SPOTLIGHT ON
Meet EastWest Lynne's Honor
aka Honor!
Meet Honor! Honor is the grandson of our own Statesman Summer Song and comes from the legacy of the late Lynne Vyner Shpak of Statemsan Farm Morgan Horses. Honor was born in Georgia at EastWest Morgans and was a beloved member of the herd where our Assistant Director met him as a foal and fell in love. Recently, Honor found himself in the midst of turmoil and shuffling about when his farm situation fell apart. We accidetly discovered him online and swooped in to bring him to a forever home here with us. At just 5 years old (turned 5 in Aug of 2025), he is a big, sweet baby and we can really make a difference in the rest of his life! He arrived thin and recovering from a recent gelding surgery so we are working on getting him healthy and happy in his new life here. He loves people and attention and we cannot wait to see what he adds to the fabric of the farm! You can follow his progress on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!
MEET THE HERD
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Arrived: 2012
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Born: 2006
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Breed: POA
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Color: Appaloosa
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Gender: Mare
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Arrived: 2015
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Born: 2015
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Breed: Miniature Horse
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Color: Buckskin
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Gender: Gelding
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Arrived: 2018
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Born: 2009
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Breed: Shetland Pony
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Color: Piebald Tobiano
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Gender: Gelding
christmas conspiracy aka Abby (aka boo)
Abby came to us from the New Holland Auction in 2012. We suspect she was a child's pony as she was well trained, well behaved in overall good condition. She even had a tag affixed to her halter that read, " Abby, March 26, 2006, POA." This would indicate she had people who wanted whomever purchased her to know her name, her birth date and her breed. POA stands for Pony of the Americas, a popular pony for children known for their hardiness, colorful patterns and good disposition. We believe she was dropped at auction after suffering a case of LAMINITIS which is a painful inflammation of the interior structures of the hoof. This condition can case lameness and even death, if the bone inside the foot rotates. It can be expensive to treat, carries a long recovery and rebuilding phase and in these ponies, can happen again if their diets are not properly managed. Abby showed signs of having recent hoof work done in an effort to correct the laminitic episode.
On arrival to our quarantine partner, Abby had extensive veterinary and farrier evaluations which confirmed our suspicions. Luckily, her hoof bone angles had barely changed and we could control her condition with proper food, care and farrier work. Since 2012, we have dutifully managed Abby's condition and watched her bloom and become an indespensible part of our organization. She works tirelessly introducing adults, children, veterans and our differently abled friends to the world of horses. She has taught children in our horsemanship lessons and competed successfully for years on our show team. She has been a main member of our offsite ourteach teams, traveling to events to help people experience horses, many for the first time. She is always level headed, brave and has a calm and capable demeanor.
In 2023, Abby contracted LYMES disease. At the same time she tested positive for CUSHINGS, which is common in older ponies. Cushings causes a reduced effectiveness of the immune system, so balancing her medication for Cushings was paramount to helping her overcome the Lymes, which she required multiple antibiotic treatments for. To top it all off, Abby also suffered from LYME INDUCED LAMINITIS, which is not related to the typical metabolic laminitis that landed her in the auction, In fact, in her entire time with us, she had NEVER had an episode of laminitis. Lyme induced laminitis is more like a neuropathy pain and required an entirely different treatment and management protocol. With the oversight of her veterinary and farrier health care team and the dedication of her support staff here at the sanctuary, Abby is set to make a full recovery in 2025.
When an animal enters the sanctuary, we provide all of the comfort and care they need throughour their lifetime with us, no matter how their needs change. Be a part of Abby's story!
I HAVE A GUARDIAN ANGEL SPONSOR!
Thank you Harvey Family for being #teamabby
beudasious kiss me quick aka Bodi
Bodi joined the herd in 2015 when he was just weeks old. He came with his mom, Maggie, and was an actively nursing foal. In fact, Bodi is the first foal we have raised IN the sanctuary! When we tracked down information about Bodi's mom (Maggie who is also a sanctuary resident), we discovered his mom had been owned by a man who loved his miniature horses very much. He unfortunately passed away and his family sent his animals to auction. Luckily for them, WE found them, and with a generous grant from the Nadler family of Bowie, we were able to get their forever home with us!
Bodi has grown up before our very eyes! He is still the youngest horse in the sanctuary. He has an effervescent personality! He is the eternal kid who is always up to mischief and mayhem. He is now the boss of his field of pony boys and he lives life to the fullest. Nothing is safe within Bodi's grasp as he will explore, and often destroy whatever he can get his lips on. He is brave and bold and truly the wild child of our herd. Bodi has been learning to pull a cart so he can participate in some of our horsemanship lessons. He works in our ourtreach team and travels offsite as well. He is a favorite with guests as his personality is quite magnetic and entertaining. His future with us remains bright and he will continue to be an ambassador for our outreach team.
