“I knew I wouldn’t be leaving the auction without them.”
By Caitlin Jill Anders
Published on July 17, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Staci Wilson, director of Ridgetop Rescue, arrived at a horse auction looking for animals in need of help. As she walked around, it didn’t take long for her to notice Mary Jane, a mini horse cowering in a pen with no food or water. Her baby, Moose, was with her, and on her body someone had written the words “bred back,” meaning she might be pregnant again.
“When we first saw them, it was heartbreaking,” Wilson told The Dodo. “Both scared and standing in the corner of the pen. We decided to rescue them right away. I knew I wouldn’t be leaving the auction without them.”
After securing the mother and baby, Wilson brought them to her minivan, where a kind stranger in the parking lot helped her load them up and get them settled. They were both still nervous but seemed to know that Wilson was there to help them.
The drive back to the rescue took three hours, and as soon as Mary Jane and Moose saw their new surroundings, their entire demeanor changed for the better.
“They both reacted so well to their new home, it was amazing to see,” Wilson said. “They seem content and relieved to be in a stable and safe environment.”
A veterinarian was able to come that evening for a quick checkup. Moose was healthy thanks to his mom, but Mary Jane was struggling. She had a twisted back leg, missing teeth and was very thin. She’d sacrificed everything to keep her baby safe and fed, and might potentially be doing it all over again if she’s pregnant.
“We will test for pregnancy in a month or so when she settles in and feels better,” Wilson said.
In the meantime, both Mary Jane and Moose are already doing so much better than they were. They went from a loud, scary environment where their futures were uncertain to a loving rescue farm where their happiness is the number one priority.
“They are doing well and seem to be thriving,” Wilson said.
If you’d like to help Mary Jane and Moose, you can donate to Ridgetop Rescue.