I’m LadyBug, a name that’s come to symbolize more than just a small, spotted insect—it represents survival, love, and the unbreakable bond between mother and child. My story began long before I took my first breath, when I was still nestled safely inside my mother, Ivy, as we unknowingly journeyed through the darkest days of our lives. 

In September 2022, my mother, Ivy, was discarded and left at an auction, heavily pregnant and utterly dispirited. She was tethered in a dark corner, just steps away from being lost to the slaughter pipeline. But in that moment of despair, hope arrived. Unbridled Sanctuary outbid the kill broker, securing our freedom and offering us a new chance at life. My mother and I were saved together, and that act of compassion became the foundation of everything I would come to know.

I was born on February 23, 2023, a day that now holds deep significance for many. Not only was it the day I entered the world, but it’s also the birthday of our benefactor from above, our angel, Lucie C. McKinney, for whom I was named. My birth was a celebration of life, a testament to the love and care that Unbridled provided to my mother, nurturing her back to health so she could bring me into the world.

Mama Ivy adored me from the moment I arrived. I was tall and sassy, with exceptionally long legs and a distinctive spoon-shaped marking on my forehead. The humans called it a "silver spoon," a symbol not of wealth or privilege, but of the boundless love, safety, and protection I was granted from the very start. Unbridled was more than just a place; it was our sanctuary, where every horse was treated with dignity and care.

My early days were filled with joy and security. Mama Ivy was my world, always there to nuzzle me and keep me safe. But life can be unpredictable, and one day, everything changed. We were playing in the indoor arena, something we both loved. Mama would roll in the sand, then stand tall and shake herself off before we’d run around together. But this time, she didn’t get up. I tried everything to wake her, but she was gone. The stall where we had always been together suddenly felt empty, echoing with the memory of her presence.

I was lost, but Unbridled didn’t let me face that loss alone. A big red mare named Merry was brought to me. She wasn’t my mother, but she was gentle and patient, and she had the same nurturing spirit that Ivy had. Merry became my new mama, guiding me and offering me the comfort I so desperately needed. Through her, I learned to trust again, to believe that even after such a heartbreaking loss, there could be new beginnings.

As I grew, I made new friends. Lil’Pea was one of the first—a kind and curious horse who watched me from across the laneway. Eventually, we became inseparable, spending our days exploring and playing. Another special friend was Cinnamon Sparkles. She, too, had known fear and loss, and together we found comfort in each other. We share a bond that goes beyond friendship; it’s a shared understanding of what it means to be rescued, to be loved, and to find a home where we’re safe.

Unbridled is more than just a place to live; it’s a family. The humans here see us as more than just horses—they see our hearts, our emotions, our capacity for love and loss. They give us the space to heal, to grow, and to live with the dignity we deserve. I’m no longer just a foal who lost her mother—I’m LadyBug, a survivor, a friend, and a cherished member of this community.

Now, as I look back on my first year, I realize how far I’ve come. My heart, once shattered by the loss of my first mama, is slowly mending through the love of those around me. Merry, Lil’Pea, and Cinnamon Sparkles have all helped me find my place in this world, a place where I’m safe, loved, and free to be me.

Unbridled is my sanctuary, my forever home. It’s where I was born, where I lost, and where I found love again. If you can, please support Unbridled Sanctuary, so more horses like me and Ivy can find their way to safety, happiness, and a forever home. Every horse deserves to feel the warmth of love and the comfort of belonging, just like I have.  smoozzles, 🐞

​​Registered Name: Ladybug

Born in New York on February 23, 2023

Sired by Dorrance Out of I Get By by Liaison