Karen Cooper Watkins- Founder

​Karen grew up in Massachusetts and has loved animals for as long as she can remember. She began riding at just eight years old, and from her very first lesson, horses became more than a hobby—they were a way of life. At 14, she got her first horse, Po, a gift that cemented her lifelong bond with animals.

Karen went on to ride competitively as part of the UConn Equestrian Team and later taught riding and trained horses in both Massachusetts and California. After meeting Matt and moving to North Carolina—with two horses, a dog, and two cats in tow—she fulfilled a lifelong dream by settling at what is now Tailwinds Farm in 2023.

In 2024, Karen and Matt welcomed their first donkey, Buckwheat, and instantly fell in love with his sweet nature and curious spirit. That love inspired the creation of Long Ears Landing, a place dedicated to caring for and celebrating donkeys.

Karen has always had a soft spot for the misunderstood and overlooked animals of the world—and through Long Ears Landing, she’s found her calling in giving them the love, respect, and second chances they deserve.