Bodi still has quite the story to tell as the future unfolds and YOU can be a part of that story!
I NEED A SPONSORSHIP TEAM!
Please join Allison W. and Paul N. and be a part of #teambodi
Quiet Riot aka Jonas
Jonas came to us in 2018 from Central Virginia Horse Rescue. He is the first of our partnerships with them. He was pulled from a rural North Carolina Auction and was wearing road shoes. Road shoes are special horse shoes with borium grips, typically used by the Amish for animals they use on asphalt roads to provide traction. The Amish use a variety of miniature horses, ponies and larger horses for transportation and to teach their youth to drive. Jonas had definitely pulled a cart. He also showed a lot of signs of anxious behavior, We decided to bring Jonas to the sanctuary to help him heal and to hopefully add him to our portable outreach team for offsite events.
Once Jonas was here and settled, it was apparent something was physically wrong. Vet and body work evaluations determined he had a subluxating patella in his hind leg and he had extensive trauma to his opposite shoulder. We suspected he had been in a cart accident while driving. The physical trauma and his resulting and very justified anxiety, likely prompted them to dump him at auction to get something new.
We have worked tirelessly with Jonas to help heal what injuries we could. His subluxation is not something that we can repair, but we can help manange it by not requiring him to work above a walk or put undue stress on him. His overall anxiety is better, but as he ages, he needs management strategies to avoid recurring GAS COLIC and IMPACTION COLIC. Jonas helps with our outreach programs and even some of our littlest riders, offering them their first experiences with horses!
He is a very sweet boy who has quite the story to tell and you can be a part of it!
I NEED A SPONSORSHIP TEAM!
Please join #teamjonas today!
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Arrived: 2018
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Born: 2009
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Breed: Morgan
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Color: Chestnut
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Gender: Mare
Statesman Summer Song aka Summer
Summer came to us in 2018. While we don't normally have the backgrounds of the animals in the sanctuary, Summer was an exception. She was bred by the late Lynne V Schpak, world renowed breeder of Morgan horses and owner of Statesman Farm Morgans in Woodstock, MD. Lynne had been a long time friend and mentor of our co-founders and had supported the growth and mission of the sanctuary since its' inception. Our E.D. was there shortly after Summer was born and had even done her foal photos. She was bred to replace her mother in the Statesman breeding program and that is the path she was set on before Lynne died in an unfortunate horse accident. Her herd was dispersed, and Summer, carrying her first foal, was sent to Georgia to complete her pregnancy. She gave birth to a gorgeous chestnut colt who would be chosed to continue the breeding program legacy Lynne left behind, Shortly thereafter, Summer found herself in Virginia and not in the greatest of care. The Equine Rescue League alerted us to her condition when they recieved a call for help from the owner of the property where she was kept. Knowing of our connection to the horses, they called us and we sprang into action to help get all 5 horses to safety.
When we picked her up in June of 2018, she was a body condition score of 1.5 on a scale of 1-8. She needed several hundred pounds of weight, farrier care and veterinary supervision for her re-feeding program. Horses that are starved can develop re-feeding syndrome which is fatal systematic collapse of the organ systems, so putting weight on was a slow steady process that took months! She had not recieved veterinary or farrier care in several years and she was also deprived of basic human kindness and was very withdrawn and depressed. The upper patch of white you see on her nose is not a natural marking. It was caused by a halter left on and rubbing her nose until it damaged her hair enought to destroy the pigment.
Summer is now happy and healthy and has an absolute best friend in Jewel. In fact, they are almost inseparable! Summer LOVES children and has a true Morgan personality, full of curiosity and gentleness. She works in many of our outreach programs and is a favorite of guests. Her story could fill the chapter of a book and she is part of a legacy of greatness. You can be a part of the story she still has left to tell!
I HAVE A GUARDIAN ANGEL SPONSOR
Join Taylor G. on #teamsummer
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Arrived: 2013
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Born: 2011
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Breed: Morgan (?)
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Color: Chestnut
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Gender: Mare
arkenstone aka JEWEL
Jewel is our incredible one-eared mare, and she truly has a special place in our hearts! We affectionately call her Marelet—a name we created to reflect her feisty spirit when she was a playful, young boss mare in training. Her journey began at the New Holland Auction in 2012, where she was purchased by a kill buyer and was headed to Canada for slaughter. Just a year old, unhandled, missing an ear, and full of spirit, her story touched many internet friends who chipped in to save her from that fate! She was moved to a quarantine facility, but once she was pulled from the pen, the world seemed to lose interest—yet, behind the scenes, The Big Purple Barn was tirelessly tracking her safety. We reached out far and wide to find someone to give her a loving home, but after months of hope, it was clear she belonged with us in the sanctuary.
