As experts in the art of resilience, they’re all about supporting you
Our hoofbeats mentoring your heartbeat.
The Bigs
Max is the gentleman boss of our herd. He was a real cowboy's horse and used to spend his days moving cattle in western Manitoba. Then one day Max and his cowboy didn't get out the way fast enough, and Max was slammed into by a huge bull! It wrecked Max's shoulder and put an end to his cattle days, but he found a new job teaching young horses how to be fair and gentle. Max is dignified, patient and kind, and will only follow a fair leader. He is forgiving yet proud.
Max
Tali is an endearing and curious Rocky Mountain mare who loves to find zipper pulls with her lips and then grab them with her teeth. She also has a healthy dose of confidence and bravery. While her herdmates stood back, Tali single-hoofedly chased a coyote out of the horse pasture! Tali is one of our most gentle equine mentors. She's a beautiful and loveable mare - Miss Kathy says that Tali would live in the house with her if was possible!
Tali
Dakotah is a spirited yet gentle mare with a lot of heart and common sense. She's a real charmer and when we go into the paddock, Dakotah is often the first horse to come over. She likes nothing better than a gentle head hug... well except for rolling in the mud! Dakotah really likes to roll in the mud so cleaning her up after a rainstorm is a huge job! Although she likes to herd the others horses, moving them around the paddock or arena, Daks is sweet, respectful and beautiful with people. We couldn't ask for anything more.
Dakotah
Piper is the head of our welcoming committee! She’s always the first to pop her head over the fence and give a cheerful whinny or a gentle sniff. Piper has a great mind and is so good at earning trust and respect, When a new horse joins the herd, Piper steps up to make friends with the newcomer, helping them to feel welcome and included. Piper is a Fjord-Welsh cross and quite likes a gentle massage of her muzzle. She was a worried and reactive 1-year old when we got her… you’d never know it when you look at the composed mare she’s grown into. Piper is a star!
Piper
Hejira came to us in January of 2018. This delightful little guy had a challenging start to life as part of a herd of horses that had been abandoned, but you'd never know it from the way he's bounced back! Hejira regularly charms the socks off of everyone who sees him. He's clever, sweet, curious, affectionate and seems to be vying for the position of herd boss. So far Max is keeping this little upstart in check but in 3 years or so, Symatree's herd of bigs just might have a dashing, blue-eyed leader. For now, he spends his days eating, sleeping and trying to show the world that he is mighty!
Hejira
We found Spartacus at the horse auction, dirty and matted, with scars on one shoulder and one hip. Even still, he had the brightest of eyes, and those eyes showed a lot of hope. Mentally he was the most fragile horse we’d ever received and it took 7 years before Spartacus learned to trust again. But it was so worth it! While still a bit wary, Spartacus is an engaged, curious, smart, charming and oh so loveable fellow. He's taught many of our highly energetic participants to use a more gentle energy and he communicates subtly with those who share his sensitivity. After years of growing into his best, he is a wonderful mentor who helps others grow into theirs.
Spartacus
Moxie Sanatanna Memengwaa joined our family in the Fall of 2022 and was an instant hit. Her outgoing nature, curiosity and boldness helped her fit into her herd and into her mentoring role with ease.
As she entered the pasture for the first time, Hejira figured he’d put this newbie in her place, showing her who was boss! So, from a distance, he took a running start, heading straight for her, anticipating the victorious moment that she’d turn and flee from his magnificence! He underestimated Moxie’s moxie! She stood stock still looking at him as if to say, “You’re going to have to do much better than that, squirt!” A second attempt also failed and established Moxie as someone to be admired and respected.
Moxie
The Mids
Basil Hank VonBisclop came to us on a frosty morning in January 2023. He was in need of some extra special hoof care. In swooped out farrier-extraordinaire, Michele Czebotarenku! We’re happy to say that his feet will heal and, as soon as they do, he’ll be feeling his best and ready to meet you!
His arrival does have us worrying that we’ll need a company lawyer… this bright-eyed, sweet-as-they-come fellow is already stealing hearts!
