Four Houghton equestrian studies students sitting on their horses in outdoor arena.

Equestrian Lesson Horses

Meet the Horses

This is the amazing herd of horses that the university currently owns. Every horse (or pony) has been donated to the university with the purpose of teaching the students a vast range of things from the art of dressage, riding over fences, and even some western. These horses are used for classes, riding lessons and summer camps and enthusiastically put their whole hearts into their jobs.

Adopt a Horse Program

If you have a favorite lesson horse or would like to help out the HU Equestrian program then join the โ€œadopt a horse programโ€.ย  Choose to sponsor your favorite HU lesson horse and you will receive a picture and monthly email updates about your horse and the EQ program.

Sponsorship money will help support the cost of your horseโ€™s farrier, vet, feed and winter blankets (new purchase or repairs to current one).

Houghton equestrian program horse, Base.

"Base" Base Jumper

2013, Bay, Thoroughbred Gelding, 15.3 Hands

Base has a very sweet and goofy personality and absolutely loves attention. Currently, he is schooling Training and First level dressage and he loves to show off his great leg yielding skills. Base is also starting to get more mileage over fences and is absolutely loving it. We anticipate he will continue to grow and develop to be a steady lesson horse both in the dressage and jumping rings.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Carmella.

Carmella

2004, Grey, Lipizzaner Mare, 14.2 Hands

Carmella is a sweetheart who is always looking out for her riderโ€™s safety.ย  She will carry a variety of our riders, whether they are just learning or working on training level dressage.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Cat the horse

"Cat" Catfansue

2003, Chestnut, Thoroughbred Mare, 15.1 Hands

Cat is fun and sensitive mare that works hard to please. She has been a great addition to the herd for lower level jumping and is starting to develop a good dressage foundation. We are looking forward to see all she will continue to teach our students.

Photo by HMW Photography

Cha Cha the horse

"Cha Cha" Maldita Cha Cha

2019, Gray, Percheron Cross, Mare, 15.3 Hands

Cha Cha is one of our younger lesson horses that we are excited to continue to develop into a steady lesson horse. She is been building a good dressage foundation and also starting to work over small fences. We are excited to continue to see her progress and love her smooth gaits and curious personality.

Photo by HMW Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Danika.

"Danika" Double D Danika

2009, Brunblakk, Norwegian Fjord Mare, 14.0 Hands

Danika is one of our cute and uniquely colored ponies we have in the herd. She came to us with an eventing back ground and being shown in Pony Club events. She enjoys jumping both in and out of the arena and also showing off her dressage and western skills.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, DC.

"D.C." Dawsonโ€™s Creek

2003, Black, Oldenburg Gelding, 16.3 Hands

D.C. is one of our upper level dressage horses that loves showing off his fun dressage movements. He absolutely loves his changes and extended gaits and giving students a great feeling of collected movements.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Digger.

"Digger" Spitfire Gold Digger

2006, Bay, Appendix Gelding, 16.0 Hands

Digger came to us with a background in dressage but has found his passion of jumping with us. He absolutely loves showing off in the stadium ring and out in the cross country field. He is always up for a challenge and loves creating a great partnership with his riders.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, DJ.

DJ

2000, Bay, Holsteiner Gelding, 15.1 Hands

DJ loves to jump and is not afraid of a good challenge, even when it comes to height. With a very sweet personality and a "go get 'em" type attitude he has become a favorite among our students for both jumping and eventing.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Dream the horse

"Dream" Dream Come True

2015, Bay, Arabian Gelding, 14.2 Hands

Dream is a sweet boy who loves to jump. He works hard to please his riders and does a great job in boosting confidence for riders that need it. Dream does a great job in teaching new riders to jump and to go out in the cross country field. We love his heart of gold in helping riders accomplish their "firsts".

 

Photo by HMW Photography

Lesson Horse Durante

Durante

2010, Bay, Hanoverian Gelding, 16.1 Hands

Durante has a very sweet personality and enjoys dressage work, trail riding, and even a bit of liberty work. He is a beautiful mover and is schooling Second and Third level dressage movements. He loves building a connection with his riders and works hard to please.

