Meet our Equine Staff

Buddy is a red roan, 15.3 hh Quarter Horse gelding foaled in 2006. Before coming to SHF, Buddy competed on the C hunter circuit. His show name ‘My Best Pal’ fits Buddy perfectly: He is one of the sweetest, kindest geldings, loves attention, and always tries his best. He joined our program in 2021 and is already a barn and therapy favorite. Buddy is best friends with Huck but really gets along with everyone.

Generously adopted by: Mary McKinney

Everyone can’t help but love Dunkin. Just imagine a roly-poly horse eating a box of donuts and getting his belly scratched. That about sums it up. This laid-back American Foundation Quarter Horse came from the ranges of Colorado and has a ranch brand to show for it. But he’s much happier at his current job – herding cattle takes too much work! Dunkin was born in 2001, 15.0hh dun gelding who is usually easy to spot with his mo-hawk mane & zebra-striped legs.

Generously adopted by: Sheila Gibson, Diwana Griffin, and Nancy Thompson

Epic aka Epic Splash is a 2007 grey Welsh Pony cross. This athletic pony is a natural at being a therapy pony. With beautiful three-dimensional movement and a great mind set he happily carries our clients through their therapy sessions. Epic loves cuddling with his riders and loves getting groomed and eating treats. In his former career, Epic was a very talented hunter pony and still occasionally loves to jump around small courses. Epic loves trail riding and playing in the water. He also enjoys rolling and is known for finding the dirtiest spot in the pasture to roll in especially after a thorough bath! He is definitely a barn favorite. Epic is on a generous donated lease from the Smith Family to Shining Hope Farms.

Generously adopted by:

Fidget is a 2016, AQHA that was generously donated by Tracie Taylor. He is the “in your pocket” type of horse. He loves giving kisses and cuddles to anyone that comes through the barn. Fidget is already loved by many and we are excited to have him as an equine in our program.

Generously adopted by: Bill Tomlin

Hamilton is a rescue pony. Saved from a bad situation and later donated by police officer Gina Cook, he is now eagerly improving the quality of life of many of our clients. Better known as “Hami,” he is one of our most lively ponies at SHF – nothing phases him in the surroundings and he really likes to move! Clients who have trouble focusing or feel at ease with a lot of sensory input, love to ride Hami and his bouncy gaits. Hamilton was born in 2004 and is a 14.2hh palomino POA (Pony of the Americas) gelding. Hamilton also loves to jump and trail ride.

Generously adopted by: Cindy Broadrick and Anna Tessnear

Howard is a 16.1hh paint x draft gelding foaled in 2004. Howard is a PMU foal and was rescued by Dana Dewey of Foothill Equestrian Center. Howard is a beautiful big boy with three floaty gaits and shows promise in the Dressage arena. Howard loves scratches, being groomed and most of all being outside with his horse buddies. In the past, Howard has done extensive de-spooking and braveness training, i.e. riding alongside fire, through obstacle courses, and staying calm around loud noises. Howard enjoys trail riding and loves the water: In the summer you will find him trying to stand and swim in his water trough in the pasture and teaching the other horses to do so as well.

Generously adopted by: Sheila Gibson

Huck is a 2014 Morgan Quarter Horse Cross. He stands at 14’3 hh and trained in 2022 to become a therapy and lesson horse. Huck was originally trained for ranch work, is very playful, loves attention, and is best friends with Buddy. He has great gaits and loves to work. Huck is a fantastic addition to our equine staff.

Generously adopted by: 

Leo – aka Leo Lionheart- is a Gypsy Vanner x Quarter Horse born in 2015. Leo’s quietness and boldness have made him an ideal therapy horse despite being the youngest Shining Hope Farms horse. Leo’s perfect heart on his forehead has already made him a barn favorite!

Generously adopted by: Cathy Neufeldt and Shirley VanNostrand

Levi is a chestnut Quarter Horse born in 2016. Levi was previously trained to work cows and is very athletic. He loves to work and everyone loves him in therapy. He has lots of great input for our riders! He is playful out in the field and is always looking for another herd member to join in the fun! … mainly Huckleberry Finn!

Generously adopted by: Shining Hope Farms’ Board of Directors

D.F. Rudy’s Star Attraction (Blueridge Rising Star x Blueridge Calliope) “Levon,” born in 2018 is a 13.1hh bay homebred registered Welsh Pony section B by Melanie Bell of Dartland Farms. Melanie graciously allowed Shining Hope Farms to purchase him knowing our reputation thru Madison Hood-Bowker, fellow trainer & SHF advocate. Levon could have been sold at top dollar for a show career, yet Madison & Melanie trust SHF with a forever home for this pony. Welsh ponies have historically been known as children’s riding ponies for their good temperament & disposition. Levon has recently joined the ranks of being a Shining Hope Farms therapy pony. Everyone loves Levon for his glorious thick black mane and his outspoken personality, especially for his petite size. He is great for our tiny riders that need correct movement and input. With his current training, he is turning out to be quite the fancy pony with correct conformation and uphill build. Levon has been a joy to have in the barn and is loved by all the staff, volunteers, and riders already!

Generously adopted by:

Generously adopted by: 

Patchy is a pinto pony gelding born in 2011 recently donated by Kendra Pearson-Hilt & her mother. He was purchased for Kendra’s horseback riding lesson program located in Hiddenite, NC and her son learned to ride on Patchy. He’s quite a flashy tri-colored pony and he knows it! While being quite a loudmouth lil dude, he is a superb therapy and trail riding mount.

