Meet our Exceptional Equines!
Without our horses, Exceptional Equestrians would not exist. The bond that occurs between animals and humans is what makes equine assisted activities and therapies so successful! EE is lucky enough to have a herd of 15 wonderful horses. These horses have been donated or purchased and were specially selected for their temperaments, sizes and gaits. Our participant's abilities and skill levels are widely varied, but EE has a horse that's just right for each and every participant.
Emma's Butterscotch
Emma's Butterscotch is a 11-year-old Gypsy Vanner and the youngest horse at EE. Butterscotch had a very special path to EE. When one of our beloved clients, Emma, passed away very unexpectedly last year, we received memorial donations to purchase a new horse. Butterscotch was that horse. He is a lot like Emma in many ways! He has beautiful blue eyes and he knows what he wants out of life. Butterscotch loves the trail and is endlessly patient with our more active and vocal clients. 
Dakota
Dakota is one of the newest additions to EE. She joined us in the spring of 2022. As a 5-year-old, Dakota is the youngest member of our herd, but she is learning quickly! She is a Halflinger-Quarter Horse cross and she enjoys learning new things and playing games! 
Panda
Panda is a 12 year-old miniature horse. Panda lived with Big Mac at the LeBrell's Petting Zoo. When Big Mac came back to EE, he just had to bring his little friend along! Panda has a wonderful, kind nature and loves to be petted and brushed by our clients. Gabe
Gabe is one of the most recognizeable horses at EE. He came to the program in 2011. He is an 18-year-old Haflinger who was donated by Elaine Homeyer. He has become a fantastic therapy horse. His fast gaits with lots of movement are a hit with our younger riders and his strong back allows him to carry a variety of clients. He's also REALLY cute!
King
King is a 19-year-old Missouri Fox Trotter who joined EE in December of 2011, after being generously donated by Vic Beck. King's unique gaits allow our participants to receive different levels of sensory input, as well as develop self confidence and independence.
King's beautiful, golden coat and patient attitude make him a favorite among everyone he meets! Mach
Flying Colors Mach One or "Mach" is a 15-year-old Clydesdale who was purchased for EE by Cardinals Care and generous EE volunteers. Mach is being trained to be an interactive vaulting horse, and he does a wonderful job carrying some of taller riders. Mach is quite beautiful and all of our volunteers and clients can't stop admiring him!
Sonny
Sonny joined us at EE in April of 2022. He was living just down the road with EE board member Colleen Himmelberg, who generously leased him to us. Sonny is an 18-year old Palomino Quarter Horse who has been a lesson and trail horse. He is a very laid back guy, who can do it all! |
Riesling
Riesling is a 13 year old Warmblood mare. Before coming to EE, she was a fox hunter. Riesling loves to jump and go out on the trial. Riesling is owned by EE Program Manager Dayna Baynes.
Oliver
Oliver is a very special addition to Exceptional Equestrians. He came to EE in December of 2011. He is an 13-year-old Gypsy Vanner, and he was awarded to the program by the American Gypsy Horse Breed Association's Gypsy Angel Foundation. Oliver was bred at Chocolate Horse Farms. Oliver participates in all program activities, from vaulting, to licensed therapy and summer camp.
Finnigan
Finnigan is a 19 year old miniature horse that was a much loved companion horse before he came to EE in late 2021. He LOVES spending time with Panda and getting a lot of love and attention from our unmounted clients. Tove
Tove is a 17-year-old Norweigan Fjord who joined EE in October of 2016 along with barnmates Anna and Chance. Tove has been a fantastic addition to our program. She's strong, but short, making her easy to sidewalk. She's up to try anything, and will carry any rider we ask her to!
Tove is on loan from Meg Sorhus and South House Farm 
Anna
Anna is a 20-year-old Norweigan Fjord who joined EE in October of 2016 along with barnmates Tove and Chance. You can tell Anna and Tove apart because their manes are cut differently. Anna had a career as a broodmare, but is learning to enjoy her new job. Anna is great for independent riders, with her nice, steady trot. Anna is on loan from Meg Sorhus and South House Farm 
Bob
Bob is a 16- year-old Quarter Horse. He definitely stands out in the barn with his all white coat and blue eyes! Before coming to EE, Bob was a trail horse. Bob is not surprised by anything and is an easy-going, cooperative guy. We're excited to have him join our herd! Bob is on loan from Kim Fisher. 
Santares
Santares, or "Santa" is a 23-year-old Oldenburg. Originally imported from Germany, Santares came to us with extensive training and conditioning in dressage. Santa is used in our advanced riding sessions and for many of our taller clients. His riders love his big gaits. 
