Willow

Willow is the other half of a powerful mother–daughter duo, and from the very beginning, she has carried a fire that’s impossible to ignore. The daughter of Kinnou, Willow is a rare and unlikely mix — Arabian, Quarter Horse, and Saddlebred — a combination that shouldn’t work, but absolutely does. Petite at just over 14 hands, she may look small, but she is mighty in every sense of the word.

Willow came to Second Chance alongside her mother after the closure of a dude ranch in Oregon during COVID, where more than 60 horses were sent to auction. The circumstances were hard, but Willow’s strength and determination carried her through. From the start, she showed a fierce will to survive and move forward — a quality that still defines her today.

Early on, Willow struggled to settle into a herd environment. She and her mother were tightly bonded, defensive, and unsure of their place. It took time, patience, and trust for Willow to learn how to relax, open up, and work independently. One thing was clear from the beginning, though: Willow needed to move. This was a horse with energy, drive, and an unstoppable desire to go.

Willow has jumped a meter, clocked 3D and 4D barrel times, competed in gymkhanas, and earned countless awards. She has completed endurance races, loves playing in the water, and has never backed out from any challenge. Despite her power and speed, she takes incredible care of her riders, always reading their balance and adjusting to support them. Her movement is unique, her stride is huge, and her presence is unforgettable — there is simply no other horse like her.

While Willow excels in nearly everything she does, her true passion is the trail. She is bold, fast, and forward-thinking, with an engine that never seems to quit. On Willow, there is no slow meandering walk; she experiences life at speed and invites her rider to rise to the occasion.

Willow is the horse everyone wants. She’s the one riders fall in love with instantly, the one people quietly hope they’ll be assigned, the one whose name sparks friendly competition in the barn. And yet, despite her fire and intensity, she has opened her heart to partnership — choosing to trust, to try, and to carry her riders with pride.

‍