The Power of a Second Chance
Everyone deserves a second chance. It could turn into a beautiful story--especially if the first chance didn’t go so well.
As an addiction recovery specialist, sober coach, and case manager at The Moment Health, Ashlee Petersen knew this all too well. But there was one second chance very different from the ones she helped facilitate at the clinic.
One fateful day, Ashlee stared at a neglected half-Arabian/half Quarter Horse mare--Daisy Duke--rescued by Oregon law enforcement. Her owners had abandoned and neglected the herd of horses and Daisy Duke had lived in a pasture since she was two.
She was the the most opinionated and challenging horse at the Love This Horse rescue in California.
Daisy swung out her hip, blocking the entire barn aisle. She wasn’t going to move until Ashlee started petting her--the beginning of a life-changing bond.
But Ashlee already had a family horse. Daisy was feral and untrained to ride.
“Will I regret it if I don’t?” Ashlee asked herself.
She knew the answer.
Ashlee runs the Do-Over Ranch. There she helps rescue animals and people through equine therapy and addiction recovery. Daisy was the catalyst to The Do-Over Ranch coming to fruition.
Ashlee brought Daisy Duke home and committed to integrating her into the family She enlisted the help of a trainer she trusted.
Ashlee took joy in the progress. The pair grew together. The training was a journey, and they took it at Daisy’s pace. They learned more about each other with every step.
Along the way, another bond formed. Daisy had taken an interest in Ashlee’s now 8-year-old daughter. The once wild horse found a new mission--caring for the little girl.
As Daisy made strides in her training, they started going to open-breed horse shows. In 2022, Ashlee showed GG Daisy Duke in her local Arabian Regional Championship. They brought home several Champion and Reserved Regional Championships.
Ashlee saw more potential. She promised Daisy they would one day make it to one of the largest Arabian horse shows in the world. Daisy was bred to be shown at the highest levels but her life had taken unforeseen detours.
Ashlee, her daughter, and Daisy will make the trip to Arizona for the 2023 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show this February. They are excited to compete in various classes, including Dressage and Sport Horse Under Saddle.
Daisy will be one of the few rescue horses to compete in the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show.
You could experience the love of the Arabian horse at the 2023 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show February 16-26.