The Heard
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The Heard *
Meet Chibo, the heart and original inspiration behind Lil Hoof Heaven. Alongside his sister Chiba, he helped shape the spirit of our sanctuary from the very beginning.
Chibo is a gentle soul—a sweet-natured goat who instinctively knows how to soften his strength, even with his horns, around smaller humans. His loyalty is remarkable; at times, he feels more like a devoted dog than a pasture companion, always eager to be near his people.
With a personality that is thoughtful, kind, and quietly steady, Chibo brings a calming presence to the land. Even when caught in a bit of mischief—usually in pursuit of an extra treat—he listens with an understanding that speaks to his intelligence and trust.
Lovingly known as our “best goat,” Chibo also takes on the important role of pasture manager. From his favorite perch atop the second story of the goat apartment, he keeps a watchful eye over the herd, ever present, ever caring.
Luna is our resident attention-seeker, always ready to charm her way into the spotlight. She adores being brushed and showered with affection—especially when a few treats are part of the exchange.
With her playful, slightly mischievous nature, Luna can be a bit mouthy, but we’ve learned fun, gentle ways to engage her—little games with her lips that keep her entertained even when treats aren’t in hand.
A beautiful miniature with a graceful presence, Luna shares a special bond as the devoted girlfriend of our Mustang, Aspen. She came to us from a petting zoo and has remained wonderfully gentle, even welcoming small children to ride her.
At heart, Luna is every bit a princess. Treat her with kindness and a little indulgence, and she will return your affection tenfold with loyalty, sweetness, and undeniable charm.
Coco, our beloved mini mule, is a gentle soul who balances sweetness with a touch of shyness. She invites connection on her own terms, and for those willing to offer a little patience, she reveals a deeply affectionate nature. Her fur is remarkably soft—especially around her face—making every quiet moment spent with her feel like a small luxury.
Though reserved at first, Coco secretly cherishes attention. She is thoughtful and perceptive, always aware of whether she has the freedom to choose. When she knows she can walk away, she relaxes into trust—and in that space, she begins to see you as someone truly worth her time. It’s her way of feeling respected, of feeling seen.
Coco’s favorite pastime is wandering peacefully through the pasture, embracing her independence. True to her mule spirit, she often stays close, especially when she’s the only equine out on the range. Yet nothing delights her more than shared adventures—group walks bring out her pure joy, and in her happiest moments, she’ll even break into playful little “cartwheels,” expressing a spirit that is as lighthearted as it is endearing.
Aspen, our remarkable mustang, was captured from Seagraves National Forest at the age of five, having spent his early years living completely free. Even now, he is still learning to understand the rhythms and expectations of domesticated life, carrying with him the spirit of the wild.
For those who earn his trust, Aspen becomes deeply affectionate—a true companion. He may take time to warm up, but his fondness for treats offers a gentle pathway to friendship. As a mustang, Aspen does not respond to force; instead, he has shaped the very philosophy of our sanctuary. Through him, we have embraced Connection Training, honoring trust, choice, and mutual respect as the foundation of his care and growth.
Aspen shows a natural curiosity about being ridden, and once our round pen is fully secured, his training will continue with renewed focus. Exceptionally intelligent, he has already proven himself something of an escape artist—prompting us to upgrade from simple chain locks to more secure systems. His adventurous spirit often inspires him to open the gates and invite the others out to roam.
Though Aspen himself reliably returns, the presence of coyotes reminds us that freedom must be balanced with safety—especially for our smaller goats. In caring for Aspen, we are continually learning to walk that delicate line, honoring both his wild heart and the wellbeing of the entire herd.
Chiba was one of our founding animals, and her life shaped both the joy and the hard-earned wisdom behind caring for animals in the Sonoran desert. As one of our very first farm companions—alongside her brother—she helped lay the emotional and spiritual foundation of what would become Lil Hoof Sanctuary.
Chiba always carried a wild heart and sometimes got us with her horns. She loved watching the rhythms of human life with quiet curiosity. She was a beautiful communicator, using her soft coos to express her feelings—whether contentment or a longing to come out and run free.
And run she did. Chiba loved to move, to leap, and even to dance when joy carried her. Her spirit was vibrant, expressive, and deeply alive.
It was our love for Chiba that first opened the door to the vision of a sanctuary. Her life, and the lessons she brought us, helped us begin to understand both the beauty and responsibility of creating a safe and intentional home for animals.
We lost Chiba during the herd’s first great adventure together—after Aspen, in his cleverness, opened the chains that have since been replaced with a far more secure system. Her passing was a profound loss, one that forever changed how we hold the balance between freedom and protection.
Chiba remains a founding spirit of the sanctuary. Three days of rainbows celebrated her three and a half year life with us. She lives on in our hearts, in every decision we make, and in the foundational lessons that continue to guide Lil Hoof Sanctuary today.