Barbie is a 22 yr. old Quarter Horse Mare. She was originally from Kansas, and brought to Texas to work as a Team Roping Heeling Horse. She was lovingly owned by a young man, Gunner Thames. Gunner loved working with livestock of all types and grew up in the rodeo arena. In 2011, at 15 yrs. old, he died in a tragic rodeo accident. This did not involve Barbie, but left her behind without her loving owner. His family rehomed her with Gunner's roping partner and she rested in pasture with his family, the Sheltons, in Wimberly, TX.
They eventually donated her to the Burke Center for Youth, a foster home for young men located in Driftwoood, TX. There, she provided support and companionship in their Therapeutic Equine Program. After serving the Burke Center for 5 yrs., she was rehomed with H.A.P.H.E.O. Barbie is a very kind and loving horse, and is compatible and accepting towards any horse she is pastured with. She seems to have an understanding , and is drawn to those that have also suffered a loss.
Dallas is an 18 yr. old Quarter Horse Sorrel Gelding. He was in a Kill Pen headed to Mexico with his pen mate, Double. There is very little history about the horses other than they were roping horses. They were purchased out of the Kill Pen by a loving family. He became a favorite of a young girl named Bailey. She rode him under saddle and bareback. Unfortunately, Double passed and, despite the family's best efforts, Dallas became very depressed. They lovingly surrendered him to another family, the Freemyers, thinking their donkeys would be great companions. At that time, Dallas ended up befriending some neighboring horses on the other side of the fence. Eventually, Dallas worked his way into their owner's hearts, and was rehomed with David and Tatyana in Dripping Springs, TX. The couple had just started a new business, and had also committed to caring for their aging parents. As time went on, they eventually had to scale down their herd and lovingly rehomed Dallas with Mike O'Day. Dallas resided with Mike at Caballo Creek Ranch in Johnson City. After a period of time, he surrendered Dallas to H.A.P.H.E.O. Dallas' story is a reflection of loving people who kept helping him after he was rescued from slaughter. Dallas is resilient, and very confident in the herd. He still regularly reminds us that he does not want to be left alone, and is wiling to work with anyone who seeks to understand him.
Johnny Cash is a Miniature Brazilian Crossback Donkey. We are not sure of his age, but we are very sure he is pretty dang cute. He was originally donated to the Therapeutic Equine Program at the Burke Center for Youth. He served there for several years, and then was rehomed with H.A.P.H.E.O. in 2019. He is gentle and enjoys hanging out with humans. Like the amazing singer / songwriter he is named after, Johnny can 'sing' (more like 'Hee haw') his way right on into your heart. He is a great alarm clock, and makes sure we don't forget feeding time. He is truly a protector and assists in keeping coyotes off the ranch. Johnny also protected Major and walked his blind-side many times. We want to thank Johnny Cash for keeping watch and making life fun.
June Carter Cash (formally 'June Bug') is a 15 year old bay mare. She was a working ranch horse on the Spade ranch, and retired from the ranch when her owner died. She actively participated in 'Play Days' for several years, then was donated to 'Hold Your Horses", and participated in their hippotherapy program. IN 2020, she was lovingly surrendered to HAPHAEO, along with Lena. She is shy towards humans, but has proven to be very protective of her herd mates that are less capable or in need of support, and still loves rounding up the cows.
Lena is an 18 year old bay mare. We don't know a lot of Lena's history, but she was a play day horse for several years. She and her closest friend June were donated together to "Hold Your Horses" hippotherapy program. In 2020, she was lovingly donated to H.A.P.H.E.O. Lena is calm and likes to be close to people. She will stand for hours if you offer to brush her beautiful tail. She truly likes to just spend some quality time with someone. Lena and June are best friends, and can be seen hanging out, just watching the cows go by....
