Ascension Day Farm

11/21/2025

Amid the monotony and seemingly endless labor this place requires, I sometimes find myself wondering why we were chosen to be its caretakers. Then in the quiet, just when uncertainty and anxiety begin to stir, he reveals his reasoning, not in thunder or proclamation, but in the soft blissfulness of creation.

In those moments, when a sacred stillness settles over Bennies Hill, I am reminded of how profoundly blessed we are. Ascension Day becomes more than an observation or a place steeped in the history of the valley. It becomes meaning that stretches beyond the beginning, the ending, and all the fragile spaces in between.

He becomes real.

It is in these quiet revelations, drifting like feathers carried by an unseen breeze, that he returns to lift the spirit precisely when it needs lifting, guiding us gently into another day.

For clarity is far more than what the mind can gather or the eye can see. It is the certainty, the underlying pulse of the creator, the quiet majesty of the divine, and the soft spoken peacefulness, that engulfs us through whispers, only silence allows us to hear.

Blessed beyond words.

Pictures taken 11/20/2025 at Ascension Day Farm Middletown, Maryland

05/01/2025

Yeah. She gets it... Extremely well written and worth the read...

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15pZqMo6sw/

"A year ago this week, my mom died. I lay next to her for a long time, unable to let go. No one prepared me for that instinctual need to stay close — it just happened. Honestly, if hospice hadn’t been so smooth, I would have stayed even longer.

In many cultures, and even in nature, it’s common to remain with the body for a while. Loved ones clean, care for, and say goodbye themselves. In our culture, we often rush it away. Even social animals linger with their dead, sometimes for days. Staying close helps grief find its way through — something we desperately lack.

Yesterday — the last day I would have wanted — we said goodbye to Shadowfax. It wasn’t expected. Earlier in the week, he had been isolating and lying down more. I called the vet, worried. No fever, but heavy breathing. When he stood up, it was clear: his feet hurt terribly. Despite daily meds and every effort, the laminitis and arthritis had worsened.

There it was: the one-year anniversary of my mother’s death, and another decision in front of me. Emotionally, I didn’t want to face it. But Shadowfax didn’t know about anniversaries — he only knew his pain. I pulled myself apart emotionally and rationally, and did what he needed: I let him go.

Afterward, I lay beside him. We’re so quick to remove the body in our culture, but staying makes the loss less sharp. I ran my hands through his soft hair, breathed him in, told him everything I needed to. The time beside him helped slow down the goodbye.

Shadowfax was one of the kindest, most genuine souls I’ve ever met. He was a fairytale horse, beautiful inside and out. I am devastated he’s gone. I knew when he arrived he was hospice — but I had hoped for more time. I’ve learned time isn’t always ours to decide.

The sun shone. The sky was blue. And in my heart, I watched him gallop toward the clouds, my voice in his ear telling him how loved he was.

We can’t avoid death and grief. But we can be brave enough to be present. If that means lying in the driveway with a horse for hours, I’ll do it— and then rise and do it again when another soul needs me.

Run free, Shadowfax. Run like the wind. Tell Mom I love her. I’ll love you forever, king of the horses."

04/30/2025

Spending the day at the Middletown FFA agricultural fair at Middletown High School, learning about all things animals, agriculture, and just plain fun... Oh and some amazing Ascension Day Farm Tortoise friends as well...

02/01/2024

Toby
This sweet and affectionate boy is looking for a new home through no fault of his own.
Toby, is a stocky 15.1hh 12 y/o Quarter Horse Gelding. He is barefoot (stands nicely for the farrier but sometimes just needs company to talk to him), UTD on farrier, dental (needs sedation) and all vaccinations. He is an easy keeper and does not require any maintenance.

Toby came to us in 2020 from a home where his lifelong companion had died, and he was severely depressed with separation issues. We sent him for 3 months of professional training, where he was restarted and was able to regain his ground manners and confidence. He was used intermittently in our beginner/advanced beginner lesson program, where he was calm, quiet, and obedient, but just didn’t seem happy with that job. We realized that being a lesson horse is not for him, as he really needs one person to love him and be his human. He has the silliest personality and loves to stand and snuggle. He LOVES everything water related and will happily stand under a hose on a hot day (turning around occasionally to get the spots you missed) or play in a creek.