Sully
Sully is the newest addition to EE, joining us in January of 2021. Sully came from Horses Without Humans rescue in Florida. He's a large, 12-year-old Percheron gelding. While he may not be the fastest horse in the barn, his sweet face and big personality is quickly making him a favorite of our clients. 
Tercio
Tercio came to Exceptional Equestrians in May of 2018. He is a 22- year-old Andulusian who was bred in Spain. Tercio is owned by EE's Administrative Manager, but also enjoys being part of program lessons. His long forelock nd high-stepping gaits make him a favorite with program clients. |
Big Mac- A Tribute
On November 23, 2005 a very special horse came to EE. He was a Clydesdale named Comet Connection and he was the first horse ever owned by Exceptional Equestrians. He was severely underweight and desperate for attention. He was sponsored by the Klak family and renamed Big Mac. On May 7th, 2019, more than 13 years later, we said good-bye to this once-in-a-lifetime horse. We were incredibly fortunate to have an extra year with Mac, who was retired in 2015 due to arthritis. Thanks to a twist of fate and the wonders of modern medicine, Mac came back to us last summer and was even able to do his favorite job once again. Unfortunately, in the past month his arthritis and advanced age caught up with him. He was unable to get up after he laid down, which for a prey animal is an incredibly stressful and traumatic situation. After consultations with veterinarians, trainers and horse experts, Mac was humanely euthanized this afternoon.
In his nearly 14 years with EE, Mac was a lot of things. To his riders, he was a dependable steed, never faltering or failing, though he would hang out in the middle of the arena and wait for a treat if he could get away with it. To our volunteers he was dependable and steady (as long as you kept your heels out of under his feet.) For those who worked in our barn, he was a lovable trial, constantly kicking the stall door for attention and demanding hay on an hourly basis. Above all, he was a friend, an 1800 lb horse who felt the best place to be was with his head tucked under a human's arm, getting lots of love and attention. He will be missed greatly by all who met him, but we take comfort in the countless lives he changed for the better, and by the fact that he's truly in greener pastures now.
On November 23, 2005 a very special horse came to EE. He was a Clydesdale named Comet Connection and he was the first horse ever owned by Exceptional Equestrians. He was severely underweight and desperate for attention. He was sponsored by the Klak family and renamed Big Mac. On May 7th, 2019, more than 13 years later, we said good-bye to this once-in-a-lifetime horse. We were incredibly fortunate to have an extra year with Mac, who was retired in 2015 due to arthritis. Thanks to a twist of fate and the wonders of modern medicine, Mac came back to us last summer and was even able to do his favorite job once again. Unfortunately, in the past month his arthritis and advanced age caught up with him. He was unable to get up after he laid down, which for a prey animal is an incredibly stressful and traumatic situation. After consultations with veterinarians, trainers and horse experts, Mac was humanely euthanized this afternoon.
In his nearly 14 years with EE, Mac was a lot of things. To his riders, he was a dependable steed, never faltering or failing, though he would hang out in the middle of the arena and wait for a treat if he could get away with it. To our volunteers he was dependable and steady (as long as you kept your heels out of under his feet.) For those who worked in our barn, he was a lovable trial, constantly kicking the stall door for attention and demanding hay on an hourly basis. Above all, he was a friend, an 1800 lb horse who felt the best place to be was with his head tucked under a human's arm, getting lots of love and attention. He will be missed greatly by all who met him, but we take comfort in the countless lives he changed for the better, and by the fact that he's truly in greener pastures now.
Retired Horses
LUnfortunately, although we love all our program horses, they can't stay with us forever! Our goal at EE is that all of our horses have time to enjoy "being a horse" after they've worked so hard with us. With that in mind, we try to retire our horses when we feel they are no longer living their best life with us. We'll always remember our former program horses, including those who have moved onto new homes or back to their old homes: Flash, Tucker, Milo, Remi, Otis, Chance, Doc, Patriot, Joey, Marley, Jim, Sweetpea, Apache, Captain, Rex, Elliot, Star, Mr. Wishbone and Nixa; and those who have moved onto the greenest pasture of all: Liberty, Killian, Chance, Cowboy, Rebel, PacMan, Boss, Rambo, Glock, Jack, Bear, Gypsy, Henri, Phantom, Heidi-Ho, Isaiah, Zaar, Chance, Quinn and Jameson.
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Would you like to contribute to these amazing animals? Adopt a horse!
Looking for a thoughtful gift for that someone special or the person who has everything? Adopt an Exceptional Equine in their name! For $50.00 per month we will provide the adopter with:
- Certificate of adoption
- Beautiful, color photo of their horse
- Custom stall plaque with their name to be mounted on their horse's stall