Before she was moved from Pennsylvania to her temporary home in Maryland—where she could settle and gain strength—she got herself into a bit of mischief, getting her curious head caught in a fence. She looked like she had gone several rounds in a fight and suffered a cranial facial nerve injury that left her face partially paralyzed. Her foster caregiver worried she wouldn’t be accepted, but we knew her well—her resilience and spirit shone through. We arranged a special trip for her in an equine ambulance, equipped with cameras to monitor her during the long journey, and on April 20, 2013, she stepped off the trailer into her new life, surrounded by love, food, and care. Six months later, she began shedding her baby teeth, and with ongoing love and gentle handling, she transformed into a whole new mare!
Adjusting to her new environment was a challenge at first. Her missing ear made communication tricky, and she was full of spunk and sometimes bratty, which ruffled the older herd members. But Jewel quickly learned the ropes, turning her good ear toward those she wanted to communicate with, and developing her own way of connecting. Want to know more about her missing pinna? Check out our resource page.
Over time, Jewel grew into the confident leader of her herd and eventually became Summer's best friend. She has an infectious love for meeting new people and brightens everyone’s day—she’s always happy to be part of our selfies! We believe she’s a Morgan, showcasing the breed traits of curiosity, intelligence, and courage. And if you are up to giving neck scratches, she’ll eagerly accept a gentle rub anytime!
In 2021, she unexpectedly dislocated or “popped” a rib. The vet was puzzled, but with some taping, chiropractic care, and massage, she bounced back quickly and has been healthy ever since. Then in 2023, she was kicked in the field—most likely by Suzie. Because the injury was near vital structures, she was rushed to the hospital for emergency care. Despite being in significant pain and not having been in a trailer for over ten years, she bravely walked in and faced her treatment. She needed surgery to remove bone fragments and had a lower limb perfusion of antibiotics to prevent infection. After three weeks of bandage changes and stall rest, followed by two months of gentle rehab, Jewel made a full recovery!
Jewel plays an active role in our education and outreach programs—her gentle curiosity makes her a wonderful teacher. She participates in our small horseback riding lesson program and serves as a greeter to guests! She’s truly writing an inspiring story here at the sanctuary, and you can be a part of it!
She's looking for a sponsor—please join #teamjewel and help us continue her journey of love and healing.
I NEED A SPONSOR!
I am looking for my own #teamjewel
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Arrived: 2015
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Born: 2006
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Breed: Miniature Horse
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Color: Buckskin Tobiano
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Gender: Mare
maggie maywho (steel magnolia's dolly pardon me) aka maggie
We found Maggie in 2015 with her newborn foal at a large auction. It was very stressful for her and her foal both, and the conditions were filthy. Luckly, with a watchful eye and a grant from the Nadler family of Bowie, we were able to purchase them both at auction. They stayed for two weeks at Charming Acres in Pennsylvania to complete a medical check and quarantine, and so her foal could gain the strength he needed for the long trip to Maryland.
We were able to obtain her registration papers from the auction and learned she had been owned by a man who loved his miniature horses very much. He unfortunately passed away and his family sent his animals to auction. We also found she came from a line of exceptionally well bred miniature horses of world caliber breeding and was therefore unlikely to have come from the Amish breeding factories of Pennsylvania. That also meant she was spared from the road work and physical disabilities many of those minis come with. She spent the first 10 months with us being loved and handled along with raising her foal, Bodi. She was exceptionally good at being a mother! Even after we weaned Bodi and he grew up, we realized Maggie had an immense capacity to provide comfort and care for humans and people. She loves children and she is always there to help comfort any new, anxious arrival to the farm. She has helped both Bugatti and Zoe acclimate to the sanctuary and now, she is Po-Tato's constant companion.
In 2018, she sustained a traumatic injury to her right eye and despite weeks of treatment to try to save it, the eye died and had to be removed. You can read more about ENUCLEATION surgery on our resource page. She adapted well to having one eye after a relatively brief recovery from the surgery. She is the second horse we have had with one eye and she is not the last! Po-Tato had an enuclation surgery as well and when his first companion passed, Maggie was a good candidate for him. Both had one eye and because of Po's limited mobility, Maggie's small size and good nature help him in many ways have the companionship each horse needs.
