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 Our
most important partners at Square Pegs are our horses. All
of our horses have been donated or rescued, and each is a
square peg in their own right. From Gigi, an amazing gentle
horse who's story inspires us all, to old mares like Willa
and Feathers who keep all the young horses in line. Their
stories of success, failure, and renewal connect the children
to the horses on
a personal
level. We use their stories as a meaningful link to our motto
of “everyONE fits”. They are a vehicle to discuss
diversity, second chances, physical ability and disability,
and personal growth. These animals expose the students to
a range of horses with regard to breed, age, ability, and
personality,
just as our teaching method exposes them to a range of horsemanship
disciplines (i.e. endurance, dressage, jumping,
and polo). |
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King Me aka: Vince: 23 year old Tb gelding. After extensive dental work and months of round the clock feeding, this perky gelding has gained almost 200 lbs since he came to the ranch in October 2007. We have Diane Sadler to thank for her round the clock monitoring of King during his first weeks here at Square Pegs. King teaches us every day that a fighting spirit can bring you back from the brink. We are very proud that we were able to save this gelding and he's returning the favor by being a wonderful horse in the school.
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Bert: 19 year old Dutch Warmblood donated by Jenny Finchman. This handsome gelding sure knows how to strut his stuff! So we were amazed to find out how gentle he is as well. Bert has had an exciting career; being born in Holland, imported as a Jumper until Bert decided it was time for a career change. Marianna Danielson, who rode and showed our darling Legacy throughout most of his career, saw something special in Bert and brought him along as a dressage horse. Jenny Finchman competed Bert and enjoyed his marvelous company for a long time. When it was clear that Bert was done competing in dressage, she started looking for Bert's "forever home." Jenny found us through our longtime supporter Rachel Williamson. You just have to meet this special horse to appreciate Jenny's generosity.
  
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| Hank: born "My Cheatin' Heart" in the Kentucky Bluegrass, this horse seemed destined to a productive racing career with his lovely body, slim and strong legs and fancy pedigree. But Hank had other ideas and they didn't involve running really hard. Hank was donated to us from the barn of Jeanie Shand and Dennis Ward. From the start it was clear that Hank and our ranch manager, Greg Crosta had something special going on. Greg soon adopted Hank from us and the two of them have explored all the corners of the canyon together. Hank played his first practice polo chukkars this summer and we look forward to cheering Greg and Hank on in many more to come. |
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| Cometa, aka: Comet: comes to us from Terri Casey of Woodside Ca. Comet is more like a star to us. Co-sponsored by Farris Hunter Scott, Comet is one of the most sought after horses in the school for arena and trail riding. His unflappable nature and easy gaits make him ideal for beginners and his zest to go anywhere new make him a favorite for the more adventurous riders. This lovely Tb gelding played polo all over California during his career and sports a racing tattoo as well. Comet has a lot to teach us about being multi-talented. |
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Poppy: 6 year old Tb gelding; also comes to us from the racing barn of Jeanie Shand and Dennis Ward. This lovely California-bred Thoroughbred never showed much interest on the track. Racing's loss was certainly our gain. Poppy sauntered out of the trailer and settled into the barn like an old pro. Our own Sigourney Jellins was instantly in love and adopted Poppy from us soon after he arrived. Sigourney has taught Poppy to jump and the both of them love to explore the local trails together. Look for this beautiful gray gelding to go far in the show ring or just about anywhere else Sigourney and Poppy care to go.
 
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| Sweet Tea 'N Me, aka: Special T aka: "T" aka Jack 19 year old brown Tb gelding. Why would a horse have so many names you ask? Because he's had so many jobs and has done them all brilliantly! Beginning as a stakes placed race horse, onto a very successful career as a show hunter in both the Open, Amateur and Junior divisions. Chronic uveitis created a situation that ended this beautiful gelding's show career when it was decided that he needed surgery to remove the eye. However, this horse is fully adapted to having one eye and makes no excuses as he pushes his way to the front of the pack on every trail ride. We love his verve and spunk. We have Denise Seymore to thank for his donation. And the kids have decided to call him "Jack" for "Black Jack" or "One-Eyed Jack" or "Jack-Jack" the list goes on..... |
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| Irresponsible King" aka: Stan: 6yo Tb gelding comes to us from the racetrack with a few injuries. He's going to take time, patience and training before he can become a Square Peg school horse. But this spectacularly beautiful son of Kingmambo has stolen our hearts away with this presence and personality. We look for Stan to become one of the major clowns of the barn. |
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Sequoia aka Squish, 16year old New Zealand Tb: This beautiful gelding passed away in December. For the six wonderful months that he was in our care, we were able to provide a safe and quiet home for him. Jen Leeds, who brought "Squish" to our barn, provided for his care. We all join Jen in mourning the passing of a noble and beautiful friend. We hope that he is galloping in green pastures unfettered by pain or regrets.
