Forever in Our Hearts: Remembering Lacie

On July 1, 2026, we said goodbye to Ms. Jerri's beautiful horse Lacie, a 30+-year-old Paint mare whose gentle spirit became part of the heart of Project Uplift Ranch Equine LA.

Lacie was more than a horse. She was family, a teacher, a healer and a trusted friend.

With her beautiful bald face, striking blue eye and distinctive Paint markings, Lacie was unforgettable. But what made her truly special was her quiet, gentle nature. She had a way of making people feel safe in her presence, especially the young people who came to the ranch.

Some of our middle school and high school participants had little or no experience around horses before meeting Lacie. They fed her carrots, groomed her and carefully led her around the arena. Through those simple interactions, she taught them patience, responsibility, compassion and confidence.

Lacie never needed words to teach. Her calm presence encouraged young people to slow down, pay attention and understand that trust must be earned through kindness and consistency. She helped them discover that they were capable of caring for and communicating with an animal much larger than themselves.

She also had plenty of personality. Lacie loved attention and especially enjoyed being groomed. She would lower her head for the halter and let you know when she wanted a little extra care. She could even become possessive when another horse was receiving attention she believed should belong to her.

During the later years of her life, Lacie experienced health challenges, including arthritis and cancer. We spent many quiet hours caring for her, grooming her and providing treatments to help keep her comfortable. She would relax, close her eyes and let us know in her own way that the attention felt good. Those quiet moments created a special bond between us.

Taking responsibility for an older horse is both a privilege and a promise. It means being present through the comfortable days and the difficult ones. It means listening when they can no longer tell us with words what they need. Most importantly, it means loving them enough to put their comfort before our own desire to keep them with us.

Saying goodbye to Lacie was heartbreaking, but I am grateful that she was surrounded by love and treated with the dignity she deserved.

At Project Uplift Ranch Equine LA, we believe horses can uplift, transform and inspire. Lacie embodied that belief. She showed us that strength can be gentle, communication can happen without words and even the smallest act of kindness can leave a lasting impression.

Her lessons will continue through every young person who gained confidence while standing beside her, every hand that carefully brushed her coat and every heart that was comforted by her peaceful presence.

The ranch dose not feel the same without her. Her absence is deeply felt, but so is the love she left behind.

Lacie’s gentle spirit, beauty and loyalty will live on in every hoof-print she left at the ranch and in every heart she touched.

Run free, beautiful girl.

Always loved. Never forgotten.

Written by Michelle R. Johnson

Founder, Project Uplift Ranch Equine LA