When a woman approached Francesca Carsen and Steve Rother about adopting a 2-year-old miniature horse who was reportedly hostile toward humans and other animals, they weren’t sure what to expect. They manage a ranch and have expertise in rescuing animals, so they knew Spanky would be coming home with them as soon as they met him. Carsen told The Dodo, “We went to have a look and discovered the little 2-year-old horse was making it clear he was the master of everyone.” “As a result, we agreed.”
Spanky made it known when he initially arrived at the new home that he was not about to give up his demanding, aggressive ways without a fight. For the first several weeks, Spanky caused havoc on the ranch, but his new rescue family persisted, and after a year of patience, love, and training, Spanky was transformed into an entirely different horse. Of course, he was still a touch mischievous, and he was still wary of forming bonds with people — until he met Dally.
Dally was the runt of Carsen’s friend’s litter, and no one appeared to want her. Carsen heard about Dally’s dilemma and offered to take the tiny dog, and Dally was completely enamored with Spanky from the start. “Dally would sit on the step stool at 4 months old and watch me work with Spanky,” Carsen said. “Because he was significantly overweight, I had to work out with him regularly.” She wanted to be wherever he was.”
Spanky was initially uninterested in Dally. He was cautious around her and went out of his way to avoid stepping on her, but he didn’t reciprocate her interest in him in any manner. That is until Dally decided to try riding Spanky one day.
“She leaped up onto Spanky’s back from the step stool after approximately two months… and they became buddies that day,” Carsen recalled. “The next day, we saw she was more thrilled than she’d ever been.” She enjoys riding her pony and considers herself to be rather significant. She no longer requires the step stool; instead, she leaps from the ground onto Spanky’s back.”
When Dally hopped atop Spanky’s back, he instantly fell in love with her, and the two have been closest friends ever since. They hang out in Spanky’s paddock and take naps outside together. Their mother decided to create a book about their hilarious exploits, with 20% of the sales going to charity. Simply by being friends, Dally and Spanky have impacted and inspired a large number of individuals.
Spanky was initially hesitant, but Dally rapidly changed his mind, and the two now enjoy spending every single time together. They were both undesired and misunderstood at the start of their lives, but now they have each other.