Taylor Murphy works with a rescue horse at her ranch in Blue Ridge. Photo by Sonia Duggan/The Princeton Herald.

Grazing horses and donkeys set against a backdrop of clear blue sky and rolling fields welcome you to a serene oasis in northern Collin County. If it weren’t for the sign out front indicating you were at Lone Star Ranch and Rescue, you’d think it was just another Texas ranch, not a sanctuary for equines.

Rescued from a life of neglect, all the horses and donkeys on the ranch have a story.

In the pasture, two miniature donkeys keep watch over the livestock. Rescued as babies, they were bottle fed until they could eat on her own. Now furry and friendly, their journey is complete as sanctuary animals. Nearby, a 3-year-old horse named Boomer grazes peacefully, looking much different from when she was rescued, having been abused and malnourished by previous owners.

A passion for horses is what led Taylor Murphy to her very own field of dreams. At 22, this former Plano East graduate runs Lone Star Ranch and Rescue, a nonprofit with a mission to educate the community, rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome horses.

Visiting with Taylor, it’s hard to believe this determined young horsewoman is only in her early 20s as she possesses the confidence, wisdom and knowledge of all things horse related of someone far beyond her age.

By Sonia Duggan • [email protected]

For the complete story see the June 15 edition of The Farmersville Times or click here for the e-Edition.