Dessa
Dessa was born in 2006 and is a Quarter Horse mare. Dessa came to her current owner’s at the age of 3, where she learned all sorts of dispositions, from three day eventing, to Dressage, trail riding, and more. Dessa came to LifeStriders in 2024 with her pasture mate Navada. Dessa’s chestnut color shines like a brand new penny in the sunlight of summer, but this girls charm doesn’t stop at just her brilliant beauty. Dessa is very friendly and vocal, and nickers to greet many that approach her. Her gentle demeanor smooth steady gaits, and strong build, can help many different riders gain confidence and balance. This sweet girl loves attention, neck rubs, carrots, and trail riding. |
Odie
Odie was born in 2003 and is a Norwegian Fjord gelding. Odie came to LifeStriders in July of 2023 and has charmed the masses since day one. Odie is a quiet and laid back fella, loves taking naps, and is pretty skilled at finding food wherever those naps may unfold. Odie’s full name is actually Oden, but spend a few minutes with this guy and you will also find the name less than compatible with his adorable personality. Odie’s size, stature, and laid back personality make us believe Odie was born to be a therapy pony and his fun coloring and wild mane are always sources of conversation for his riders. Odie loves playing with his friends, loves his naps, loves romping in the pasture, and there are not many treats in the world that Odie doesn’t love. |
Cash
Cash was born in 2004 and is a Tennessee Walker Gelding. Cash came to LifeStriders in May of 2023. His full name is actually “Lend Me A Little Cash,” but is affectionately nicknamed and known as “Cash.” Before joining LifeStriders, Cash gained extensive experience in various fields, participating in numerous shows nationwide. His natural talent for performing the gaits of a gaited horse, including the flat walk and running walk, helped him excel in national competitions. After a successful show career, Cash tried field trials but found his true passion in trail riding, where he thrived by relaxing and enjoying the ride. After coming to LifeStriders, Cash quickly captured the hearts of many. His sweet and fun loving personality is impossible to miss and he never fails to bring smiles to every person he encounters. When not in lessons, you can find him hanging out with his best friends or stretching his legs on the trails. He will also steal a banana, peel and all, whenever given the chance, as it is oddly enough his favorite treat. |
Thank you Lori for your co-sponsorship of Flame!
Flame
Flame was born in 2008. He is a Paint Warmblood Gelding. Flame came to LifeStriders in July of 2023 with his best pal Preacher. Flame’s heart may be even bigger than he is, with this kind and gentle guy soaking up any attention he can get. Though Flame is large in stature, he likes to be near to his handler, often carrying his head low and close to their level. Flame tunes in tightly to his rider’s aids, and his steady, yet inquisitive personality comes through in the way he carries his riders. Prior to Flame’s career as a therapy horse, he lived in Illinois, where he and Preacher competed in both Pony Club and Fox Hunting competitions together. This mellow guy loves heading out on the trails and loves getting to relax and spend time with his friends, whether horse or human. |
Preacher
Preacher was born in 1999. He is a Pinto Tennesse Walker gelding. Preacher came to LifeStriders in July of 2023 with his best buddy Flame. Preacher’s strong and forward gaited strides provides ample movement through to his riders, and he is always ready to move out just a little more, if his leader can walk faster, so can he. Despite Preacher being a confident leader in the herd, he eagerly looks to please his handler, seeming content only when he knows he did the right thing by them. Prior to Preacher’s career as a therapy horse, he lived in Illinois, where he and Flame competed in both Pony Club and Fox Hunting competitions together. This gentle giant of a guy loves greeting you at the gate, loves heading out on the trails, and of course loves hanging with his friend Flame. |
Piper
Piper was born in 1999 and is a pinto Shetland Pony. Don’t be fooled by his size, Pipers personality is larger than life and any new horse he meets will quickly be informed that size does not dictate hierarchy in the pasture. Piper loves attention and nickers to people passing by his paddock hoping they are there just for him. His strong marching movement provides loads of input, helping to build a strong core in his riders, and his small stature makes him the perfect fit for many situations at LifeStriders. Piper is always seeing if he can sneak under the radar of his herd mates to share their food, and his persistence often leads to success. Piper loves to stretch his legs and romp when he can, and may be LifeStriders’ most skilled herd member when it comes to keeping track of the clock, according to his tummy. |
Slick
Slick is a paint gelding who was born in 2003. Slick joined the LifeStriders team in 2021 and immediately charmed his way into his herd and the program. Slick is incredibly gentle, eager to please, and as patient as they come. Prior to Slicks career at LifeStriders, he did ranch sorting, trails, and kid’s camps, giving him the perfect background and broad experiences to prepare him for his life as a therapy horse. His gentle and quiet nature makes him a first pick for ground work activities and Slick adores any time spent with his people. Slick’s calm demeanor easily influences those around him and all you need is a moment to find peace and connection near him. Slick loves every member of his herd and his inviting personality makes him everyone’s best friend. Although Slick has never had a treat he didn’t love, he truly lives for connecting with the two and four legged companions around him. |
|
Thank you Linda and Sue for your sponsorship of Gunner!
