Meet Our Horses
Our Riding Partners
Tsavo (Skiplands Lucafer)
Age:
25
Breed
Quarter Horse
Tsavo is Wanda's very first horse. He is a living legend in the equestrian world, known for his calm demeanor and remarkable teaching abilities. As an original gangster in the horse realm, his enduring legacy makes him an invaluable icon in the stables. He's our Joker of the herd.... watch for his head bopping so he can get his way! He's a bit bossy on the ground, but a delight to ride, western trained and smart as a whip!
Thunder Spirit
Age
5
Breed
Quarter Horse
Saved from the brink of the meat market, Thunder has found a purpose as a valued member of our ground work team. Despite his imposing size and powerful presence, Thunder exudes attentiveness and gentleness, eagerly seeking to be an active participant in every endeavor. While very sensitive, he is very loving, and you cannot fool him with your emotions. He demands complete emotional congruence from you.
Ivy Bellanora Satine (Bella)
Age
4
Breed
Friesian-Arabian filly
Bella is the cherished firstborn of our beloved Tonee. While still undergoing training as a member of the riding team, Bella's affectionate nature shines through as she wholeheartedly adores people and craves attention. Bella is a typical teenager, a bit cranky, likes to have her own way, and is a bit pushy; Bella has completed her first 45 days of training with our esteemed horse trainer, Shelley Malbeuf, continued by Wanda, but needs more time to settle into herself.
Star (Coulee Bend Northern Star)
Age
15
Breed
Morgan
Renowned as the most popular equine companion for our lesson participants, she excels as a teacher, showcasing intelligence, consistency, and unwavering dependability. Star is our foodie - she loves food. Hay, grain, treats, fruits, veggies, bread, you name it. Star has been responsible for teaching many of our students to canter!
FF Caballo Von Donius (Caballo)
Age:
15
Breed
Friesian/Arabian gelding
FF Caballo Von Donius, proudly serves as Wanda's show horse, excelling at the second level of dressage. His magnificence is matched only by his kind and gentle nature, endearing him to our special needs kiddos. Caballo is learning his Piaffe and Passage, along with the Spanish Walk. He's hot enough to do dressage and working equitation, yet gentle enough to take out kids with cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and other genetic concerns. He takes his job very seriously.
Quinntessa Paradisio
Age
2.5
Breed
Lusitano
I saw Quinn on a Facebook Page from Paradise Lusitanos. I went to meet her and fell in love with her quick mind, kind kind heart, and amazing athleticism. I'm hoping to develop her skill in Working Equitation as she progresses. This fall, Quinn received her "baby horse training" with our esteemed horse trainer, Shelley Malbeuf, where she learned to wear a saddle and bridle, learned to carry a rider, lunge, work in hand, stepping over, and very basic walk, trot and canter demands. She is primed to continue basic schooling this summer.
Dorian
Age
7
Breed
Akhal-Teke
(only 6600 in the world!)
This is a long one. To make it short, his owner needed to move to Ontario, and since he has arthritis in his joints in his legs, she felt it would be better for him to stay in Alberta. I had been looking for an Akhal-Teke, so it worked out for both of us. He needs some ground manners work, but as it sits right now, he's an amazing horse to teach you boundaries and how to stand up for yourself and not get walked all over! True story!
Cherry
Age
21
Breed
Morgan/Arabian
When we lost Danny and Tonee, I knew we needed another horse that was trained to ride. As I was looking at Facebook ads, she popped up. She called to me, I went to see her, and came back 4 hours later with Cherry. She can be very hard to ride for adults, as she is very fast and extremely sensitive. However, she's an absolute gem for special needs kiddos. She has become a favourite of Bryson and Amy for sure. She's the horse you ride with your back and shoulders, NOT your hands!
Takota
Age:
13
Breed
Paint/Quarter Horse
Takota belonged to a ranching family, but she has asthma, so could not do the 8 to 10 hour dusty days. Her owner reached out to an ad I put out asking for horses - and Takota was said to need some extra work and confidence and special are for her lungs. I said ok and she's been a fan favorite as well! Learning the arena work and great on trail rides, she's a lovely girl! She some days does not want to be caught, and will take off (usually with her BFF, Dorian, in hot pursuit)!!!! She is currently being trained on Introductory level dressage by Eva Bostand, her main rider. We hope Takota will be ready to show Introductory/First Level in teh summer of 2024 at the local Edmonton Shows!
Larendo
Age
26
Breed
Arabian/Quarter Horse
Laredo came to us for retirement from Birch Bay Ranch - having been Ayla's camp horse for 5 years prior to coming to live with us. Laredo had severely damagegd knees.... and then one day while playing with Thunder, he sliced open his upper forearm needing hundreds of stitches and a month of stall rest. Unfortunatley, the injury put extra pressure on the other knee, causing severe arthritis. However, Dr. Briggs said keep him moving!!!! and so he's our bareback boy. He cannot wear a saddle any longer, but he needs to keep coming, therefore he's perfect for anyone wanting to learn how to ride bareback. Laredo is Ayla's horse and as such, riders need to confirm being able to ride him through Ayla.
Kyiv/Ghost
Age
23
Breed
Arabian/Morgan
Ghost came to us out of the darkness... one day she was just standing outside our property, making friends with Tsavo, Larry, Moe and Thunder over the fence. It was getting dark, so I brought her in and put her in the arena. It turns out she was owned by our neighbour, Victor Navakowski, who had passed away years ago. Victor's wife said she could stay with us because she was alone at the house. The kids already love riding her! She's a dominant mare, keeping all the boys in line in her paddock!
Moe
Age
16
Breed
Quarter Horse
He was a mounted shooting competition horse prior to a DDFT tear. which derailed his career. He spent the last three years with Ashley and her daughter before coming to Riverview to do equine assisted learning, He is a fan favorite of Gillian, Keeyan, Madyson and Emma.
Remembered Companions
Tonee
2006 - 2022
Breed
Friesian/Arabian Gelding
showed third level dressage.
Tonee was Wanda's heart horse. They went to so many shows together - and won almost everything! The gate is full of ribbons from Wanda and Tonee doing shows together from introductory level to Third Level. She had so much power and strength and grace. Tonee had one baby that lived: Bella. Tonee lost her second foal at 5 months of pregnancy, the passed away March, 2022. Rest in Peace beautiful girl!
Danny
1988 - 2022
Breed
Morgan Gelding
Danny was VERY special. He taught SO many people how to run fast on a horse! Everyone who rode Danny got to learn how to canter that beautiful, collected canter. Sadly, in his 34th year (which is REALLY old for a horse), he developed colic. We raced him to the vet and he crossed the rainbow bridge that night. He passed in Sept 2022.