About Us
Meet Our Horses!
Buddy
Sponsored By
Jean Schuyler
Quarter Horse Gelding, born 1995
Purchased from the Kruidenier family in 2007 thanks in part to a grant from Venoco Corp. Buddy is a smaller sized horse and was shown in pony club and has some wonderful training. He is sweet with his riders and takes things slow and steady. Nothing much bothers him, making him perfect for inexperienced or anxious riders.
Calypso
Sponsored By
Katherine Caldwell
Morgan Horse Mare, born 1987
Calypso is an old fashioned Morgan horse, a breed that was developed for working and driving. She's a large, steady girl, and willing to do whatever is asked of her. She was a lesson horse before being donated to Hearts.
Zee
Sponsored By
Maddy Scheinberg
Tennessee Walking Horse Mare, born 1997
Zee is a flashy black and white paint, and as a Tennessee Walker, she has some unusual gaits that provide fun opportunities for riders to work on their balance. AKA "E-Z Does It", she was used as a therapeutic riding horse at another center before coming to Hearts, and she really seems to know and love her work.
Vinny
Available for sponsorship
Miniature Horse Gelding, born 2001
As a miniature horse, Vinny only stands about as tall as a large dog. He can't be ridden, but minis are a great way for some of our riders who are smaller, in a wheelchair, or timid, to be introduced to horses and to learn to groom and lead them.
Wilson
Available for sponsorship
Miniature Sicilian Donkey, born 1984
Wilson is an elderly mini donkey, a cantankerous but sweet old boy who keeps the horses company, and the volunteers amused. He's also something of a local celebrity, as he "plays" the role of stable donkey at the Santa Barbara Historical Society La Posada scene every year.
Providing proper nutrition, medical and farrier services are our biggest expense --
Click here to learn about sponsoring one of our Hearts Horse Heroes! Sponsors receive personal time with with their horse, sunset rides and more!
Sponsor A Horse
It takes a very special horse to be a therapeutic riding horse. Click here to learn about leasing or donating a horse to Hearts.
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Horse Hero?
Paula
Sponsored in Loving Memory of Peter Cary
by Pam and Jean Cary
Norweigian Fjord Mare, born 1991
Paula is a lovely mare born in Montana. She's been a pack horse, can drive a cart, has had three foals besides being a riding horse. Her excellent disposition and size made her a quick fit and favorite of all.
Cinnamon
Sponsored By
Lisa Chiles
Quarter Horse Mare, born 1995
Cinnamon (aka Sweetie) is a beautiful strawberry roan with a gentle and willing attitude. She was a Western show horse and trail horse before coming to Hearts and is very easy going about almost everything. Her smooth gaits make her a pleasure to ride and she is the horse that most folks take their first canter aboard.
Cocoa
Sponsored By
The Dreier Family
Quarter Horse Gelding, born 1997
Cocoa is a grullo gelding with a sweet nature and quiet attitude. You'll find him napping while we saddle him up most days. He is very gentle and patient and has a lovely trot. He was a show jumping pony for many years in Santa Barbara.
P.O. Box 30662, Santa Barbara, CA 93130 805.964.1519
Mr. T (Tanzen)
Sponsored By
Sue Jackson
Quarter Horse Gelding, born 1987
Mr. T is a bigger horse with a "gentlemanly attitude" and demeanor that was a high level dressage horse as well as a mount for fox hunting in Santa Ynez. His beautiful smooth movement is great for riders that have back and balance issues and his sensitivity to leg aids works well for riders that have little or no leg strength.
Rocky
Sponsored by
Kiefer Roberts Family
Paint Horse Gelding, born 1999
Rocky is a beautiful paint horse that has been used for ranch work and as a guest trail horse at at dude ranch. He also worked as a therapeutic riding horse before coming to Hearts working with people dealing with drug and alcohol addiction. He is very sweet with his riders and easy to cue forward and has an especially smooth and slow lope. Sometimes he does test riders a bit but with a little encouragement is happy to do his job well.
Sage
Sponsored by
Barb and Sam Toumayan
Quarter Horse Gelding, born 1997
Sage came with Rocky from Washington State where he was also used for ranch work and as a guest trail horse at at dude ranch. He also worked as a therapeutic riding horse before coming to Hearts working with people dealing with drug and alcohol addiction. He is a very friendly horse with people and horses alike but don't let his quiet demeanor fool you. He is a big horse that loves to go fast and is great for more advanced riders that are ready for the challenge of a gallop.
Stella
Sponsored by
The Kahler Family
Icelandic Mare, born 2003
Stella came to us from world renowned trainer Monty Roberts, aka the Man who Listens to Horses. Monty's staff rescued Stella the fall of 2010 and was so taken with her friendly attitude and sensible mind that they felt she'd make a great therapy horse, even though she had not had much training under saddle. They gave her a great start and the Hearts staff did the rest, starting in January of 2011. Stella quickly became a rider and volunteer favorite due to her kindness, steady gait and pleasent demeanor.
Sweetie
Sponsored By
Judy McGrath
Quarter Horse Mare, born 1992
Sweetie is a lovely chestnut mare that has an extensive western pleasure training background. Her gaits are slow, smooth and steady making her a perfect first horse for many riders. As for her temperment, her name says it all. Hearts is grateful to her owner Jane Alexander for leasing her to us and allowing Hearts to have the pleasure of her company.
Rio
Sponsored by
Sandy and Autumn Lovett
Quarter Horse Gelding, born 1997
Rio is a sweet gelding that lives in Truckee, California (lucky horse) and winters here at Hearts. He is a quiet horse that likes to have a job and loves attention and treats. He has nice gaits and is easy to cue, stop and steer. The Hearts staff thinks Rio has done some barrrel racing in his past as well, cause he likes to turn the barrels quickly. Hearts thanks his owners for allowing us to get to know him and appreciate his time here with us.
Cowboy
Sponsored By
Nina and Ken Delgado
Donated in loving Memory of Jan Montgomery
Quarter Horse Gelding, born 2007
Cowboy is a striking buckskin gelding with a exceptionally quiet disposition. He started as a reining horse, but wasn't the competitive type. He's willing to please and is strong and stout. Nothing seems to phase hin. He's a great fit for our Veterans as he's just as happy to take a trail ride as he is to work in the arena.
