I love horses not for what they can do for me, but for their intrinsic value. My rescue farm, Joyous Acres, is a lifelong dream come true. We give horses and other animals the best lives possible for the rest of forever. Though we are limited in how many animals we can take given our limited manpower and resources, we make sure they have the best nutritional supplements, the best turnout, and lots of love.
My first rescue, Arabella the Arabian mare, was adopted from Save the Horses in Cumming, Georgia. She was at the rescue for 8 years, passed over by dozens of adopters whom her fiery personality scared away. But when I met her, we instantly connected. Soon after, she began our herd – going on to become our herd leader who helps me manage all the other horses. We discovered she was not “bossy” – she was “the boss.” And though she is feisty, fearless, and combative with other horses, she is completely gentle, patient, and loyal with her human family.. When I lead her, the whole herd follows because she is the boss mare, and no horse dares to run dangerously close because she is guarding me. With Bella’s help, we went on to rescue a former Amish plow horse bound for slaughter (an abused mustang with PTSD) and many others. Bella also gave me the confidence to begin riding again in my seventies, despite my physical limitations. I took a risk on unwanted Bella, and she helped me fulfill my dream.

I first fell in love with horses when I was a young doctor practicing rural medicine on horseback in the villages of the Philippines Islands where I was born and raised. The way they trustily carried me to remote destinations always stuck with me – leaving me in awe of their majesty, grace, and generosity. Now as a 72 year old, I have dedicated my life savings and the remainder of my life to caring for unwanted horses and other animals on my family’s rescue farm Joyous Acres. Until I purchased the farm three years ago, I had not owned a horse for more than 20 years – pursuing my career as a gynecologist and raising a family. When I finally retired, I got to fulfill my lifelong dream of having a rescue farm.

I was born in the Philippines into a traditional, ethnically Chinese family were girls were not wanted. I grew up in Southeast Asia during the Cold War years when being Chinese meant you were part of the Evil Empire. Chinese were a minority group in my native Philippines. Looking back, it was a difficult childhood, but animals always offered me solace. Growing up unwanted and marginalized made it easy to relate to a unwanted beings.
Upon retirement at age 70, I made it my life’s purpose. Instead of vacationing or playing bingo in my retirement, I chose to live a purposeful life. And so my family and I started our rescue farm, Joyous Acres, where we provide a loving forever home to horses, dogs, cats, and a pig. We even have a wildlife sanctuary for deer. The sight of animals being so happy and reaching their full potential fills me with great joy and happiness. My Eastern culture has shown me the harmony and oneness with nature is the way. We get the love we give.

My proudest moment is seeing my once terrified, abused mustang overcome his PTSD going from a dangerous, reactive hazard to a cuddly love bug who hugs, shakes hands, and kisses. When he first came to our farm, he was so reactive that when my husband tried to close the stall door, he pushed him to the ground, jumped over and his hoof cut my then 70 year old husband on the head. It was terrifying for all of us, but instead of giving up, we decided to give him time and love him even harder. Every morning we would wake up early just to feed him, groom him, love on him and make him know that he is safe. It took years of trust building, constant reassurance and care but the reward is absolutely priceless. It shows the truly transformational power of love.

I immigrated to the United States in 1978, because I believed in the shining city upon the hill. I worked very hard, played by the rules and achieved the American Dream, overcoming many challenges. As I stated above, upon retirement, I to put my hard earned live savings into our rescue farm, cognizant that the horse world is still predominantly white. In all my years as an Asian immigrant in the US, I have faced more than my share of racism. But I was quite shocked and heartbroken to encounter a neighbor in my equestrian community call me racial slurs, trying to send the message that people like me did not belong in their neighborhood.
Well, I am here to stay because I do belong. Having a rescue farm is my life’s calling…and I am proud to let any other equestrians of color know that they too belong.

They are a source of love, support and inspiration. Many of our rescues have come to us scared, lost, or heartbroken. Overtime, they transform to feel safe, secure, and happy. Words cannot describe the fulfillment it gives me. My life is complete. I know that’s what I am here for.

Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. Every struggle makes us stronger. It adds to our character. Never quit, never give up. We overcome challenge with passion, grit, and perseverance. Our horses are our teachers. They teach us dignity, respect, and love .