Remi
I only raced in 15 races, which is fine with me. Although I do enjoy playing around with my bestie, Atlas, I feel no need to race at top speed. I’m known around RAD for my impeccable work ethic. I’m willing to work with any and all riders, I love them all. I’m kind and gentle with everyone around me (except Atlas). If you want to see my sweetest face, tell me how great I am at my job. I love rides around the ranch and getting to hop over cross rails.
Crème Brulée Latte
I’ve been told I’m the future of RAD, along with Lueben. We were brought to sunny San Diego for long-term training as therapy ponies! I can’t wait! I LOVE people, and their fingers, which allow them to scratch my hindquarters; one of my favorite things in life!! I’m learning what’s called “ground manners” and will be learning what things like saddles, lunging and respect are. If I’m being honest, I’m usually right about everything and I’m not dramatic in the least so I am super ready for my advanced training to begin so I get more time with people. They say I need to “mature” more, but I think I’m ready. I can’t wait until I can do ground lessons with little ones as I really do love people and everything about them. Come say Hi to me! I’m very social.
Sven
Some of my history is a mystery, but one thing I remember is how loved I was at the track in my pony horse days! Young kids would come braid my hair on my day off and I got a LOT of cookies! Even though I can be shy, I love my job as a therapy horse. I get so much attention from lots of people! I have a smooth trot and I thoroughly enjoy getting ready for my lessons and heading out to the arena. I might prefer just standing getting pet by everyone in the middle of the ring sometimes but I do know my job is usually to keep things moving.
Goblin
I often have a different way of viewing the world. I try to be kind, show people that I care about them and that they are an important part of my life, be gentle with others' feelings. I came from Tennessee to California to be a trail horse that could do it all! Unfortunately for my person, I’m not the most graceful on challenging trails. And unfortunately for me, she had a dressage background. So my initial training involved both trail and dressage. Oh yeah, something else about me, I can move in ways no other horses at RAD can. My breed is gaited, meaning I have extra ways I can move that are supposed to be smooth. I’m working on the smooth! I swear! But sometimes I don’t know how to make my noodle legs work with my body. I am very safe for my riders, but I do have my own way of going that is…shall we say… unique. If someone wants a horse that will love them with all of their heart, a horse to connect with closely, I’m that horse. I love everyone to the fullest and I don’t care who you are.
Atlas
Jockey Club name: Perfect Come Back Racing was the only thing I knew for most of my life, it was great, traveling, seeing the country, and I was good at it. I’m what they call a “War Horse”, having raced 62 times and placing in the top three of those 32. I earned close to $200k!! Racing isn’t a career I could do forever and now I’m a therapy horse! Which I’ve realized is a pretty good gig. I get to slow down, enjoy trails and teach my riders the skills it takes to advance. I love competitions so I’m on the show team as well and I can’t wait to fully learn all that’s involved in being a competition horse. Even though I’m a big guy with long legs, I have a super smooth trot to help riders build confidence. I also have a super big walk that is great for riders that appreciate that sensory input. One of my other favorite things is head hugs! I’m always happy to receive those. I love my new job and plan to be a therapy horse for life.
Sully
My awesome human saw my potential when she saved me from a kill pen in order to train me for adaptive riding. I wasn’t ready right away but she got me there! When I joined the herd at RAD, everyone was blown away by my ability to adjust to any type of lesson needed. I love working with little kids who are learning to steer, trot, or sit up on their own! I love giving snuggles!
Piper
I was a fancy dressage and trail pony with my previous person. She meant the world to me, and we went on amazing adventures together. Unfortunately, my body had other plans for me, creating some limitations to what I could do. My owner thought RAD would be a great place for me to give back to others since I’m so patient and laidback. I love spending time with young people getting painted! It’s one of my favorite things. I’m great at walking around slowly and calmly while my riders sit in all kinds of crazy directions. I’m excited to be around littles at RAD and love my new job as a therapy horse.
Pokey
I’ve been at Rolling Hills as long as I can remember. I’ve had many different people work with me through my youth which has prepared me for my new job as a therapy horse. I’m a fun loving guy that gets bored easily. I love to be moving, playing with something or being entertained by the people in my life. I have a really big walk and trot which keeps my riders entertained and helps build core strength and balance quickly.
Charles (Jockey Club Name: Charlito)
I was a racehorse that traveled around the California tracks. I only won 2 races, but my track connections loved me so much they made me their pony horse! I helped countless youngsters get to the track with a calm and steady horse. I was lucky to go to CARMA for some downtime post track life before going to RAD. I began to learn about “sensory toys” and what “desensitization” means…honestly, I didn’t care about any of those things. After the track life, I wasn’t afraid of much. Although I do like a faster trot, I’m calm and easygoing overall, keeping a steady rhythm for my riders. Riders who have high anxiety tend to like working with me; I help regulate their bodies and emotions. One of my favorite things in the world is my supplements! Watch out when they are around, I may get a little pushy, but it’s only because I love food so much!
