Meet The Horses

Archie

Archie is a sweet slow and steady guy. As one of the taller lesson horses we consider him a "gentle giant". Now in his mid-twenties you will see him mainly do beginner walk-trot classes, and therapeutic riding! Archie was previously a mountain trail and pack horse with Finley, but his calm and quiet demeanour allowed him to quickly adapt

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Beauty

Archie

Beauty is a ~30 year old welsh pony x mare. In her younger years she jumped up to 0.8m! Beauty is always happy to work, whether it's inside the arena or going out on a trail ride. She has an easy-going and sweet personality, quickly winning over the hearts of all who meet her!!

Buster

Archie

Casimiro

Buster is a 15 year old grey gelding. We purchased Buster from an auction in 2021. When he arrived he was very nervous and took a few weeks to warm up to us. It was clear that he was well broke to ride, but he was not trusting of humans and would flinch and shake while being groomed and tacked up. Buster has come a long way since his arrival and has started to show his goofy and loving personality. He prefers calm, quiet riders with a kind hand, and will try his heart out for the children he bonds with.

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Casimiro

Meet "Ventano de Corazon" our 17 year old Peruvian Paso Fino gelding!! This guy is known around the barn as Casimiro, a name that was given to him by his previous owner meaning "Warrior of Peace". Cas is a gaited horse who is incredibly comfortable to ride. Unlike normal horses, when he moves faster you do not "bounce" on his back. It's s

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Comet

Casimiro

Finley

"Equinox Midnight Comet", otherwise known as Comet is a 25 year old Rocky Mountain x Tennessee Walker horse. Comet was donated to our lesson program last year and swiftly became the favourite of many beginner riders! As a pretty laid back horse who prefers to take things slow, he is a quiet guy who loves to hang out with little people. Ou

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Finley

Casimiro

Finley

Finley is an early-twenties quarter horse cross mare. She came to Mission Ridge Stables with her buddy Archie after serving as a mountain trail and pack horse for years. When Finley first came she was very reluctant to work in the indoor arena without a horse being directly in front of her; this is very normal for horses who are used to walking nose-to-tail on a trail ride! With time Finley has settled well into our lesson program and now loves to work independently; she has even shown that she enjoys jumping!

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Halia

Halia is a mid-teens quarter horse mare. She is new to the program as of summer 2022. Halia has shown to have a great lesson-horse personality, and fit in right away. She enjoys trying new things, and loves going for trail rides!

JD

Halia

JD aka "Jim and Deanna" is a 13 year old Thoroughbred gelding. Before being donated to Mission Ridge Stables, JD competed up to 3ft in the show jumping ring all over Alberta. His jumping career was limited after he developed arthritis in his neck following surgery for a guttural pouch infection. This means he will walk and trot with his nose in the air; we often refer to him as a giraffe! He retired from the competitive ring and came to Mission Ridge to become a lesson horse. JD has a rocking chair canter and will go all day if you let him. Many beginner riders enjoy his easy steering, and more advanced riders love his competitive streak!

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Max

Halia

Oakley

Max is a 12 year old welsh pony x gelding. Before coming to Mission Ridge Stables, Max participated in gymkhana events where he did things like barrel racing and pole bending!! He is a quiet sort of guy who enjoys being brushed and fussed over, and isn't phased by much. Max has shown a love for cross-country jumping, and is a fearless jum

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Oakley

Casimiro

Oakley

Oakley is a 10 year old pony gelding. He arrived at Mission Ridge severely obese, and is working hard to get in shape!! He occasionally protests when asked to move his legs faster for this reason. Oakley is a very sweet and quiet pony, who loves to be around people. He will be your best friend if you bring him some (very low calories) treats!

Spike

Casimiro

Spike is a 18 year old fjord x quarter horse gelding. We got incredibly lucky finding this gentle guy and had to act fast to go meet him. We just had a good feeling, and as soon as we met him it was clear that he would be an excellent lesson horse. Spike settled into the lesson program like an old pro, and quickly become a favourite of ou

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Casimiro

Whisp is a 15 year old pony cross mare. Whisp came to Mission Ridge completely wild at the beginning of 2022. She had never had a halter on or been handled by people before. Despite this, she learned incredibly quickly to trust her handlers and became a lesson pony in no time. Whisp does not love being petted due to her history and often

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Up and Coming...

Milo

Milo is a 2 year old Percheron x Fjord gelding. He was born on April 30th in 2020. His birth day was quite dramatic as he had very windswept (crooked) legs, and he was having a hard time figuring out how to drink. We weren't sure if he would make it, but he ended up thriving and growing up to be a strong colt! Milo has a laid back personality and enjoys being groomed and fed treats.

Opal

Milo

More information to come soon

Ellie

Tucker

More information to come soon

Tucker

More information to come soon

The Mini's

Fabio

Juliet

Fabio is a 3 year old miniature pony gelding. He is one of the taller mini's and has a huge personality! Fabio wasn't gelded until he was 3 years old so he still shows some "studdish" behaviour - mainly squealing and rearing when he sees new horses or ponies! He is a very sweet pony though and enjoys being groomed and handled.

Juliet

Juliet is an 8 year old miniature pony mare. When we purchased her she was very timid and anxious, but she did trust children! Over time Juliet has grown to be a very friendly and laid back pony. She is broke to ride and to drive and is an essential part of our mini's for mini's program.

Moose

Juliet

Potato

Moose is an 18 year old miniature pony gelding. He is a very versatile mini who is broke to ride AND drive! Moose has pulled a sled through the snow as well as a two wheeled cart, but does prefer eating treats over working hard. He's well known for having one of the thickest and most beautiful manes out of all of the ponies!

