American Morgan Horse Association: Full Circle Program

11/10/2022

Thank You, Renee Christopher!

Dollars for DNA received a generous donation from Renee Christopher. Several years ago, she began a fundraising project centered around the well-known “Gateway of Champions” sign at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. A childhood barn mate of Renee’s, and professional graphic designer, Melissa Purdy created the logo and over the past 6 years, several runs of shirts have been produced. The project has been increasingly popular. Morgan exhibitors have been incredibly generous contributors and through their purchases, Renee’s project raised over $3,000 in 2022. Since its inception, her project has raised over $6,000 total and donated to a variety of charities including horse rescues, animal shelters, and both the Alex Mooney and Amanda Hill AMECHT funds. “This year I chose to divide the proceeds into six donations of $500 each and Dollars for DNA was at the top of my list. I’m grateful for the Morgan community for supporting this venture and allowing me to carry it on for as many years as I have,” said Renee. Thank you, Renee! Your hard work and generosity are very much appreciated. Donations like yours are what keeps Dollars for DNA available to help our at-risk Morgans.

10/06/2022

COMING FULL CIRCLE-A Morgan Rescue Story

The Tetzlaff's and Lazarus
An emaciated brown horse had been bailed out of a local kill pen several weeks prior to Thanksgiving, but no one had claimed him. The weakest horse in the group, the other horses picked on him. He was huddled in a corner, starving. Bergen County Horse Rescue volunteers and the community jumped into action and quickly built a makeshift quarantine into which this timid horse limped the day after Thanksgiving. He was named Lazarus as he rose above his dire circumstances and would now begin a new life. Rehabilitation began and, through DNA testing, Laz was identified as Lighting Spitfire Toby. While happy at BCHR, Laz longed for his own person. Enter Sarah Tetzlaff and her daughter Naria. Having recently lost her Morgan, Sarah was looking for another. After several visits, Laz moved to his new home and life. Naria rides Laz a half mile to the family’s mailbox, swims with him in the farm’s lake, and even rides him to the local ice cream parlor! And now this little brown castoff that no one claimed has become a 4-H blue-ribbon Champion and a sweet girl’s best friend!
Anne Baretta and Lynda Rufo

09/27/2022

COMING FULL CIRCLE-A Morgan Rescue Story

In the Spring of 2016, Oakie aka Golden Oaks, hit the end of his road. Driven hard, he was dumped at an auction - beaten down, used up, injured, and scared. The only other bidder was the kill buyer who wasn’t enthused because Oakie was substantially underweight. Then, in the Fall of 2016, Judith Roberts was tossed from her horse, hitting the arena wall, breaking her back. During months of healing, her horse took ill, and her confidence eroded. A lifetime horseman, Judy could not bring herself to ride again. In 2019, Judy and I met on a FB hoof trimming group and I visited her farm to learn more. I showed her Oakie’s picture, the rescued palomino Morgan cross, and it was love at first sight. Setting a goal to get back in the saddle, Judy was soon riding. Now Oakie and Judy are together, working on her fears and his confidence. It is difficult to decide which one of them is helping the other more.
Marijan Grogoza

08/24/2022

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to the Prairie State Classic Horse Show. Our friends there chose the Dollars for DNA Program as their 2022 charity. We, the Morgan rescues, and the at-risk Morgans that are helped through this program are deeply grateful for your generous donation. Your thoughtfulness and support of this program is what keeps it viable into the future. We hope you all will support their show next June in Woodstock, Illinois: https://midstatesmorganhorseclub.org/prairie-state-classic-horse-show/

To learn more about and support Dollars for DNA: https://www.morganhorse.com/registry/dollars-for-DNA/

08/19/2022

COMING FULL CIRCLE-A Morgan Rescue Story

Soon after I lost my Morgan mare and best-ever trail horse, Jade, I began scrolling through the horses available for adoption at Forever Morgans. I missed Jade, and so did Savvy, the Morgan mare I had adopted the year before. Sparky caught my eye; what was there not to like! He was tall, athletic, beautiful, and bombproof. Maybe a perfect buggy horse, Sparky resisted being ridden and finally spooked so badly that I became afraid of him. We worked through our fears together, enlisting the help of my husband and his draft mule to give us confidence. I managed to mount Sparky, ride a short way, and return to the barn. We did this daily for several weeks, going a bit further each day until one day, I realized we had done it. Sparky and I connected in that magical place. He was becoming my perfect trail horse....tall, athletic, beautiful and bombproof.
Kathy Trainor

08/11/2022

Will you help us COMPLETE THE CIRCLE? Share Your Morgan Rescue Story!

Have you rescued a Morgan? We would like you to tell the story of your partner’s new beginning with you. In 150 words or less, share details of your life and activities together since your Morgan chose you. Yes, we know 150 words means BRIEF, but our purpose is to inspire others with your happy story on the AMHA pages.

