Horses

Horses

Many of our horses are camera shy, so photos are not posted.
Come to Pegasus and meet the entire herd in person.

Champagne	Champagne came to Pegasus in 1986 after playing championship polo for her owner in Chicago, Palm Beach and Palm Springs. When her owner retired her from the rigors of polo she gave her to Pegasus. Champagne is 30 years old, 15.3 h.h. Cookies of any kind are her favorite treat.
Cocoa	Cocoa is a 25 year old, 12.0 h.h. Pony with a beautiful Liver Chestnut coloring. Cocoa was rescued by her previous owners from extreme malnutrition and starvation. After being nursed back to health by them, she became healthy enough to be lightly ridden and was donated to Pegasus. Cocoa is so kind and gentle with our smallest riders. Her favorite treats are carrots.
General	General is an 18 year old Gray Gelding. Before coming to Pegasus, he was a Polo Pony. At 15.2 h.h. he is a good size for medium to large riders. His favorite treats are red apples.
Patches	Patches is an 18 year old Paint mare. Before coming to Pegasus, she was a trail and pleasure horse. She stands 15.2 h.h. Her favorite treats are carrots.
Pay Day	Pay Day is a 16 year old, 15.3 h.h. Seal Brown Gelding. He is one of the foals from the last herd born on the Channel Islands off Santa Barbara, with the Vail Vickers Cattle Ranch on the Island. His unique name comes from being born on the employees' Pay Day! His gentle personality and quiet temperament makes him an ideal program horse. His favorite treats are carrots and red apples.
Rocket	Rocket has a fancy chestnut coloring with a lighting strike on his nose. His former owner says, "Rocket isn't afraid of anything." His is 24 years old, stands 15.1 h.h. and loves being the center of attention. He is attentive in the arena and because of his size, he is a good mount for most riders. His favorite treats are cookies.
Sarah	Sarah at 15.2 h.h., she is perfect for medium to large sized riders. Sarah is a Chestnut color with four white socks and a beautiful conformation. She has the kinds of equine "good looks" that are often photographed for calendars. Sarah is retired now and is 24 years old. She was also a top show hunter on the "A" circuit here in Southern California.
Sassy	Sassy, the name fits this beautiful Chestnut mare. She is 21 years old and at 14.3 h.h. is a perfect horse for medium sized riders. She was a former polo pony who thinks she is Miss America of the horse world. Her favorite treat is popcorn.
Smokey	At 12 h.h., Smokey is small but stands up to every horse in the stable when she wants to assert herself. Smokey is 21 years old, black pony mare that was trained and used as a children's trail pony. Her excellent temperament and love of children make her an ideal mount for smaller riders. Smokey would walk a mile for a cookie.

In Memoriam

Cimaron	Cimaron was a Seal Brown Registered Thoroughbred who came to Pegasus in 1992. He passed away on September 11, 2008 from natural causes. You can read about Cimaron in "Saved" Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform.
Lucky	Our beloved Welsh Mountain Pony passed away from natural causes on December 14, 2005.

About our Horses . . .

Throughout history the horse has been the devoted servant of mankind. The strength of the horse has carried and pulled our loads, the bravery and co-operative nature of the horse has for centuries carried us into battle, while his willingness and work ethic ploughed our fields and turned our wheels.

The agility of the horse made it possible for ancient hunters to track and corner their prey, and in more recent years to herd cattle or find a wayward lamb, even in terrain inaccessible by any other means. To be sure, the horse earned his nobility.

The horse gained man’s respect and admiration by his great athletic ability, compliance to training, loyalty and his love of sport. Thus came the second phase of mankind’s ever enduring relationship with the horse. Foxhunting, polo, dressage, show jumping, driving and trail riding as well as circus stunt, rodeo and racing gave the horse an irreplaceable spot in the hearts of people everywhere.

Today the noble horse has found a new way to contribute to the betterment and pleasure of mankind. Because the horse has been found to be a valuable tool for helping handicapped people regain balance, restore muscles, develop self-confidence and many other benefits, equine therapy has become a recognized medical, physical and mental therapy and equine therapy is accepted in many countries of the world.

Here, at Pegasus, our herd of horses carry on the age old tradition of serving mankind. Each week from November to May they carry riders through a series of exercises, routines and challenges designed to improve their well-being and self-esteem while having fun. This is no small order for a horse. This work requires special and constant training as well as gentleness and extraordinary patience.