Our Horses

Maybe one of the most colorful of the ranch with his beautiful painted coat, as well as his personality. Apache joined our herd in 2023, and although we don’t know a ton about his history we’re sure he has plenty of stories to tell, as well as help write some new ones with our participants. His quiet disposition, coupled with his years of experience makes him a perfect addition to our program!

Apple is a gential giant who comes to us from the Hunter/Jumper ring. He was not only beautiful to look at, he was also kind and a joy to ride. He is a highly decorated hunter jumper with a successful career before joining Halleck. Like his name Apple loves a treat and is also ready to interact with all the people around him.

Beau was a resident children wrangler at his previous home at a dude ranch in the San Ynez Valley. He brought many children on the trails and is proving to be a favorite here. With his long flowing hair and beautiful star he is our very own black beauty.

Born in 1999, Buck is a buckskin Quarter Horse who was donated by a private owner from Sonoma County. Buck was born in Wyoming and has years of experience as a ranch horse, but he has truly found his calling as a kind and gentle therapeutic riding mount. Because he has experience being neck-reined, Buck is an excellent partner for riders whose motor skills prevent them from learning direct-reining. 

California Girl was donated to Halleck Creek by Alexis Georgeson. Cali has traveled around the United States competing as a large jumping pony with a long list of accomplishments to her name. She has given confidence to many children in the jumping ring before coming to Halleck Creek. Her fun loving personality and cute snip has quickly made her a wonderful fit for Halleck Creek. Cali continues to give a new set of students confidence here. Click here to watch a video about Cali.

Castor is a lovely Belgian Warmblood gelding. He comes to us from southern California where he was a wonderful first hunter/jumper mount for many riders of all ages. His gentle and loving nature has made him a perfect fit here at Halleck Creek Ranch. Thank you Robert Hoyt and Trainer for thinking of Halleck Creek as the next place for Castor.

Charlie is a 2006 Dun gelding who was donated by a private owner in Oakdale. Charlie spent many years as a solid roping partner, heading and heeling, as well as a family trail horse. He’s well traveled as a roping and trail companion. Charlie’s calm and steady demeanor, as well as his sturdy build, is well appreciated by participants, volunteers and other members of our herd.

Doc came to us from longtime Halleck Creek Supporters Eddie Grassi and Patrick McNeil. Doc has been a steady trail horse for them after being a ranch and games horse in Southern California. Doc brings a lot of training and experience to Halleck and is a steady and wonderful mount for our riders.

Finnegan (Finn) is an Irish Sport Horse and Connemara cross born in 2002. Before coming to Halleck Creek Ranch, Finn was a jumper at a barn in Nicasio where he helped many young riders reach their goals. He continues to serve our students today, always willing and ready to help his riders succeed.

Don Fuego, born in 2004, was generously donated by Helle Eriksen of Baywood Equestrian Center. Fuego has an outgoing personality and has many years of experience teaching children and adults to ride. Fuego is a Morgan horse, a breed which is known for their athletic ability, versatility, and pleasant disposition. Morgan horses also carry their heads and tails higher than most other breeds, and you will easily spot Fuego at the ranch, as he appears to be the tallest horse in the world, as one of our students exclaimed. 

Harry is a chestnut Quarter Horse born in 1994. He loves to be around people, and he was clearly a natural at his work in our program. Previously privately owned, Harry joined our team in 2005 and served as a leader in our weekday program since its inception in 2006 where he always inspired smiles for our volunteers, staff, and students.

In April of 2023, Harry and his paddock-mate Jazzy moved to our newest property, RockRose Ranch, where they enjoy retirement while grazing lush, green pastures each day.

Jesse: Jesse, a spirited Missouri Foxtrotter pony brings a unique blend of agility, speed and grit to any task. Born in Kentucky, Jesse has worked cattle and was a very competitive horse in team penning. Jesse is known for his exceptionally fast walk, making him a wonderful trail horse. His foxtrot gait is smooth and natural, ensuring comfort to his riders. Jesse is a pony with a big heart, always ready for the next challenge.

Kaleki stands apart from her equine peers as the only one to have been born here at Halleck Creek Ranch in 1997. She was hand-raised and trained to become the incredible therapy horse she is today. Her dam (mother) was a beautiful Belgian mare named Rosie who worked for years in our program, and her sire (father) was a Paint stallion named Amigo. Kaleki inherited her dam’s bone structure and her sire’s flashy color, making her strong enough to carry larger riders and look sharp while doing it.

In early 2023, Kaleki moved to a nearby RockRose ranch where she enjoys retirement while grazing lush, green pasture.

Louie (AKA Loopy): Donated from a ranch in Guerneville, Louie is a Quarter Horse pony cross who has spent a lot of time on the trails . Louie was a track pony for many years, offering support and comfort to racehorses as they traveled to and from the racetrack.  Louie has worked with cattle and has even been horsecamping! We are so fortunate to have Louie join our herd.

Named after Shakespeare’s King of the Fairies in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Oberon lives up to his royal name. His easy, gentle spirit and warm personality has captured the hearts of everyone who meets him. An American Quarter Horse, born in 2002, Oberon previously worked as a ranch and rodeo horse, and has the experience and talent needed to traverse the trails of West Marin with confidence.

Pepsi, Is a wonderful quarter horse gelding with a calming laid back attitude. He loves kids and is so kind and gentle with every person he meets. He came to Halleck Creek from a lesson program in Sacramento making his transition to Therapeutic riding an easy one.

Our gentle Palomino pony is a wonderful trail guide. In his younger years, he taught many people to play polo and has been a summer camp, trail, and lesson horse for most of his life. Polo is everyone’s new best friend with his perfect ground manners and happy-go-lucky attitude. Polo was generously donated by Miwok Equestrian Center.

Standing at 15 hands tall, our beautiful chestnut Quarter Horse mare Ruby was previously a reining and cutting horse. Professionally trained, Ruby is a welcome addition to the trail rides and is very happy to teach us all that she knows about taking care of her rider. 

Skippy is a dark bay-colored Welsh pony cross mare born in 2002. Donated by a private owner in 2011, Skippy took about a year to really settle into her job here at Halleck Creek Ranch. As one of the younger horses on our team, Skippy requires a little more exercise and training than our older mounts, but she excels every time she’s given an opportunity and she helps our riders do the same.