Bay Holsteiner gelding born in 2000. He stands 16.1hh.

Donated to the program by Kristen Baran. Sponsored by the Baran Family Foundation.

Arrived at CARD in July 2013

Casey (Casino) comes to CARD after an illustrious career in the Hunter Show ring. He was born in Germany and has travelled all over Canada and the USA. His broad back and strong forward/ backward movement are ideal for riders with range of motion and sensory issues. This gorgeous and kind gelding flew through his training period, easily adjusting to all the new props and activities which are part of the CARD program.

Casey took a little longer to get used to being turned out with other boys, and it took Marshall a few weeks to teach him the rules of the Paddock 3 Posse. Casey enjoyed many days of turnout with his ‘posse’ . This past winter, he made the move to Paddock 1B, where he joined up with Scooter. These two handsome boys are very happy hanging out together!

Throughout his training, Casey found all of our class props to be quite amusing and he enjoyed thoroughly investigating them all with his mouth in case they were food in disguise!

Affectionate and always up for a bubble bath and some pampering, Casey is a wonderful member of the CARD team.

Tobiano grade gelding born 2008. He stands 16.1hh

Arrived at CARD in September 2022

Donated by Fiona Heald and available for sponsorship

Lex comes to us from a private ownership background where he did some jumping and trained in dressage up to First Level.  His owner placed a high value on voice commands and desensitization, which was a huge “leg up” for Lex in adjusting to the CARD program expectations during his trial period.

Lex formed a firm friendship with Muskoka immediately, and they were mutually grooming within minutes of meeting.  Lex would dearly like to be friends with Marshall as well, but Marshall is making him work for it!

A social butterfly and keen people-watcher, Lex enjoys having a stall at the front of the barn where he can watch all the comings and goings. Outside in Paddock 3, he has the best of both worlds: near the path to greet the park visitors, and yet still able to peer inside the barn so-as not to miss a thing!

During his training, Lex showcased his very sensible nature, along with his willingness to try whatever a trusted handler asked of him.  He took a little time to ‘rein in’ his athletic side, relaxing his very forward gaits into something a little less on the go.  He’s got the hang of it now and happily demonstrates various speeds on command.

 With his larger frame and very active movement input, Lex is ideal for riders needing more movement input.  We anticipate he will quickly excel at on the lead classes with the sensory and horsemanship riders.

Dun Fjord Cross gelding born in 2002. He stands 15.2hh.

Donated by the IODE, Glen Stewart Chapter. Sponsored by the IODE Bridlewood Chapter.

Arrived at CARD in November 2009

Marshall quickly dug his way into everyone’s hearts with his endearing antics and his (initial) love of being cuddled. He’s a big boy now and not quite so interested in being warm and fuzzy now that he has the Paddock 3 Posse for friends.

Marshall’s broad base and smooth, steady movement make him ideal for clients with balance or sensory issues and for exploring their environment through developmental vaulting. His early niche was in the on lead classes, where he took comfort in the presence and direction of his leader. Now that he’s figured this therapy horse thing out, he’s set his sights on solidifying a place in the horsemanship classes, teaching riders to trot and to walk off lead.

Marshall has a secret identity as a Fraggle, with his floppy forelock and boyish hijinks. He is the first horse to start his group running and snorting and usually the last one to settle down. A proud member of the Paddock 3 Posse, Marshall splits his time bossing around Lex and playing with Muskoka.

Black Canadian gelding born in 2001 who looks bigger than his 16.1 hands.

On loan to CARD by his owner, Scot Stewart

Arrived at CARD in April 2012

Do you speak French? Muskoka does!! Bred, raised and trained until the age of 3 in Quebec, Muskoka made the long journey to Ontario in the middle of a snowstorm! All of Muskoka’s original voice commands were learned in French, and his dad, Scot, has kept many of them up while also teaching Muskoka English voice aids.

Muskoka comes from a trail riding background with a base in natural horsemanship. He has slowly been integrating into CARD life. Originally very roly-poly in shape when he came to CARD, Muskoka steadily increased his fitness and he can now participate in a trot class without puffing like a steam engine by the end.

Muskoka has a wide base and lateral rotational movement, but with a loooooong step, similar to Casey’s swing. His body type makes him a very versatile therapy mount, and his incredible movement input remains consistent, even when he’s walking slowly. This is unique because many horses’ have a change in their movement when working at slower paces.

Muskoka has been excelling in on the lead classes with both children and adults, where his patient and steady personality, along with his wonderful movement benefit riders with low tone or high sensory-input needs. This past year, he’s been joining some off the lead trot classes, due to his steady progress in fitness and understanding his job.  Muskoka is a very cooperative ‘dude’ but he definitely knows who his special people are and can often be heard giving a low and throaty whicker when they pass by.

