Alice
I’ve spent my life taking care of young ones, teaching them how to ride. Prior to coming to RAD, my human saved me from a pretty bad situation, spending a year rehabbing my body. I may be a little slower than I used to be, but I still love to share my gift of patience and kindness with my riders. My reining background taught me to be very in tune with my rider and I’m always listening so I can give them the gift of confidence in the saddle. I feel my job is to safely teach anyone wanting to learn about the heart of a horse how much we have to offer.
Butters
Although I’ve been told I look like Dixie, we aren’t related. Liberty and I share our origin story, we share the same human who loves us immensely. She was wise enough to know both Liberty and I need jobs, so I joined the therapy team at RAD! Having previous lesson horse experience, I excelled at every aspect of my training (except I maybe like to go fast in my walk, but who doesn’t?!). I enjoy riders of all sorts and I look forward to my lessons every day. Come give me a hug, I love getting told how snuggly I am.
Castiel (Cass)
My racing career wasn’t super successful so when I retired, my second career was going to be a 3-day eventer! I went to weekly lessons, shows, and loved showing off in dressage but my owner hurt herself so that put a stop to that career. I tend to be on the lazy side and prefer packing people around slowly and carefully in the arena. Although I am tall, I love snuggling gently while getting told how good I am. My big movement and experience jumping will help RAD’s advanced riders take their skills to the next level!
Dixie
I’ve been told you can feel the love I express towards everyone just by standing around me. It’s true that I’m happiest when I’m surrounded by people. Whether you are riding, grooming, styling my mane or learning horse parts, I’m the horse for you. I am as wide as I am tall so I can take care of the smallest riders or adults, being the size I am, gives me the chance to work with everyone, which is how I like it. If you need some horse love, I’m always ready to snuggle.
Jesse
After running at the track for a couple of years, my trainer decided I would be better as a pony horse. I spent the next few years bringing young thoroughbreds out to the track for their races. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was helping to prepare me for my third career change into therapy horse life. I learned to take things slow, ignore extra feedback from my rider/any horses around me, that scary things usually aren’t scary and that I really love being around my humans. I love my new job taking care of riders of all kinds, some are building strength and use my movement to improve their balance. Others have set their sites on competing and are helping me learn gymkhana patterns! I’m happy to meet everyone, if you stop by RAD be sure to stop at my stall!
King "Private Joke"
I’m a horse that thrives in my job. For 9 years I was a phenomenal race horse, running 83 times, I’ve been told that qualifies me as a “war horse.” My job as a therapy horse has been the second career I needed when it was time to slow down. I love helping riders gain confidence in the saddle and on the ground, although I’m the largest horse at RAD, I excel at putting people at ease around me. I’m completely fulfilled in my second career and I look forward to many years teaching riders the value that horses like me can have.
Liberty
I’ve lived a fantastic, adventurous life with my family but as I’m getting older it’s time to slow down. I’ve done backpacking in Montana, I love going to the beach, I can do trail challenges, gymkhanas…insert thing you would do with a horse, I can do it! My kind, gentle nature really comes out when I’m around young riders, I love to take care of them and help them learn and grow. I love taking naps while getting groomed and snuggling with anyone willing to snuggle.
Merlin
I know cobs have a reputation for being…opinionated…but, I know when there’s time for sass, and when it’s time to help my riders grow into their individual selves. I LOVE kids, snuggles, and getting groomed. My previous family loved me and made sure I was ready for all things that might come my way. In a way, I’ve been preparing for my job as a therapy horse my entire life. Come by my stall and check out my mustache! I love saying Hi to everyone I meet.
Pokey
I’ve been at Rolling Hills as long as I can remember. I’ve had many different people work with me through my youth which has prepared me for my new job as a therapy horse. I’m a fun loving guy that gets bored easily. I love to be moving, playing with something or being entertained by the people in my life. I have a really big walk and trot which keeps my riders entertained and helps build core strength and balance quickly.
Rain
I’ve spent most of my life cutting cows and going out on the trail. I’m a vital part of the RAD equine family since I’m the perfect horse for riders moving towards independence. I listen to light cues from them and respond quickly but I’m still forgiving and understanding if they get confused when asking me to do something. I always keep my cool which allows me to be a great show horse for our independent riders. I’m excellent at games and western dressage too.
Sven
Some of my history is a mystery, but one thing I remember is how loved I was at the track in my pony horse days! Young kids would come braid my hair on my day off and I got a LOT of cookies! Even though I can be shy, I love my job as a therapy horse. I get so much attention from lots of people! I have a smooth trot and I thoroughly enjoy getting ready for my lessons and heading out to the arena. I might prefer just standing getting pet by everyone in the middle of the ring sometimes but I do know my job is usually to keep things moving.