Email your text and two favorite photos to [email protected]. Submissions will be reviewed and edited for future consideration. Thank you for bringing a new Morgan into your family!

08/05/2022

COMING FULL CIRCLE-A Morgan Rescue Story

In middle school, I rode Morgans at a barn in New Hampshire and fell in love with the breed. I knew when I was able to buy a horse as an adult, I wanted a Morgan. When Piper appeared on Morgan Safenet’s page, I knew she was “the one.” Piper, a 13-YO mare, aka TTA Sheeroxatnite, was hours from shipping from the kill pen. Morgan Safenet and Black Mountain Draft Rescue pulled her. She arrived home in November. By mid-December, I noticed she put on weight abnormally fast. My vet confirmed - a foal was on its way! On June 4, Luna, a lovely filly, arrived. Both girls are such a joy and blessing. I look forward to many great times ahead. I cannot recommend adopting enough and I plan to enroll my girls in the AMHA Full Circle Program to ensure they will never see themselves in a similar place again.
Danielle Pientka

08/03/2022

Thanks to our wonderful donors and our special friends that matched donations (the Heidi E. Kunkel Foundation and the Law Office of Kathryn Kirsch PLLC), our Dollars for DNA Program is funded and in action. Recognized 501(c)(3) rescue organizations are being provided FREE DNA testing kits to help identify Morgans at risk which greatly aids in their rehoming.

Learn more about this program and obtain the applications on our website at https://www.morganhorse.com/registry/dollars-for-DNA/

07/29/2022

COMING FULL CIRCLE-A Morgan Rescue Story

My Morgan gelding, Scooby, just turned 30 and is semi-retired, so I was casually looking for another Morgan. I first saw Rudy on Forever Morgans' page and was instantly drawn to him. There was just something about him. We drove eight hours to the foster home to meet Rudy. He was very nervous but gave his best when I rode him for the first time. After getting him home and letting him settle in, he is finally relaxing and coming out of his shell. He amazes me every day with how far he has come in the few months I have had him. He meets me at the gate when I pull into the barn, takes treats from my hand, and lets me hug and kiss on him. I truly believe Rudy is going to be a fabulous trail partner and I am so glad we found each other.
Michelle Parrish

11/03/2021

The DOLLARS FOR DNA FUND has reached over $3500—HELP US REACH our GOAL of $5000. MATCHING FUNDS ARE BEING DONATED AS WELL. YOUR DONATION, LARGE OR SMALL, MAY HELP A MORGAN AT RISK. AMHA’s Welfare and Rescue Committee has launched a project called “Dollars for DNA” with the goal of reaching $10,000 to pay for DNA identification of Morgans being rescued by recognized 501C3 organizations. Your tax deductible donations will be made through AMHECT. Matching Funds are being donated by The Heidi E. Kunkel Foundation (up to $5000) and by The Peppermint Bar & Kirsch Family ($2500). The attached lovingly produced video explains all the details you will need to prompt you to our “Text2Give” campaign. PLEASE WATCH. PLEASE SHARE. PLEASE DONATE

https://vimeo.com/627759460?fbclid=IwAR04kDWkWZQ0gkzCsNc-rngqjohZcrVCiMdL5XEOlrHpmv7ZDBFlq62AZ5I

This is "203_AMHADollarsForDNAv1.mov" by CAL III on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

10/12/2021

YOUR DONATION, LARGE OR SMALL, MAY HELP A MORGAN AT RISK. AMHA’s Welfare and Rescue Committee has launched a project called “Dollars for DNA” with the goal of reaching $10,000 to pay for DNA identification of Morgans being rescued by recognized 501C3 organizations. Your tax deductible donations will be made through AMHECT. Matching Funds are being donated by The Heidi E. Kunkel Foundation (up to $5000) and by The Peppermint Bar & Kirsch Family ($2500). The attached lovingly produced video explains all the details you will need to prompt you to our “Text2Give” campaign. PLEASE WATCH. PLEASE SHARE. PLEASE DONATE

This is "203_AMHADollarsForDNAv1.mov" by CAL III on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

06/23/2021

Coming Full Circle, A Morgan Rescue Story

When Danielle was looking for her first horse, she looked to adopt at her local shelter. When she first saw “Ivie” (Windrise Lady Vivien), she knew that she was the one. The feeling was mutual; previously shy and withdrawn from her caretakers, Ivie followed Danielle around the stall. Danielle completed the adoption and brought Ivie home. They began to work on the basics under saddle, and when it came time to introduce Ivie to jumps, Danielle quickly realized that they’d found their calling. Ivie loved to jump, and not long after, they began competing on the local jumper circuit with success. Danielle’s ultimate dream was to drive across the country to compete at the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show in Oklahoma City. They worked hard, and that dream became a reality. Danielle and Ivie captured two national titles, and were crowned world champions during their trip to Grand National.
Submitted by THE RIGHT HORSE INITIATIVE. To learn more go to, therighthorse.org