15.3h quarter horse gelding, Born 2008

Once owned by a country music star, Arrow gave guided trail rides and was a pleasure horse. He is named “Arrow” because of the distinct arrow pattern on his right side. That arrow also makes him the easiest paint to identify! Arrow is like a big puppy dog and a rider favorite!

16h American Warmblood, Born 2001

Bailey came to us after his career as a fox hunter. Bailey is the most patient and forgiving horse you will ever meet. He is great with every child he has met.

17.1h Percheron gelding, Born 2008

Bishop is the biggest horse in the barn at over 1500 pounds and the only full draft at SU! Bishop may have pulled barges down the Ohio River and was likely an Amish farm horse. He is a true “gentle giant” and is the frequent subject of visitor selfies.

15h Quarter Horse, Born 2001

Boomer is known for his trot. He has the comfiest trot on the farm. Before coming to Saddle Up! in 2019, Boomer was a champion team roper.

11 hand Pony gelding, Born 2014

Charlie was ridden as a show jumper and pleasure horse in Christian Curry’s barn before coming to Saddle Up!. As you can tell from his picture, he is loving his life here, including hanging out with the many kids and volunteers. He loves to play with his friends in the pony pasture!

15h Quarter Horse mare, Born 2003

Cocoa’s registered name is Spot My Chips and she has great bloodlines including Zips Chocolate Chip and Impressive. Cocoa was shown very successfully in western pleasure and has almost 40 lifetime AQHA Youth Points to her credit. She was generously donated by Karla Champion.

9 hh Miniature Mule Gelding, Born 2009

Another small but mighty member of the herd, Dan was generously donated to us by Mary Beth Fortugno and came to Saddle Up! with his very best friend Thumbelina. Dan is well known as a stubborn little fellow and a super messy eater but, despite his quirks, he is fun to be around and a great addition to our Equine Assisted Learning program.

16 hh Morgan Friesian Cross Gelding, Born 2017

Governor was generously purchased for the Saddle Up! program by funds from the Annual Governor’s Club Holiday Auction and he is a wonderful addition to our program. Governor has lovely walk/trot/canter gaits for our more advanced and independent riders and he is also learning how to be a vaulting horse, with much success. He is the biggest lovebug and adores people and attention! His stately presence, glossy black coat and beautiful conformation have earned him “Most Handsome” honors (but don’t tell the others!).

15.1 hand Paint horse gelding, Born 1999

We are so happy to welcome Harley to the APHA Paint Horse band! Harley was born in 1999 and is 15.1 hands high. Harley is owned and loved by Kathy VanHorne, who generously loaned this good gelding to us. In his previous career, he showed with Kathy in reining and reined cow horse competition and was a steady mount then as he is now.

14h Gypsy Cob Gelding, Born 2010

Harry is a 12 year old gypsy cob, affectionately known around the barn as “Hairy Harry” because of his beautiful feathers, long whiskers and flowing mane and tail (the Harry comes from his mom’s favorite musician, Harry Styles!). You can tell Harry and Buddy apart because Harry has more white on his face and cute spots on his neck. Harry has therapy horse experience, having been part of the herd at Equest in Texas.

15h Draft Cross Gelding
Born 2013

Jake (From State Farm) has been a solid lesson horse and steady trail companion for many years. Most recently, he was ridden and loved by a 10 year old girl, and when her family moved across the country, Jake stayed in Tennessee. Saddle Up! became his new home. He will be right at home here with all the kiddos that can continue to learn from him.

12h chestnut pony, Born 2005

Jelly Bean is the smallest of the herd at 550 lbs, but he has a big heart and a lot of attitude. He was donated by volunteer Leslie Siers. Before coming to Saddle Up!, Jelly Bean taught many kids how to ride and he loves hanging out with his best friend, Sampson.

13.2 Chincoteague Pony Mare,
Born 2008
Kiska is a beautiful flaxen-maned chestnut mare and a genuine Chincoteague pony – the first Saddle Up! has ever had! She is a kids’ pony dream and is on loan to SU! for the next three years while her military family is serving overseas. She is a willing pony who is kind and easy to work with and she gets along well with everyone.