Thank you Lori for your co-sponsorship of Gunner!
Gunner
Gunner was born in 2004. He is a Norwegian Fjord Gelding. Gunner came to LifeStriders in March of 2019. Prior to his career as a therapy horse, he lived on a small family farm with his best friend Marcus. Gunner’s curious nature and gentle demeanor make him a very dependable therapy horse and the perfect partner for riders looking to grow their confidence. Gunner is extremely affectionate and is always adored by everyone he meets, especially by all of the young girls who fawn over his handsome hairdo. Gunner enjoys spending time with his buddies, going for leisurely rides around the farm, and loves any and every form of attention. |
|
Jazzy
Jazzy was born in 1998. He is a Pinto Pony Gelding. Jazzy came to LifeStriders in July of 2013. Before Jazzy came to LifeStriders, he was a family's pony, providing therapy for their two boys, and had done Hippotherapy before that. His size is perfect for riders that need a lot of assistance, as well as for riders that do position changes. Jazzy is very sweet, tolerant, has goals, and a mission in life that he takes seriously. Jazzy loves grass and his lady friend Alterra. |
Alterra
Alterra was born in 2000. She is a Paint Mare. Alterra came to LifeStriders in July of 2013. Before Alterra came to LifeStriders, she was trained for English riding, and had done some showing with her owner and her owner’s son when he was young as well. Alterra had even done some cart work for the Amish before that at, a very young age. Alterra is a very gentle and sweet mare with wonderful ground manners and is wooing many people with her big soft brown eyes. Alterra has a great size and is very responsive to the rider’s cues, building confidence for her riders in their abilities, and making her very versatile for many different riders. Alterra tries very hard to please her handlers and is very patient. Alterra is best friends with Jazzy, makes expert begging faces for her treats, and you might find her resting her chin on the arena fence when waiting for her rider. |
LifeStriders also appreciates Daniela Gronna for the special care that she provides Almar throughout the year. Thank you Daniela!
Almar
Almar was born in 1992. He is an Icelandic Gelding. Almar came to LifeStriders in June of 2013 and warmed everyone’s hearts very quickly. He is smart, kind, and very patient. Prior to Almar’s career as a therapy horse, he lived as the companion of a teenage girl and braved the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where he encountered bears and all kinds of other challenges. Almar likes being scratched on his neck and shoulders and will use his nose to point to his itchy spots, gently reminding you to continue scratching him. Almar's mane and forelock is a constant subject around the barn. What (or who) does it remind you of today? |
Quinn
On trial. 20 year old gelding. Thoroughbred. |
Jaeger
Still on Trial. 19 year old gelding. Walker/Friesian Cross. |
Nevada
Was born in 2000, and is a Mustang mare. Navada was a wild horse pulled from the ranges of Nevada by the California border through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wild Horse Adoption programs. The BLM has placed nearly 290,000 wild horses and burros into private care since 1971. Many of those animals have become excellent pleasure, show, or work horses. Navada is no exception, and before coming to LifeStriders was used both as a lesson horse, for trail riding and was a beloved family companion. Navada came to LifeStriders in 2024 with Dessa, and while this mare may be small in stature, you certainly couldn’t miss her larger than life personality joining the program. Navada knows a few special tricks and may even flash you a silly toothy smile for the right treat. Her strong conformation means this beautiful girl can move with the best of them, regularly performing skilled athletic maneuvers in the pasture with ease. Her smart and spunky personality draws a strong fan following, and her forward marching gaits provide excellent |