Generously adopted by: Jyotika (Joy) Patel

Peter Pan is a 14hh Paint Pony purchased from Dana Dewey of Foothills Equestrian Center. He is loved by clients and staff for his lively demeanor and his cute appearance. His smooth forward movement and narrow build is a great asset to our program. Pan also proves to be quite the talented lesson pony and jumper. He is the doppelganger of Captain Hook at the Mount Holly location and named accordingly. Pan was born approximately in 2007, is therefore one of the younger equine members of our team and we hope to benefit from his partnership for many more years.

Generously adopted by: Kristianna Luce

PJ is short for Prince Jesse! While his exact birthdate is unknown, the vet thinks that he was born in 2014. PJ is a very handsome red chestnut Quarter Pony, standing at 13.1hh. He was found by Sara Baucom as a kill pen rescue in Tennessee. The little history available included that he had been a stallion and was cast off by his owners after suffering a substantial injury to his left hind leg – what appeared to be a barb wire or high tensile wire entanglement. Sara carefully rehab the neglected pony, who was substantially under weight and cautious of people. We are thrilled to have been selected by Sara as PJ’s next owner! He has thrived in the work environment at the Meck farm and really enjoys his job!

Generously adopted by: 

Ranger joined the SHF Equine Herd in early 2025! Born in 2017, he is a 16hh, Draft X Warmblood that is a stunning bay with big white blaze and kind eyes. He is well known by volunteers and staff alike to have the kindest soul and he loves all the love from humans! He started his career in the hunters and transitioned to a family horse, before coming to SHF. He is a stocky build without being too tall for therapists to use in HPOT. He is coming along nicely in his training to be a well-rounded therapy horse! 

Generously adopted by: 

Sam is a 2010, 15’2 Percheron draft known for his massive body but puppy dog like personality. Sam’s ability to become an SHF equine was made possible by Daren Bullard, as he offered Sam to us in December of 2022 and instantly he became the talk around town! Everyone knows when he enters the barn as the ground moves when he walks. He is an amazing equine and has fit very well into the Veterans program. We are excited for the many years to come with Sam.

​Generously adopted by: Thomas and Debbie Spirito

Scooter is a 13.2 hh POA (Pony of the Americas) born in 2005. He joined our program this year and has already proved himself as a solid lesson and therapy horse. Scooter was a foxhunter in his previous career and is fearless, brave, and honest- truly one of those ponies ready to tackle whatever you throw at him. He is known for his roached mane and the typical POA coloring. He loves attention and is the first to greet you at his stall door.

Generously adopted by: Sheila Gibson

Sullivan, aka “Sully”, is a 14.2hh bay Mustang, Quarter Horse cross born in 2010. Originally Sully was a rescue pony that was given new life by his previous owners. They worked together to train and give him the wonderful new job of being quite the little eventing and hunter pony! He is built to last and has lovely strong bones and build for his size. He now enjoys life as a therapy pony and has really taken to Adaptive Riding and his sweet riders. He is a favorite in the barn for his sweet eyes and lovely personality.

Generously adopted by:

Teddy is a bay Gypsy Vanner X gelding born in 2012. He joined our equine staff in 2018 and has already won over our staff, volunteer, and clients’ hearts with his sweet and goofy personality- reminding us much of a big teddy bear. Teddy is already carrying a great portion of our therapy services and therapeutic riding programs.

Generously adopted by: Connie Bowman

Tigger’s AQHA registered name is Remarkable ‘N Gold. He’s a red chestnut gelding with one stocking and stands 15.2hh. He originated from NY and was the foundation lesson horse for a hunter/jumper program. Tigger has the smoothest gaits of all the SHF horses combined! He’s had much training in both Western & English riding styles, making him quite adjustable. Tigger is very responsive to rider aides and he’s a favorite for the instructors to teach with.

Generously adopted by: Ginny Barker and Sheila Gibson

Toto is a black, 13.3 hh Arabian x gelding who was recently donated to our program by Laura Borek. Born in 2013, Toto entered our program in the summer of 2021 and is still learning the ropes of being a therapy pony. We are slowly introducing him to both lessons and therapy sessions. He is already loved for his quiet demeanor, narrow but sturdy build, and fantastic movement at the walk. His best friend is Scooter, one of our other new ponies, and you will find the two of them joined at the hip whenever they are turned out in the pasture.

Generously adopted by:

Tucker stepped down from a successful career at the C-rated hunter circuit near Atlanta, GA after his owners (Ashley & Rosemary Armstrong) donated him to SHF in 2021. He is a 1998 model Appaloosa gelding, standing 15.1hh and while his is considered grey, after a bath, Tucker has the whitest coat out of all the SHF equines. One unique thing about Tucker is that he is our only Appaloosa! Appaloosas are best known for their unique color patterns, mottled skin pigmentation, especially evident on muzzle, eyes, ears, and commonly having stripped hooves. This breed is also prone to having sensitive eye conditions including blindness. In 2022, Tucker did lose sight in his right eye and it’s been a learning process for him to get accustom to this new impairment. He is considered one of our steady go-to guys up at the Conover farm.

Generously adopted by: Tim & Cindy Herndon