Finding Maddie: A Journey of Healing and Hope

This is Brenda and Maddie Mae's story written by Brenda—unedited and straight from her heart. Every journey is unique, and with permission, my friend, student, and a Miles Made Elevate member share a piece of her world with us. We’re honored to witness her horsemanship and the lessons she's learned along the way.

Brenda’s path began with a return to horses after a long break and a chance meeting with a quiet-eyed mare at a local rescue. What followed was a years-long journey of learning, healing, and rebuilding trust with Maddie Mae—a sensitive and stoic Quarter Horse/Morgan cross. Their story is one of persistence, compassion, and rediscovering the joy of connection through a more mindful approach to horsemanship.

I’m grateful to be a part of their journey and honored to help them build something strong, lasting, and joyful together. I’m so proud of how Brenda’s diligence has paid off. To see the growth in their relationship and the connection that’s forming is truly impressive. Watching the two of them work in harmony is incredibly exciting—and seeing Maddie happy and comfortable? That’s over-the-moon kind of happy.

Maddie Mae, owner Brenda Jordan

Maddie is almost 14 years old, born late May of 2011. DNA test indicated she is a Quarter

Horse, Morgan cross. I know her mom was definitely a quarter horse.

I am one of those people that had a horse as a child and then had a loooong break from horses

until I met Maddie. I met her in 2017 at Changing Fates Equine Rescue in Laural, DE. I was a

volunteer there at the time. When I met her, she looked lonely and depressed. She was under

weight. Even so, the soft look in her eyes drew me in.

Maddie had multiple stays at the rescue. The first time she was surrendered to the rescue, she

was 2 years, 9 months old. Surrendered because her owner became ill and could no longer care

for her. This owner had Maddie since birth. She was adopted in 2014 and returned the same

year. She was adopted again in 2015 and returned in 2017. None of the returns were Maddie’s

fault. When I met her in 2017, I could see that she needed a friend. So, I went to see her

nearly every day just to spend time with her, to groom her and so on. She seemed very calm

and sweet. I adopted her June 10, 2017.

Our years together have been up and down. I have to admit that it has not always been fun.

Maddie is a very sensitive horse and I now realize that the traditional methods of training were

not the best choice for her. Maddie has/had some undesirable behaviors like turning into a fire

breathing dragon at the mounting block, pinning ears and objecting strongly to being tacked up,

groomed, or having her hooves cleaned and more. She even objects as we walk from the

pasture to the barn. She has bitten me twice. In the time period, 2019 to 2024 Maddie was

diagnosed repeatedly with ulcers and also a uterine infection, arthritis in her hocks and neck.

She has had ill-fitting saddles. Over those years, I believed that something was wrong, but I

listened to the advice of traditional trainers and a vet who blamed her behaviors on Maddie

“just being a mare”. Consequently, I did not react fast enough when Maddie told me she was

hurting. One person even told me I should return her to the rescue. We have had lessons in

western riding and in western dressage. We even entered an online dressage show. The judge

was very complementary, called us a “well started pair”. We were in one of our “good time”

periods.

Needless to say, Maddie and I have not had the relationship I was hoping for, there have been

good times and bad times. And through most of this, when I was riding her, she did all that I

asked of her. To say she is stoic is an understatement. Then, last May, she told me that she

could no longer perform. I stopped riding her and took her, at the suggestion of my new vet to

New Bolton in PA where ulcers were diagnosed again and she received the correct care for the

type of ulcers she had.

So, here we are in 2025, a healthy horse and with a new trainer/saddle fitter and more. We are

working through the undesirable behaviors to help Maddie relax and not be mad at the world. I

am becoming a better owner/companion and rider of this beautiful horse. Spending time with

Maddie is starting to be fun again. I feel so positive about our future.