Meet the Horses
This is the amazing herd of horses that the college currently owns. Every horse (or pony) has been donated to the college with the purpose of teaching the students a vast range of things from western pleasure to riding over fences to the precision of dressage. 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 HC Equestrian program then join the “adopt a horse program”. Choose to sponsor your favorite HC 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 horse’s farrier, vet, feed and winter blanket (new purchase or repairs to current one).
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.
(Photo by Danielle Jennings '22)
2001, Bay, Trakehner/Dutch Warmblood Cross Mare, 16.1 Hands
Bree is a very energetic mare who loves to jump. She is very bold and will carry riders over fences fearlessly. She loves cross country, and she is learning to be very relaxed and strong in her dressage work.
(Photo by Abigail Forsberg '22)
2009, Chestnut, Thoroughbred Gelding, 16.1 Hands
Ethan is an excellent lesson horse and challenges his riders to have accurate and the correct timing of aids. He loves jumping and dressage. He also loves trying new things such as hunter paces, cross country, and trail riding.
(Photo by Abigail Forsberg '22)
2004, Grey, Lipizzaner Mare, 14.2 Hands
Carmella is a sweetheart who is always looking out for her rider’s safety. She will carry riders working on second and third level dressage as well as beginners learning how to trot.
(Photo by Brooke Nolin '19)
2003, Bay, Canadian Sport Horse Mare, 15.2 Hands
This mare is fearless when it comes to jumping, whether it be in the arena or out in the fields she will take her rider over it all. She is very sweet and will put her all into whatever you ask.
(Photo by Hannah Williamson '19)
2004, Bay, Quarter Horse Gelding, 14.2 Hands
We love Chip's kind character as he carries riders in dressage, jumping, and western riding. He is a solid beginner novice eventing pony and enjoys helping his riders trust him on the cross country field.
2012, Chestnut, Quarter Horse Mare, 15.1 Hands
Marla has quickly become a favorite at the barn. She is as honest as can be over fences and is learning what dressage training is all about. She loves jumping cross country fences and will happily canter up any field all the while maintaining a nice steady pace, she doesn't feel the need to rush!
2003, Black, Oldenburg Gelding, 17.0 Hands
All the way from California, D.C. has been a great addition to our herd. He is a very mellow guy and is capable of teaching students the upper level dressage movements.
(Photo by Brooke Nolin '19)
2000, Bay, Holsteiner Gelding, 15.3 Hands
DJ is the newest addition to our herd and he is settling in well as a lesson horse. He 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 will is sure to be another favorite among the herd.
(Photo by Erin Ozminkowski '23)
2004, Bay, Quarter Horse Mare, 14.1 Hands
Bailey is a sweet and sassy little mare that thrives on consistent work. She enjoys helping students grow in their riding in all disciplines. Whether it be jumping, dressage, western, trail riding, and even cross country, Bailey loves to do it all.
(Photo by Hannah Williamson '19)
1998, Chestnut, Trakehner/AQHA Cross Gelding, 15.2 Hands
Fox has trained through third level dressage and is quietly enthusiastic on the trail. His favorite things to do is jump through, whether it be in the arena or out in the cross country field. Add that to his good looks, and you have a really fancy, lovable lesson horse.
(Photo by Hannah Williamson '19)
2009, Bay, Warmblood Cross Gelding, 16.0 Hands
Johnny is a sweetheart who captures the heart of anyone who rides him. He enjoys dressage, jumping and trail riding and has a lot to teach his riders. This fall he even tried out cross country for the first time and was able to compete in his first horse trial!
(Photo by Hannah Williamson '19)
2005, Bay, Belgian Warmblood Mare, 17.1 Hands
Freya is currently competing 2nd level dressage while also schooling higher level movements. She enjoys occasional jumping and trail riding when she isn’t playing in her field or doing dressage.
(Photo by Megan Stapley Photography)
2002, Chestnut, Thoroughbred Gelding, 16.1 Hands
Phoenix is an OTTB who is bold in everything he does. He thrives in eventing and has competed through training level. No matter what discipline, dressage, stadium jumping, or cross country, Phoenix will work at it with all his heart.
(Photo by Hannah Williamson '19)
2003, Fleabitten Grey, Thoroughbred Gelding, 16.2 Hands
Harri has been a great addition to our herd, carrying riders up through Training level eventing and First Level dressage. He loves to give his riders confidence over fences and have a fun time while doing it.
