Buddy Born in 1988, Buddy is a 15.3 hand chestnut Quarter Horse with quite a history in the therapeutic riding world.  He actually has worked with NCTRC before, back when we were operating out of another farm!  As of the fall of 2009, we are happy to have him back and excited that he will now belong to NCTRC.  His steady and friendly personality make him ideal for this work, and his size allows him to be versatile with our young riders and our adults.  Buddy really is a “buddy” to almost everyone he meets, both horses and humans.  He is our go-to horse to keep a sick pasture mate company when they have to spend the night inside the stall.

Buzz Buzz came to the NCTRC ranks in the Summer of 2010, bringing his height and experience into the mix.  He is a 16.1 hand, bay Quarter Horse gelding, with the personality of a “gentle giant.”  Buzz has extensive show experience, primarily in Western Pleasure and halter classes, but he’s seen an English saddle too.  He’s a great addition for our adults, but, believe it or not, his previous owner used Buzz as their go to horse for many young riders’ first spins in the show ring!  He’s a great school master, always very comfortable to take his time with a new rider.  He’s also the first to greet you when you come out to get him in the pasture, with a very happy look on his face!

Daisy  Daisy is an 11.2 hand high, grey Welsh/Shetland cross mare.  She is definitely our resident “cute little pony,” but her looks aren’t the only great thing about her.  She is a Certified Pet Partner through Delta Society, and is also NCTRC’s “spokes-pony.”  So she is ready to get out in public and let people know all about the great work we do.  Daisy has been with the program since the summer of 2009, and is often the go-to pony for our smaller riders working on their confidence.  She is also perfect for learning to lead and groom a horse, as well as being a wonderful canvas for our “pony-painting” days at summer camp!

Danny  Danny is a Dark Bay Morgan, and he was born in 1984 (or there-about!). He is 14.2 hands high and extremely gentle, with excellent ground manners.  He has been with NCTRC since the summer of 2008.  In his past life, Danny was a show pony. He competed in Combined Training and Eventing. In his later years, Danny is enjoying being a patient teacher for our young riders. Don’t let his salt and pepper look fool you though… Danny continues to be the boss of his herd out in the field, and a mainstay in so many of our classes in the arena.

Dooley Dooley is a registered Haflinger gelding, born in 1993.  His registered name is Steamboat Willie.  He is a great size for children and adults alike due to his short stocky build, and so many of our riders love Dooley’s smooth, slow trot. He continues to shine in many facets of our industry, including Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding, and has recently undertaken a new skill set as our Interactive Vaulting horse-in-training.  Dooley has been a reliable mount for NCTRC since 2007, and has been nominated for the NARHA Equine of the Year.

Nora Nora is a 13.3 hand high Norwegian Fjord mare. She is a very gentle and independent pony and joined the NCTRC herd in the summer of 2009. She has been to parades, demonstrations, and even flown on a plane. She was born in Alaska in 1994, and made her way down to North Carolina by way of her second home in Virginia. She has mostly been a trail horse in her past with some harness training.  She provides great movement in her walk for so many of our Hippotherapy clients, and also sports a very unique hair-do while she’s doing it!

Six Born somewhere around the mid 80s, Six is a 15 hand Quarter Horse gelding.  His background was as a “cowboy” horse, where he taught many to ride doing reining, cutting and roping.  His second career was actually at another Therapeutic Riding center in California, where he became a staff, rider and volunteer favorite because of his loving personality.  He recently returned to the world of equine assisted activities and therapies here at NCTRC in the winter of 2010.  His registered name is “A Perfect Gentleman,” and we think it fits!

Star Star is a 13.2 hand mare who was born in 1983.  Many have speculated over her breeding, from Welsh pony to Quarter Horse/Arab cross to who knows what!  At the end of the day she is a hard working pony who likes to have a job.  She has done a little bit of everything in her life, from Hunter/Jumper shows to rodeos and, most recently, a little bit of driving.  She has been a therapy horse before at a center out in California where she really connected with the younger riders.  She has her “mare-ish” moods, where she likes to make a grumpy face, but her happiest moments are nuzzling the faces of the little children.  NCTRC was excited to put her back to work as a therapy horse in the winter of 2010.