OUR HORSES
Every horse at Spirit of the Horse has a unique story of rescue, rehabilitation, and renewal. Meet the incredible horses who make our ethical riding experiences so special, and discover the heart, personality, and journey behind each member of our herd.
apache
Named for his warrior spirit, Apache was bought from the 'meat man' on his way to being dog food. Lame in two legs and his spirit broken, almost designated himself to his fate, flinching at every touch from a human. His owner pulling him around with no recognition. His previous owner certainly had not been so kind. Apache is still head-shy due to being beaten up and hit, but after many months of love, food and rehabilitation and because love is stronger than hate, he has opened up after complete shut down, into one of the best horses we could wish for. Apache has his own time zone and crackly knees but really enjoys his new life and being able to trust people again is still a different concept in his 15 years. We love him so much.
midnight
Midnight is a small 13hh black Quarter Horse with a white face and unique features; one blue and one brown eye! She is small but strong and is amazing with kids with very activated maternal energy. Midnight is the leader of the mares and was unfortunately diagnosed with chronic respiratory disease. She was taken from San Jose where she had no outside space. Her owner loved her but wanted her to have a better life. Her breathing is monitored every day and drugs are administered for her comfort. We pray she has a long and happy life here.
RAIN
Rain, or Lluvia is a beautiful palomino pinto 15,3hh Quarter Horse mare, just 4 years old. She was purchased as an emaciated yearling with papalomoyo, a mosquito borne disease affecting her skin and immune system. Covered in huge welts and random deep cuts (mal handling) we weren't sure she would follow into the trailer. But she did, and stood still like a statue through the curves, over the Mountains of Death from Cartago back home. She took 6 months to heal up and gain weight, but with love and extra food she has become the lead trail horse and Vici's regular mount.
SAFFI
Saffiro (Saffron) is a stunning 16.1hh Chestnut Thoroughbred gelding who also came from Discovery Horse Tours. He is the day dreamer of the herd and is constantly gazing off into space even during the ride. He really is a very charming, beautiful and easy horse to have the privilege to own and certainly the most chill Thoroughbred that anyone has ever met. Perfect for beginner and experienced riders alike.
ESTRELLA
Estrella means 'Star' re-named as little Luna, who was passed around from business to business as a 'problem' horse at just 5 years old. This little mare developed a crib-bitting habit as a stress coping mechanism from being badly handled and moving constantly from place to place. Unfortunately this is something she lives with, although much less than on arrival. Estrella is Mag's favorite horse and occasionally is used for clients who have riding experience.
EBONY
Ebony has been with Vici for 13 years, since a 2 year old. The only non-rescue. Their love story started when an Arabian Stud Farm in Melbourne was so happy with their nutrition analysis service she was offered a discount on their purebred horses....and she fell in love with this beautiful baby. Ebony stepped forward as a Reiki Master years later during Reiki practitioner training at the Byron Bay location. She absolutely has a gift for healing and is constantly sharing her energy with clients. A truly magical horse! As for the bond between them, unbreakable. Ebony flew to Costa Rica to continue the healing work they were destined to create together.
BANJO
Banjo is a beautiful Criollo Pinto 14.2hh and the boss of the geldings paddock. Vici met Banjo on the Pacific coast near Jaco where he worked for Discovery Horse Tours. A couple of years later the business shut down and had to liquidate their horses. The owner remembered Vici and reached out for help. Vici was able to take two of their horses, Banjo being stocky, strong and full of personality, Vici chose him because of his connection with the drum the first time she played for him. He was obsessed. Banjo is perfect for beginner riders, enjoys being the head of his herd, bossing the boys around and sometimes the humans too.
NEVADA
Nevada means 'Snowy', a beautiful 16hh white Andalusian mare. The story of Nevada is very sad, used in her prime as a 'dancing' horse in Cabalgatas this permanently changed her configuration by lowering her fetlocks almost to the ground due to harsh training methods. She became a baby machine due to her pure bloodline, every year intensively bred to practically destroy her vagina. Initially found stranded in a paddock alone with no food, emaciated and begging for help. Swapped for the horse trailer, Vici couldn't say no. Hiding her tears from the owner after seeing she was blind in one eye from an untreated cataract. This was met with denial and Vici returned the next day to pick her up. A healthy girl now, an excellent riding horse, smartest of the herd! Nevada can untie most knots and likes to roll in the sand on the beach no matter who is riding her! Although she is semi retired now she likes to get out occasionally and is always excited for her food.