Kinnou

Kinnou was one of the very first horses to join the Second Chance herd in late 2020. She arrived through a rescue, described as quiet and steady, and was expected to be an easy addition. From the beginning, however, it was clear that Kinnou had more layers to her story.

She came to us with her daughter, Willow, as the two were deeply bonded and could not be separated. Kinnou made a strong first impression when she met the herd — confidently asserting herself and making it clear she had opinions of her own. That bold personality would come to define her journey here.

Physically, Kinnou had some catching up to do. She was thin, unwell, and clearly worn down. Over time, we learned that she had previously worked at a dude ranch in Oregon. When COVID hit, more than 60 horses from that ranch were sent to a feedlot. Kinnou was one of the fortunate few who were rescued before things took a darker turn.

While Kinnou enjoyed trail riding, arena work proved challenging. She resisted pressure, struggled with consistency, and had difficulty forming lasting partnerships. For a period of time, she was considered effectively retired — not because she lacked ability, but because she lacked connection. Despite good care, it became clear she was bored, restless, and missing purpose.

With the right rider, Kinnou’s confidence returned. Her behavior softened, her focus improved, and her natural athleticism emerged. What had once felt like resistance transformed into enthusiasm. Today, Kinnou is actively competing in gymkhanas, improving her times month after month, and enjoying trail rides as usual.

Kinnou is still very much herself — opinionated, expressive, and unapologetically bossy — but she is thriving. She is healthy, glossy, engaged, and clearly proud of her work. Her story is a perfect example of what Second Chance is about: the right partnership, the right environment, and the chance to rediscover purpose.

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