Castiel (Cass)
My racing career wasn’t super successful so when I retired, my second career was going to be a 3-day eventer! I went to weekly lessons, shows, and loved showing off in dressage but my owner hurt herself so that put a stop to that career. I tend to be on the lazy side and prefer packing people around slowly and carefully in the arena. Although I am tall, I love snuggling gently while getting told how good I am. My big movement and experience jumping will help RAD’s advanced riders take their skills to the next level!
Eldar
I came all the way from Oklahoma to become a therapy horse for RAD. I am the half-brother of Lueben, but we couldn’t be more different. Not only am I the older brother, I am on the shy and quiet side. I prefer to watch from the side while I learn what the people in my life are looking for from me. I try my best to be a good boy all of the time, as long as I don’t have to move quickly or fast. I hate running! I will happily come say hello with a gentle nuzzle that respects your space. Being older, I’m further along in my training and can’t wait to come be a part of the official RAD herd! I will be the horse that will take riders who want a slow, steady partner that is just as happy standing for a break as they are walking along the trail nice and slow. (I’m refining my manners off-site with things like picking up my feet, which is hard because they are big and heavy!). I’m going to be the best therapy horse!
Ember (Jockey Club Name: Conclude)
I came to RAD through CARMA. Although my connections at the track loved me and wanted me to be their pony horse, my body had other ideas. I experienced laminitis, which impacts my hooves in a big way if not treated. Thankfully, CARMA did take care of me, fixing my hooves but I was looking for something on the slower side of life. While I do like to let loose here and there to play, I’m generally on the lazy side, preferring to nap or hang with the peeps. I’ve been told I have great walk movement to engage riders’ core muscles or help regulate their body and I also have a nice rhythmic trot for people looking to expand their skills. I get called the “red potato” for some reason. I thoroughly enjoy resting and eating, they are my favorite things. Feel free to bring me a treat and put it in my bucket in my stall! I love snacks.
King "Private Joke"
I’m a horse that thrives in my job. For 9 years I was a phenomenal race horse, running 83 times, I’ve been told that qualifies me as a “war horse.” My job as a therapy horse has been the second career I needed when it was time to slow down. I love helping riders gain confidence in the saddle and on the ground, although I’m the largest horse at RAD, I excel at putting people at ease around me. I’m completely fulfilled in my second career and I look forward to many years teaching riders the value that horses like me can have.
Tyson
I came from the track as a pony horse. I was very loved by my people and I bring that love to everyone I interact with. I’ve had a lot of experience, from meeting emus, seeing elk, taking young horses to races, and going on trips with my people; nothing fazes me. I’ve been told I’m a very special horse because I was purchased for a rider at RAD. I love my person, but I love others too! I enjoy teaching those around me how to work with horses in a warm, patient, safe space. When you come to say hi, you can see how relaxed I am by my droopy lower lip I can’t be bothered to hold up.
Dr. Troutman
As a warhorse that raced in 81 races, I have a lot of experience I bring to the table. My original connections cared a great deal about me, tracking me down and purchasing me from my then owners in order to let me retire and go to CARMA for evaluations. They took me to a long show, I was a lesson horse there with people I loved, I did some jumping and they decided a great career would be adaptive riding! I like to get down to business, making sure I’m taking care of whoever is working with me. My calm demeanor helps my riders feel safe and confident even though I’m a tall guy! I love getting snacks and snuggles from the people around me!
Honey
I’ve spent years helping children learn how to ride, dare I say, I may be the best at bonding with my rider and giving kind snuggles. I take my job as a therapy horse seriously and love to help riders progress to riding off lead, I’m also a big fan of trail rides and King (we're good friends). I’m ready to teach anyone how to safely ride. I’ve never met a person I don’t like, and I’m so thrilled to be a calming, gentle friend to all of my riders.
RJ (Robert's Joy)
I raced for 6 years, in 66 races, which I’m told qualifies me as a war horse. My connections at the track loved me so much they could ride double on me, and kept me around even when I was retired. I love saying hello to everyone at RAD, especially if they have cookies! I’m doing lead line lesson now, and love little kids! I’m great at tight turns and lots of changes of directions for riders that need that sort of thing. People are the best!
Lueben
Although I’m currently off-site so I can “grow up”, I can’t wait to bring my sense of humor to RAD! When you think everything is calm and peaceful, I’m there to bring some chaos and fun into the equation. Who wants quiet when there can be tornadoes of broken water hoses, fencing, or fly masks to be removed? I’m here to keep everyone on their toes. While I do love a little chaos, I also really do love attention and people. I know now is the time to be wild because when I grow up, I’ll have a very important job as a therapy horse. I’m super excited to learn more; it’s one of my favorite things (as long as I’m moving), and I can’t wait to meet more people at RAD—especially my eventual riders.
