Meet the Ponies
Photo by Caleb Clothier
Photo by Caleb Clothier
Jake
Lesson Pony
Favorite Treats - Carrots, apples, watermelon, and blackberries.
(Due to a heredity disease that causes sensitivity to sugar, PSSM, he can only have a small quantity.)
Meet Jake! Also known as Jakey pon, Jakey boy, Jake the horse, and by many other names his students have dubbed him.
Jake is a 23-25 year old Quarter Pony (Quarter Horse and Welsh Pony.) Standing just shy of a mighty 14 hands tall.
Mary Homicz currently cares for him but, he belongs to the whole family, and has belonged since he was a yearling.
He officially became one of Mary’s lesson ponies with the establishment of the business in 2021.
Prior to Mary working with him, when he was 18 years old, he had only a little training. He was a frustrating old mule at times, but they formed a bond of trust and he quickly learned to lean on her for help. Once that click, she likes to call it, set in place he quickly began soaking everything in and learning rapidly.
He loves working with the children to help them grow and has all the patience in world for them to learn. He even works with small adults!
* Hands are a unit of measurement for equines. Starting from the base of the hoof, to the top of their withers. (The hump that connects their back and neck.)
1 Hand = 4 inches
Chief
Lesson Pony
Favorite Treats - Watermelon and blackberries.
Meet Chief! Full name, Kiowa Chief.
He is a Morgan Arabian standing slightly above 14 hands with a coat of glistening gold dapples. (His coat name, Smutty Buckskin.)
Most notably he was born in 1983, making him 42 years old! Falling at equivalent of about 120 human years. This fine gentleman is doing remarkable for his antique age.
Because of his long life his story is a very long one, with all the ups and downs. We would like to write down the entirety of his history at some point.
Photo by Caleb Clothier
Spirit
Lesson and Endurance Pony
Favorite Treats - Carrots, apples, watermelon, blackberries, and anything he can get ahold of. He may be part goat.
Meet Spirit! Full name Janet’s Kiowa Spirit.
He is a 20 year old Morgan Arabian, and is Chief’s son! They stand at about the same stature and although Spirit was born with the same coat color as his father, he did not retain it. He is now what is called a "‘Flea-bitten Grey".
Originally he was going to go to Mary’s godmother Janet, but she unfortunately passed away before he was born, hence his name.
Spirit was then raised alongside Mary as if they were siblings, and boy do they act it.
He began basic training at 9 years old and was meant to become Mary’s AERC endurance horse shortly after. But they had a bit of a hiccup along the way.
At 12 years old Mary was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a type of cancer. She was unable to ride for a year. That was according to doctor’s orders that were not strictly followed as a ride or two was snuck on Chief.
Spirit was still green (still learning) and difficult for Mary to work with in her condition while she was in recovery. It did take her a long time but she eventually regained her strength to work with him again.
They have now completed three LD AERC rides and are set for Spirit’s first 50 mile distances in August 2025.
This little potato pony on stilts is now in his wise vintage years. He exudes a silly but easygoing demeaner.
Outside of his endurance trails he carry’s students on trail lessons. Many exclaim their delight at what a fantastic Arabian Spirit is to work and ride with.
Spartacus
Favorite Treats - Carrots, apples, watermelon, blackberries, and anything he can get ahold of. Spartacus may also be part goat.
Future Lesson and Pack Horse
Meet Spartacus, also known as Spartypotamous, Baby Huey, and has even been dubbed Asparagus by a little girl!
He is a 15 year old Trakhener Arabian cross, standing around 17 hands, that will be getting his hooves working in the program.
Spartacus has a long tale to be regaled, similar to Chief, and in relation to Chief, we actually consider Spartacus his stepson! And in turn, Spirit his stepbrother. This all goes back to a beloved mare, named Maddy.