Lonesome Pine
All Items Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Equine-Assisted Learning Sanctuary Living Inspector Spotlights Hamburger Toggle Menu Previous PostNext Post Lonesome Pine Lonesome Pine By: Alexis Arbaugh August 15, 2025 Success Stories Tags:fox hunting, Second Stride, Success story, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kelsey Kreutzer wasn’t searching for another horse when she first saw Lonesome Pine. With four horses already at home in Kansas, she considered her herd complete. But one day, while flipping through a horse magazine at work, a feature on the ASPCA’s Find My Right Horse caught her eye. Curious, she visited the website and started browsing through the listings. That’s when she first laid eyes on Lonesome Pine, a three-year-old Thoroughbred gelding listed by Second Stride in Prospect, Kentucky. “Oh, he’s handsome,” Kelsey thought, but she kept scrolling. Still, something about the young gelding stuck with her. She found herself returning to his profile, re-reading it, and eventually closing the browser. Kelsey kept telling herself it was nothing, but the days that followed told a different story. “A couple of days went by, and I had a dream about the pictures I had seen online. I kept having them on and off for the next week,” Kelsey recalled. “I woke up every time and couldn’t stop thinking about this horse. It was almost like he was calling to me.” Kelsey trusted her instincts and submitted an adoption application to Second Stride. Just a few days later, she was approved and was told that Pine was still available. That weekend, she drove the 18-hour round trip from Kansas to Kentucky to meet the horse that had already made such an impression on her. From the moment Kelsey met him, she was struck by Pine’s spirit and seemingly quiet intelligence. “His kind eye, his presence, and how you could just see his brain working behind those eyes,” she said. During their first ride at Second Stride, a nearby tractor dragged the outdoor arena, and Pine didn’t even bat an eye. Kelsey knew then that she was making the right decision. Pine went home with Kelsey on June 23, 2021. After a few days to settle in, the pair began going on trail rides together. For the first year, that’s all they did—just enjoying each other’s company and allowing Pine to grow into himself. Though Kelsey didn’t have a specific discipline in mind, Pine made his preferences clear. “All I knew was that he really enjoyed jumping over the little streams, creeks, or fallen logs on trails,” Kelsey said. In the winter of 2022, Pine joined his first Fox Hunt and was a natural. He galloped and jumped confidently, with “the hounds running under him, around him, or popping out of the underbrush, and it didn’t faze him,” Kelsey recalled. Recently, he and Kelsey have been training to be a Whipper-In and assist the huntsmen with organizing and keeping the dogs focused during the hunt for the Fort Leavenworth Hunt. Their future goals are to attend Hunter Paces and Trials, and also to compete in Show Jumping. Pine has become Kelsey’s heart horse. She said he was, “THE BEST DECISION I have ever made.” Recently, she adopted his younger sister from Second Stride as well, excited to begin a new chapter with another special Thoroughbred. Share This Article Do you have a success story that you would like to share? Submit your experience with an accredited organization here: Success Story Submission
Kiss Him Goodbye
All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Humberger Toggle Menu [wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Previous Post Kiss Him Goodbye Kiss Him Goodbye By: Alexis Arbaugh September 27, 2024 Success Stories Tags:accredited aftercare, Accredited Organization, fox hunting, Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation, Success story, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Fox Hunting is a complex and demanding sport, requiring a horse with bravery and composure amid the excitement. When Michelle Stephen Seigel was searching for her next Fox Hunting prospect, Kiss Him Goodbye seemed like the perfect match. Aware that most off-the-track Thoroughbreds come with their own set of challenges, Michelle, as a therapist, was well-prepared and equipped with the tools to help him thrive in this new role. During the summer of 2021, Michelle was scrolling through the Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation’s social media pages and was instantly fascinated by Kiss Him Goodbye. After watching a video of him in a round pen, she fell in love with his beautiful movement. “I was seeking a horse I could Fox Hunt, and he is tall and athletic, so I knew he would be a great fit for me,” Michelle shared. She quickly scheduled a visit to meet him. Horse and Hound is an accredited organization by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Located in Guthrie, Oklahoma, they take in retired Thoroughbred racehorses after their racing careers end, specializing in retraining and rehabilitation. The staff wholeheartedly believes that just because a horse may not be suited to racing doesn’t mean that they won’t succeed in a new career. Kiss Him Goodbye is a 2015 bay Thoroughbred gelding who had 30 starts and earned a total of $62,709 during his four-year racing career. Upon arriving at Horse and Hound, Michelle learned that “Kissy” had undergone some Monty Roberts training with certified trainer Jamie Jennings. Monty Roberts’ program focuses on natural horsemanship principles, educating individuals about horse behavior and fostering a collaborative partnership between horse and owner. “The people of Horse and Hound were supportive and genuine,” Michelle explained, noting that “the adoption was easy.” Although she did not ride Kissy during her visit—only observing him in the round pen—she quickly realized she had found her next Fox Hunting partner and agreed to take him home in August 2021. Once they arrived at the ranch, Michelle noticed that Kissy had some anxiety, which is common for off-the-track horses transitioning to new environments. Kissy would get bored and start cribbing, and he also struggled with trailer loading. Rather than being discouraged, Michelle’s therapist instincts kicked in, and she was eager to help him overcome these habits. Michelle and Kissy made it to their first hunt that December, where she intended to ride him in the third group of less experienced horses for his Fox Hunting debut. However, “it was too much for him,” Michelle admitted. When the horns sounded and the hounds were released, Kissy became frightened and bolted, taking off for a solo tour of the property. After their challenging first outing, the pair decided to slow things down significantly. Michelle and Kissy focused on clicker training and groundwork to help ease his anxiety, also spending time on trail rides. Kissy was often ridden by Michelle’s husband in a Western saddle—“who thought he would be a husband horse?” Michelle joked. Their hard work paid off, as Kissy transformed into a Fox Hunting star. He not only became a perfect gentleman in the field but also learned to load and unload from the trailer with ease. “Last season, I rode him in the second field and moved him up to the first field by the end of the season… he’s a joy,” wrote Michelle. The future looks bright for Michelle and Kissy, as they plan to continue building their confidence in the field and hope to participate in Fox Hunts across the United States. Share This Article Do you have a success story that you would like to share? Submit your experience with an accredited organization here: Success Story Submission
Kevin’sgotaprize
Kevin’sgotaprize ran six times at Charles Town, never breaking his maiden. The gelding was taken in by TAA-accredited MidAtlantic Horse Rescue. Now, Kevin’sgotaprize, or “Dietz” is in his second season of fox hunting with adopter Sally Shirley.
Arch Daddy
Arch Daddy made eight starts as a 4-year-old before retiring with a record of 2-0-0 and earnings just under $64,000. The half brother to multiple grade 1 winner Lord Nelson retired to TAA-accredited Final Furlong.