Our Horses
We’re the equines at Horses for Healing! We work with hundreds of children each year in thousands of lesson hours. Not only do we need hay and water, many of us also need grain and supplements to help our joints stay healthy.
Our years of experience make us safe for children with special needs, but that also means many of us are older and have special care needs of our own! Not only do we need to be fed, we also get our hooves trimmed every six weeks, and the chiropractor helps our backs to stay strong and balanced so we’re as comfortable as possible for our riders.
All of this care can cost more than $3,000 each year per horse. If you have it in your heart to help a child stay in the saddle, please consider a donation to sponsor one of us!
Zeus
2004, Paint Cross Gelding
Zeus has been at Horses for Healing for several years now after spending some time fox hunting. He’s a tall, steady horse, and though in the therapy classes he’s slow and pokey, when ridden in our sports program he doesn’t mind stepping out and strutting his stuff!
Checkers
POA Gelding
Checkers loves allowing children to learn grooming skills and participating in stable management classes. With wonderful manners, he’s the perfect pony to teach the fundamentals of good horsemanship! Checkers is also great in lessons with young children who are ready to ride independently.
Tonka
2002, Haflinger gelding
Tonka has proven to be just like his name – sturdy, strong, and will do his job happily! Before coming to us, Tonka had some training as a vaulting horse – meaning that people could do gymnastics on his back, while moving! He settled into his therapy horse role very quickly and has become an indispensable member of the team!
Dot
2001 Appaloosa Mare
Dot is one of the newest additions to the HfH herd. She is still in training but is already helping children discover the joy of working with horses.
Pancho & Mojo
2005, Donkey geldings
Living in the front pasture next to the Horses for Healing sign, Mojo and Pancho are officially the farm’s welcoming committee! With their fuzzy long ears and velvety noses, who can resist these adorable Donkeys?
Millie
2000, Selle Francais gelding
Millie joined the HfH herd after a very successful career in Auburn University’s equestrian program. With long sweeping gaits, Millie is a favorite of our riders. Not only is he a dreamboat to ride, he also is quite a character - he makes some pretty silly expressions when it’s time for a snack!
Milo
POA Gelding
Milo was part of HfH since he was very young. He loved small children, and his “babies” - donkeys Mojo and Pancho! Milo passed away on 9/20/22. The outpouring of tears and memories on FB was a testimony to the impact he had on people. Milo, you are dearly missed.
Jay Jay
1993, Haflinger gelding
Jay Jay loves small children: he’s gentle and delicate despite his size, and is a great teacher when it comes to building confidence around the horses. Recently he has been enriched by trotting through the fields out back – great for his fitness and mental health too!
Zelda
2015 Paint Pony Mare
Zelda is brand new to HfH. She came from Texas and is adjusting well to her new home. We are confident her sweet personality will make her a beloved favorite in no time at all!
Fun Facts About Horses
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Horses can sleep lying down and standing up
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Horses have bigger eyes than any other mammal on land
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Horses can gallop at around 27 mph -fastest sprinting record was 55 mph
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Horses use their ears and nostrils to express their mood
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Horses can see nearly 360 degrees at one time
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Horses hooves are made from the same protein that comprises human hair and fingernails
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Horses are social animals and will get lonely if kept alone, and they will mourn the passing of a companion
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Horse's ears have the ability to rotate 180 degrees
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You can tell if a horse is cold by feeling behind their ears. If that area is cold, so is the horse