Rod Sanford/Lansing State Journal CHRISTMAS EVE 2008 "There must really be a Santa!"      Moments after entering the fenced-in roaming area at their new home, Serenity and Scout began prancing around, losing their footing every now and then in the damp snow. Then the two horses - apparently feeling right at home - began digging beneath the snow and feeding on the grass beneath. One day before Christmas, the animals found a new home near Leslie with Kristen Spencer, who wanted to help them because of a bond she developed while volunteering with an organization that aids special needs horses.  "(Serenity and I) have a connection. We respect and enjoy each other," "Scout is just awesome. I knew he would be wonderful for the children." The International League for the Protection of Horses-Michigan delivered the horses Wednesday. It rescues horses from negligent owners, rehabilitates them and finds caring homes for them. "It feels great. I can't wait to get into a routine and enjoy them," she said.      Moments after entering the fenced-in roaming area at their newconnection. We respect and enjoy each other," Spencer "Scout is just awesome. I knew he would be wonderful for the children." The International League for the Protection of Horses-Michigan delivered the horses Wednesday. It rescues horses from negligent owners, rehabilitates them and finds caring homes for them. "It feels great. I can't wait to get into a routine and enjoy them."      Moments after entering the fenced-in roaming area at their newconnection. We respect and enjoy each other," Spencer "Scout is just awesome. I knew he would be wonderful for the children." The International League for the Protection of Horses-Michigan delivered the horses Wednesday. It rescues horses from negligent owners, rehabilitates them and finds caring homes for them. "It feels great. I can't wait to get into a routine and enjoy them." "I used to have family who had horses. I just loved to be around them." She resides with her husband,  Tony - a member of the U.S. Army who returned Tuesday to Leslie from his base in California –  and three sons, Chace, 7, Rory, 4, and Kaiden, 1.    Special needs Serenity, an 18-year-old quarter horse mare, suffers from swayback, a condition in which the spine curves too far inward. Scout, a 19-year-old paint gelding, is blind in one eye and could lose vision in his other. Kristen Spencer began volunteering with the organization in September after seeing Serenity's profile on Petfinder.com, which directed her to the ILPH Web site.   Instant bond Spencer said she bonded instantly with the horses.Scout has a laid-back temperament while Serenity, who was malnourished at her last home in Shiawassee County, gets nervous around people, she said. Tony Spencer said he welcomed the family's new additions."It makes the family happy," he said. "Anything that brings cohesion to the family is always a bonus."                  14 find a home ILPH Treasurer Marika Heuer said Christmas Eve is the perfect time to give the horses a new home. "I'm totally excited for the horses. They'll get plenty of food and care," she said. "Every horse picks their person." ILPH-Michigan President Larry Reuters said the organization has found new homes for 14 horses this year.

Serenity 
At the International League for the Protection of Horses
facility in Dansville, Michigan months after her rescue.