Maggie has lots left to tell in her story so join her!
I NEED A SPONSORSHIP TEAM!
Please join Dawn F. on #teammaggie
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Arrived: 2009
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Born: 2004
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Breed: Appendix Quarter Horse
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Color: Bay
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Gender: Gelding
the doofenschmirtz (miles to go) aka Miles
Miles joined us in 2009 from our longstanding partnership with the Equine Rescue League. Believed to have been born in Canada as part of the nurse mare industry, he was taken away from his mother so she could be sent to nurse a high dollar foal. It is also possible he came from the PREMARIN industry, which is explained on our resource page. There are many groups dedicated to helping re home these foals and he made it from Canada to a farm in Virginia that was trying to help foals like him, but in reality, they had too many to properly care for. The farm, called Eagle Hill, was under continuous scruitiny from local animal control, concerned with the state of the animals on the farm. The Equine Rescue League stepped up to try to help and take several of them to safety. Miles was pretty emaciated and small for his age, and had a large lump on his nose from where the halter grew into his face. He still has a lump on his profile, but everyone tells him how handsome he is!
The ERL helped get him strong and on the road to recovery and placed him in an intial adoptive home that didn't work out long term. They then found out they were being forced off of their 60 acre farm so a landfill could take over and had to relocate to a much smaller, 10 acre farm with limited room. They petitioned us for years to take Miles, and finally, we had the space to make it happen and welcomed him to the sanctuary.
Miles has absolutely thrived here. He participates in every aspect of our farm programs including teaching riding lessons, doing outreach work, working with our special needs friends, doing tricks and even spending several years as a successful show horse. He is one of the most personable horses you will ever meet and is a favorite with many guests! He is currently the head of his turn out group and is reluctantly the best friend of BIG Bruce, who shares a similar color and marking profile! As he ages, he has slowed down just a bit, which is totally understandable. He is on daily NSAIDS to help him keep comfortable as he is a touch arthritic as he enters his 20s. He has also been diagnosed with Fecal Water Syndrome which you can read about on our resource page.
The farm, Eagle Hill, that was once the source of a nighmare hoarding situation of young foals, now has a NEW life as the home to the Central Virginia Horse Rescue!
Miles has always woven the brightest threads into the tapestry of our farm and YOU can be a part of that story yourself!
I am looking for my own #teammiles
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Arrived: 2018
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Born: 2008
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Breed: Morgan/Arabian Cross
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Color: Bay
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Gender: Mare
Interstellar aka Sophia
Sophia has been part of our herd since 2018. She’s a sensitive Morgan/Arabian cross mare, also known as a Morab. Her journey here began when she was seized during a humane investigation in Virginia, arriving at the Equine Rescue League with a colt. It’s uncertain if they’re related, and ERL didn't believe he was her foal, but she cared for him deeply, and they formed a bonded family. Both were starving and in need of plenty of rehabilitation and support. Thanks to dedicated volunteers and a sponsor at ERL, Sophia regained her health and started her training before finding her forever home here at The Big Purple Barn.
Sophia has truly thrived in our lesson program. She teaches riders to be calm, cooperative, and to communicate clearly. She also lovingly works with our special needs guests, patiently accepting treats and enjoying gentle brushing. It’s heartwarming to see how she has grown to love being the center of attention and actively seeks out human interaction. In fact, you might be delighted to see her greeting guests at the parking area!
S
ophia’s an amazing girl with a club foot that needs special trimming from our farrier, but that doesn’t hold her back in any way. She has numerous allergies—mainly pollen, spores, mold, and biting insects—that are managed with allergy medications, special baths during warmer months, and topical treatments in colder seasons. In 2021, Sophia faced a health challenge when she developed a rapidly growing sarcoid tumor, which required surgery and a careful recovery. She’s now sarcoid-free, though these tumors can sometimes return or appear elsewhere, so we watch her closely and love her all the more for her resilience.
Sophia arrived after we had to say goodbye to a very special Arabian horse named Nova, also known as Champagne Supernova. Like Sophia, Nova had her struggles with allergies and itchiness, but she was also a beloved part of the early days of our horseback riding lessons and outreach programs for Veterans and our guests with special needs. Her name, Interstellar, is a heartfelt tribute to Nova and serves as a gentle reminder for us to always reach for the stars.
Sophia is such a sweet girl! You can join her team and sponsor her!
I NEED A SPONSORSHIP TEAM!
