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 a new addition to the herd and has settled in nicely. She is a calm and steady girl who is stepping into some of our introductory classes for our students to learn on. We are enjoying having this sweet mare in the herd and are excited to see all she can teach our students.

Photo by HMW Photography

Cha Cha the horse

"Cha Cha" Maldita Cha Cha

2013, 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 recent addition to the herd and has quickly turned into a favorite. He works hard to please his riders and has three really smooth gaits that make him really fun to work with both over fences and doing some lower level dressage.

 

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 level dressage movements and higher. We are excited to see him continue to develop as a lesson horse and teach a variety of our riders some of the upper level movements.

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 even a little eventing. We plan to continue his education in the variety of disciplines and are excited to see him continue to grow into a great lesson horse.

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 is a recent addition to our herd and came to us with a great start in dressage. She is a sweet mare with smooth gaits and we are looking forward to continuing her education in dressage and working her over fences.

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 is a new addition and traveled all the way from Florida to join our herd. Although he is younger, he is a very sweet and mellow guy that works hard to please his riders. We are excited to see him continue to grow and develop in our program and teach a variety of our students in 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 super fun to jump and loves to teach his riders to help them learn and grow. He also has been doing great in our dressage classes working on First level movements and schooling some upper levels.

Photo by Abby Forsberg Photography

Houghton equestrian program horse, Mason.

Mason

2008, Bay, Quarter Horse/Arabian Cross Gelding, 14.3 Hands

Mason is a sweetheart who loves doing a variety of things in our program. Trail riding is his favorite activity, but he also enjoys jumping, western, and lower level dressage.

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

"Mystic" Mystician

2009, Chestnut, Thoroughbred, Gelding, 15.2 Hands

Mystic came to us having an eventing background and in his younger years competed through Prelim. He has a sweet personality and loves teaching his riders both in the dressage ring and over fences. With his smooth gaits and willing attitude he is sure to put a smile on his riders faces.

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

Houghton equestrian program horse, Rowan.

Rowan

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

Rowan is one of the littlest and cutest ponies 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 has even started a little bit of cross country. 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 2nd and 3rd level movements. He has big smooth gaits and a goofy personality and has been a great addition to our herd.

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. He has shown through 4th Level but has schooled some of the higher level movements. With his sweet personality and big smooth gaits he has been a fun horse for our students to learn and grow in their dressage skills.

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

"Sky" Sir Skyfall

2015, Chestnut, Oldenburgย  Gelding, 16.3 Hands

Sky is a recent addition that is settling into the lesson herd. He has three big smooth gaits and has dabbled with jumping and dressage prior to joining us. We are excited to get to know him more and have him teach our students in a variety of classes.

Photo by HMW Photography

Spirit the horse

"Spirit" Chanceborn Spirit

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

Spirit is a recent addition to the herd and we are excited to have him in the program. Although young, he is showing great traits 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 and showing Training level dressage, 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 is a recent addition to the herd and has stepped right into teaching our dressage students. He has shown through Third Level and schools some of the higher level movements such as piaffe and passage. We are excited to see him continue to settle into our program and be a great teacher to our students.

Photo by HMW Photography

Whitaker

"Whitaker" Witt Dancing Speed

2016, Bay Rabicano, Thoroughbred Gelding, 15.3 Hands

Whitaker is a recent addition to the herd and is settling in great so far! We are excited to see him develop into a lesson horse that can be used in a variety of 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 big. He teaches riders to have a soft, elastic connection with the bit, 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 hoping 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