Photo by HMW Photography

Emmett the horse

"Emmett" By The Coat Tails

2012, Bay, Appendix Gelding, 16.3 Hands

Emmett is a recent addition to the herd and has a background in showing on the Quarter Horse circuit in the Hunter under saddle classes. He has big gaits a lot of try and we are excited have him join our herd. We see a lot dressage potential in him and hope to build his education in addition to him helping our students learn and grow.

Photo by HMW Photography

Fettuccine the horse

Fettuccine

2009, Chestnut Leopard, Appaloosa Gelding, 14.3 Hands

Fettuccine has a goofy and sweet personality and came to us with a trail riding and trail obstacle background. He is very smart and has quickly learned the basics in dressage, western, jumping and eventing.

Photo by HMW Photography

Lesson horse Fig

"Fig" Franziska

2015, Bay, Westphalian Mare, 16.2 Hands

Fig is a dressage horse that made the journey all the way out from California to join our herd. She has been trained in movements through Third level and we are excited to have her settle into the program and teach our students in dressage classes that are ready to learn some of the upper level and collected movements.

Photo by HMW Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Fox.

"Fox" Fabregรฉ Fuchs

1998, Chestnut, Trakehner/AQHA Cross Gelding, 15.1 Hands

Although the oldest horse in our herd, Fox doesn't let his age show and still loves his job of teaching students. He has been used in a variety of our classes over the years but is currently enjoying dressage work, trail riding and even a little bit of western.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Freya.

Freya

2005, Bay, Belgian Warmblood Mare, 16.2 Hands

Freya is one of our dressage horses that is competing 1st level dressage while also schooling some higher level movements. When not in the dressage ring she enjoys occasional jumping and trail riding.

Photo by REA Photography

Houghton equestrian studies lesson horse Glitter.

"Glitter" Bold Glitter

2016, Fleabitten Gray, Thoroughbred Mare, 16.0 Hands

Glitter came to us with a great start in dressage and is schooling First Level movements. She is a sweet mare with smooth gaits and loves to build a partnership with her riders. Glitter is also getting started over fences and so far is doing really well!

Photo by HMW Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Harri.

"Harri" Harrisburg

2003, Fleabitten Grey, Thoroughbred Gelding, 16.1 Hands

Harri is a big mover with a goofy personality. He is used in both jumping and dressage classes and is always a favorite for our students to learn on. Whether it be working on training and first level dressage or jumping in the arena, he is happy to work and help teach his riders.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Johnny.

"Johnny" First Class II

2009, Bay, Warmblood Cross Gelding, 15.3 Hands

Johnny is a sweetheart who captures the heart of anyone who rides him. He enjoys dressage, jumping, and eventing. Being able to work with all levels of riders in a variety of classes makes him one of the favorites in our herd.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Lesson Horse Kiss

"Kiss" Goin' Blind

2017, Bay, Quarter Horse Gelding, 16.0 Hands

Kiss traveled all the way from Florida to join our herd. He is a very sweet and guy that love to develop a partnership with his riders and works hard to please. We are excited to see him continue to grow and develop in our program and teach a variety of our students in classes in both dressage and jumping classes.

Photo by Mary Stucchi Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, LJ.

"LJ" Lil' Jac

2007, Chestnut, Quarter Horse Gelding, 14.1 Hands

LJ is a lease who comes to us during the school year and has a lot of western, team penning, and cow work training. He is a kind and quiet teacher and loves to work hard to please his riders. He also is happy to do some low level dressage and English flat work if needed.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Lucca the horse

"Lucca" Leucojum

2004, Gray, Dutch Warmblood Gelding, 15.3 Hands

Lucca comes from a show jumping background. He is always game to jump and loves to teach his riders to help them learn and grow. He also has been doing great in our dressage classes and has been able to school through some of the Third level movements.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Mufasa.

"Mufasa" Laurel King Mufasa

2003, Bay, Morgan Gelding, 14.3 Hands

Mufasa is a curious and friendly guy and he loves to try hard and please his riders. He enjoys western, dressage, and trail rides and is also a favorite to use for seat lessons on the lunge line.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Mulan.

"Mulan" Better than a Boyfriend

2002, Black and White Paint, Friesian/Paint Cross Mare, 14.1 Hands

Mulan is small but mighty and is a favorite of both students and instructors due to her smooth gaits and sweet personality. She carries both beginners and more advanced dressage riders. Whether she is teaching a new rider or competing training level she is sure to win your heart.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Otto.