Potato

Potato is a 14 year old miniature pony mare. She is sweet but very shy and new to our programs. Make sure to give her an extra pet or carrot when you see her!

Rico

Potato

Romeo

Rico Suave is a 1 year old miniature pony colt. As is a recent addition to the pony herd he has now started to come out of his shell! Every day we see more and more of Rico's affectionate and spunky personality.

Romeo

Potato

Romeo

Romeo is a 7 year old miniature pony gelding. Standing at around 40 inches he is one of the taller ponies. Romeo was lightly broke to ride but prefers to have a leader that he can follow. He enjoys being brushed and fussed over by all of the children that visit Mission Ridge.

Teddy

Timbit

Teddy

More information coming soon

Thor

Timbit

Teddy

Thor is a 7 year old miniature pony gelding. He is one of the quietest ponies who enjoys being lead around and brushed by children. Thor had a sad past and was also purchased from auction in poor condition. You would never know it though, because he is such a happy guy!

Timbit

Timbit is an 8 year old miniature pony gelding. He is a small mini with a very sweet personality and some of the cutest eyes you'll ever see! Timbit loves to get attentions from both kids and adults.

The Donkeys

Mango

Mango is a 25 year old miniature donkey. She has one of the most gentle souls you will ever meet, but does enjoy running around and kicking up her heels once in awhile! Mango can be dressed up with any costume you can find, but enjoys being fed carrots as treats too.

Salsa

Salsa is a 12 year old miniature donkey. In her previous home she was meant to be bred, but occasionally had an abnormal gait in her hind end (she lifted her legs up quite high) so they decided to sell her. We haven't noticed her moving this way yet, but always keep an eye on it! From the day she arrived, Salsa was a natural kid's donkey and was happy to be brushed and dressed up with no fuss.

Spanky

Spanky is a 1 year old miniature donkey! He is new to Mission Ridge so we are still getting to know him and his personality.

In Memory Of...

Jafar

After many long years of companionship we said goodbye to our dear friend Jafar on August 15th, 2021.

Jafar was famously known as Mission Ridge Stables’ oldest horse. Originally called “Silverbird”, he was born on April 22nd, 1977. He was purchased by Roxanne and Brandy's family from an auction where they were bidding against the meat buyers. From the day he came home until the day he died he was fun, loving, and full of energy.

Chores are going to be a little quieter from now on; Jafar’s favourite time was mealtime and he would always whinny when he saw the food wagon coming. He absolutely loved to be brushed or scratched and would wrap his neck around you to give a “hug”, and run after you when you went to leave!! Gentle enough for even small children to lead or brush, he had endless love to give.

Jafar was never a lesson horse because he was a bit of a wild child! His life under saddle included lots of endurance riding, trail riding, and racing other horses. His energy would always show outside where he refused to just walk- he would do a prancing trot or canter on the spot instead! In his 40’s he always made us laugh as he continued to demonstrate this bouncy trot when going in and out of the barn. Jafar was the happiest and most energetic horse, even as a senior. Though his body grew older, his heart never aged.

The days are long, but the years are short, and it never feels like we have enough time with the horses we love.

Rest In Peace Jafar. You are so, so missed.

Alfie

Often called “Alphagetti” by the kids, Alfie was a once in a lifetime kind of horse. He served many years at “Camp Evergreen” in Southern Alberta before coming to Mission Ridge Stables for semi-retirement. This was a big change from the 7 hour work days he was used to! He loved to be groomed and fussed over and was calm and quiet under saddle. Unfortunately, a slip outside ended his riding career when he fractured his hip. Even with months of stall rest and rehabilitation, the injury caused arthritis and muscle imbalances in his hind end. Despite this, Alfie was still a happy guy and enjoyed his time out in the field grazing, and coming in for kids to brush and dress up. We will always remember Alfie for his bright kind eyes, and gentle soul.

Uncle Jessie

In his late years, Uncle Jessie was known as a quiet and kind therapeutic riding horse. He also did the odd beginner lesson from time to time where he would show off his fancy movement at the trot! We believe in the past Jessie was a dressage horse based on his natural head carriage and floaty stride. He was a horse with a big personality, who had the slowest walk you can imagine inside the arena, but out on a trail ride was almost impossible to keep up with!! Jessie had a strong fighting spirit, and was always fiercely protective of his horses and his humans. Never to be underestimated, even in his old age he would defend his four-legged and two-legged herd if he perceived any kind of threat; including chasing off coyotes! In spite of the heartbreak of saying goodbye, Jessie reminded us every day of why keeping senior horses is so worthwhile.

Scarlet

One of the barn favorites, Scarlet was an extremely athletic and energetic senior mare. She had a ground-covering canter and a huge scopey jump. Scarlet took riders to their first horse shows from x-rails up to 2'3, and was always a fair and kind teacher. She unfortunately showed signs of heart disease in 2022, and when this progressed we were forced to say goodbye. Scarlet will forever be missed by the Mission Ridge family, and everyone whose life she touched.

Dakota

Dakota was only with us at Mission Ridge Stables for a short period of time, but in that time our staff and students fell deeply in love with her. She had severe heaves (asthma), and was later diagnosed with a heart condition. We knew we didn't have a lot of time with her, so cherished every moment we had. Anyone could handle Dakota on the ground, and she loved to go for trail rides. Previously competing as a roping horse, she had a great work ethic even in her late 20's, and enjoyed carrying kids in lessons. Dakota had an extremely kind and gentle soul, and is dearly missed.