A Dance of Faith: Cash’s Story of Resilience
A Dance of Faith: Cash’s Story of Resilience
I have always believed that God places certain souls in our lives for a reason. Some arrive as friends, some as family, and others gallop in on four hooves, changing everything we thought we knew about love, trust, and perseverance.
Cash’s Dirty Dance entered my life in 2015. Just four years old and fresh off the track, he was a raw canvas with endless potential. Together, we journeyed through the world of hunters, jumpers, and three-day eventing, building a partnership rooted in trust and dedication. He was not just a horse; he was my heart, my dance partner in the arena of life.
Then, in 2019, everything was ripped away. A family member—someone I once trusted—stole him from me, claiming false paperwork and selling him to someone else. In the blink of an eye, he was gone. I was devastated.
But God was not done writing our story.
With a newborn in my arms and a fire in my heart, I worked tirelessly. Every spare moment, every extra dollar was saved with one goal in mind: bringing Cash home. After two long years, by God’s grace and relentless determination, I did just that. But when he finally stood before me again, I realized he was not the same horse I had lost. His body bore the marks of hardship, and his spirit carried the weight of trauma. We had come full circle, but the journey of healing was only beginning.
Together, we rebuilt. Through proper nutrition, love, and unwavering patience, we restored his body and rekindled the light in his eyes. Finally, after years of careful rehabilitation, we were cleared to return to full work. The dream of dancing together once more in the dressage arena felt within reach. It was a victory only God could have orchestrated.
But life, as it often does, had more trials in store.
A brutal ice storm came through, and Cash’s knee began to swell. At first, we treated it conservatively, hoping for a simple recovery. But something wasn’t right. We called the vet for more imaging—his third set of radiographs—and the news shattered me. Several chips. Osteoarthritis. A fracture. A diagnosis that would require surgery if he ever hoped to live pain-free again.
The cost? $3,000.
As I stood beside him, running my fingers through his mane, I knew without hesitation: I would do whatever it took. If it meant selling every piece of photography gear I owned, I would. If it meant starting from scratch, I would. Because this horse—this warrior—deserved a second chance at a pain-free life.
Some might call me crazy. But I call it faith.
God reunited us once before. He made a way when there seemed to be none. He saw me through the nights of despair, through the heartache, through the fight to bring Cash home. And I know He will make a way again.
Faith is not just believing when things are easy; it’s trusting when the path is steep, when the mountain is high, and when the answers feel impossibly far away. It’s knowing that God sees our struggle, that He hears our prayers, and that He is working behind the scenes in ways we cannot yet understand.
Cash and I have fought for each other before, and we will fight again. Because this journey is not just about a horse and his rider—it is about resilience, about love, about the unshakable belief that God restores what was once lost.
So, I will press on. I will do what needs to be done. And I will trust that, just as He always has, God will provide. Because this is not the end of our story. This is just another chapter in our dance of faith.
And we are not done dancing yet.
How can you help
That’s why I’m reaching out, asking for help to give my sweet boy the second chance he so desperately deserves. Every dollar raised will go directly toward Cash’s surgery, post-operative care, and rehabilitation. My dream is to see him thrive—galloping pain-free in the pastures, living the life he was always meant to have.
If you’ve ever loved a horse, you understand the depth of the connection we share. Cash is not just a horse—he is my heart, my partner, and my greatest lesson in resilience. Please, if you can, help me give him the gift of a pain-free future.
Ways to Support Cash’s Surgery Fund
📸 Gift Certificates for Photo Sessions We are offering gift certificates for TKP photo sessions to help raise funds. Each certificate costs $150 (if you would like to donate more, we are beyond grateful for every cent gifted to my sweet boy).
Gift certificates can be used for any Tara Kaine Photography session.
Each session includes 5 photos and 1 video.
They make the perfect gift for barn minis, family portraits, and more!
👕 T-Shirts for Cash We will be selling limited-edition T-shirts in support of Cash’s surgery.
🎟️ Silent Auction A silent auction will also be held to raise additional funds. If you would like to donate an item to be auctioned, please reach out through the link below.
👉 Contact Us to Donate to the Auction
Every donation, every share, and every kind word means the world to us. Thank you for being part of Cash’s journey—together, we can give him the future he deserves.
With gratitude,
Tara.
