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 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. Casey now enjoys many days of turnout with his friends!

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.

Dun Fjord gelding born in 2009.  He stands 14.2hh.

Donated by IODE in memory of Rikki.

Arrived at CARD September 2024.

Cody’s background as a pleasure and lesson horse makes him well-suited to the CARD program. His small but sturdy stature make him a top choice for the children and small adult classes, ideal for riders who need a broad platform to explore on, or those who have balance difficulties. He has a tremendously active walking gait, especially helpful for riders with sensory input needs or for those who have range of motion goals.

His shaggy forelock and bright eyes are unmistakable and he is a curious soul who wants to be in the midst of the action. An exceptionally social ‘dude’, Cody enjoys having a group of horsey and human companions, and is always willing to make room for more!

Brown and White Tobiano Draft/Quarter Horse cross gelding born in 2010.

He stands 16.1hh

Arrived at CARD in April 2026

With his donor since 2 yrs of age, Griffin comes to CARD with a background in basic dressage, hunting, hacking and trail riding.  He loves children and has lots of experience giving pony rides-it’s one of his favourite things besides being groomed for hours. He is patient, kind and people-oriented, all of which made him a great candidate for therapy classes!

During his training, Griffin lived up to all the marvelous things his owner told us about him.  He met each new task with bright eyes and a willingness to do his best! Wonderfully kind and sweet-natured, he has been 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 Griffin, but you’d be wrong. He is an excellent listener and able to respond to subtle cues without getting frazzled by any ‘mistakes’.

Griffin’s width and large frame give him the strength and balance to cope with large adults with balance difficulties. His active but unhurried way of walking is very reassuring for riders getting past fear issues, making him a good match for riders in need of movement input that isn’t overwhelming. His bright blue eyes, long forelock and lovely markings make him an eye-catching and colourful addition to the CARD herd, and we look forward to watching everyone fall under his spell!

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

Purchased 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.

Marshall’s broad base and smooth, steady movement make him ideal for clients with balance or sensory issues and for exploring their environment. 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 solidified 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. He is the boss of the paddock but never mean.

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

On loan to CARD by his owner, Scot Stewart.  Available for Full Sponsorship!

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 voices aids.

Muskoka comes from a trail riding background with a base in natural horsemanship.

Muskoka has a wide base and lateral rotational movement, but with a long 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 excels 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.  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 his paddock and generally the voice of reason; he won’t start trouble but he won’t put up with his buddies causing it either!

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

Donated By Ann Clifford. Sponsored by the Osin Family Foundation.

Arrived at CARD in August 2018.

The CARD herd is remaining colourful!

Lovely Picasso 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.

Picasso and Ronan are 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,  he is a favourite with riders and instructors.

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 Paint mare born in 2010. She stands 16.2 hh.

Donated by Amanda Panozzo.

Arrived at CARD in June 2024.

The tallest CARD horse, Salina comes to us from a private home where she lived with her donor since the age of 18 months!  Together, this long-term couple did the 3 foot hunter classes on the Trillium and A circuits.

Salina’s background as a lesson and show horse make her a great choice for riders working on horsemanship, while her height and average width make her a good choice for leggy riders.  Her active but short movement input helps activate the core muscles so important for posture and stability.

Salina is kind and loves being groomed and fussed with, especially by familiar friends! She can be a little introverted when meeting new people but she warms up quickly. Her exceptional grooming manners continue under saddle, where she is attentive and ready to work.

During her training, Salina had no issue with the class props and she was completely on board for any work that involved halting or slow walk! She excels in on the lead work, where she takes comfort and guidance from her leader.  We hope to eventually see her join her fellow Horsemanship herd mates, helping riders be independent and off the lead.

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

Purchased for the program by the Dimitry Family-In Memory of Carrie

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.

With a natural flair for the dramatic, (Boot Scootin’ Boogie), 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!

Bay and white Tobiano Paint mare born in 2006. She stands 13.1 hh.

Donated by Kate Chapman.

Arrived at CARD in December 2015

The smallest CARD horse, Splash has a background as a show horse which makes her well-suited to the CARD program. CARD’s little lady is great for riders in need of quick, active movement.  Our petite princess has active but smooth gaits, making her a top choice for riders with low tone or short attention spans because her version of “rock n’ roll” gets muscles and minds working!

Splash is kind and loves being groomed and fussed with, especially by familiar friends! She can be a little wary when meeting new people but she warms up quickly. The barn volunteers who’ve been asked to give her attention definitely noticed when she decided to add them to ‘her’ group of groupies!

Splash’s exceptional grooming manners continue under saddle, where she is attentive and ready to work. Like Capri, Splash is a bit of a ‘work-horse’ and she needed extra time learning that sometimes ‘work’ means chilling out while your rider is doing something with a side-walker. With her children’s showing background, Splash is very light and respectful to the aids and she can be a good fit for the smaller CARD riders working on honing riding skills. Under saddle, she’s working on learning to relax and breathe because she’s a bit of an over-achiever and always wants to get things right the first time!

Outside, Splash prefers to give her paddock mates some space and always looks perplexed when they insist on being ‘clingy’.