Goodbye, sweet Sugar!
Sugar came to us for the Dakota Showdown from another rescue—a mare with a beautiful face, strong opinions, and deeply rooted anxiety. She was one of the most nervous and insecure horses we’ve worked with: unsure of people, tense in new situations, and slow to trust. But even in those early days, she was never mean—just cautious, always watching, always curious.
With steady, thoughtful training, Sugar began to find her confidence. Her strong will became a strength instead of a barrier, and she blossomed under saddle. Just as she was learning to move through the world with more peace, we discovered an aggressive, malignant squamous cell carcinoma on her vulva.
Despite her history of fear, Sugar accepted three months of chemotherapy and later surgery with quiet tolerance. She let her people care for her—not because she had to, but because she chose to trust them. And in that trust, she found a second chance.
After her recovery, Sugar retired with our founder Kathi in Iowa, where she lived a calm, comfortable life. She still liked to be a little hard to catch, but she was a steady partner on the trails and slowly began to enjoy affection—even accepting kisses, when it suited her.
Recently, her health took a sudden turn. Growths reappeared, became inflamed, and her weight began to drop despite every effort. At Iowa State today, we learned that the cancer had returned and spread internally, forming an untreatable mass from her vulva to her udder. With no options left for treatment and Sugar beginning to suffer, Mark and Kathi made the decision to let her go.
Sugar leaves behind the memory of a strong, independent mare who fought hard to feel safe in the world—and who, in time, allowed herself to be loved. We are honored to have known her.
Run free, Sugar.