A safe haven for horses + people in Tivoli
Bucky, a 4-year old Mustang who was abandoned in a quarantine facility and illegally sold to a kill buyer, now comes right over to be haltered, and is starting to get re-acquainted with a saddle.
Tulip, a 12-year-old Welsh/Hackney pony mare was found neglected and sick with her feet “long and twisted,” but after six months of twice-daily hand feedings and being groomed by volunteers, she now waits at the gate for her treats– and even has the possibility to become a therapy pony.
Horses like Bucky and Tulip that were once neglected or abused have become “trusted partners,” Kelsey Merrow says, “teaching empathy, patience and resilience.”
In addition to supporting horses in need, the Pony Up Rescue Collective in Tivoli, founded by Merrow in 2023, offers free and low-cost equine-assisted programs for adults and kids of all ages and abilities, with regional partnerships including 4-H clubs and area libraries, the Arc Greater Hudson Valley and the Anderson Center for Autism, and plans to expand services to local veterans, survivors of domestic violence and at-risk youth.
“Horses that were once neglected or abused have become trusted partners, teaching empathy, patience and resilience.”
Since its founding in 2023, 17 horses have been rescued from the auction-to-slaughter pipeline with 8 horses currently in rehab/training at the Pony Up Rescue Collective farm in Tivoli, including a “surprise mule” born at the farm this spring named Reba. And every day, alongside Merrow, a longtime horse handler and trainer, volunteers assist with hands-on daily care, rehabilitation and training, building trust and confidence for all involved. Once the ponies are rehabilitated, they are adopted as riding ponies, therapeutic horses or simply, companions.
“Our rescued horses play an active role in community programming, transforming their own stories of survival into pathways for human growth,” Merrow says. “Unlike many rescues, we intentionally integrate our herd into inclusive programming, ensuring their rehabilitation benefits both the animals and the community.”
Meet the ponies, and enjoy live music, cocktails and appetizers, and a Punk Pony Club Photo Booth this Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 5-9pm, during the Pony Up Rescue Collective’s Sip and Saddle Barnside Benefit. 100% of proceeds from the event support the care of rescued horses and expand equine-assisted community programming. Tickets are $50, with $20 community tickets available online at bit.ly/SipAndSaddle.
For more information, including details on public tours, workshops and ways to support, visit ponyuprecuecollective.com
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