Micco (King)

The sanctuary was contacted about Micco from a woman in Kansas that had purchased this gelding from an auction, once she got him home and really got a good look at him she realized he was not a barrel prospect. He was terrified of people and needed a quiet place to regain what the auction pipeline had taken from him.

He is a registered Quarter Horse by the name of Shadow's Cattleman foaled May 17th, 2005 in Burden, KS sold at the Double T Auction in El Dorado, KS for $50.

We drove to Kansas and picked up this scared little one year old stallion and brought him to live at the sanctuary. Rohan, our little one-eyed 3 strikes Mustang took him under his wing and helped him adjust to this new world of quiet, peaceful pastures and kind and loving words. It took quite a bit of time for Micco to come around, if you tried to touch him he would shake as thought he had a motor attached somewhere. We just let him be a horse for a good 2 years or more. Nothing was asked of him and he grew to be one of the most loving, and kind horses you will ever have the pleasure of meeting.

He now hangs with his BFF JJ (Jumpin' Jack Flash)

He is home, forever.

(c) Linda Sullivan - Simpson
Grey Oaks Equine Sanctuary
All Rights Reserved

When I Am An Old Horsewoman

When I Am An Old Horsewoman
I shall wear turquoise and diamonds,
And a straw hat that doesn’t suit me
And I shall spend my social security on
white wine and carrots,
And sit in my alleyway of my barn
And listen to my horses breathe.

I will sneak out in the middle of a summer night
And ride the old bay gelding,
Across the moonstruck meadow
If my old bones will allow
And when people come to call, I will smile and nod
As I walk past the gardens to the barn
and show instead the flowers growing
inside stalls fresh-lined with straw.

I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel
And I will be an embarrassment to ALL
Who will not yet have found the peace in being free
to have a horse as a best friend
A friend who waits at midnight hour
With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes
For the kind of woman I will be
When I am old.

- Author Unknown

The Comfort of Ordinary Days

The herd at Grey Oaks Equine Sanctuary experience the comfort of ordinary days every day. They are fed at the same time, every day. They explore the pastures and munch hay at the same time, every day. They are free to be individuals unfettered by stalls, pens, halters, saddles, and the will of man.

Cinder - 12.31.2017

Our newest arrival, Cinder, was most probably never afforded that privilege so even though she has been here 3 months she still hasn't really experienced the pleasure and serenity of the comfort of ordinary days. Cinder is unfortunately typical of horses that have been abused, they are always in flight mode.


Every night I go to the barn and tuck the girls in, that is Cinder and Abby. Every night Cinder is eager to get back in the barn, settle down with her barn buddy to munch hay and review the day. There is a gate between the two corrals that the girls stay in when weather permits, they are separated because Abby is an aged mare who enjoys her solitude and her food.


When I arrived at the barn last night Cinder was running back and forth in both corrals, sweating, Abby was not happy about having her space invaded.


The gate had become unlatched and Cinder didn't know how to react, she knows Abby is grouchy, it was getting dark, hunger was setting in, she knew she had to run from the fear, the fear of losing what she was just beginning to understand, the comfort of ordinary days.


The gate is now secure, I brushed Cinder while she ate to soothe her and let her know that her best days were still in front of her. She calmed down but was still showing some fear from her ordeal, ears alert, ready to bolt if need be.


I will always be there to catch her...




(c)2017 Linda Sullivan - Simpson
Grey Oaks Equine Sanctuary
All Rights Reserved