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Dohlman:
22 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding with the spirit of a 5
year old. Dohlman was donated to us by Ms. Nancy Collins
of Palo Alto. This is one HANDSOME boy! Dohlman led a very
successful dressage showing career, scoring successfully
in I-1 competition. He was then used as a schoolmaster for
several aspiring dressage riders at the Stanford Equestrian
Center. Minor arthritis meant that Dolhman needed to come
to an end with his upper level dressage work and so he came
to us. We are head over heels for this gentle giant. Dohlman
is spending the winter being fostered at Web Barton and Kelly
Munoz of Pescadero. Where would we be without our amazing Foster
Homes?
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| Gigi:
11 year old Grey Thoroughbred mare. Gigi has earned herself the label 'princess of
the barn'. Nothing but the softest brushes and the crunchiest
carrots
will do. Gigi was fired from her racing job for “attitude.”
Go figure! She’s accomplished in dressage and LOVES to
jump. Gigi fills your heart with joy the instant you meet her. |
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| Sammy: 8
year old Thoroughbred gelding. His racing name was Red Power,
but we re-named him Sammy after Sammy Hagar aka: the Red Rocker.
He’s a rock star allright. After
Sam’s career racing ended due to several injuries, he
needed time and some TLC from Square Peg students. This year,
he competed in his first Limited Distance Endurance Ride. Don't
intimidated by his size, he's just one big softy! |
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| Sorpressa:
13 year old Bay Thoroughbred mare. One look at that
face, and you are in love. Ever the darling of the barn, ‘Pressa
is a tournament level polo pony and competed among
elite polo ponies in Palm Springs. She is currently staying at the Stanford Polo Club advancing in her polo skills. Quick, athletic, smart, patient, and adorable! |
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Willa: Willa is in her 20’s, sports a racing
tattoo(so we know she’s a Thoroughbred). All those
who have ridden her and taken care of her are
already in love. Willa is currently undergoing quite a bit of body work from the amazing Jacquie Becker of International Pony Rubs. She’s as gentle as can be and is still up for a rousing chukkar of polo. |
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| Tina: We can't even say her name around here without a big smile. Tina is an Argentine polo mare(50% Thoroughbred and 50% Criollo) and has played polo all over California. Donated by Julia Belford. Tina is one of our best trail horses and our certainly our best horse to teach beginner polo on. |
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| Feathers: Was
donated to us by Lew and Jeanee Conner of Sprague River Oregon
and sponsored by the Froley family. Feathers is part of the
original breeding herd of Cracker Jack Ranch with a pedigree
that reads like a who’s who
of California Quarter Horse Breeding. Sadly, Feathers recently
lost her constant companion, Sugar to advanced arthritis. Our
darling Sugar is missed by all. |
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Pearl: 8 year old thoroughbred mare. Pearl came to Square Peg about 2 years ago, after she got sick when on a boat from New Zealand bringing her to her new racing job in the US. We nursed her back to health and packed some weight on her. She is now owned by one of our volunteers, Natalia Feliz. Pearl is an great trail horse and loves to be pet and fed carrots by Square Peg students. |
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| Buddy: This amazing horse was here at our new ranch way before we were. We have the honor of using Buddy in our program on weekends through the generosity of his owner, Ms. Ruthie Palmer. Buddy’s spirit and vigor makes him a wonderful challenge to those hearty souls who long for a gallop in the woods. He’s also learning to jump and seems to love it. Thank you Ruthie! |
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Jag: Jag
is young and handsome, and came to Square Pegs as a training
project. We instantly fell in love.
Jag is a super smooth trail horse and is learning quickly how
to be a wonderful horse in the arena. He’s the little
Bart Simpson of the barn - begging for treats and kisses and
inciting every horse to play with him. Welcome to Square Pegs,
Jag!
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