The largest misconception about therapy horses, they're old retired horses. That couldn't be further from the truth! Our horses work hard, working multiple hours a day, sometimes six days a week. They must tolerate distraction, and unpredictable behavior, as well as needing to be 100% sound and healthy.
The horses at SMILES come from a variety of backgrounds and previous careers, representing all breeds, sizes, and disciplines. The diversity in the herd from movements, heights, and level of riders, allows us to serve our diverse clientele. Despite their differences, they all share a patient and calm nature, perfect for our programs.
To learn more about each horse, click on the carrot.
April
AKA Miss Chatterbox
Sponsored By: Bob & Arlene Rauland
Leased By: Holly Hough
Years of Service: 9
Age: 18 Years Old
About Me: April is one of the few horses that is leased to SMILES by her owner.
April is a fast walker and likes to brag about her clients to the other horses, so if you hear her "talking" just know she is excited to see you!
Ben
AKA Benji
Sponsored By: JFL Marketing, Inc.
Leased By: Jenny Marko
Years of Service: 4
Age: 17 Years Old
About Me: Ben is one of the few horses being leased. His owner is one of SMILES' very own volunteers!
Ben has a background in leisure riding in an English discipline. He is smooth, gentle, and provides a strong base for all age rider!
Bullet
AKA Prints Dun by Sam
Sponsored By: Joan Baron
Donated By: Codi A. Smith & Family
Years of Service: 13
Age: 23 Years Old
About Me: Bullet is an intuitive and sensitive soul. He has a formal background in show jumping. Bullet is the perfect partner for our more advanced riders. He enjoys his riders to be off-lead and is very responsive to his riders cues.
Buster
AKA Buster Brown
Sponsored By: Fisco Auto Body, Inc
Adopted From: Impact Equine Rescue
Years of Service: 4
Age: 19 Years Old
About Me: Buster spent the first part of his life in an Amish setting in Northern Michigan as a plow horse. His quiet, gentle personality made him perfect for his role at SMILES. He may be tall, but he is a steady slow ride to help his nervous riders gain confidence.
Chili
AKA Chili Pepper
Sponsored By: Geneva Lake West Rotary
Purchased By: A Friend of SMILES
Years of Service: 3
Age: 16 Years Old
About Me: Chili came from New Jersey where he was used as a lesson and trail horse. He has a goofy personality and wants to meet everyone! He is short and stout which will be great for when his riders may need extra support.
Diesel
AKA Goofball
Sponsored By: Jean Schriever
Donated By: The Hosselton Family
Years of Service: 2
Age: 15 Years Old
About Me: Diesel is a fun-loving guy who spent his previous career as a trail horse. Originally purchased as a 'husband horse' the family decided he had a bigger purpose with his sweet personality and his rhythmical gate. They knew he would make the perfect program horse.
Doc
AKA Docmeister
Sponsored By: U.S. Shelter
Donated By: The Bliss Family
Years of Service: 4
Age: 19 Years Old
About Me: Doc came to SMILEs with a background in rugged trail riding with a local family who hauled him all over the country. Doc is a very accepting horse with a quick pace. His unique breeding give him a very different movement for our clients.
Faith
AKA Diamonds for Valentine
Sponsored By: Joan Baron
Donated By: Judy Adams
Years of Service: 6
Age: 22 Years Old
About Me: Faith is a very sweet mare with a background in trail riding. She is one of our gaited horses. Gaited means that her movement will be very fluid and smooth for her riders to enjoy!
Freckles
AKA Frecks
Sponsored By: Jeff & Jane Soderquist
Purchased By: SMILES' Fundraising Efforts
Years of Service: 3
Age: 21 Years Old
About Me: Freckles came to us with Chili, where he was used for trail riding out east. His stature is tall and lean making him a helpful addition to the herd. His quiet and laid-back personality is great for building confidence for both new volunteers and clients.
Holly
AKA Holl Doll
Sponsored By: Royal Basket Trucks
Donated By: Bobbi Rowinski
Years of Service: 7
Age: 15 Years Old
About Me: Holly has a background in both English and Western riding disciplines, and loves attention. Her tall stature is great for both children and adults. Holly is best utilized for independent and advance riders.
