Tommy – a Belgian Draft, tipping the scales at 2,200 pounds – wasn’t always destined for a life of therapeutic riding and blissful retirement filled with endless grazing.
His story with New Hope began when one of our instructors found Tommy in a kill pen nine years ago; he had likely spent his younger days as a hardworking plow horse on a farm. When New Hope founder Sharla laid eyes on him, she recalls, “The choice was easy.” Tommy was quickly adopted, taken home, and ready to begin his new life.
For those next nine years at New Hope, Tommy wasn’t just a horse but a four-legged therapist, a confidante, and a fuzzy, enormous friend. He had long-standing bonds with rider Drew, a 15-year-old, and rider Lana, who has MS and uses a wheelchair. Tommy would gently ride for each of them weekly, and for so many others.
Retirement at only 20 years old wasn’t the original plan, but back in November of 2024, Tommy went lame with a torn ligament and tendon requiring six-plus months of healing. The decision was made – it was time for Tommy to retire from his therapeutic profession to be turned out at Volunteer Coordinator, Emily Rogers’, farm. Fondly named “Hick’s Farm,” this space has become the unofficial retirement home for New Hope’s beloved ‘grandmas and grandpas’ including Libby, Daisy, and now Tommy. However, Emily noted that three is plenty to keep her busy!
“Tommy’s the golden retriever version of a horse,” Emily laughed. She recounts trying to scoop his paddock, only to have his
massive head rest affectionately on her shoulder. And calling his name? No matter what he’s up to, the sound of “Tommy!” elicits an immediate head raise and a rumbling call back. Emily jokes that if he could fit, Tommy would be inside her house, snuggled up next to her actual golden retriever.
A bit more about Tommy – this colossal creature harbors a dislike of a spray bottle. Fly spray application now requires a covert operation involving spraying it on a brush first (now a job Emily’s husband is enjoying). For his treat preferences, Emily says that “Bananas hold a special place in his heart.”
So, what does retirement look like for a horse? While his peers Libby (turning 27 next month!) and Daisy the mule still enjoy some riding, retirement at Hick’s Farm is primarily about embracing the simple, profound joy of being a horse. This means 22 hours a day dedicated to the pursuit of grazing, punctuated by breakfast and dinner in their cozy stalls.
Over the next few months, while Tommy is healing from surgery, he enjoys a partial stall rest in a specially squared-off corner of the pasture to prevent him from overdoing it. He’s also enjoying a plush double stall with rubber mats and shavings—a horse’s dream bed.
Since retiring, his previous riders, Drew and Lana, have been able to visit Tommy at his new pasture to reconnect and give a treat to their beloved friend. His days of carrying riders may be behind him, but his capacity for bringing joy, demanding cuddles, and enthusiastically devouring bananas is in full, glorious swing.
Tommy, the once-plow horse rescued from a kill pen, the therapy horse who adored his humans, the gentle giant, is living his best-retired life with Emily, who said, “I have never loved an animal as much as I love Tom. He truly makes every day so much better”.
Tommy’s story is one of many at New Hope, a home that offers a new hope to riders and horses alike.
To support horses like Tommy and the work of New Hope, consider donating, registering for, or sponsoring, the New Hope Sporting Clay Shoot fundraiser on June 21st, 2025.