Meet Our Horses
NCEFT’s horses are essential members of our program teams. Each horse is unique in both personality and movement, offering traits that are critical components of treatment. Some are perfect for Physical and Occupational Therapy sessions, others are ideal for Adaptive Riding or Mental Health & Resilience programs, and some serve as ambassadors for our mission. All share the ability to connect with, comfort, and captivate our clients. Without them, the accomplishments of our clients would not be possible.
Norwegian Fjord
Aldi is a Fjord mare, arriving at NCEFT in 2020. She came all the way from British Columbia where she spent many years participating in therapy, mental health, and driving programs. Her superpower is stopping! This is ideal for our physical therapy clients who need help with balance reactions. Aldi is very sweet and loves attention. At the end of every session, she sends off her clients with a gentle sniff as if to say, “So long!”
Haflinger
Belle is a Haflinger mare who arrived at NCEFT in August 2024. Belle quickly learned her job in our programs including Mental Health and Resilience, Hippotherapy, and Adaptive Riding. A social girl, she enjoys activity around the barn and comes up to her stall door to greet people as they pass by. She has a calm and steady demeanor and takes everything in stride. She has taken quickly to long-lining, however she really shines in our Mental Health programs where clients groom and adore her.
Quarter Horse
Bundi is a Quarter Horse mare who arrived at NCEFT in 2022. She was formerly owned by a unit leader of MSAR (Mounted Search and Rescue) and was trained to search for lost hikers. Bundi is very focused and trainable, making her a solid therapy horse. Her best skill is her steady, perfectly-paced walk. She quickly assimilated into the NCEFT herd and is an ideal fit for our Adaptive Riding and Physical & Occupational Therapy programs.
Quarter Horse
Checkers is a Quarter Horse gelding. Prior to his arrival at NCEFT in 2018, he competed in Reined Cow Horse, a Western riding competition. He was trained by World Champion, Sandy Collier. Checkers is flawless under saddle and in long lines. He is especially suited for mounted programs as he has the ability to remain calm and un-phased by the various activities taking place around him in the NCEFT arena. He is a favorite among many clients!
Norwegian Fjord
Elf is a Fjord gelding. Prior to becoming a therapy horse at NCEFT in 2014, he had a long show career. He won first place in multiple disciplines and was the Reserve Champion for the largest Fjord gathering in country in 2010, competing against 100 other Fjords. Elf is a solid and reliable therapy horse. He is extremely smart and remembers all of the unique cues that each client communicates to him. He knows his job well and is always ready to start his sessions.
Quarter Pony
Honey is a Quarter Pony. She has been at NCEFT since 2014, making her our longest-tenured therapy horse. Honey triumphed over a traumatic event in her past, and her ability to persevere and still be a trusting and loyal companion is what makes her so special. Honey’s story of resilience resonates with a great deal of our Mental Health & Resilience clients, and she is a favorite among many. Honey’s easy-going nature makes her the ideal horse for mounted programs with clients of various abilities. When Honey is feeling frisky during her play time, she lets out a good buck with a twist! We call this “The Corkscrew!”
Quarter Horse
Mac is an American Quarter Horse who arrived at NCEFT in 2022. He is a former Reining horse, bred from the famous Reining line, “Hollywood Dun It.” He takes his job as an NCEFT therapy horse very seriously. His wide back and stable movement are particularly useful for clients with less trunk control. He is a sensitive horse and naturally mirrors the emotions of clients which makes him an ideal fit for our Mental Health & Resilience Programs. Clients frequently refer to Mac as the “Spirit Horse,” and his long mane is often braided by clients to aid in building trust and bonding with him. His many nicknames include Mac-a-doodle do, Mac and Cheese, Big Mac, and Macaroni.
Quarter Horse cross
Nugget is a Quarter Horse Cross and came to NCEFT in 2021 with very little training. During her training with NCEFT’s barn staff, it became clear very quickly that she was smart, trainable, and easily able to learn her new job as a therapy horse. She is also social and likes engaging with humans. She has the unique ability to connect with clients in all our Mental Health & Resilience programs, but particularly with the clients in our Healing with the Herd workshop for women with cancer.
Miniature Horse
Ocho is a Miniature gelding who arrived at NCEFT in 2020 (in the back of a minivan)! Ocho is a crowd favorite, especially in our Mental Health & Resilience programs. Both children and adults alike are drawn to Ocho’s character and big heart. He is sweet and kind, and many clients who are intimidated by larger horses are able to gain confidence and horsemanship skills while working with Ocho. He is also very patient and gladly stands still while clients create unique hairstyles with his mane, tail, and forelock!
Quarter Horse
PC competed in Versatility Ranch Horse competitions prior to arriving at NCEFT in 2019. He won 1st place at the novice level in 2015. PC is a gentle giant and a gentleman. His ability to remain calm, patient, and steady is why he is frequently used in our Mental Health & Resilience programs. He is a large horse yet brings a sense of comfort to many. His athletic history and career change demonstrates his strength and adaptability, which many of our clients can relate to.
Quarter Horse
Pistol is a Quarter Horse gelding and competed in Cutting before coming to NCEFT in 2021. He was bred by Barbara Brooks, NCHA Members Hall of Fame inductee and wife of country music artist, Kix Brooks. Pistol’s registered name is “Six Shooter Boogie.” His brand is a half guitar and sunburst. Pistol is very easy-going, and his agility and athleticism comes in handy with clients working to improve their balance and core strength. He is also very curious and loves to know what people are up to! If Pistol knows you, he will nicker when you approach his stall. He loves to interact with his human friends!
Miniature Horse
Roxy is a Miniature Horse born in 1990, making her the eldest equine in our herd. She has been at NCEFT since 1994. Although now retired, Roxy has been an Ambassador for NCEFT for nearly 30 years! She is trained to pull a cart and has participated in many NCEFT programs and events over the years. She shares her paddock with two Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys, Willy and Wonka, who are very attached to her. They are all great friends, but Roxy is clearly the “mom” of the trio, and what she says goes!
Friesian/Morgan cross
Tino, aka Valentino, is a Frisian/Morgan cross gelding who arrived at NCEFT in 2021. He is NCEFT’s 2nd largest horse and a former Woodside Vaulters Trot Team horse. He used to carry up to four young vaulters at a time! Tino’s background makes him an excellent therapy horse as he can read the mind of his rider and remain a stable platform for those who are off balance or inconsistent with the use of their reins.
Thoroughbred/Belgian cross
Woody is a Thoroughbred/Belgian cross and arrived at NCEFT in 2015. Woody is NCEFT’s tallest therapy horse, standing at 16 hands high. Woody’s comfort zone is in the arena where he remains calm and steady for our clients. His previous background in Dressage makes him a great therapy horse as he is highly in-tune to his riders’ cues. He is also a great horse for more advanced Adaptive Riding clients.
Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys
Willy and Wonka are Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys, born in 2006 at the Evening Star Ranch in Raymond, CA. They arrived at NCEFT together in 2007. They are Ambassadors of NCEFT and official greeters at many NCEFT events! These quintessential socialites have represented NCEFT at the Woodside May Day Parade, visited the Ronald McDonald house, attended a Woodside Library event, and even attended a “Fashion for Compassion” fashion show hosted by the Peninsula Humane Society. Willy and Wonka are very playful and enjoy running around our arena and jumping over cavaletti poles. They also love a good game of tug-of-war with their toys! They share a paddock with their “mom” Roxy, a Miniature Horse.
