Horses at Reins of Life, Inc. Therapeutic Horseback Riding
South Bend and Michigan City, Indiana

Name: "Zeke"
Served Since: 2008
Date of Birth: August 19, 1998
Sponsor: Matthew Frank Moore Foundation
Donor: Sheila and Ron Reese

Zeke is a 14.1 hand, Quarter Horse gelding. Prior to joining the team at Reins he lived with the Reese family near Indianapolis and did lots of trail riding. Here at Reins we love his calm and quiet attitude as well as the interesting color of his chocolate brown body and blonde mane.

Name: Andromeda or "Dee"
Served Since: 2008
Date of Birth: August 1, 2003

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Lender/Owner: Amanda Bubb

Dee is a 16.3 hand, Saddlebred/Clydesdale mare who has belonged to instructor Amanda since she was just a yearling. Dee is a vivacious young horse who brings a lot of liveliness to the adult classes that she works in. When Dee is not working in a class you might find her riding in the arena or on the trail with Amanda or even learning some new tricks.

Name: Boons Gunna Command or "Gunny"
2010 Indiana Therapy Horse of the Year
Served Since: 2008
Date of Birth: 1985

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Lender/Owner: Amanda Bubb

Gunny is a 15.2 hand, Quarter Horse mare who competed in reining at the national level, served many years as a broodmare and worked in a college equestrian program where instructor Amanda met and fell in love with her. Gunny loves working with riders who are beginning to ride without support and helping them to advance their level of independence.

Name: Bud
Served Since: 2010
Date of Birth: 2000

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Purchased for Reins by: Dr. David and Mary Cory

Bud is 17 hand tall, Belgian gelding which makes him the largest horse in our program. Prior to coming to Reins, Bud had actually done some work with cattle, quite a surprising skill for such a huge horse! Bud has found his place here working with many of our teen and adult riders.

Name: Bandit
Served Since: 2010
Date of Birth: 2004

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Donor: Penny Stone/Little Creek Special Equestrians

Bandit is a 31 inch tall, miniature gelding who came to us from another therapeutic riding center whose visitation program was not large enough to require two minis. Bandit was second place, behind only Rosie, in the 2010 Extreme Therapy Horse Challenge, proving that sometimes big hearts come in small packages.

Name: Rocky
Served Since: 2009
Date of Birth: 1990

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Purchased for Reins through a grant funded by the:
Florence V. Carroll Charitable Trust
John, Anna and Martha Jane Fields Trust Foundation
Stanley A. & Flora P. Clark Memorial Community Trust Foundation
Muessel-Ellison Memorial Trust Foundation.

Rocky is a 10 hand small, Shetland pony gelding who loves playing games out in the pasture. Our smallest riders giggle and laugh when they get to ride his fun, bouncy trot. His dappled coat makes him a handsome little pony.

Name: Sunwood Darn Im Cute or "Donkey Dar"
Served Since: 2009
Date of Birth: August 20, 2005

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Donor: Julie and Jim Schwartz

Donkey Dar is a 30 inch tall, Miniature Mediterranean Donkey and the youngest member of our herd, in addition to being one of the smallest! Donkey Dar is a popular part of our miniature visitation program. Through this program he makes visits to schools, nursing homes, hospitals and other places to educate the public and raise awareness about Reins of Life.

Name: Hollywood
Served Since: 2007
Date of Birth: 1975

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Donor: Liz Horvath

Hollywood is a 14.1 hand, Arab/Quarter Horse gelding. A former parade horse, he prances around the arena when he trots. Hollywood is very quiet and calm, making him a perfect fit for our young riders.

Name: Boomer
Served Since: 1996
Date of Birth:

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Donor: Barry Gomberg

Boomer is a 16 hand, gray Quarter Horse Gelding. Prior to joining the Reins of Life herd he fox hunted on the East Coast and worked in lessons at a local stable. Here at Reins we prize Boomer's strength and laid back personality. Boomer is also exceptional member of our program because our students relate well to him as he himself has a medical condition that requires special care.

Name: Lickety Split or "Lickety"
Served Since: 2007
Date of Birth: 1977

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Donor: Theresa Hadenfelt

Lickety is a 13.1 hand, mixed breed pony gelding who pulled a cart in his former home. Lickety Split is now a slow moving saint who does wonderfully for our youngest and most involved riders, carrying them slowly and safely around the arena.