Muskoka is one of the quieter members of the Paddock 3 Posse and generally the voice of reason; he won’t start trouble but he won’t put up with his buddies causing it either! He enjoys hanging out with Marshall and Lex.

Piebald (black and white) Overo Paint/Draft cross gelding born in 2002. He stands 15hh.

Arrived at CARD in August 2018.

Donated By Ann Clifford. Sponsored by the Osin Family Foundation

The CARD herd is remaining colourful!

Our second painted herd member is used to being fussed over, and enjoyed many liberty games and exercises with his donor. A thinker and puzzle-solver by nature, Picasso approached each phase of his CARD training with a serious and focused demeanor, using his natural curiosity to figure things out.

Outside, Picasso was a member of Paddock 3 Posse. This past spring, he made the move to Paddock 2, and he wasn’t too sure about that change! Happily, Riley took Picasso under his wing, and they are now firm friends, frequently sharing a hay pile at meal times. True to his two-toned colouring, Picasso is happiest when paired up. When working, he ‘pairs up’ with his handler, looking to them for guidance and validation.

A giver by nature, Picasso puts 110% into all his handlers ask of him. With his kind and steady nature and his amazing movement and patience, we are hoping he’s a successor to the mighty Jesse, whom he greatly resembles in appearance!

Dark bay Thoroughbred gelding born 2003. He stands 16.2 hh

Purchased in memory of Gubby Armour, a former CARD rider. Sponsored by The Osin Family Foundation

Arrived at CARD in October 2015

Riley is a bit of a ‘dark horse’ in more ways than one! Not much is known about his background before he came to CARD. He is a former lesson horse and prior to that, a racehorse! The staff used his lip tattoo to track down his records. If we are reading his tattoo correctly, Riley was born in Maryland and known as “Lord Kelly”. He raced 5 times and won $750.00.

What we do know is that Riley is wonderfully kind and sweet-natured, and that he was unflappable through all his training: “Oh, you have a part of the building that moves up and down with a big noise and people climb onto me from there? Okay.”

You’d think this rock-solidness would make for a dull or unresponsive Riley, but you’d be wrong. He is an excellent listener and able to respond to subtle cues without getting frazzled by any ‘mistakes’.

Riley has a narrow frame with a smooth but swing-y forward and back movement. He is a good match for riders in need of movement input that isn’t overwhelming, and he is now also a steady member of the horsemanship classes thanks to the hard work of Riley and his Horse Trainers!

Riley isn’t one of the flashier-looking CARD horses, but he has an expansive and generous heart and the staff consider him a true treasure.  He is best friends with Picasso, and they love to share a hay pile at mealtimes.

Bay Quarter Horse/Percheron/Thoroughbred gelding born in 1996. He stands 15.2 hh.

Donated to the program by Sharon Willemze. Sponsored by the Baran Family Foundation

Arrived at CARD in August 2007

Ronan’s very active movement and willing attitude make him a key player in the children’s classes. His love of being the centre of attention means he’s never overwhelmed by a crowd of people around him. Riders with balance or confidence issues find his friendly nature and slightly goofy personality very reassuring.

Super narrow, Ronan is well suited to riders with tight hips and legs, and those who have a high need for movement input. Though he has a reputation in the barn for being the first horse to spook at things, Ronan is rock solid in class, whether his rider is wiggling madly about or having a very vocal outburst.

While Ronan generally prefers other geldings who enjoy rough and tumble play, he’s learning the value of quiet time outside. Ronan does have a secret: as tough and brave as he is in class, Ronan still finds bath time scary- such a boy!

Bay quarter horse cross gelding, born in 2005. He stands 15hh.

Purchased for the program and sponsored by the IODE-Bridlewood Chapter.

Arrived at CARD in July 2013

Privately owned before coming to CARD, Scooter has a narrow build and smooth forward and backward movement. He is excellent at adjusting the speed of his walk, making him an ideal candidate for riders with varying sensory input needs. Scooter’s gentle and affectionate personality and smaller build help him excel in children and small adult classes.

Scooter left his harem in Paddock 2 behind to take over ruling the big boys in Paddock 1B and while he enjoyed his newly elevated place in the hierarchy, we did see some longing glances at his former bestie, Capri, during the first week he moved. Fortunately, within a few weeks, Capri also made the move to Paddock 1B, and Scooter’s romantic heart was complete once more! Winter of 2018 saw some new paddock arrangements though, and Scooter and Casey (our two “Peter Pan, never grow up boys”) are now sharing Paddock 1B quite contentedly.

With a natural flair for the dramatic, Scooter gives his all to everything he does; the staff makes sure that the ‘all’ he brings to class is positive and respectful.

Fortunately, he loves being loved and a little correction followed by some affection are the keys to his saucy heart!