Friesian Paint Mare

Reina came to start her second career with us to help us carry our heavy riders. She has a big engine to match her huge body. Reina needs a strong connection or she feels lost and uncertain in sessions. Her sensitive nature notices everything about the clients that she supports. Reina had an eye injury that caused her to lose her sight in one eye. She learned to overcome that limitation and is an inspiration to others to tackle their own challenges.

Haflinger Gelding

Duke came to us as a washout in the dressage arena. He favorite speed is whoa and he takes great pride in his sport mane cut. Duke is gentle to everyone that partners with him. His short but wide stature allows him to carry children and adults fearlessly. Duke is one of our senior club members so he also requires a bit of joint maintenance.

Gypsy Vanner/Hackney Pony Mare

The Amish had trained and driven Gypsy, but due to her weaken front hooves, they put her up for auction. She is a great addition to our herd as she is small, kind and enjoys playing games in the arena. Her beautiful colors captures the clients’ hearts too! Gypsy is no pushover and has opinions about her to handle her. She teaches lessons about boundaries and respect.

Cremello Gelding

Twister’s owner surrendered him to an auction so when he arrived at the farm, this sad gelding was shut down emotionally. He hardly lifted his head and was totally disinterested in his surroundings, much less his new human friends. Twister’s first answer to anything is “no”. He works great for our teens that are struggling with trauma and identity issues. His steady gait is bonus for our special need’s riders as well. Twister is still working through his emotional and physical issues. He is a work in progress— like all of us.

Haflinger/Belgian cross

Deacon is a 16-year-old Haflinger/Belgian cross with a big heart and an even bigger presence. Before coming to the ranch, he spent many years pulling a cart and working as a trail horse, giving him a calm, steady demeanor and a love for being around people.

Deacon is incredibly friendly and unbothered by a little chaos, which makes him a wonderful partner for our adaptive riders and counseling clients. While he settles into ranch life, we’re focusing on helping him rebuild strength and comfort through balanced nutrition, hoof care, and thoughtful work. With time and care, Deacon will be a gentle giant for riders of many ages and abilities.

Friesian/Morgan Gelding

Zorro is a young, playful gelding that has a beautiful soul to match his stunning looks. The Amish drove him a year before he came to the Ranch. He is still getting riding miles under him, but he will make a fun partner. Zorro is always looking for a good time!

Paint Quarter Horse Gelding

Stanley moved from Wyoming where he was a therapy/parade horse for many years. He is a favorite riding horse at the Ranch. Stanley takes his job very seriously and doesn’t like to be called out for making a mistake. His perfectionism tendencies resonate with many clients. They both teach each other how to forgive themselves when needed and to embrace every opportunity.

Percheron

Pearl is a 17-year-old Percheron mare with a gentle heart and a powerful presence. Before coming to Bit of Hope Ranch, she spent many years working hard on an Amish farm and later came to us through a coastal auction. When Pearl first arrived, she was understandably shut down and unsure of people, even trying to retreat when someone stepped into her stall. With patience and kindness, she is slowly learning to trust again. Pearl has experience pulling carts both alone and with a team, and she has been ridden in both English and Western disciplines. As a Percheron—a large draft breed known for strength and calm temperaments—she has the build to comfortably carry teen and adult riders. Beneath her cautious start is a very sweet horse who truly wants to please, and we look forward to watching her confidence grow as she settles into life at the ranch.

aka Donkey

Howie loves his position of a “security officer” in the herd. He alerts the farm when one of the horses is not behaving or when someone new arrives to the farm. He is used in mental health sessions for his keen awareness of his surroundings. He is on “donkey time” so clients must learn to wait and grow patience in their sessions.

Percheron

Athena is a 17-year-old Percheron mare who spent her life with one Amish family before coming to Bit of Hope Ranch. The transition to a new home has been a big change for her, and she arrived understandably unsure and overwhelmed. With time, patience, and gentle care, she is slowly learning that the ranch is a safe place where she can relax and trust the people around her. Her quiet, sensitive nature allows her to deeply connect with the energy of those around her, making her a powerful partner for therapy work. With her strong build and steady presence, she will be able to comfortably support teen and adult riders as her confidence continues to grow and she settles into her new role with the herd.

Quarter Horse Mare

This chestnut beauty is one of our core therapy horses. She came from a loving family, but was a mess emotionally. She had sore feet along with a sore back. That compounded her stress as an ex barrel racer. She would break into an emotional sweat just walking around. Today, she loves her job…but you still have to say “pretty please” with everything. Rocket rules the pasture as well. She teaches great lessons on being a leader.

Haflinger Paint Mare

Luna came to us after her life-long family was breaking apart. She had trouble learning her job and kept running into things until we realized she was blind in one eye. Today, she teaches that disabilities do not have to define you. Luna is one of our core horse for trauma, therapeutic riding or for programs. Her kind nature and tri colored mane attract clients to see what she has to offer.

Paso Fino/Arabian Mare

Asia arrived over a decade ago with laminitic hooves and metabolic challenges. This sweet mare has made the best out of her tough situation. She witnessed her mom dying due to no water access when she was four years old. Her feet have caused her a life time of discomfort. She is in the Senior Horse Club and requires special shoes and diet to manage her condition. Last year, she had an accident in the field that caused her to lose most of her sight in her left eye.

Quarter Horse Mare

Loretta came to us from auction as a kind natured horse. She had many owners in the past, but the last one left marks on her back and ribs as well as some nerve damage in her shoulder. Today, we still have to saddle and girth her up gently to remind her that we are not going to hurt her.

In 2023, she was diagnosed with a Keratoma tumor in her left front hoof. This tumor was eating away at her bone in the hoof—causing great pain. God healed her of the tumor 2 months later before we could go to surgery. Amazing! Today she requires special shoes and extra care when walking on rocks.

Miniature Horse

Max is our “wild mustang”. He was gifted to the Ranch by a Ranch Hero. Max had not been handled the first 6 years of his life. This allowed him to retain many characteristics of a wild horse in nature. He is a whiz at online work and loves to show off his skills for field trips and counseling.

Miniature Horse

Hope was born on the farm as a surprise foal! Her mom, Snow, was donated and was pregnant at 22 years old! The birth was devastating for Snow physically and she died shortly after. Hope was an orphan foal that had to learn to move forward in the midst of loss. Today, she is super confident and looks for opportunities to kick up her heels. She is the smallest equine on the property!