June 25, 2025 
In April 2023, Hometown Halsey—an off-the-track Thoroughbred mare born in 2015—arrived at Days End Farm Horse Rescue, in Woodbine, Maryland. She was underweight and in need of the care and attention the organization’s rehabilitation program provides.
By early 2024, Halsey was ready to start her training, which DEFHR’s trainer Leigha Schrader began with groundwork, long lining, lungeing, and obstacles, before embarking on ridden work, including over fences. “Halsey will go far as a sport horse of any discipline,” Schrader noted at the time.
She was right. Interest in Halsey flooded in, and Sarah Flohr was the first to try her.
“I knew instantly that [Sarah] was her person,” Schrader said. “Sometimes you just know. Halsey took to her immediately, and I knew it would be a lifelong partnership in the making.”
The adoption was finalized in August 2024, and the mare was renamed Hope. Here, Flohr tells Alice Collins how the partnership came about and how this special mare has enriched her and her family’s lives.
When/how did you first learn about Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR)?
As a local, I often pass by the farm and have been aware of DEFHR for many years. I’ve attended several of their events over the years and have always had great respect for their work. My five-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, and I will be finishing our volunteer orientation requirements shortly, and I finally have some time this summer to help out.
When did you first meet Hometown Halsey, and when did you first hear about her being up for adoption?
Late one night, I couldn’t sleep. We had lost our sweet Arabian mare two years earlier, and life just didn’t feel right without a horse. From time to time, I would look around the local rescues to see if there was anything that might be a good fit. I hadn’t checked DEFHR for a few months, and when I did, there was Hometown Halsey. I sent a message at 3 a.m. saying I was interested in her. Leigha got back to me the next day. My son and I went to see her two weeks later, and I fell in love with her.
Is there a story behind her being renamed Hope?
Absolutely. I wanted to keep a name that started with the letter H since DEFHR uses the hurricane system to name horses alphabetically. I had been praying and hoping that a horse would come along for us, so I quickly realized her name was meant to be Hope. It fits her perfectly.
What attracted you to her?
In the pictures, I loved the frame that Leigha was riding her in, and in the videos, she went so willingly. I was looking for something that would be a bit of a project for me and would be up and going nicely for Mackenzie by the time she got a little older.
Hope was sweet, inquisitive, gentle, and willing—and she’s gorgeous! I hadn’t really ridden in two years, and I felt very comfortable on her. Once I met her, I knew she would be great for us.
Where does she live, and what is her set-up?
Hope is kept at my childhood home in Damascus, Maryland. I was lucky enough to grow up with horses. My parents had 15 acres right in town—although it’s now five acres. Hope is a bit of a princess now, as she deserves to be. She has free rein of the barn and shares grazing time with two geldings.
How would you describe your relationship with her?
When I got Hope in August 2024, she really bonded with Mackenzie; she always wants to snuggle with her. She loves being patted and, of course, all the snacks that come along with kids. Hope is definitely attached to me now, too. She looks for me, comes up to me, and is very willing to understand what I am asking of her.
What has Hope taught you?
She has taught me a lot about groundwork. Establishing that relationship on the ground made a world of difference for us. I never really had any training in it, and our relationship wouldn’t be much without it. Leigha showed us the basics and helped us appreciate its importance.
Hope is teaching Mackenzie a lot. She is learning to do the hard work and day-to-day chores that come with owning horses. She is gaining a deeper understanding of the bond and love that can be shared with horses. Hope is building confidence and trust in my daughter. I’m teaching Mackenzie the groundwork that I do with Hope, and now she can get Hope out on a 10-foot line, walk and trot her, and change direction.
What would you say to anyone considering adopting a horse?
The adoption process was so simple, I couldn’t actually believe it. My experience was amazing, and communication was easy and straightforward. I had to fill out a few online forms and send in some pictures of our property, barn, and trailer. It was done in no time at all. I was so impressed with how well the process went that I would highly recommend anyone looking to adopt to check out Days End Farm Horse Rescue. Leigha did a wonderful job matching us with Hope. It takes someone very special to know a horse so well and be able to make a decision on the right fit in a few short visits.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I was inspired by the work that is done at DEFHR. I’m excited to volunteer this summer and see more behind-the-scenes and the day-to-day at the farm. I love that they prioritize educating people first and foremost.
Since the adoption, I’ve received a great deal of support from Leigha, and she has been right there to answer any questions I’ve had throughout the adoption transition. My mom and I returned to DEFHR for a clinic, and we loved it. We learned a lot and will be returning for more. It’s wonderful to have a relationship with people who care about the well-being of animals. I’m happy to be a part of it, and I look forward to what’s to come.
If you would like to participate in a clinic with a DEFHR trainer this summer — either with your own horse or one of DEFHR’s — click here. Or, to contribute to DEFHR’s groundbreaking work, visit this page.
