Thunder: A Very Popular Girl

This horse becomes a friend very quickly. She is a 14.2H mustang, complete with a brand on the left side of her neck. At first, we were not sure she would succeed in camp. 

Much to our surprise, she is trusted by everyone who rides her. Thunder stands still while being groomed; she enjoys giving an intermediate rider a huge challenge with steering in a riding arena, and she goes with style for those who use their aids well. We have recently discovered she loves to jump, and on top of that, trails are her best recreation.

Honey: The Queen of Sprucleands

We always tell our campers that Honey is a sweetheart. She is one of the top ladies in the pecking order. It is quite obvious that she likes to be treated like a lady, and she will give you that same respect in return.

Honey walks, trots, canters and jumps. She LOVES to jump. In addition, she thoroughly enjoys trail rides and she never complains about a thing. She is one of our key lesson horses, stands about 14.2 H, even is agreeable to doing our weekend clinics for girl scouts. We positively adore Honey.

Fella is a Special Guy

This really handsome leopard appaloosa is named Fella. It took a while for us to decide that we would keep the name. He seemed more like a 'Freddie' than a Fella. But the name has stuck and he is what I call a gentleman.

Guess he's about 15H. Forward moving. Really solid. Fella is a kind, caring, hard worker, and eager to please. Sometimes he butts you with his head for attention, or if he is impatient. That's the only bad habit we have discovered in Fella.

Madge puts Spring in her Step

We were thrilled to have Madge join us. For fun, we have adjusted her name a little because her given name is 'Majestic'. Because she has the personality of a Madge, we altered the spelling.

Madge has a long stride, endless energy, and beautiful appaloosa markings. Campers love knowing her and working with her. My guess is that you may enjoy her as well. She continues in training with each rider.  

Marea is a Chincoteague Pony

Marea came to us when she was three months old and we taught her all the ground manners a horse could possibly need to know. She picked up her feet, learned to lead, functioned well within the routines of the barn, and came to love people well. For quite a while, she was our camp mascot.

Her owners then sent Marea for in the saddle training. Again, she was an eager learner. Every summer, Marea came to camp and the schooling she experienced was invaluable.  Now Marea is back at Sprucelands full-time. At 15H, she is definitely a fun ride, but more for the stronger rider.

Scribbles quickly becomes Your Friend

Scribbles has fit right into the Sprucelands routines. She came to us a year ago at Christmastime, quickly became one of the herd, and now is trying to run things. Her way of going is easy. If anything, she's a tad slow. Some riders like that, especially if they are a bit timid or if they are developing their courage. Intermediate riders are comfortable on her. They enjoy trail rides on her because she doesn't spook, is dependable, and takes times to smell the flowers along the way.

Let Me Introduce You to Boomer

Boomer is top of the pecking order with the geldings,   or as we say it, the guys. He is quite simply the social director. Just walks into the ring, the paddock, or the pasture, and the guys listen. He is very respected by horses and people alike, and he is smart. 

Boomer is a 17H Belgian Quarter horse cross. A wonderful combination. He is mellow, willing to learn, and a gentleman to his rider. One caution, however: Boomer knows how to open his stall door and about every door in the barn!  Consequently, we all watch Boomer and make sure his door is double latched.

Ozzy is a Comfortable Ride

If you want to ride a comfortable trot, then Ozzy is the guy for you. He is a flea-bitten greay who enjoys trails, works for beginners through advanced riders, and stands about 15.2H. He came to us with another horse named Harry. They were best buds.

Ozzy is not really a jumper. He is better for the rider who is learning to walk and trot. While he will canter, I wouldn't say he's a first canter horse. But after you learn your canter, he does just fine for you.

This is Handsome Harry

Harry has been a challenge for us. As a 15.2H shiny chestnut, he is comfortable, a well-mannered terrific ride, and handsome.

What I need to say about Harry is that Harry was not a happy horse when he came in here. He almost growled at times. But we have worked steadily with Harry, adjusting his saddle, working with his bridle, changing his stall arrangements, and taking more time to tack him. We treat Harry with kindness and love. Fact is, he is doing dramatically better, and we are proud of his accomplishments.

Romeo Makes You Smile

Romeo has a way of building your confidence. If you ride him with a balanced seat and communicate clearly all that you want him to do, he responds by giving you a positive experience in the saddle.

Sometimes Romeo tests you. However, his test is more about whether you can steer. So if you need to work on steering, then he is a wonderful teacher. For those who are already secure in your riding skills, Romeo walks, trots, canters, jumps, and is fun on trails. He is versatile; he can be a beginner, intermediate or advanced horse.

Jax is a Class Act

Jax belongs to Lori Kibler and her daughter Jennifer.   We are unsure about his breeding because he is a grade horse; he is one of the most fun rides in the barn.

He is 15.2H, round, sturdy, totally comfortable, quick  and responsive. Jax jumps, does trails, challenges you in dressage, and smiles the minute campers walk into camp. He absolutely, positively loves camp. Wait till you meet Jax!

Kokomo is Like Curious George

Kokomo is a paint. Cute. He is 15.2H. Nice mover. Comfortable. Willing to learn. Kokomo has a very kind eye, as you can see. His temperament is even. No bucking. No running away. Happy to please.

The kids at camp positively love Kokomo. He is one of our most popular horses, and he enjoys camp. We love how he is learning. With every rider, he gets more schooling.

Sunrise Surprises You

This is lovely our lovely lady, Sunrise. She is an appaloosa mare with personality plus. Willing to make a statement about the world around her, Sunrise has opinions about leaving the center of the ring. Sometimes we sweet talk her into forward movement, and as she moves, the ride is totally comfortable and very rewarding. The kids love riding her.

Sunrise is a cutie. She has beautiful coloring and looks classy when she wears a red halter. Over time, she is also become more personable. It seems she really likes camp in the summer. She enjoys jumping, loves trail rides, and thrives on the pampering she gets from regular grooming. Lately, Sunrise has befriended another horse named Bonnie. The two are becoming best friends.

Mikey is a Big Horse Ride

Actually Mikey is a pony and yet the ride you get from Mikey feels like one you would experience on a big horse. The reason for that is Mikey is very forward moving. He is balanced, quick stepping, athletic, eager, energetic, and fun for those who want a challenge.

Mikey would make a terrific show pony. He has class. When watching horse and rider move together as partners, it is impressive. And Mikey absolutely, positively LOVES to jump. He will go over almost anything with a commitment to enjoying every moment.

You will like Mikey. He is beginning to show more personality the longer he is here. Mikey is an intermediate to advanced ride.

Bugler: Top of the Herd? 

Sugar is a New Addition

Sugar arrived in the fall of 2009. We traded a horse named Cody for Sugar. So she is settling into the business of making friends in the herd and adjusting to routines. It really hasn't taken her long though. She's a pretty easy gal.

Under saddle, she waits for direction from her rider and honors the cues she is given. Her walk, trot and canter signals are pretty standard. Those who have ridden her seem to enjoy the ride she gives them. One riding student hopped on her bareback and Sugar was an awesome, steady ride. It appears she is a wonderful addition to our existing string of school horses.