HOPE's gentle horses are specially trained. A horse can be a fun, warm loyal friend that helps a participant build a sense of self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-confidence. A horse's movements provide therapy as well. In a multi-dimensional rhythm that duplicates the able human's walk, jog and run:

• Muscles are relaxed and strengthened.
• Balance, coordination and posture are improved.
• Joint mobility is increased.

HOPE's horses can open new worlds of opportunities and chalenges, along with a sense of freedom and independence unmatched by any other activity.

Bandit

Registered Name: Jesse's Bayou Bandit
Breed: Rocky Mountain Horse
Born: June 5, 1995
Color: Chestnut with Flaxen Mane & Tail
Donated: August 30, 2004
Donated By: Kim Blain of Greenbank WA

Me, I am special. Why do you ask? Because I am a gaited horse. What is a gaited horse? Well, I don't travel like the rest of the horses around here. When they trot, I gait. They move their legs diagonally and I move both legs on the same side of my body at the same time! That's what makes me gaited. I am a Rocky Mountain Horse and my name is Bandit. I stand about 14.2 hands, and am a chestnut gelding. I came to HOPE in 2004. I am a favorite among riders and volunteers. I am especially good for those who need a little extra balance. I also have a fun life outside of HOPE. I need to keep working or I just get too frisky about things, so I go on trails to lessons and to shows. I have a great time.

Registered Name: KB Ibn Kuwaza
Breed: Arabian
Born: May 3, 1992
Color: Bay with a star, strip, snip and one white sock
Donated: October 26, 2005
Donated By: Leanne Hill of Clinton Washington

I am proud to be an Arabian. I love to scratch my face on your body. It feels so gooood to me. Don't let me do it though, because it is not polite. I love being brushed and showered with praises. Families love to gaze at my grace and beauty as I work in the arena. Please tell me all of the time how beautiful I am. I am 14.3 hands, and a Bay gelding. I became a member of HOPE last fall. It was not the first time that I ever gave my time to the program. Before I was donated, I had the pleasure of being ridden by several of the riders. I am a wonderful lesson horse. I pick my feet up well for you and stand quietly most of the time. I like to move and let my energy and gracefulness flow. I am the perfect horse to learn how to post the trot too. I have a bouncy stride, which makes it easy for riders to learn how to post. My slender build is also important for those who need a narrower horse. With my gentle nature and dressage training, I can confidently teach riders all of the basic horsemanship skills and have fun. I will be working with HOPE for many years to come.

Max

Registered Name: Tivio's Smoken Magic
Breed: Quarter Horse
Born: June 5, 1998
Color: Dun with partial white on left hind coronet
Donated: September 2, 2005
Donated By: Layne Bezzo of Mt Vernon Washington

I stand about 15 hands and they say I am a little over weight, but I just like to think of myself as filled out! I am currently learning to work at HOPE. Since I have only had one other owner, I get confused and a little worried when lots of people give me mixed signals. It can be hard to understand when people are talking to me with so many different aids (using their seat, hands, voice, and legs differently), but I am learning. I am also learning to drive the cart. I will be a driving horse for the program in a couple of years. I really like to be brushed and groomed and pampered. Soon I will be the best HOPE horse around!

Peanut

AKA: PB & J
Breed: Shetland Pony
Born: August 3, 1992
Color: Tri Colored Pinto with a star, strip, and snip
Donated: June 20, 2003
Donated By: Pat Webb of Langley Washington

I am 10 hands, or 40 inches tall. I have a few different jobs here at HOPE. One of my favorite jobs is to keep the volunteers on their toes. That means, I like to make sure they are paying attention. I do get ridden by small children who work on the lead line. I never get ridden without a leader, so I have lots of opportunities to test the volunteers' skills and see if they are paying attention. My favorite job, though, is driving. I like to pull the cart. I started driving in 2005 and I will be able to teach students how to drive. Every horse that drives has to have 2 years of experience before they can be used in lessons. I currently compete in driving competitions as part of my training and I also attend driving clinics. I can't wait to start teaching.

Ginger

Registered Name: G & L Ginger Star
Breed: Pony of the Americas
Born: May 1, 1983
Color: Chestnut with a full blanket, star, snip, and three white socks
Started working for HOPE: March 2004
Owned By: Cara Mathews of Clinton Washington

Can you just let me sleep! Ok, so I am not really sleeping, I just like to close my eyes and relax. Don't even think that I am lazy. I am far from it!!! I do more work that most anyone in this business. Why do I say that? My owner, Cara Mathews does everything with me. I show English, Western, do Jumping, go Trail Riding, and I Game also. I do it all! Well, I don't do driving; I leave that to Sugar and Peanut. Now I know that you could not tell by looking at my girlish figure, but I will be 24 years old this year. Yes, I do look good, don't I! I am a 13.3 hand, chestnut mare, POA, (that would be Pony of the Americas). I have a spotted blanket, just like an appaloosa. I was made for children. I love working with them and teaching them new things. I like to teach them how to take control. I just need to be told what to do and I will do it. I have been in this business a long time, so take advantage of learning from me. We always have a great time!!!