Missy Snow is a 12 year old pony. She was an active participant in "Hold Your Horses" hippotherapy program. Missy loves to be brushed and walked through obstacle courses. She also knows how to be a great friend to wheelchair users. In 2020, Missy was lovingly surrendered to H.A.P.H.E.O. Missy is great addition to the herd and is curious and likes attention. She can be seen running around the pasture just for fun or to stir up the dust, and she loves to come see you when you call her name!
Pepe is a 15 yr old Quarter Horse Bay Gelding. He was a working ranch horse and then was donated to "Hold Your Horses" hippotherapy program. In 2020, he was lovingly surrendered to H.A.P.H.E.O. Pepe has a kind eye and a loving heart. You can tell him anything and he is always willing to lend an ear. He gives good hugs!
Petey (formally known as 'Columbo') is a 14 yr. old Thoroughbred Bay Gelding. He was born, raised, and trained as a Hunter / Jumper near Austin, TX. When he was 7 yrs., he was purchased by a loving family for their daughter, Lucy. Together, they started his career in the Hunter / Jumper circuit. The two were very successful, but unfortunately, Petey received an injury to a front foot. After several months in rehab, he made a came back, but as fate would have it, his healing was unsustainable. Petey would forever be out of the show world. It was at this time that he was lovingly surrendered to H.A.P.H.E.O. Petey is a very special horse. He is gentle and has a wonderfully sound mind. He was raised by a gentle trainer and is very comfortable with humans. He loves attention and has a tendency to 'play games', however, he exudes very polite ground manners. He has been a wonderful addition to our herd and is protective of the horses that are shy, disabled, or need a friend. Petey was an amazing protector of Major, and helped guard his blind side whenever they pastured together. Petey's compassion for others, horse and human, is a blessing and we are honored to have him in our hearts and our herd.
Rebel is a 22 yr. old Standard Bred Bay Gelding. He lived out on a ranch in Dripping Springs, TX and was lovingly rehomed by his owners, Ricky and Rosie Dunlap in 2016, to participate in the Therapeutic Equine Program at Burke Center for Youth in Driftwood, TX. (He and Barbie worked together in this program.). While at the Burke Center, Rebel became the "Go To" horse for all new participants because he was so gentle and easy going. After serving in the therapeutic program for 5 yrs, Rebel was rehomed , along with Barbie, to the H.A.P.H.E.O. herd. Rebel is calm, and we often say he is a "Rebel for Peace". He tends to yield to other horses in his desire to keep things simple and avoid conflict. He appreciates being around Humans and will often walk up to receive attention or try to be the first to get chosen. He is very laid back and gentle as they come.
Teddy is a 12 yr. old Quarter Horse Red Sorrel Gelding. He was found abandoned in a field, and given to a Hunter Jumper barn in Austin, TX. A wonderful young lady, Josie Shannon got him when she was 12 yrs. old, eddy at the time, was 4 yrs. She said he was very 'green' and didn't know a lot, and was very malnourished. Josie took some time to work with him and she started showing him in local shows. Eventually, they attended shows in Santa Fe and even Kentucky, where, in her words, "....despite him not being a fancy pony, we were very successful.". She worked with for 8 years until she moved off to college. Josie then patiently and lovingly surrendered him to H.A.P.H.E.O. Josie said, "...he was my favorite horse I ever had. He was my partner in crime and we knew each other inside and out. He was always the one I went to when I was having a bad day. I miss him greatly, but am glad he's living a life more suitable for him now."
Teddy is a wonderful addition to our herd, and tries his best to be the first one to get to any available human when out and about.
Texas Wonder, is a 26 year old paint mare. She raised two girls and sent them off to college before coming to work with "Hold Your Horses", and was especially gentle with children with special needs. She has carried many riders through difficult times. She was retired from her hippotherapy job in 2020 and lovingly surrendered to H.A.P.H.E.O. Texas Wonder is a gentle soul and blessing to all.
Texas Wonder currently has medical needs and is being lovingly treated by Rocking P Veterinary Services. Any financial assistance is greatly appreciated.
We would like to thank Neuropsychological Services - Lubbock, TX for helping sponsor Texas Wonder. - Thank you!