The JNH horses serve as the core to our therapeutic riding program and they are indeed a priceless breed, everyone of them worth its weight in gold. Although they vary in age, size, color and conformation, they all possess certain similar characteristics which enable them to participate in this unique program. They are well trained, gentle in nature, and tolerant to a fault.

At Jamestown New Horizons, every effort is made to keep the horses happy and comfortable. They receive careful handling—none of the horses work with bits in their mouths, the reins are attached to side rings of leather halters—as well as appropriate fitting, well-made tack, clean saddle pads, girth covers and foam pads to protect their backs.

JNH horses go out on pasture every day of the year (except in icy weather). They come in at night to clean, well bedded, well ventilated stalls, and they are fed good quality hay and grain.

The horses at JNH are treated with the sensitivity and grace they so richly deserve. Their role is simply to teach the JNH riders the many joys and pleasures that come from forming a friendship with the horse.

Braveheart Braveheart is a dream horse – oh, so pretty and practically perfect. He is very patient with his riders. When he has finished eating his carrots, he picks up the little feed tub, indicating to his rider that it is time to “do the dishes.”
Bwana Chui Bwana Chui is a Leopard Appaloosa. His name means “Chief Leopard” in Swahili. You can actually feel his spots because they have thicker hair than the white background of his coat. Chui loves bananas and to eat green grass on the hill.
Happy Happy is a Haflinger. His full name is “Most Happy Fella MCH.” He has a quiet, unflappable temperament. He likes to jump over fences and loves to stand up on his hind legs when he is in his stall so he can get a better view of what is going on the in the volunteers’ room, where the feed bins are located. When he gets to run free in the indoor arena, the first place he goes is to the top of the wood-chip mountain.
Jubilee Jubilee is an attractive Hackney/Shetland Pony cross. He has a lovely disposition. He is the smallest of the lot, but is great in stature. He does not like cameras! He likes little riders who sit quietly on his back because he is quite sensitive and assumes that every move his rider makes means something. He is a former show pony who now wins hearts instead of ribbons.
Merrywood Merrywood is a large paint pony. He is very high in the pecking order of the herd. He carries himself with pride. He is the most tolerant one in the program when he is working with the JNH riders. He expects his treats at the end of each lesson and refused to leave the arena one evening when his rider forgot to bring his carrots. He knows his job and he knows his rights, too!
Saxon Saxon is a handsome, talented pony. He does his job well and expects the same from his riders and side-walkers. He has little patience for inefficiency. He likes for his riders to adjust their stirrups quickly and mount up without wasting his time so he can get on with his work. He has a lovely trot and is the best teacher in the program.
Sophie Sophie is a beautiful Morgan mare. She likes to stand alongside the horse she sees whenever she looks in the mirror in the indoor arena. She insists upon visiting Peat Moss, the Equicizer, at least once during each lesson. She is the most popular one of all.
Trystan Trystan is a very cute Welsh Pony, a chestnut with white markings. He covers the ground more like a thoroughbred than a pony. He is a very willing worker. One of his favorite things is to lie down and roll in the arena as soon as his saddle comes off. He is partial to peppermints.