Name: Rosie
Served Since: 2008
Date of Birth: 1987

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Purchased for Reins through a grant funded by the:
Florence V. Carroll Charitable Trust
John, Anna and Martha Jane Fields Trust Foundation
Stanley A. & Flora P. Clark Memorial Community Trust Foundation
Muessel-Ellison Memorial Trust Foundation

Rosie is 32 inch tall, Miniature Horse mare and a mainstay in our miniature visitation program. She has been to malls, schools, nursing homes, parks, churches and other locations to educate and comfort individuals in the community. In addition to keeping up her busy public appearance schedule she found time to win the 2010 Extreme Therapy Horse Challenge in which she competed against therapy horses from across the state of Indiana.

Name: Skip
Served Since: 2009
Date of Birth: 2003

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Purchased for Reins through a grant funded by the:
Florence V. Carroll Charitable Trust
John, Anna and Martha Jane Fields Trust Foundation
Stanley A. & Flora P. Clark Memorial Community Trust Foundation
Muessel-Ellison Memorial Trust Foundation

Skip is a 15.1 hand, sorrel Quarter Horse gelding that was trained for Extreme Cowboy Races and team penning before coming to Reins because he obviously enjoyed slower paced activities. Skip can only be described as our class clown and works with several of our more independent riders. In his time off he enjoys eating and making silly faces.

Name: Lady
Served Since: 2009
Date of Birth: 1995

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Purchased for Reins through a grant funded by the:
Florence V. Carroll Charitable Trust
John, Anna and Martha Jane Fields Trust Foundation
Stanley A. & Flora P. Clark Memorial Community Trust Foundation
Muessel-Ellison Memorial Trust Foundation.

Lady is a 13.3 hand, Haflinger /Quarter Pony mare who used to pull a plow on a family farm. Her beautiful blonde mane and tail make her a favorite with our riders. Because she is stocky and on the shorter side she can work with a wide variety of riders.

Name: Hungarian Esprit or "Esprit"
Served Since: 2008
Date of Birth: June 5, 1989

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Donor: Dana Chartier

Esprit is a 15.1 hand, Hungarian Warmblood who enjoyed her former career as a three day eventer prior to her new career at Reins. In her current career Esprit wins over riders and volunteers alike with her sweet disposition and lovely personality. If you look closely you will notice that the white star on her forehead is very appropriately shaped like a heart.

Name: Princess
Served Since: 2009
Date of Birth: 2003

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Donor: Melissa Bower

Princess is a 10.2 hand small, pony mare. Her black coat makes her our very own black beauty. Don't be fooled by her size. Princess has one of the biggest personalities in our herd and loves to boss the other horses and ponies around.

Name: Snickerdoodle
Served Since: 2009
Date of Birth: 1997

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Lender/Owner: Jen and Jon Landing

Snickerdoodle is a 12 hand, mixed breed pony that was originally trained by the Amish to pull a pony cart. His fun personality is a hit with riders and volunteers alike and he loves to go fast, which makes him a rider favorite.

Name: Bando
Served Since: 2007
Date of Birth: April 7, 1992

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Donor: Devin Jenkins

Bando is a 15.3 hand, Arab/Quarter Horse gelding that was donated by one of our volunteers who competed with him at local horse shows. He is often used by our more advanced riders due to his responsiveness.

Name: Copper
Served Since: 2005
Date of Birth: 1990
Sponsor: Sarah Meyer
Lender/Owner: Sarah Meyer

Copper is a 14 hand, POA gelding that belongs to one of our instructors. Copper has been a therapeutic riding horse for over half of his life but due to current health issues he is presently on a break from our riding program. He still loves getting attention and being groomed whenever our volunteers have free time.

Name: Presley
Served Since: 2009
Date of Birth: 1998

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Donor: Michael Brady

Presley is a 13.1 hand, POA gelding who came to us from a large family whose kids had outgrown him. Presley is a perky pony who brings plenty of energy and personality to our program, keeping the children and volunteers that he works with anticipating his next move.

Name: River
Served Since: 2009
Date of Birth: 1994

Sponsor: Sponsor Me!

Lender/Owner: Maria Alexeychuk

River is a 15 hand, Quarter Horse gelding with a handsome roan coat. He was donated by an ROL Board member who purchased him as a "husband-safe" horse. We have found him to be not only "husband-safe" but also gentle enough for our most physically involved riders.

Name: Thunder
Served Since: 1995
Date of Birth: 1980
Sponsor: Potawatomi Kiwanis
Donor: Michael Rice

Thunder is an 11.2 hand, mixed breed pony and our very own Fabio. He is the most senior member of our herd, having served the riders at Reins for over 15 years. Thunder is outstanding when it comes to allowing our young students to ride in alternative positions and his smooth, slow trot makes for a very comfortable ride.