"Otto" Knights Dream

2004, Black and White Paint, Friesian/Paint Cross Gelding, 16.0 Hands

Otto is one of our upper level dressage horses and allows our students to compete and school first and second level dressage l movements. He has a strong work ethic and is a favorite among the barn for both instructors and students.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Patriot the horse

"Patriot" T.U.F. True Patriot

2021, Bay, Connemara/Thoroughbred Crossย  Gelding, 15.3 Hands

Patriot is a new addition and we are excited to continue to develop him into a great lesson horse. He has had a great start with dressage, jumping and even a little cross country. With his smooth gaits we are sure he will soon be a favorite for students to learn from as he is used in a variety of our dressage and jumping classes.

Photo by HMW Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Rowan.

Rowan

2013, Chestnut, Andalusian/Pony Cross Mare, 13.2 Hands

Rowan is the littlest in our herd but she isn't afraid to do big things! Coming all the way from Texas as a lease, she has been helping our riders in both dressage, jumping, and eventing. She is a people pleaser and will try her heart out to put a smile on her rider's face.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Ryan the horse

"Ryan" Jeronimo

2013, Chestnut, KWPN Gelding, 16.2 Hands

Ryan is one of our upper level dressage horses that is schooling Fourth level movements. He has big smooth gaits and a goofy personality and has been a great addition to our herd. Currently, Ryan is enjoying time to further his dressage education with one of our alumni. The plan is for him to return back to us in the Spring of 2027 and step into our program as a School Master Dressage horse for our students to learn some of the upper level and FEI movements on.

Photo by HMW Photography

Sandro the horse

"Sandro" Spaniard

2012, Bay, Oldenburgย  Gelding, 17.0 Hands

Sandro is one of our upper level dressage horses and is currently the tallest horse in our herd. Don't let his big size fool you, he has the sweetest personality and always comes up to the gate to say hello. He has shown through Fourth Level but has schooled some of the higher level movements.

Photo by HMW Photography

Sar the horse

"Sar" Osario MC

2012, Bay Dun, Andalusian Gelding, 15.2 Hands

Sar is a fun and talented boy with a sweet personality. He came to us with training following classical dressage principles as well as baroque style riding. He has been a great addition for our students to work with in our dressage classes and is a great teacher for some of the upper level movements.

Photo by HMW Photography

Spirit the horse

"Spirit" Chanceborn Spirit

2021, Flaxen Chestnut, Haflinger/Morgan Crossย  Gelding, 14.2 Hands

Spirit has a heart of gold to match his golden color. Although one of the youngest horses in the herd, he is showing great traits of being a lesson horse and we have a strong feeling he will be a great addition for our students to learn on and grow with as he continues to develop. Spirit is currently schooling First level dressage movements, enjoying trail rides, and is being started over fences.

Photo by HMW Photography

Vigo the horse

"Vigo" Vigorello

2006, Bay, Thoroughbred Gelding, 16.1 Hands

Vigo came to us with a great dressage foundation and has shown through Third Level and schools some of the higher level movements. He is fun to work with and students enjoy getting the feel of piaffe and passage movements on him.

Photo by HMW Photography

Whitaker

"Whitaker" Witt Dancing Speed

2016, Bay Rabicano, Thoroughbred Gelding, 15.3 Hands

Whitaker came to us with a good start with some dressage and jumping background. He is schooling Training level dressage movements and has been doing well over fences in the arena. We are excited to see him continue to develop as he is used in both our dressage and jumping classes.

Photo by HMW Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Willon.

Willon

2008, Bay, Zweibrรผcker Gelding, 16.1 Hands

Willon enjoys working on training level dressage and jumping in the stadium ring. He teaches riders the importance of using their seat and when they are successful he is a lovely mover. Willon has a kind heart and enjoys the many different riders that work with him.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Zeus the horse

"Zeus" Promise the Sky

2014, Bay, Thoroughbred Gelding, 16.1 Hands

Zeus has sweet and goofy personality. He has done a little bit of dressage and jumping we are excited to continue his education in these areas to help turn him into a great lesson horse. With his big heart and willingness to try new things we are looking forward to seeing all he will be able to teach our students and accomplish as a lesson horse.

Photo by HMW Photography