new place on 20 acres and I am glad she got to live a few months here before moving on at the grand old age of 36 years. She passed away July 30 2026 and these were my immediate grief and love filled thoughts on her facebook legacy pos.
"It has taken me a couple of days to brace my heart to look for pictures of this sweet girl - Madonna was the safe space for EVERYONE - Dylan adored her - along with Baby Boo they had a little nuclear family that finally led Dylan to feel safe enough to be safe around. Baby Boo came in motherless and demanded that Madonna mother her - followed her everywhere- this poor sweet little pony Little Bit has lost so much this month - Madonna accepted and welcomed him and was his safe space - he could eat in the stall with her or Bee Bars and feel safe - isnt that what we all long for is to feel safe. Madonna made everyone feel safe. She was the reason I randomly looked up land because she wanted more grass when she first came to us in the rescue pipeline - so she started me down a path that has been eventful to say the least but I think when it comes to that feeling of safety that she provided- I think she gave that to the entire herd- its so much more peaceful at the new place (and likely more peace and safety for us humans given time to see the full picture) by leading me to look at the new land and wanting them to have more peaceful less crowded pastures - I can see her now Mothering every new entry who crosses the rainbow bridge or perhaps she is the one who finally gets to feel safe the way she made everyone else feel for her entire life -Rest in Peace Madonna - your presence was a present I was blessed to briefly experience- and so was every other spirit, human or hooved that you encountered - rest gently sweet lady Madonna aged 36- death July 30th 2025"
.jpg)
Rest in Peace Miss Bee Bars
It is bittersweet that Miss Bee Bars drew her last breaths on the new 20 acre sanctuary we have created for senior horses on June 27, 2025. We do not flip/sell/trade horses. Those who enter our sanctuary do so for the rest of their lives. Bee Bars lived to a ripe old age of 42 years young and had just had a vet check and was deemed in good health. It was just her time to go and we were there with her at the end hoping to ease her way onto greener pastures. She died before the vet could arrive as we sat with her waiting for him. Death is a sacred experience and we were grateful to be there with her as hard as it was on us - she wasnt alone. Hill Haven is a true sanctuary for these abused negleced and "throw away" horses - many of whom get to live out long happy lives as pasture pets working with grief groups and troubled teens. Miss Bee Bars was everyones favorite sweet old lady we saved from the meat truck in 2008. In return for safe haven these 18 years she has helped countless humans through hard times in our programs. As the barn favorite due to her sweet nature everyone who ever met her felt our loss as she moves on to greener pastures and gets treats from the robes of the Good Shephard Himself. She will always be rememembered, loved and missed. ♥
WE HAVE MOVED!
Our horses and the chapel are now ready for tours at
401 N Jones Rd Portland TN 37148 by appointment only 615-429-5002
08/01/2024
The reception hall is finally completed! The chapel is done and finally we can fundraise for the horses and events.
We want to thank the couples who chose to get married here during construction- thank you for understanding that a farm life can be chaotic and crazy but so deeply satisfying.
Its been a crazy year! BEE BARS IS 41 YEARS OLD and doing great! The vet reports that she is in amazing health. Still eats her grass, grain (pellets) and hay!!
Unfortunately we lost our 35 year old pony Sir Dudley Do Ride to Colic - Dr Lovell from TN Equine North came out and we decided to let him go on over the rainbow bridge to join the herd members who have gone before him. He had bad teeth - I wonder if all the kiddos who adored him over the years and gave him many treats gave him teeth issues - but he was 35 and he lived a long life as a beloved friend and companion. He was a superstar pony - an actual unicorn! Here are some pictures of him over the years ♥ Forever in our HEARTS ♥
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |