Our Herd
Our retired racer
Storm
Born in 1997, he is a red dun Quarter Horse gelding, who has been here for a couple of years and offers a strong presence in the herd. He is a retired barrel racing horse. Storm was donated to ISF to be used in our program. He has much to offer in learning to let go of what no longer serves you and in being of service. He shows up for people a lot in the program just by being who he is.
Our lead mare
Dallas
“ Outrageously Zipped”
Born in 2003, she is a chestnut paint mare. She is in charge of directing where the herd needs to be. She works to maintain order and safety of their charges. Purchased as a 3-year-old, Dallas has been a show horse, lesson horse, and now a crucial member of our program. Dally always shows up for work. She is sweet and loving and appreciates hugs and scratches.
Our buttercup
Amber
Born in 2005, she is buckskin mare. Amber came to us as "Buttercup" when she was five years old. She was listed in the paper as "as is" and "needs everything." Chris and Niki went that evening to get her, and she has been here ever since. She is a beautiful girl who is extremely intelligent and athletic.
Amber has never been ridden since she has been here. She is an asset to the program. She has experienced so much trauma in her early life and worked through much of it. We have given her the time and space to heal. She appreciates true presence. It doesn't feel safe if people are not grounded and present because that is when she was abused. Her lesson is one of the most important things we can learn not just here but also in every part of our lives.
Our first lady
Ripple
“Royal Ripple”
Born in 2000, she is sorrel paint mare. Ripple has been with Niki for most of her life. She was a show horse in her younger years, a mother, a teacher, lesson horse, and now baby sitter. She is THE MOTHER. We even call her Momma. She teaches us patience and unconditional love. She is beautiful, smart, and kind.
Our lover boy
Blaze
“Goldfingers Trailblazer”
Born in 2001, he is a palomino Kentucky Mountain horse gelding. Blaze came in 2010 as a green trail horse. He has become a crucial member of the farm. He gives lessons, goes on the trail, and offers tons of love and acceptance to the people here. He is very smart and has a sense of humor. He has been known to randomly step up on the mounting block or flip over a cone. His Grandfather was the famous trick horse named Goldfinger, and he lives up to his family lines.
Our baby born
Jazzy
“Lonesome Jazz”
Born in 2005, she is a tovero chestnut and white paint mare. Jazzy was the first baby born on the farm. She is loving and sweet. Her Mom is Ripple. Jazzy prefers not to be ridden, but she often participates in interactive sessions with clients and friends. She loves to be groomed and admired. Her striking markings draw folks' attention and stir their imaginations for times past. Jazzy is a kind and patient facilitator; she gets directly to the heart of what matters.
Our sweet baby
Whiskey
“Rip’d on Fancy Whiskey”
Born in 2009, he is a chestnut sabino paint gelding. Whiskey was the last foal born on the farm. His Mom is also Ripple. He is a big sweet baby. He is sensitive and kind. His role in the herd is to help care for the smaller and more delicate members. He is often seen with his best friend Shades ( a mini) and his regal old friend Satin. He is easy going and soft, qualities that many of us are working towards embodying.
Our volunteer
Koda
Born in 2009, he is a buckskin Kentucky Mountain gelding. Koda came last fall. He has made huge strides quickly, shedding his old skin and fitting in with the herd. He has a strong personality and presence in the herd, but he is quiet and somewhat reserved with people. He is a great lesson horse, and he has volunteered for clients and has been very insightful in his sessions. We are happy to have him here.
Our people pleaser
Cooper
Born in 1997, Cooper came to the farm in 2006. He belongs to Chris and is retired from riding but finds ways to touch the humans' heart around him every day. Coop is friendly with people and likes to visit either in the field or in his stall. He has volunteered for sessions, and his Momma graciously allows him to help with the farms' mission of assisting people in developing a deeper relationship with themselves and the world.
Our natural born healer
Shades
“Great Escapres Shades of Denial”
Born in 2009, he is a dark brown mini horse. He is the character of the group. He loves to play, and he doesn't have a preference if its another horse or a person. He also loves to be loved, bathed, brushed, braided. Smart little man can escape out of just about anywhere, so he keeps the farm crew on our toes. Shades is a natural born healer. When people are with him, they either laugh or cry – whichever is needed at the moment. He is the perfect companion for someone afraid of the size of normal horses. He has the healing capacity without height.
Our wounded healer
Merlin
Born in 2002, Merlin came from Kentucky in 2017. He is a black Kentucky Mountain horse gelding. His name says it all – Merlin carries pure magic. A beautiful sweet boy with eyes that see a person's soul as well as their heart. He is powerful medicine, and if he chooses to work with you, your life will forever be changed by the experience. Merlin loves his work, and he volunteers to work with people often.
Our master healer
Traveller
Born in 1992, Traveller belongs to Chris. In the Summer of 2019 Chris saw him listed on Facebook as needing a home. He had been bought at auction by a kill buyer and was set to be shipped to Canada the following Monday to be slaughtered. Chris rescued him, but I’m not sure who really rescued who. He was taken to a quarantine barn and got very sick with Strangles. It took 3 months for him to be able to come home.
He is a Tennessee Walking horse cross and is chocolate gelding with incredible amber eyes. When he came to the farm he was tired and traumatized. It has taken some time but today he isn’t the same horse who arrived. There is light in his eyes and a trust there when he stepped off the trailer. He regularly volunteers to work with people. His gift is helping to heal trauma. He is a Master because he has done it for himself.
Our Heyoka
Tonto
“Slo Jazz”
Born in 2013, Tonto is the son of Jazzy. He belongs to Gabs. He is a 2013 APHA gelding. Tonto is the “Heyoka” or “sacred clown”. T mirrors back to people where their healing is. Tonto is usually wanting lots of attention. He will stick his head out and make funny faces until you notice him and give him a scratch. T is very bonded with his Mom Jazzy, we often see them hanging out together in the field. Tonto volunteers often for work whether it be for lessons and camp or for ground sessions people are drawn to him.
Our Momma
Journey
“MK Jessica Rabbit”
Born in 2009, Journey is a Rocky Mountain Horse mare. Journey is Secrets Mom. She and Secret arrived in July 2019 when Secret was just three months old. When Journey came she was defensive and cold towards people. It was obvious that no-one had taken the time to truly SEE her for the beautiful Spirit that she is. She would bite and kick and guard Secret from all of us. In the time that she has been here Journey has transformed from a wounded soul to a kind and sweet girl. In 2020 Niki started implementing Warwick Schiller’s training methods with the herd. Journey was one of the ones that she focused on. Once J realized that no harm would come to her she began to develop and deep and trusting relationship with Niki that has changed everything. Journey is always volunteering for both riding lessons and camp as well as ground sessions. This caterpillar has become the Butterfly for sure.
Our Future
Secret
“Serengeti’s Secret”
Born in 2019, Secret is a Rocky Mountain Mare. She is the daughter of Journey. Secret came to Niki during a meditation in June of 2019. It was then that the search for this Chocolate Filly began. Lots of signs appeared to help Niki find her. She arrived in July of 2019 with her Momma from Kentucky. Through the mentorship of Dawn Oakley Smith ( Niki’s mentor in England) Secret has been raised in a new way to Niki, she was brought up in the herd. Previously when Niki had foals she would wean them much earlier ( according to the traditions and training Niki had been given) and they would not go out with the herd until they were at least 2 if not older. Niki let Secret tell her when she was ready to be weaned, which was when she was 7 months old. Then the following Spring as a yearling she was turned out with the herd.
Secret is the most confident and outgoing filly that Niki has ever raised. She is smart, inquisitive, brave, and strong. She is always up for some interaction with the people that visit the farm. One day she will lead our herd. We are excited to see all of the things that this sweet girl will do. She already has made a huge impact on those of us that care for her as well as the clients that come to do this work.
Our Leader
Comet
Born in 2002, Blue’s Comet aka Comet arrived in November of 2020. Comet has taken over as Herd Leader since Lightnings passing. Comet was previously a trail horse. He is rock solid on the trail. But the gift that Comet really brings is to the children of HSHJ. Our barn crew is constantly amazed at his connection with the barn kids. He is our most favored Camp horse. He is steady, patient, and kind. We joke that the has a fan club. This guy has truly found and answered his calling here. He also volunteers to work with folks that come for workshops and his stall is always full on Open Groom nights. We are happy to share our world with this nice boy.
Journey
Born in
Secret
Born in
Our Herd in Heaven
Lightning
Born in chestnut draft cross gelding who was not understood in his earlier years. His owner bought him, and they grew up together and had a strong relationship built on trust and mutual understanding. Lightning had stepped into his place here and managed the safety of the herd. He was known to interact often with clients and helps us see that leading has a lot more to do with understanding than power and control.
Petunia
Born in 1995, she was a chestnut half Arabian, half Paint. Tune was with me since she was six months old. She was kind and patient and loves children. The perfect small kiddo teacher and companion, she was a valuable place here on the farm. She was once our lead mare but has retired her position to a still respected place in the herd without the responsibilities and demands of a lead mare.
One of her favorite things to do was hit the trail. Tune has a big heart and kind eye and shows up for people in the program as well. She held the space of the Divine Feminine.
Satin
Born in 1991, Satin was a Morgan mare who was owned and loved by Tammy. Satin taught us all about honoring ourselves while we are aging and creating long-lasting connections with our friends. She was a sweet girl who liked to accompany her best friend, Journey to the arena to supervise her training. Satin was very vocal and greeted us when we would walk through the barn door. She also loved her Momma; they were together for many years and have a deep abiding bond.
Our sweet lady †
Sassy
Born in 1993, she was a bay Appendix mare. She came to us several years ago to help in the lesson program, but she had an old injury that prevented her from being ridden. Sassy was the gift of helping people deal with pain. Whether it be physical or emotional pain – Sassy was your girl. She knew just how to help make folks feel better. We are grateful to have had this sweet lady in our herd. Her wisdom was able to touch many people's lives and hearts, including the people who would help care for her every day.
Get in touch.
We incorporate different training and modalities into our work with you. Contact us for more information about our interactive horse and riding sessions.