(Photo by Hannah Williamson '19)
2000, Fleabitten Grey, Trakehner Mare, 16.3 Hands
Heimweh is developing into a nice dressage mount and is schooling 1st and 2nd level. She has a lot to teach students, and her sweet personality makes her a favorite. She also has been enjoying teaching newer riders and is very patient with them as they are learning.
(Photo by Megan Stapley Photography)
2006, Bay, Appendix Gelding, 18.0 Hands
Hogan is the big friendly giant of the barn. He enjoys jumping and is learning about the art of dressage. He even has started enjoying some cross country jumping.
2006, Chestnut, Hanoverian/Welsh Cross Gelding, 15.2 Hands
Prior to coming to Houghton, Horton competed in A circuit jumpers and did well in the 3’ junior division. He now schools lower level dressage and is helping teach beginner riders. He offers a challenge to students and is a favorite of many.
(Photo by Megan Stapley Photography)
2004, Black and White Paint, Friesian/Paint Cross Gelding, 16.2 Hands
Otto is currently schooling 2nd and 3rd level dressage movements and enjoys trail riding. In his time here at Houghton, he has developed a strong work ethic and is a favorite among the barn for both instructors and students.
(Photo by Brooke Nolin '19)
2003, Bay, Morgan Gelding, 15.1 Hands
Mufasa is a curious and friendly guy and he loves to try hard and please his riders. He enjoys doing dressage and is enjoys teaching riders Training and First level movements. Over the past couple of years we started putting some western training on him and it has become his favorite thing to work on and teach riders. Having a nice little jog and a lovely lope makes him a favorite.
2008, Bay, Quarter Horse/Arabian Cross Gelding, 15.1 Hands
Mason is a sweetheart who loves doing a variety of things; he has just started cross country and is proving himself to be a nice little eventer. Trail riding is his favorite activity, but he also enjoys jumping, western, and lower level dressage.
(Photo by Hannah Williamson '19)
2002, Dark Buckskin (Grulla), Andalusian/AQHA Cross Gelding, 14.2 Hands
Pasha is a wonderful horse for a variety of riders. He loves to go out on a long trail ride through the woods, and he also tries his hand in lower level dressage, western, jumping, and even a little bit of cross country. He is a sweetheart who you are bound to fall in love with!
2006, Chestnut, Quarter Horse Mare, 14.3 Hands
Mocha is quick to think and loves to work. Before coming to us she competed in many reining competitions and did a lot of ranch and cattle work. She enjoys teaching her riders precision in their western riding as well as the fun of a good spin and quick stop. As she has settled into being a lesson horse she has also started learning about dressage and is getting better and better at the lower level movements.
2013, Chestnut, Andalusian/Pony Cross Mare, 13.3 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 and even over small jumps. She is a people pleaser and will try her heart out to put a smile on her rider's face.
2004, Chestnut, Belgian/Thoroughbred/Morgan Cross Gelding, 17.0 Hands
Sampson is a new addition to our herd and he is loving life as a lesson horse. Currently he is schooling 2nd level in dressage but also enjoys trail riding and getting lots of attention from all of the students.
(Photo by Hannah Williamson '19)
2006, Grey, Lusitano Gelding, 15.1
Bolero comes to us having competed at the dressage level of Prix St. George. He is quite the character who has a special personality that can be quite comical. When in the arena he loves to show off his fancy footwork, especially if tempi changes are involved!
(Photo by Connie Strappello)
2006, Bay, Appendix Gelding, 16.1 Hands
Digger is learning the ropes of being a lesson horse and is currently working on lower level dressage and had just started some jumping. He is taking to jumping quickly and is loving the new challenge!
1999, Chestnut, Morgan Gelding, 15.0 Hands
Jimmy is developing a quality work ethic while helping riders of all levels learn to succeed in their riding goals. He enjoys helping students learn through lessons on the lunge, dressage, trail riding, and jumping.
(Photo by Hannah Williamson '19)
2002, Bay, Thoroughbred Gelding, 15.3 Hands
Magic is sweet, has nice gaits, and great form over fences. He is a staple in the lesson herd, and helps riders improve their equitation and feel for both dressage and jumping.
(Photo by Elissa Tyrell '17)
2008, Bay, Zweibrucker Gelding, 16.2 Hands
Willon enjoys dressage and jumping and is becoming a quality cross country mount. 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.