Toby’s Strengths:
Toby is amazing on trails and a saint in the arena. He loves to slowly jog around and occasionally go over a few poles. He crosses water, goes over bridges, goes up and down steep ledges, and is honest to a fault. You can leave him weeks without being ridden and he is the same horse every time. He stops on a dime, backs up and can be ridden English, western, or ba****ck. He is small enough for a child, but also stocky enough that he is an appropriate size for an adult (think “child/parent horse”). He can also be led on a lead-line with a child.

Toby’s Weaknesses:
Toby was bred to be very stocky, so his left front leg got caught in his dam’s womb; causing him to be permanently toed in. He is 100% sound and never has taken a wrong step, but it is recommended that he should not canter/lope under saddle because it may be unsafe for the rider (possible tripping issue). He can however, canter and gallop with absolutely no issues.

Toby’s Ideal Partner:
Toby would be best with a confident advanced beginner, or beginner who is working with a trainer. He never tries anything naughty; he just needs to be guided in the right direction and can have a mind of his own if he senses that you aren’t confident. He is perfect for a rider who wants to do trail riding, obstacles, hacking around, groundwork, or even just as a companion horse. He must go to a home with at least one other horse. He tends to be a “middle of the herd” kind of guy but would do better with geldings as he tends to be a bit overprotective with mares.

Toby comes with all appropriate records and will go to an approved home only. Our family adores this horse, and would keep him forever, but we are downsizing our herd and our farm-life. He can be seen and ridden at our farm by appointment only.

Toby is priced at very low four figures, starting with a 2. Shipping available locally.

Located in Middletown, MD

Please PM with any questions or to set-up an appointment.

Videos:

https://youtu.be/IxSNtIjra7Q

https://photos.google.com/search/horse/photo/AF1QipNgXVh_KKDPX9BcR-kCSCP_KDjo-xxLwWiDpyuq

https://photos.google.com/search/horse/photo/AF1QipPxjIFevEZEfpZORTRRebeLUzUmXv_iTIG3nX2S

11/02/2023

It is with a heavy heart that we have decided to end our lesson program effective 11/9. This was an extremely difficult decision, as we love our students and farm families dearly and you have brought so much joy to our farm. However, our own kids are growing quickly and we feel strongly that we need more time to focus on them and enjoy them while they are still here! We know that you understand, but please know how much all of you will be missed. We hope that you keep riding and please come visit us anytime!

07/13/2023

Camp #2 photo dump! We are having a great week!

06/29/2023

Camp Day 2 & 3 - Our campers have been working hard to learn their very first dressage test, and cross country course for our end-of-week show! We spent some quality time grooming and jumping with Elvis and Peanut, learned games on horseback, painted some horseshoes, and ended with a high-stakes game of musical chairs that required mounting and dismounting their horses each time. These kids are so much fun!

06/26/2023

Camp Day 1 was HOT! But our campers are tough and were all in! We didn't waste any time and started working on Friday's show. At the end of the day, we rewarded ourselves with some creek time. Creek time will always be my favorite part of camp (sorry, not sorry to my 🐎 🐴 🎠 🏇)!

05/15/2023

We have opened another beginner lesson on Monday's at 6:30! Riders can start tonight! Email [email protected] if you would like to sign-up.

04/02/2023

**RIDING LESSONS** It's time to make some new friends and see old ones! Our lessons are mostly FULL, but please inquire if you would like to be placed on our waiting list, or if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

2023 Lesson Days :
Mondays - reserved for private lessons
Wednesday's & Thursday's - group lessons at 3:30, 5:00, and 6:15pm
**We can offer earlier lessons for homeschoolers - please inquire for more info**

We are a licensed and insured lesson barn and teach foundational riding skills according to the US Pony Club.

Inquire at [email protected] for more information.