Meet the herd

Meet the Horses

The horses of Handle With Care Ranch are individuals, teachers, and partners in the work we do.

Skipper, Zeus, and Clark

Skipper, Zeus, and Clark each bring a different history, personality, communication style, and set of strengths to the Ranch. Depending on the program, participants may learn through observation, grooming, leading, groundwork, obstacles, liberty-inspired activities, mounted horsemanship, or simply spending quiet time near the herd.

The horse involved in a particular session is selected according to the participant’s goals, the activity, safety considerations, and the horse’s physical and emotional readiness that day. Not every horse participates in every service.

Our approach is based on relationship rather than performance alone. We value rhythm and rapport, clear communication, appropriate boundaries, and the progressive phases through which horses and people learn to understand one another.

American Quarter Horse · senior

Skipper

Skipper came to Handle With Care after Shannon learned through Facebook that he needed immediate help. He arrived with significant health concerns and began a long process of veterinary care, careful nursing, rehabilitation, and recovery.

Today, Skipper is known for his exceptionally gentle and forgiving nature. He is especially well suited to quiet, unhurried experiences that allow participants to slow down and pay attention without pressure to perform.

Skipper enjoys soft grooming, warm sunshine, and calm time with people. His current activities emphasize gentle connection, restorative groundwork, and interactions appropriate to his age, health, comfort, and physical ability.

What Skipper may help us practice

Slowing down and becoming present
Respecting physical limitations
Offering care without demanding an outcome
Receiving support with dignity
Recognizing resilience in quiet forms
Practicing patience and self-compassion

Something special about Skipper

When Skipper feels comfortable, he may lower his head, soften his expression, and release a long breath. These quiet moments invite everyone nearby to pause and become more attentive.

Percheron · mature adult

Zeus

Zeus is a magnificently large and highly educated Percheron with extensive formal dressage training. After years in structured training and competition environments, he came to Handle With Care Ranch for a different chapter centered on relationship, variety, and thoughtful partnership.

Despite his size and training, Zeus is remarkably perceptive and sensitive. He notices changes in posture, energy, timing, and intention, making him a powerful partner for practicing calm leadership and clear communication.

Zeus enjoys rhythmic groundwork, working on a relaxed line, liberty-inspired activities, wither scratches, and interactions in which he has time to process and respond.

What Zeus may help us practice

Separating personal worth from performance
Communicating clearly without becoming forceful
Recognizing pressure in ourselves and others
Regulating our pace and energy
Leading with calm, congruent intention
Allowing connection to develop without an agenda

Something special about Zeus

When he settles into an interaction, Zeus may visibly soften through his neck and jaw and release a deep, whole-body breath. Because of his enormous presence, even subtle changes in his body can be powerful to observe.

BLM mustang · adult

Clark

Clark is a BLM mustang whose story brings a distinctive perspective to the Handle With Care herd. As a mustang, Clark reminds us that trust cannot be rushed and that meaningful partnership develops through observation, consistency, appropriate boundaries, and time.

Clark is continuing his education through groundwork and progressive horsemanship. Shannon’s goal is to thoughtfully prepare him for additional program activities, including beginner walk-trot lessons, when he is physically, mentally, and emotionally ready. Clark is an observant, inquisitive, and quick-thinking mustang. His sensitivity to posture, position, intention, and spatial boundaries makes him an excellent partner for relational groundwork and clear nonverbal communication.

Clark has experienced different types of handling and continues to develop through progressive groundwork, liberty-inspired activities, and thoughtful horsemanship. He responds best when a person is attentive, consistent, and clear without becoming rigid or unnecessarily forceful.

He enjoys interactive problem-solving, movement-based groundwork, and moments when horse and handler find a shared rhythm.

What Clark may help us practice

Establishing clear, respectful boundaries
Recognizing the difference between clarity and control
Becoming aware of posture and body language
Adjusting pressure, timing, and release
Building trust through consistency
Communicating without relying on words

Something special about Clark

Clark notices subtle shifts. A change in breathing, posture, focus, or balance may change how he responds, giving participants immediate feedback about the clarity of their communication.

Welfare philosophy

How we care for the herd

Consent

Horses are not tools. Participation is invited, never forced. A horse may opt out of an activity, and the session will change.

Rest & turnout

Program days are balanced with rest, movement, and time as a herd. A tired or sore horse is not asked to work.

Veterinary & farrier care

Routine and as-needed veterinary and farrier care are part of how the ranch keeps horses sound and comfortable.

Retirement

When a horse’s season as a program partner ends, welfare — not scheduling — decides the next chapter.

Ready to meet them in person?

Horse Time & Connection is a gentle first visit — observation, grooming, quiet connection, or a simple guided activity. No previous horse experience is necessary.

Schedule a conversation All experiences