I’m Cinnamon Sparkles, a name as bright and twinkling as the stars, though my life hasn’t always been so shiny. Born in 2021, I’ve already seen more of the world’s harshness than I’d like to remember. But now, as I play in this peaceful place called Unbridled, I can finally breathe, rest, and share my story.

My earliest memories are blurry—flashes of green pastures, the warmth of my mother’s side, and the gentle breeze that played with my auburn mane. But those moments of peace didn’t last long. I was young, barely more than a baby, when everything I knew was taken from me. I found myself alone, scared, and confused in a noisy, dusty place full of strange smells and frightening sounds. They called it the auction circuit, but to me, it felt like a maze with no way out.

One day, I was loaded onto a trailer, the metal floor slippery beneath my hooves. The men who handled me were rough, their hands hard and unkind. I was so small, so frightened, and I couldn’t understand why this was happening to me. There were other horses, too—big ones, small ones, old and young—but we all shared the same look of fear in our eyes, waiting and hoping this nightmare would end.

Time passed, but fear never left me. We traveled from place to place, each stop more terrifying than the last. The voices of the people around us were harsh, their intentions unclear. I felt so alone, a little spark fading in a world that seemed determined to snuff me out.

Then one day, everything changed. I remember the smell of fresh hay and the feel of a kind hand on my neck—a hand that didn’t hurt but soothed and led me away from the chaos of the stockyards. I wasn’t alone anymore. I was asked to step into a trailer, and this one felt different. It had thick bedding on the floor, fresh water in a clean bucket, and hay! So much hay, bulging from a net.

On the other side of the slatted wall, a big, brown mare glanced at me with soft, understanding eyes. She was calm, though I could tell she’d been through her own suffering. She was skinny and covered in welts and bite marks. Her name was Marrazano, and she became my friend, my protector. She would nicker gently, reassuring me that somehow, things would get better.

Together, we rested nose-to-nose on our long journey. We nibbled at hay and sipped water. I was still frightened, but with Marrazano by my side, I felt a glimmer of hope. I’d glance up at her during the trip, her big brown eyes meeting mine with a silent promise that we’d get through this together.

When the trailer finally slowed to a stop, it was dark—so dark that I couldn’t see where we were. But I felt something different in the air. The ground was solid and safe beneath my hooves, and although I didn’t know where we were, I felt a strange sense of peace.

The place was called Unbridled, and from the moment I arrived, I knew it was special. Horses in nearby paddocks whinnied softly as if welcoming us. My legs were shaky from the long journey, and my heart was still heavy with fear, but as I stepped into a warmly lit stall with Marrazano by my side, I felt something I hadn’t in a long time—hope.

The stall was magical, with soft, clean shavings underfoot and the smell of fresh hay in the air. There was water that sparkled like a clear mountain stream and a quiet stillness that wrapped around me like a comforting blanket. I nuzzled into the hay, feeling the weariness of my long journey melt away. For the first time in what felt like forever, I could rest.

In the days that followed, I stayed close to Marrazano. She was my guide, my guardian in this new world. But as I began to feel safer, my curious nature started to return. I’m an explorer at heart, always wanting to see what’s beyond the next paddock gate or around the corner of the stable. The humans at Unbridled quickly learned that I was a bit of an escape artist, always finding a way to slip out and say hello to everyone I could find.

But despite my adventurous spirit, I missed having someone my own age to play with. Marrazano was wonderful, but she was older and had been through so much. I wanted a friend who could keep up with me, who understood the joy of simply running for the sake of it.

That’s when I met Ladybug. She was younger than me, full of energy and just as curious about the world. We became fast friends, spending our days frolicking in the paddocks, exploring every inch of our new home. And then there was Tessie, who taught me some much-needed manners when I got too rambunctious. We were close, and I looked up to her like a big sister. I was worried for her when she laid down one day, but my heart soared with joy when I saw her again—with a tiny foal named Grace by her side. It was a new beginning for Tessie, just as it had been for me.

Now, I’m more settled, more at peace. I know that I’m safe here, that I have friends and a home where I’ll always be cared for. Ladybug and I are still as thick as thieves, and we spend our days playing and dreaming of the future—one that is bright and filled with love.

Unbridled is my sanctuary, my forever home. It’s a place where the horrors of the past can’t touch me, where I can grow up strong and happy. I’m still young, with so much life ahead of me, but I know that no matter what, this place will always be my safe haven.

I’m Cinnamon Sparkles, and I’m here to tell you that every horse deserves a chance to sparkle. My journey was hard, but thanks to the kindness of those who saved me, I can now look forward to a future filled with love, friendship, and endless possibilities. Please, if you can, support Unbridled Sanctuary, so more horses like me can find their way to safety and happiness. We all deserve a place to call home.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             smoozzles, Cinnamon S.