Meet Nevada: A 6-8-year-old Mustang mare whose story is just beginning—and whose ending we cannot yet predict.

Nevada came to Skagit Animals in Need in better physical condition than some arrivals (body condition score of 6/9), but covered in bot eggs and burrs that told the story of neglect. What we've discovered since her arrival is a horse carrying deep fear that may prove more challenging than any physical ailment.

The Reality of Fear

Nevada is profoundly afraid of people. While she has made small progress—cautiously sniffing hands and accepting treats—her fear response is intense. She will try to plow through fencing to escape even slight pressure. She's afraid of ropes, training equipment, and handling of any kind. These are not small hurdles—they represent significant behavioral challenges that may or may not be resolvable.

An Honest Assessment

There is a real possibility that Nevada's fear and behavioral responses may not improve despite our best efforts. While we believe that if we can reach her mind, she could be an amazing horse, we also must acknowledge that we may not be able to get there. We are committed to giving Nevada every reasonable chance, but we also must be realistic.

Where We Go From Here

Nevada is in the earliest stages of evaluation. She has demonstrated knowledge of groundwork in the roundpen, at liberty, so we believe she has had some training in her past. We're taking things slowly, watching for small signs of progress, and working to understand whether she can overcome her fear enough to be handled safely. This process will take time, and there are no guarantees.

Meet Nova: A 12-year-old Arabian mare with a sweet disposition and a story that's still being written.

Nova arrived at Skagit Animals in Need in need of care—covered in bot eggs, burrs tangled in her mane and tail, underweight with a body condition score of 3/9, and showing signs of a heavy parasite load. Despite her rough start, she greets us with a friendly whinny each morning and will accept treats and brushing.

Where We Are Now

Nova is currently being evaluated physically and behaviorally. We're still learning who she is and what she needs. While she's described as "possibly halter broken," the reality is more complex. She has some behavioral challenges and habits that need addressing and becomes anxious when separated from her companion, Nevada. But our trainer believes she has potential to improve with consistent, patient work.

Nova also has some physical concerns that require veterinary evaluation. We're committed to getting Nova the care and assessment she needs, but until we know more, well, we don’t know more.

What Comes Next

Over the coming weeks and months, we'll be working with Nova to address her handling and behavioral needs while evaluating her physical condition. We will continue to post updates here and in our social channels.