13.1h Pony Gelding
Born 2006

Pip aka “Pipsqueak” is a 13.1 pony gelding and, though he is small, he is mighty, just like our other precious ponies! Pip, like Sampson, is a rescue pony and a perfect example of how horses bloom into wonderful partners when given the right love and care. He is a perfect “therapy sized” pony and we are very happy to welcome him to the herd.

17.0hh Belgian Mare
Born 2008

Queen is a 2008 Belgian mare and truly worth her weight in gold (that’s 1750 lbs of goodness!). Queen worked as a farm horse and was destined for a bad end when she was rescued from auction by Copper Horse Crusade in Ohio (who also rescued Bishop!). Queen loves all of the attention she gets here and is a steady ride for our older riders. She and Bishop have become quite a pair since she arrived!

14.3h Andalusian Cross Mare, Born 2005

Lovely Rita (Meter Maid) is a 17 years young Andalusian Cross and, like Harry, is on loan to us through the generosity of Susannah Denney. Rita has been a lesson horse, therapy horse, and all-around great mare in her career. We love her gentle eyes and long bangs as well as her great attitude.

16.3 Spotted Draft Cross Gelding,
Born 2010

Ronan began his life as a husband horse, he was then trained to bring a young girl’s vaulting dreams alive. Though Ronan was well loved and trained, his little girl advanced at vaulting faster than his body allowed him to, so with many tears the decision was made to sell Ronan. His purchase for the SU! Adaptive Vaulting program was generously funded in honor of Thomas and Barbara Schommer. Ronan’s steadiness and loving personality fit right in at SU! and his love of food and affection are noted by all who work with him. Our vaulting program is so glad to have him!

Ruby is a pretty Arabian mare with a classic “dishy” face. She is a 2010 model and on loan from her owner, Shaman Drew. Ruby has been a solid pleasure horse in her past career. We are so happy to have this good mare in the herd.

11h bay pony gelding, Born 2008

Sampson is an adorable flirt with his punk rock mohawk and large personality! He came to us through Safe Harbor rescue and loves his job and life at Saddle Up!.

14.3 hh Paint Gelding Born 2003

Sandman came to Saddle Up! with his best buddy, Woody. He was previously a show and schooling horse at Asbury University and is on loan from owner Lisa Thompson. Sandman is a perfect therapy horse, quiet with his riders under every circumstance — a true “Steady Eddy” and we are thrilled he has joined our handsome herd of paint geldings.

Solstice was born during the summer solstice in 2018. When her mom was rescued by Copper Horse Crusade she was a “stowaway”. She is a draft x quarter horse cross and built sturdy to carry our older riders. Solstice is a super smart mare and we love having her here!

15 hh Quarter Horse mare,
Born 2014

Taylor (so named because of the “13” brand on her shoulder) was part of a broodmare band and then taken to a sale widely known as a pipeline to slaughter. Thankfully, our good friends in Ohio saw her potential, saved her, put time into her, and helped her find her way to us. Taylor has learned her job and figured out that people are good and lots of scratches and attention is even better.

8.3 hh Miniature Horse Mare, Born 2009

Super sweet and very pretty, this petite paint mare brings a smile to everyone’s face. She loves people and her forever best buddy, Dan. Thumby is part of our Equestrian Learning Programs and her small size makes her super portable for those times that we take the power of equine assisted therapy to groups and outside events. Thumby was donated to Saddle Up! by Mary Beth Fortugno.

14.3 hand Quarter horse gelding, Born 2002

Toby is a beautiful red roan, 14.3 hand AQHA registered quarter horse who has worked as a reining and reined cow horse partner for his owner, Steve Everett, who has loaned us his all-time favorite horse buddy. Toby’s color makes him stand out as does his “practically perfect in every way” personality. Toby is a 2002 model, but young at heart!

16.1h Chestnut gelding Tennessee Walking Horse, Born 2012

Willie was primarily used as a trail horse prior to coming to work at Saddle Up!. He is a descendent of Midnight Sun, one of the leading sires of the Tennessee Walking Horse breed, and a two-time World Grand Champion in 1945 and 1946.

16 hh Quarter Horse gelding Born 2001

Woody came to Saddle Up! after a successful career as a school horse at Asbury University in Kentucky and is on loan from owner Lisa Thompson. Woody is kind and gentle and has smooth gaits with easy transitions. He will work with our riders at every gait and can be trusted to be a good off lead horse for our advanced riders. He is a true gem!