Judy
AKA Judles
Sponsored By: Kim Soeth
Purchased By: A Friend of SMILES
Years of Service: 2
Age: 18 Years Old
About Me: Judy came from out west where she was used on a dude ranch and packed elk in Colorado. You will see her multiple brands from the different ranches she worked at. Judy is a sweet and gentle girl.
Lincoln
AKA One Eye Wonder
Sponsored By: Kristine Andersen
Donated By: Chateau Stables, NYC
Years of Service: 6
Age: 19 Years Old
About Me: Lincoln came to us all the way from Manhattan, NY where he was used in central park as a trail horse. You may notice that Lincoln only has one eye! He is one of the most loving and goofy horses in the barn.
Nugget
AKA Chicken Nuggie
Sponsored By: The Boss Family
Purchased By: Friends of SMILES
Years of Service: 4
Age: 14 Years Old
About Me: Nugget is known as the mascot of SMILES. Although he is little in size, he has a huge heart. Nugget is used for our smallest riders and is also great for unmounted activities.
Pantera
Program Horse in Training
Sponsored By: Troy Moldenhauer
Purchased By: SMILES Fundraising Efforts
Years of Service: 1
Age: 7
About Me: Pantera came from a family in northern Wisconsin where he was used for ranch and leisure riding. His lean and narrow stature will be great for clients with tight muscle tone and needing improved balance.
Penny
AKA Penelope
Sponsored By: Pat Williams
Leased By: Diamond E Horse Company
Years of Service: 3
Age: 18 Years Old
About Me: Penny is a finished reining horse and spent most of her life in the show world. She has retired from the show ring, and SMILES is thrilled to have the opportunity to use her in our program. She is a been there, done that kind of horse.
Rio
AKA Sweet Man
Sponsored By: Laney & Duke Potter
Donated By: Judy Borchardt
Years of Service: 8
Age: 25 Years Old
About Me: Rio is one of the sweetest horse's in the barn and is a favorite amongst the volunteers and clients due to his quiet personality. Rio was previously a young girl's first horse and was used primarily for trail riding.
VOTED
SMILES' 2024 Sweetheart of the Year
Rodney
AKA Rockin Rodney
Sponsored By: The Newholm Family
Donated By: Lisa Miller-Day
Years of Service: 16
Age: 24
About Me: Rodney came to SMILES with a western show background. He is a terrific candidate for our independent riders, riders who may need extra support and volunteers new to leading. He is our longest running therapy horse in the barn.
Sarah
AKA Cedar Lane's Sarah
Sponsored By: The Atkinson Family
Donated By: The Zarling Family
Years of Service: 3
Age: 19 Years Old
About Me: Sarah is our tallest horse in the barn and she is as gentle as she is tall. She came to us from a Wisconsin family where she was used for breeding, because she is no longer able to have goals, the family thought she would make a great program horse.
Sport
AKA Sports Network
Sponsored By: Frank & Susan Cannella
Donated By: Frank & Susan Cannella
Years of Service: 7
Age: 18 Years Old
About Me: Sport was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Sport is extremely friendly and was used a trail horse. He is referred to as the "Class Clown" as he is always playing with the class props.
Sue
AKA Susy Q
Sponsored By: Jeff & Jane Soderquist
Donated By: The Bliss Family
Years of Service: 1
Age: 14
About Me: Sue came to SMILES from the Same family as Doc. She was used primarily from trail riding across the county in various rugged areas. Sue is a gaited horse meaning her movement is fluid and smooth.
Teddy
AKA Ted. D. Bear 🧸
Sponsored By: The Honkamp Family
Purchased By: A Friend of SMILES
Years of Service: 1
Age: 8 Years Old
About Me: Teddy joined us from the Green Bay area where he was used as a children's pony. Not only can Teddy be ridden, but he can also drive a cart. Teddy's cuddly personality and size is exactly what we look for in a program horse.