Ranch Happenings: 12/21/25-12//25
- Freedom Reigns Ranch
- Dec 27, 2025
- 7 min read
Sunday, December 21st 2025
"“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” - 2 Timothy 4:7
Dear Friends, Followers, and Supporters,
There is no easy way to let you know that we made the difficult decision to let our precious Dove join God’s army of horses early last week.
In the recent weeks, it became apparent that our brave little warrior who had put up a valiant fight was growing weary. We had always said that as long as she was willing to fight, we would fight with her. With horses, we unfortunately can’t explain to them that the pain they are experiencing is temporary. If we knew that within a short period of time she would be guaranteed to have an excellent quality of life and no pain, we would have asked her to endure a little further. But the reality is that her battle was likely to continue another 4-8 months...at that point, knowing her exhaustion, the kindest thing we could now offer is relief from pain.
What was accomplished in her short 5 months since rescue was already a miraculous redemption:
-She gained 28% of the missing 30% of her body weight back (on hay alone!).
-She survived a nail embedded in her hoof, which missed making contact with her coffin bone by 1mm.
-The rotation (“founder”) significantly decreased
-She went from almost unable to walk and nearly falling over from pain when one hoof was picked up, to being able to have a guarded walk with forward momentum.
...and what was most miraculous to see is not once did she ever get bitter about her circumstances. In fact, her joyful spirit in spite of her circumstances is what spoke so loudly to everyone who met her.
Instead of dying alone, in excruciating pain from starvation and neglect in a dilapidated junkyard shed, she knew incredible love and care. Our founder, staff, and volunteers faithfully cared for her around the clock for the first two weeks at the Ranch and then visited her every other day while she was at The Jaeckle Centre for the duration of 5 months. She was treated like royalty, and she owned it!
None of this incredible care would have been possible without the remarkable generosity of Teresa Jaeckle and the amazing team at The Jaeckle Centre, Equine Performax, Joe Brady, and of Dr. Mark Wooten and we extend our utmost gratitude for the ways they chose to generously give their care, knowledge, skill and expertise, time, effort, and resources into her life. They treated Dove just as well as the elite equine athletes also receiving their state-of-the-art care. The running joke was that whenever Dove was able to return to the Ranch she would likely turn around and load herself right back up in the trailer to return to the Jaeckle Centre where she was getting daily PEMF, VibePlate, Laser, Massage and had 3 times a day room service with a deeply bedded extra large stall.
Equine Performax Therapy and Conditioning
We would also like to extend our gratitude to Bradley Kelley for his expertise and so patiently working on her feet to help keep her comfortable.
We're so used to seeing miracles happen so frequently with our rescue horses that when one doesn't make it to a full recovery, we are shocked...what a blessed position to be in! While our hearts are broken for the reality of the grief we feel because Dove is no longer with us here on earth, we grieve with hope and rejoice in knowing that she is running free of pain and now fully redeemed in Heaven.
We held a memorial service here at the Ranch to help walk everyone who knew her through grief and she is now buried here with a headstone where her memory and all that God taught us through her life can be honored.
One of our Junior Volunteers said it best: "God put her here with us because He knew she needed the most love in a short amount of time."
In joy and sorrow, always trusting Him-
Carissa Ramsdell
Founder and Executive Director"
Click the photo below to watch her tribute video.
Monday, December 22nd, 2025
"This is why we do what we do. Every effort is worth it when a parent shares feedback like this."
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025
"Thank you so much to Southern Springs Veterans Club for supporting Freedom Reigns Ranch this Christmas!
We have deep respect for all who serve and consider it a high honor to be a recipient of a grant from those who have so bravely fought for our freedom."
Wedsday, December 24th, 2025
"Merry Christmas from all of us at Freedom Reigns Ranch!!!
We pray today, and every day, you know the incredible hope that we have because Jesus came. In the busy of these next two days and all this time of year can hold take time to allow God to bring peace to your heart in the truth of knowing He is with us. Immanuel!
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:6-14)
Merry Christmas, friends!"
"Christmas Eve Tradition: horse care in PJ’s! 🎄
Thank you to the amazing volunteers who came to help today! 🤠"
"‘Twas the night before Christmas… 🎄"
"It would be a miss of us to let Christmas Eve pass without the acknowledgement that this time of year can be filled with ache for many.
The grief that seems suffocating,
The fear that grips because of the unknown,
The joy that feels lost,
The exhaustion that comes from overwhelm,
The desperation of needing hope…
My friend, please keep going! Take the next seemingly impossible step and never give up. Hope IS alive because of Jesus. Sometimes everything else gets so loud that it’s hard to hear it.
Tonight may you hear the whisper deep within your spirit that says to keep going and to know that you are so deeply loved by your Creator…He is with you.
Emmanuel- God WITH us… God with YOU.
“And HE shall be called:
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of peace.”
(Isaiah 9:6)"
Thursday, December 25th, 2025
"Christmas Morning treats for the horses! 🎄 🥰
(Featuring their favorite @germanhorsemuffins )"
Friday, December 26th, 2025
"We hope to welcome 275 kids to sessions in 2026 but can’t do it without your support… please give today!
Your year-end tax-deductible donation makes a big difference.
Venmo @freedomreignsranch
📫 2080 Arthur Hardison Road, Columbia, TN 38401
📈 Stock/Securities through Charles Schwab
In order to be registered in 2025 contributions, transaction must be on/before or postmarked by 12/31/25. Thank you so much for your support!
Freedom Reigns Ranch is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization. FEIN: 81-4634781.
📸: Caroline Elizabeth Photography"
Saturday, December 27th, 2025
"It’s a foggy morning here on the ranch.
There’s something beautifully unique about days like this, when you can only see a few feet ahead. The fog narrows your focus, drawing your attention to what’s right in front of you instead of the vastness of everything around you.
I know my tendency as a human is to want the big picture… to see far into the future, understand every detail, and know how it will all come together. Sometimes that desire comes from excitement, and other times from fear. If I’m honest, I often want to spot challenges from a distance so I can manage them before they ever become what I label a “problem.”
Foggy mornings invite a different kind of trust. They remind me that while challenges may exist ahead, I don’t need to carry the weight of them before it’s time. I can trust that I’ll see what needs to be addressed when the moment comes. And sometimes, what’s ahead isn’t a challenge at all but something good and exciting…yet even that can become a distraction from where my time, attention, and obedience are needed right now.
As draw close to the new year, whether you are approaching it with excitement or apprehension in wishing you had a clear view of everything my prayer for you is that you can rest in what God is allowing you to see today. You can trust that He holds the entirety of the year in His hands, and that He will reveal what you need to see at just the right time as you seek to follow Him.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)"
"Bronson is all smiles because of this amazing gift from @ramard_inc !
We’re huge Ramard fans around here as their products really WORK! Thank you so much for this incredibly generous gift of Total Tendon Repair, Total Joint Care, and Total Gut Health… our horses will put these to great use!
Thank you @doversaddleryfranklin for letting them know we had their products on our Giving Tree wishlist!"
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