Riding High After Another Successful Equine Affaire

As crisp winds creep across the northeast and Thanksgiving approaches, nine horses have something to be extra thankful for — new homes.

From November 6-9, 2025, they stood patiently in their stalls at the “Big E” in Springfield, Massachusetts, as people from all over the country ambled through the barn, some in search of their next horse and others simply to appreciate the size and beauty of the animals before them. Children squealed with delight as curious horses leaned toward them for affection — or perhaps a hidden snack — and representatives from the ASPCA and three partner organizations stood by, eager to introduce the horses to potential adopters.

For the fifth consecutive year, the ASPCA attended the Equine Affaire, a massive four-day festival packed with exhibitions, equestrian events and horses. Held biannually, it takes place in Ohio each spring and Massachusetts every fall. The event features an Adoption Affaire, where the ASPCA sponsors stalls for ASPCA Right Horse Partners to showcase adoptable equines. We look forward to it every year.

This year, we were joined by three partners — MSPCA at Nevins Farm, Susquehanna SPCA and After the Races — to find homes for 10 adoptable horses with creative, endearing names:

• MSPCA at Nevins Farm: Bud, Libby and Tango
• Susquehanna SPCA: Cinder, Coal and Pepper
• After the Races: Aikman’s Audible, Just My Type, BellsInTheWoods and True Appeal, also known as Tucker.

By Sunday evening, all but one had departed for their next chapter in loving homes.

Waiting for the Bell to Ring

When the Adoption Affaire kicked off on Thursday, the orange carpet was rolled out and ready, setting the stage for celebratory moments to come. Vibrant orange flags and cheerful signs lined the wooden stalls, each designed to grab the eyes and hearts of passing equestrians. At the end of the aisle hung the ceremonial adoption bell, a beloved ASPCA tradition, and staff from each organization waited nervously, hoping it would ring out for one — or all — of their horses.

The hours slipped by as visitors strolled past, many pausing to admire the horses and ask about their stories. Yet the bell never tolled, and all 10 horses remained in their stalls, waiting for the right person or family to come along and fall in love. The best was yet to come.

The Sound of Joy

As the second day unfolded, more visitors passed through the barn, some for a second time. Team members from the ASPCA, MSPCA, Susquehanna SPCA and After the Races all buzzed in promising conversations with potential adopters, describing each horse’s personality and unique needs. Finally, good news came for True Appeal, a quiet, sweet gelding, and the adoption bell’s joyful ring echoed throughout the barn. Within hours, the bell would ring again, first for Aikman’s Audible, a curious young thoroughbred, and then for the handsome pony, Tango.

That was just the beginning. On Saturday, five horses found loving families and fresh starts: Pepper, the social butterfly; Cinder, calm and gentle; Just My Type, whose funny personality was just their type; goofy Coal; and Bud, a sweet senior. Then, on the final day of the event, BellsInTheWoods found her home, too. It was a massive success, creating core memories for adopters and staff alike.

Libby

Libby, a smart and friendly young chestnut mare, was the only horse who didn’t get her celebratory toll despite the love she received from visitors all weekend. She is available for adoption through our partner, MSPCA at Nevins Farm, who describe her as a great companion, eager to explore and quick to learn new skills. For more information about Libby and to inquire about her, please visit her adoption profile.

Pack Your Saddlebags, We’re Going to Camp!

Horse lovers visit the Adoption Affaire in search of equines for companionship, trail rides, dressage partners and more. True Appeal’s adopters browsed the stalls in search of a horse who could join them at camp. They were not looking for the ultimate equine bunkmate; they own and operate a summer camp that offers equine experiences for young campers, and he was the perfect fit. They gave True Appeal a warm welcome, decorating his stall to keep the celebration going until it was time to leave. Next summer, True Appeal — now Tucker — will teach children how to ride and care for horses in his exciting new home at SJ Riding Camp.

A Life of Service

Douglas attended the Adoption Affaire hoping to find a very special horse. He built a career in marriage and family therapy and plans to integrate animal-assisted approaches into his work. He wanted a horse he could ride casually — one with a temperament to become a trusted partner in his therapeutic work. Pepper, a young Thoroughbred with a gentle spirit and curious heart, turned out to be the perfect match.

The Golden Gang

Bud has seen many seasons come and go in his 28 years. The MSPCA hadn’t planned to take him to the Equine Affaire, but they loaded him onto the trailer anyway, hoping the event’s energy and exposure would help him find the home he’d been waiting for. Described as a kind soul who “goes with the flow,” Bud took the adventure in stride. It paid off.

On the second day of the event, a woman passed through the rows of adoptable horses and paused when she saw Bud. She has a soft spot for seniors and a farm back home that offers sanctuary to aging animals. She knew Bud would fit right in. His adoption was one of the first to ring the bell this weekend — a serendipitous moment for a horse who almost didn’t attend!

Inspired to adopt? Plan your trip to Equine Affaire in 2026, or visit myrighthorse.org to browse hundreds of adoptable horses today.