Sugar

AKA: Sugar Berry
Breed: Miniture - B
Born: March 2, 1998
Color: Palamino
Started Training for HOPE: March 2005
Owned By: Cara Mathews of Clinton Washington

I am a palomino, mare, miniature horse. That's right, I am a mini. I am only 34" tall, so that make me a B mini. If I was under 34", I would be considered an A mini. My job at HOPE is really rather simple. I get to hang out, eat hay, and get brushed. I am in training for when my real work will begin. I am a mini harness, noo, wait, I mean harness mini. I pull a cart. This is my second year of pulling carts. My owner Cara Mathews, shows me in 4-H. In 2008, I am hoping that I can begin my real work at HOPE, which is teaching students how to drive a cart. I do get ridden a little, but they say that I am too short for the volunteers. Little do they know!!! I am not too short, they are just too tall! I can't wait to use my skills and talents to teach others.

Cheyenne

Registered Name: Chey'n Kalilah Hope
Breed: Quarter Horse/Arabian Cross
Color: Buckskin
Started Working for HOPE: March 2006
Owned By: Lilian Poulsen of Oak Harbor Washington

I am fulfilling a dream! You see, I am named after HOPE. My owner, Lilian, had always had the dream that one day I would be a HOPE horse. Lilian began riding in HOPE in 1997. She and her children rode in the program together. It was because of HOPE that Lilian was willing to take a chance on me. She had always loved horses, but was not confident in owning one. With the skills she learned as a student, she soon became a volunteer and then had the confidence to become my owner. I was only two years old when we came together. Lilian trained me with slow patient skill that my young mind could understand. She always said that one day I would be a HOPE horse. It has taken a while for me to become involved because I live 40 miles away from HOPE's base location. Now that they have lessons in Oak Harbor, and at the place where I live, I am involved. I love working with the riders and volunteers. I am treated so special. I look forward to providing many years of service to HOPE!

Andy

AKA: Andy
Breed: Fjord Cross
Born: June 7, 1997
Color: Buckskin
Donated to HOPE: October 1, 2006
Donated By: Ananomus Donor

I am new to this business, but I know that I will be good at it. I am 12 hands and just the right size for young riders. In my past life I was used as a logging pony along with my sister Annekke. I am currently in training for driving and will start my lesson life in winter 2007. I know that the kids and volunteers will love working with me and I will love working with them.

Annekke

AKA: Annekke
Breed: Fjord Cross
Born: June 14, 1995
Color: Buckskin
Donated: October 1, 2006
Donated By: Anayomus Donor

I am new to the world of therapeutic riding. In the past, my brother Andy. and I worked as a team together to pull logs. I also drive. I am 12.2 hands, so I am a little bigger than Andy. We will also learn how to drive as a pair. My new job will be to teach younger riders how to groom, tack, ride and drive. I can't wait to get started. I will begin in the spring of 2007. I plan to be here for many years to come.

Kasche

AKA: Kasche
Breed: Appaloosa
Born: May 26, 1988
Color: Red Roan with Spots and a white blaze
Started Working for HOPE: June 2006
Owned By: Kailei Roberts of Clinton Washington

Kasche is my name, gaming is my fame! I am an 14.2 hand Appaloosa gelding. I am a red roan with a white blanket. When I was young, I probably had more red on my body, but as I get older, I get whiter. Yes, I am a gaming horse who comes to volunteer at HOPE when I am needed. My owner, Kailei Roberts, allows me to volunteer. I am awesome with the riders and volunteers. I will ground tie for you as I am groomed. I love to be brushed and petted. I am good with my feet and with saddling. You can do just about anything with me. I don't mind if people toss balls to my riders and they toss them back. I will even try to play soccer with you. I enjoy having fun with my riders and volunteers.

Dusty

AKA: Dusty's Jet Puff Marshmellow
Born: June 11, 1982
Breed: Shetland/Welch
Color: White with Pink Skin
Started Working with HOPE: June 2006
Owned By: Lori Benjamin of Coupeville Washington

I am white and fluffy with lots of hair, yes I am white, truly white. See I have pink skin and blue eyes I am about 12 hands and have had lots and lots of experience with kids. I was a Pony Club pony for years and I can jump like a rabbit. I do like to eat grass also, so I might trick you and take a bite of grass now and then while you are riding me. They call it blade running, I just call it food!!! I really look forward to working with the kids here at HOPE. The kids and I will make great teams.