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Finding Home Again: Concord Joe’s Journey
Finding Home Again: Concord Joe’s Journey
By: Alexis Arbaugh
Allison Moorhead and her mother, Robin, first met Concord Joe at Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation in May 2018. The 2013 Kentucky-bred gelding had raced 13 times between 2016 and 2018, earning $33,254. Robin immediately fell in love with Joe, a sweet and gentle giant, but at the time, another tall, dark bay named Yarnaby Road also caught her eye. In the end, Roadie went home with them.
Meanwhile, Joe was adopted by a loving family in Kansas. Though Robin had adored Joe, she knew he was going to a wonderful home. For several years, Allison’s family remained active volunteers at Horse and Hound, but as life got busy and the COVID-19 pandemic set in, they found it difficult to maintain their commitment to the organization.
However, fate had a way of bringing Joe back into their lives. In May 2022, Horse and Hound posted a photo of Joe on Facebook after he was returned to the rescue. When Robin saw that familiar face, she immediately called Allison and said, “We need to go back out to volunteer and see Joe!”
That call changed everything. Once they reconnected with Horse and Hound and resumed volunteering, Allison and her mom knew they couldn’t let Joe slip away again. In September 2022, they brought him home, adding another beloved member to their family. Allison recalled feeling “so blessed and lucky to now have both of those tall, dark, and handsome geldings.” Today, Concord Joe is not only their trusted trail horse but also their “treat monster” and a source of equine therapy.
Since Joe’s return, Allison’s connection to Horse and Hound has only deepened. She now volunteers several times a week and was even selected to represent Horse and Hound as an intern for the Monty Roberts Transition Horse Internship Program. The program, in partnership with the ASPCA Right Horse Initiative, helps interns develop natural horsemanship skills and bring that knowledge back to their organizations. Allison is truly thankful to Horse and Hound, she said, “I am able to give back to an organization that has given myself and my family so much.”
Her love for Horse and Hound has spread throughout her family and friends as well. Her sister adopted her heart horse from the rescue, and her riding instructor has adopted two
Concord Joe has also earned a reputation at the barn where Allison boards him. Known affectionately as “the ginormous dark horse who’s always so friendly,” he is the first to greet anyone at the gate, whether they have a treat or not. His kind demeanor and eagerness to please make him a joy to work with. “He is mostly just mine and my mom’s equine therapy [horse], but I have also been working with him on his groundwork. He is an easy going guy that I can feel safe working with and comfortable going on trails,” Allison said.
One of her goals is to make Joe “husband-approved.” Her husband isn’t a horse enthusiast—yet—but she hopes that by making Joe “bomb-proof,” he will be the perfect introduction to the world of horses. Another goal is to guarantee that Joe is safe and steady enough for her mom, now in her early 60s, to enjoy trail rides safely.
“My mom instilled a love of horses in me and my siblings at an early age, so this is a wonderful way for us to spend time together,” Allison shared. She often says that Concord Joe led her back to where she was meant to be—volunteering, giving back, and making a difference. Thanks to Joe, she reconnected with Horse and Hound, and her bond with her mother has grown even stronger as they continue their journey with the horses they fell in love with years ago.
April 2025 Update:
Since his adoption, Concord Joe has thrived with his new family. Allison recently introduced him to clicker training, and he’s catching on quickly. “We are still in the early stages, but he seems to love it! He thrives on having a job, using his brain, and, of course, being treat-motivated,” she said.
While her husband has yet to earn the title of “horse husband,” they are still working on it. “My husband still hasn’t ridden Joe, so he isn’t ‘horse husband’ material quite yet, but we are still working on that!” she joked.
Meanwhile, the family’s herd has grown, as they recently adopted another Thoroughbred from Horse and Hound, bringing their total to four graduates of the rescue. Allison remains an active volunteer, typically visiting twice a week. Most recently, she had the honor of representing Horse and Hound at the ASPCA Right Horse Summit Conference, further strengthening her connection to the organization that changed her life.
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