Please join The Gingerbread House Zoo on #teamsophia
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Arrived: 2015
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Born: 2003
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Breed: Minature Horse
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Color: Bucksin Pinto
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Gender: Gelding
all shook up aka presley (as in elvis)
Hey there, pretty lady or gent! Allow us to introduce Presley. He is the smallest resident here, and if you look closely, he's almost TWO minis in one! Facing left, you'll see his brown-eyed business side. Facing right, you'll see his blue-eyed party side and his unique ink blot marking. Some see a horse, others a dragon, and some see the state of Louisiana! What do you see? He spent his early life in a field as a breeding stallion for miniature horses. He was sent to auction when his services were no longer needed and was rescued by Charming Acres in Pennsylvania. They took him in, fixed him up, and gelded him in hopes of finding him a new home. He showed them how adaptable and trustworthy he was, but because of my small size, nobody seemed interested. That is when they contacted us to see if we would want to add Presley to our herd as we were scheduled to pick up Maggie and Bodi.
At first, we were unsure, but when we saw me, we instantly fell in love and put him right on the trailer and brought him home! He immediately made it clear how easygoing he was and became an almost instant member of the outreach team! He loves going to outreach events and helps with many of our programs for guests with special needs and mobility issues. He travels easily and enjoys meeting new people. Things like wheelchairs and walkers don't bother him at all, and his small size makes him approachable even for the most timid people.
Presley shows some traits of achondroplasia dwarfism, which gives him a proportionally larger body with shorter limbs. Our veterinary team examined him and found he has a narrowed, partially collapsed trachea, probably linked to his dwarfism. Because surgery would be very expensive, we opted to treat him with a bronchodilator. He uses an inhaler to receive albuterol 2 to 3 times a day, helping keep his airway open and making sure he can breathe comfortably. Presley also has Cushing's disease, or PPID, and needs daily medication to stay healthy. As a senior, he gets specialty care, exams, and bloodwork annually to ensure he is feeling his best.
We first trained Presley to pull a cart, but because of his limited breathing, we shifted his focus to education and outreach roles that he now passionately leads. You'll often see him in a costume to make him feel more approachable! He loves participating in both on-farm events and off-site adventures—from riding in a minivan to visiting schools and public events. Presley has even brought real-life horsepower to the historic Belair Stable Museum in Bowie, making every event memorable.
Presley would love a sponsorship team of his own! Join #teampresley!
I am looking for my own #teampresley
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Arrived: 2007
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Born: 2002
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Breed: Shetland
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Color: Grey
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Gender: Gelding
sterling cascades aka Pudge
Pudge isn’t the pony you’d expect from his name! When he first arrived, he was quite portly, and a short stay at a fellow horsewoman’s barn added a few extra pounds because she didn’t watch his feed closely. He came to The Equine Rescue League after his owners had to surrender him. Despite his size, Pudge is a well-educated pony who knows how to be ridden and driven. He’s a grey Shetland pony. Over the years, he’s brought joy to many through outreach events like pony rides, lessons, and even a few horse shows. His friendly personality, adorable unicorn-like look, and sweet temperament make him a true ambassador for the rescue.
In 2007, The Big Purple Barn was looking for a pony to help welcome the many young children attending our farm programs. As the ERL was relocating, they decided to rehome ponies like Pudge, and he came to live with us. Once here, our herd members helped him lose weight through a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, bringing him back to his best. Pudge quickly became a favorite in our lesson program, and he also enjoyed participating in outreach events and horse shows. When groomed to perfection, Pudge is a striking and spirited pony who has excelled at local competitions alongside our students. While he’s now retired from riding, we’re excited for many more years of his contribution to our outreach programs. Pudge is a true ambassador and loves meeting new friends. He even inspired our very first 2016 Unicorn Festival!
Pudge has been diagnosed with Equine Metabolic Syndrome, a condition commonly seen in ponies. This makes him particularly sensitive to sugars and starches, so overloading him can lead to foot emergencies—please see the additional posted info. His condition is ongoing and could be life-threatening, so he needs a carefully managed diet, special feed, and maintaining a lean weight to keep stress off his feet and metabolic system. Pudge is also the oldest resident here at over 30 years and has some age-related arthritis. His biggest challenge is foot soreness caused by his condition. Additionally, he has Cushing's disease, or PPID, which requires daily medication to keep him healthy. As a senior, he receives special care, routine exams, and bloodwork every year to ensure he remains as comfortable and healthy as possible.
Pudge is an outgoing pony who enjoys smiling, spending time with people, and helping others discover horses and ponies.
Did you know that grey ponies actually start out life as a DARK color!? The grey gene causes them to lose pigmentation of the hair as they age until they appear white. His skin, when wet, is a dark grey color underneath the hair.
I AM LOOKING FOR A SPONSOR TEAM! Join #teampudge
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