Meet The Horses

MEET BANDIT

How long has Bandit been a lesson horse? Since 2011
How old is Bandit? Born in 2003
Background: Prior to buying him, he was a husbands trail horse ridden once or twice a year for 2 or 3 years. He had the calm and confident demeanor for lessons so Kate purchased him in September of 2011. She taught him to give to leg pressure, soften in his face, neck, back and ribs, engage his hindquarters in collection, perform rollbacks, spins, half pass, and side pass just to name a few. Along with being a great arena horse, he has been a great trail horse as well including crossing bridges and going through water.
Age range of riders: He has been lead around with a one year old, and frequently has ages 2 to 85 on his back.
Personality: He is the dominant horse in the herd, therefore he likes to take on the leadership role and if the human is not being decisive about direction, Bandit will decide where to go. However, he adjusts his behavior under saddle depending on the level and age of the rider on him. If he has a 2 year old on his back, he walks slow and cautious and his bold-headedness completely disappears. If he has a confident teen on his back, he will wait until they are precise with what they are asking him to do before he does what they are asking. He gives inexperienced riders confidence by staying steady and calm. He responds quickly to a soft touch thus being a fun ride for even an experienced rider. He has a lot of try and works hard to please his rider.
MEET BISCUIT and GRAVY
How long have they been doing lessons?: Since 2010
How old are Biscuit & Gravy: Born in 2006
Background: Biscuit and Gravy were both rescues and both were still stallions when Kate got them in 2009. Gravy had an overload of worms and Biscuit was terrified of people. Gravy, despite of his health, has always been the most people person horse. After some love and patience Biscuit eventually learned people were not too bad. It took Biscuit several months before he could be haltered without running away. But he has now completely overcome his fear and has a signature "Look" when he wants attention or a treat. Biscuit and Gravy both turned into quite the amazing children minis with some training. They help build confidence in the younger kids because of their size and curiosity. In 2015 both started training to pull a cart. They now can pull a wagon together as a team as well as by themselves.
Age Range of students: Leadline riders of 1 to 4 under 65 pounds. Drivers of ages 8 and up.
Personalities: Gravy is a busy body. He loves attention, loves to play, and has to be kept busy before he can stand quietly. Biscuit is always level headed, calm, and willing to do whatever is asked of him. They make a wonderful and unique pair when driving as a team. Biscuit helps the real timid children learn to groom and lead a small horse. Gravy is step 2 before a big horse, because he is a little more fidgity and in your space. Both mini's are excellent for learning about groundwork and building connections with little equines.

SOLD HORSES

ROMEO

Romeo was adopted with the home we purchased in Marana AZ, or rather, Romeo adopted us when we bought this home. He didn't have a well known past, so he got love and updated vet & farrier care. He learned to trust people again, be able to go for walks, not worry about dogs running around, and really became very gentle. As Kate continued to figure out her health, it was best to downsize the animal load just a little more. She wanted Romeo to go to a home where he got more attention, and he found just that not too far away! Thank you Tara!

ANIRA

Years doing lessons: 2010 - 2021
Background: Kate bought Anira as an untrained 4 year old in 2006. She was her first training project with the help of another local trainer. She spends most of her rides in the arena or on the property with the occasional trail ride throughout the years. She entered the lesson program in 2010. She knows to give to leg pressure, soften in the face, a little collection, and knows some maneuvers such as half pass, side pass, roll back, and shoulder turn to name a few. She was a rockstar lesson and camp horse throughout her career with OTH. She was sold in 2022 to her wonderful semi-retirement home in Nunn Colorado. Thank you Ken and Jeannie!

JOE

Years doing lessons: 2014 - 2021
Background:Joe had a life on the racetrack before Kate got him. He originally was a racehorse and then progressed to doing every job on the track including being an outrider horse and an exercise pony. She spent about 4 to 6 months retraining him to become a lesson horse for the program. He was great for a rider with a lot of experience because he liked to run, but he has learned to slow down into his "retirement career". Joe served as an intermediate lesson horse for OTH lessons, camps, clinics, and saddle club programs. He always aimed to please!
Joe is enjoying his retirement home with Anira in Nunn, Colorado. Thank you Ken & Jeannie!

Luna (Precious) and Nova (Strawberry)

Years doing Lessons: 2019 - 2021
Kate got these mini girls to train to drive as a team. Life had other plans and they packed up and moved to Arizona in 2020. After the move, Kate fell ill and had to downsize her herd. The mini's girl previous owner managed to snag them back! They are enjoying their spoils back in Wellington, CO. Thank you Sonja!

Buck

Years doing Lessons: 2011 - 2018
Buck was a kind, everybody kinda horse. He was easy going, safe on the trail, but sensetive when you wanted to get up and go. He did have a super bumpy trot so he really taught people how to have a good, solid, seat! Buck liked licking suckers, following little ones around and being gentle as could be. He went to a semi-retirement home to be loved on by a single family and get all the spoils.

Remmy

Years doing lessons: 2015 - 2016
Remmy was a very level headed kind of horse. He liked to explore and see new things. This guy was what one would call "Bomb Proof", nothing phased this boy. He ended up having some hoof problems and his new owner came along at the right time and adopted him to rehab him. He fully healed and became one of her favorites in a heartbeat. Thank you Amie!

Daisy

Kate got Daisy off the track to retrain from a racer (as she was too slow on the track) to an all around mare. She was elegant, floaty, and had a lovely sound mind for a young Arabian mare. Kate thought she could go into dressage, hunter jumper, or driving. Kate trained her to transition from the walk, trot and canter effortlessly and gave her a solid foundation for whatever her future may hold. Daisy moved to Texas. Thank you Stephanie!

Faya

Years doing Lessons: 2010 - 2011
Faya was a brave trail horse, but lacked enjoyment in the arena. She was Anira's half sister. She was sold to a family that wanted to trail ride and broaden their horsemanship. Faya stood perfectly still while she got on, only to have the saddle swing under her belly, all this sweet horse did was look back at her to make sure she was okay. The selling moment of this sweet girl. Thank you Johnstown family!

Horses that have crossed the rainbow bridge....


Sky. With us from 2010 - 2022

Sky was such a playful horse throughout his life. If riding wasn't turned into a game, he didn't want anything to do with it. He taught us all a great deal about having fun with horses no matter what. We will forever miss you sweet Sky...

Ben

Was with Kate from 2004 to 2020, Ben was the primary lesson horse from 2010 until 2019. He taught many, many students all kinds of horsemanship skills from being the most dependable, friendly, kind Arabian anyone could have the pleasure of meeting. Run free sweet boy... Thank you for helping so many students (including Kate!) over the years.

Rio

Was an off the track thoroughbred that Kate was hoping to turn into a lesson horse. He ended up having his lungs fail and his sweet life was cut too short at the age of 10. He was only with us for a few short months, getting all the spoils he could possibly enjoy.

Dr Pepper

Kate had known Dr Pepper from childhood. When he got up there in age his owner could no longer care for him, so we adopted him. He was fed a special mash, as with a horse with no teeth made it hard for him to eat hay! He was spoiled for the 2 years we got the pleasure of his company.

Walker

Kate's very first horse, one week before Ben arrived. He was an "everybody" horse. Trail safe, arena safe, non-rider safe, for the most part. He kept Kate safe in the foothills of northern Colorado where she took him on numerous trail rides during their time together. He got spoiled in his senior years up until he crossed the rainbow bridge in 2008.