Our ‘Therapists’
Hollywood Chic Olena aka “Woody”
Woody is a 17 year old Dun Quarter horse. He is what they call a “reined cow horse”. This means he can do cutting, herding and reining. He is also a great speed horse and can do barrels and other things. He is also a silver certificate earner! He has been shown at MRHA for years and is still on the Equestrian team. He is used a lot with our trauma clients as he has an innate ability to allow others to come to him. He makes them feel safe all while soaking up their pain and keeping their secrets. He likes Dumor treats and Purina treats.
Top Sassy Maybelene aka “Mabels”
Am I Invested aka “Ima”
Ima is 18 year old Appendix Bred Quarter Horse. Her beautiful color is called “Bay”. She has championships in about every discipline. Jumping, Western, Pleasure Trail, etc. You name it and she does it!
She has helped a lot of teens when they lacked confidence and trust in themselves. She helps them realize they are worth so much more they think and their voice means something. This life long lesson makes her an integral part of our program. She is a friend to everyone on the farm.
She likes Dumor and Purina treats. Her absolute favorite treat is Pizza flavored Pringle potato chips!
Marshmellow
Marshmellow is a top 10 barrel horse. He is one fast little pony! He can also walk oh so carefully around with little kids. He is around 17 years old is our guess. He was a starved little pony back in 2008 and we nursed him back to health. He has been on the Equestrian Team and shown MBHA for years. He has even be recognized by Breyer. This is the company that makes the Breyer horses!
Despite his need for speed he has a sense for knowing when a young child needs a friend. He loves to work with and takes care of them. He loves all treats. He is about 80% blind but can still race and do his job. Like all of our equine friends he is truly amazing.
Smart Mossy Chic aka “Nelly”
Pedro
Pablo
Bugsy
Bugsy is a mini mule. He came to us from Craigslist. He was very abused and terrified. We were able to locate his original farm. They thought they had sold him to a “good home” and were heartbroken. He used to be a champion coon jumper! This is where they compete by standing in place and jumping large jumps. He was very bonded to their daughter. Mules usually only bond to one person.
The original owner was so happy we recused him and they allowed us to keep him. He is still very shy to be touched but will now come to just about anyone for treats. He is independent and we allow him to be and he often stays loose on our property. He likes guarding all the critters here from foxes and even coyotes. He is extremely sweet once he trusts you. He is about 14 years old which is young for a mini mule. His favorite treats are the Purina Nicker Makers. His girlfriend is Nelly (the red quarter horse) in the pasture.
Roger
Daisy
Glory
Lily
Gretel came to us from Virginia. A woman there who was a “shut in” due to depression started going to a rescue and met Gretel. She ended up adopting Gretel. They saved each other.
In 2019 she and her husband went through hard times, their business failed, and they needed a soft landing for Gretel. A friend of mine, a veteran, reached out to ask if we could take her. We could not afford to have her transported up here and our trailer was no large enough as Gretel was a large draft horse.
I called my friends at Simple Times Farms. They happened to be heading in that direction to pick up a large trailer they just purchased. We paid for one extra hotel night and one extra tank of gas and they brought her to us.
She had had a history of founder in both front feet and the farrier had trimmed her feet so short she could barely walk. It took us about a year to get her comfortable and another year to ger her truly sound. Our farrier specializes in laminitis, so we were blessed. Last year she was sound enough to go on her very first trail ride out in the Hadley Hills… we had always hesitated because it can be rocky out there. It was amazing to see that beautiful, majestic horse trot up and down all the big hills out there. This past year with BG constantly treating her feet daily she got to wear her first pair of shoes and truly run around on good solid feet and experience complete pain free feet.
Our veterans always flocked to the big beautiful blonde mare. Our youth learned love comes in all sizes and she changed the lives of more kids than I can count. She was always so full of love… stubborn as many drafts are…. but gentle and loving.
So many people spent time just lying on her back feeling her breathe and regulating their own emotions when they were having a hard day. A job Gretel loved and took very seriously. Of course, she also loved all the little girls braiding her mane and making her look pretty.
We had her as part of our family for 8 years and she died at the age of 21 which is just l year beyond their average life expectancy.
We feel honored to have been able to provide her with a loving home for her final years and lucky to have received her love.
Other friends around the farm
