Thank you Elaine Probasco for sponsoring Lucky! (12/2022; 12/23; 12/24)
Lucky’s Story
End of the Trail Horse Rescue offers homes to abused, abandoned and neglected horses of all ages. We give rescue horses a second chance.
Meet Lucky – A Story of Survival and Second Chances
When Lucky arrived at the Ranch in the fall of 2021, he was a heartbreaking sight. Starved, emaciated, and desperately weak, he had been surviving on nothing but instinct and sheer will. One of our staff members noticed him standing alone — a forgotten horse with overgrown hooves, hollow eyes, and a body so thin it spoke louder than words ever could. He had been called Cocoa, but when he came to us, we gave him a new name: Lucky. Because from that moment on, his life was never going to be the same.
Lucky was only 8 years old, yet his body carried the weight of years of neglect. His teeth were painfully overgrown and riddled with abscesses. His hooves were long and twisted. Every part of him needed help — gentle hands, patient treatment, and a team that believed he deserved a future.
And that’s exactly what he received.
We placed Lucky on a strict, nurturing feeding schedule, offering small meals every four hours to help his fragile body rebuild. Farrier visits, intensive dental care, and constant veterinary oversight became part of his new routine. Slowly, day by day, Lucky began to heal. He learned what it felt like to be safe… to be cared for… to be loved.
Today, Lucky is nearly unrecognizable from the horse we first met. His ribs are no longer visible. His coat shines. His eyes are bright. And that sweet spirit he kept buried under years of suffering has finally emerged — gentle, trusting, and full of hope.
Lucky isn’t just his name. It’s his story.
He is a living reminder of why we do what we do, and when the time is right, he will be ready to find a forever home that cherishes him as much as we do. For now, he continues to thrive here at the Ranch, surrounded by people who are grateful every day that we found him when we did.
Lucky still needs our help. Because of the severe abuse he endured before coming to us, he continues to struggle with ongoing jaw issues. Our team has been closely monitoring his condition, and to make sure he gets the very best care, we’ll be taking him to a specialist on the Front Range for a more in-depth assessment.
We’re committed to giving Lucky every chance at comfort, healing, and a brighter future. Lucky’s journey is proof that with love, care, and a second chance, even the most broken hearts can heal.
