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 13-year-old Gypsy Vanner. 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 14 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 20-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!
Luca
Luca is a 12-year-old Quarter Horse who joined EE in November of 2023. Luca has a history as a Western Show horse, and has the nice smooth gaits to prove it! He's got a low-key personality that makes him a favorite with leaders and he LOVES playing in the pasture with his new best friend, Bob!
Mach
Flying Colors Mach One or "Mach" is a 17-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! 
Rowan
Rowan joined us at EE in August of 2024. Rowan is a Connemara cross. He's a beautiful bay with the most inquisitive face! Rowan is still learning a lot, but excited to become part of EE. Rowan is on lease from Lynn Korenfeld 
Auggie (Augustus)
Auggie came to EE with his buddy Georgia in the summer of 2023 on a long-term lease. At just two years old, Auggie is still growing, and reminds the staff of a large puppy! He has a playful nature and LOVES wrestling with his big friend Gus. Auggie is beginning to take part in unmounted lessons, as his body finishes growing and his joints develop. |
Riesling
Riesling is a 15 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 15-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 19-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 
Gus
Gus is an 11 year old Gypsy Vanner Draft cross. He joined the EE herd in July of 2023. While there are a LOT of black and white paints at EE, Gus stands out with his beautiful braided mane and LARGE feet. Before coming to EE, Gus was a trail horse. While he can be a bit lazy, he is a steady and trustworthy mount for a wide variety of clients. 
Lana
Lana is a 12- year-old Tennessee Walker cross. She's got a beautiful black coat and a very relaxed personality! She is an easy-going girl who gets along with everyone. Before coming to EE, Lana was a dressage horse. Lana is on a long-term lease. 
Sully
Sully came to Exceptional Equestrians in January of 2021. Sully came from Horses Without Humans rescue in Florida. He's a large, 14-year-old Percheron gelding. While he may not be the fastest horse in the barn, he has a sweet face and big personality. 
Tercio
Tercio came to Exceptional Equestrians in May of 2018. He is a 24- 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. 
Georgia
Georgia came to EE with her buddy Augustus from just down Highway A! Georgia is on long-term lease, and she and Auggie are two of the youngest horses to ever join EE! At just 3 years old, Georgia is still learning, but her petite size and sweet personality show so much potential! |
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: Santa, King, Anna, 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