“The greatness of animals is that they are just themselves.” - Alice Walker
Pinney Stables Sanctuary, nestled in the quiet New England town of Colebrook, Connecticut, is a peaceful family farm that I purchased in September 2022 with my mother Corrine. We sold our home and took on the farm believing that we could provide a safe place for farm animals in need. We are a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Animal Rescue and Sanctuary.
Our mission is to breathe life back into the farm and restore it to what it once was, and to promote compassionate and humane treatment for all animals. The farm provides a safe and peaceful home for horses, cows, pigs, goats, chickens and more to live and retire comfortably. The sizably lush fields are perfect for a lazy day of grazing and sunbathing. Ample run-ins and areas of refuge during storms are available for all the animals that reside here.
Pinney Stables Sanctuary (PSS) has become a safe haven for several wonderful rescues who have been neglected, abused or are no longer wanted or able to be cared for by their previous owners.
Rescuing animals comes with challenges such as the need for significant resources (land, food, veterinary care), and the emotional toll of dealing with animals who have been mistreated. However, the rewards are immense. They are more than just a source of food and products - they are living beings with unique personalities and needs. We here at PSS know we cannot save them all, but those we can, will live out their lives in peace.
It is crucial to educate others about our friends so that they too will love and respect them as much as we do. We offer homeschooling opportunities, volunteering, as well as seasonal activities to introduce the animals to the community and provide background information about them. Providing a second chance at a happy life for these wonderful creatures is something everyone can participate in.
With our deepest thanks for your friendship and support!
- Ashley Rose, Owner
All proceeds/donations go back into the care of the farm and its inhabitants.
MEET SOME OF OUR ANIMALS
There are about 30 or so chickens roaming around the grounds. Many are rescued; some were hatched right
here on the farm. Some are alarm clocks and the rest
are egg layers. They come when called and tuck themselves in at night. They eat just about anything, including graham cracker crumbs. Who’da thunk it??
The three goats who live with us are not “gruff" at all. They are so so so sweet and lovable. Stanley, Mitch and Laura (aka Little Baby Goat-Goat) are the best of friends who frolic happily among the wild rabbits who share living space in their pasture. They simply adore neck rubs and walks and treats. Did you know that goats LOVE graham crackers? Our newest additions came to us from a dire situation and are getting acclimated to their new home. So now we have seven goats. Fredo is the baby and is still a bit shy. The other three are unnamed, but won’t be for long.
This farm favorites is called Tully. You wouldn’t think so, but she and her barn mate Mabel have so much personality and are wicked smart. Guess what their favorite thing to do is–you guessed it–EAT! AND they are very good at it. They eat just about everything. Like all of us, they do have their favorites such as fruit, bread, cereal, veggies, and leftovers. They consume one egg a day each and their ultimate choice of treats is graham crackers. (We burn through grahams on this farm). Tully will say “please” if you ask her to.
Baxter is our fun-loving 4 year old Holstein steer who loves to eat and play. He doesn’t know he’s a steer and thinks he’s a 3000 lb. dog. He loves apples, affection and long lazy naps in the sun. His best friends are Molson and Annabelle Lee.
Ejecta and Exotica not only have unique names, they are very special older horses. They’re owner passed away and his wife was unable to care for them. She didn’t want to euthanize them; she wanted them to go to a good home. We agreed to rehome them with us and she continues to support them. Because of her selflessness, these horses are now in the home of their dreams. They were quite shy at first, but with lots of patience and gentle handling by everyone, including our boarders and friends, they are much more approachable. Our amazing veterinarian and farrier has been instrumental in assisting with their care.
Is that Peter? or could it be Bugs? or maybe…wait! Why, it's Bun-Bun, our bunny rescue! He (or maybe she) is our little delight. She’s very reserved unless you have a carrot that is. She loves to observe the goings-on in the barn. Not a big fan of graham crackers.
Meet Honey, who arrived a few years ago from a hoarding situation where she was failing to thrive. She is the farm clown who is young and vibrant. Jumping, running, bucking and happily chortling are among her favorite things to do. She pleasantly surprises us with her playful antics. Skye, owned and loved by Laurie, is Honey's BFF. Skye and Laurie frequently enjoy quiet walks around the farm followed by a “sit and think” in a serene setting.
Smarty and Pocohontas (Poco) are lifers here on the farm. We have housed these friends for 20 years. They are sweet, gentle loves who enjoy visits from the neighborhood kids who come with peppermints, apples and carrots. Smarty is especially fond of being pet and groomed. They are angels with hooves.
Our favorite blue-eyed beauty, Dakota, is owned and loved by Laura who spends endless hours grooming and playing with him. He is curious and happy and curls his upper lip to express joy. Dakota’s bestie is Lane, the great white wonder. He can be heard barreling into the paddock at dinner time or when his owner, Mike comes to visit. These horses are the farm greeters as they are the first to line the fences with their cute faces to say, “Hello”.
Penni and Sparky are retired and semi-retired boarded horses owned and loved by Dana. They are powerful, stunning and spirited thoroughbreds who are mesmerizing to watch as they elegantly glide across the field, but when their baby Eli comes, nothing else matters. They only want to hang with him and watch him play.
Our Christmas 2023 gift came in the form of a Jersey Holstein dairy calf whose mama sadly passed away on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, Annabelle Lee’s herd rejected her. We responded to a call for help by driving to New York on a cold winter evening. Wrapped in blankets and huddled in the front seat of my pickup truck, she trembled and moo'd quietly. Safely cuddled in a soft bed of hay, she finally drank voraciously from a warmed milk bottle. She has settled in and is thriving. Her favorites are apples, carrots, graham crackers and sweet grains. She is also lead trained and loves taking long strolls around the farm. She is very sweet-tempered and friendly. You may catch her sprinting toward the fence when our wonderful neighbors come with tasty treats.
Molson is an enormous white-faced Hereford bull who was rescued from slaughter by kind farmers who let me work to earn him. Luck found us on St. Patrick’s Day, 2024, when he arrived on the farm. He has adjusted nicely to his new life and friends. He’s very proud of his horns and sports a fashionable nose ring. He is lead trained and extremely gentle and friendly. You may eye him rocking back and forth to propel himself into a standing position. He’s a very big feller. He loves apples, graham crackers and lovin’s.