Basil
Kitani came to us when her previous owners had to downsize. Knowing that we had Kitani's mom at the time, they hoped we'd have room for this munchkin. Look at those eyes and that face - how could we say no? Kitani's first few weeks here were a struggle. She'd been indulged by her previous herdmates and did not seem to understand horse language. She'd stick her nose in impolite places, push in for hay without waiting her turn and generally act like she was still a baby. We all learned to understand Kitani a little bit better when the vet told us that her eyes were not quite right, and that she can’t see very well. Kitani is maturing into a wonderful mare. She’s a favorite of many of our participants and is a valuable mentor who asks that her handlers stay present and earn their role as her leader!
Kitani
Then there's Tom Sawyer! When we first got Sawyer, he was a rather unhappy little fellow, with much head tossing and running away whenever we tried to approach. We knew that his back was sore, his trust was damaged, and we weren't sure that he was ever going to like being an EAL mentor. We always leave it to the horse to decide if this work is for them, and we were very happy when Sawyer made the decision to give it a try… and he hasn’t looked back! Sawyer alternates between enjoying time off by himself and time showing us his charm and charisma! He's also super smart. A TV acting gig required that he walk onto a school bus, carry saddle bags, crash a picnic and walk into a coffee shop (he pooped in there… that wasn’t in the script… Sawyer knows improv!). He's always been a star to us, but now it's official!
Sawyer
Bracken is a pony that we are so happy to have found at the horse auction. Usually when we approach a horse in their auction pen, they keep their distance or even move away. There's so much going on that they're kind of afraid. Imagine our surprise when this mahogany-colored boy came over to us, and smelled of pine trees! It didn’t take very long before Bracken grew to trust us in the paddocks of Symatree. As a very introverted fellow, Bracken is quiet in the herd and quiet in the arena. But, as often is the case with the quiet ones, there’s a whole lot of wisdom for those who are willing to listen. Bracken is a wonderful mentor, teaching participants how to use their Just Right energy and how to listen to the quiet voice inside of themselves. His trust is solid now and this handsome fellow is an absolute darling… some even say he’s the “best horse on the farm”. I can’t say that out loud, but… :)
Bracken
Chinook has appaloosa in him and that gives him unique speckled lips, nostrils and eyelids. It also gives him a more complicated personality. This boy is fun, friendly, curious and bold, and he has a great affinity for his work in our program. When treated with understanding of his sensitivity, Chinook is the best partner ever. When he is treated unfairly, he'll just refuse to go along with your plan. Chinook is another one of those horses who quickly finds a spot in your heart and just snuggles right in there... and did we mention his amazing cheekbones?
Chinook
Pixa is a lovely little mare who joined our family in 2014. Even though she was very young and very small, she was ridden by an adult at her previous home and that made her not want to trust people. But, one of the most amazing things about horses is their willingness to give people another chance, and that is exactly what Pixa has done. She gave us a chance to prove that we'd treat her with the kindness and respect that she deserves. And, as we proven ourselves to her, she is showing us just what a sweet and kind girl she is! Pixa is a talented, eager and curious mare… and her continued sensitivity is a great reminder that some people need to be handled gently, even years after a challenging experience.
Pixa
Paisley is a scamp in the herd - starting daily squabbles with anyone who dares to eat her hay or stand next to her while she's eating her hay, or looks at her the wrong way while she's eating her hay... it all seems to come down to her hay! As much as she can create a ruckus in the paddock, this beautiful mare is a dream mentor when it comes to equine work! She is a natural... kind to humans, curious, alert and smart. She brings nothing but joy to us and, as she continues to settle in to her herd, she's showing her herd mates the same lovely self that she shows to the humans who get to spend time with her. We adore Paisley and the intelligence and intrigue that are a part of her.
Paisley
Batik is Paisley's sister and, as such, shares the same scampy traits. Perhaps even more than her sister, Batik rocks it out in the arena. She is showing herself to be extraordinarily intuitive, filling roles in clients' metaphors as though she read the script. She just seems to know exactly what they need. As long as her sister is in sight (the two have never been apart), Batik is one of our top equine teammates. Impish, charming, naughty, clever, aware - and at times not... Batik is a paradox… mysterious and knowable. Our appreciation for her complex personality grows daily, as does our love for her.
Batik
When Topaz came to us, she was sad and withdrawn. She would come to the gate to comfort people who were sad because she thought she had to, even if it made her feel worse. We let Topaz take all the time she needed to settle into the herd and remember how to take care of herself, and Topaz has really found balance in her herd and the arena! She is intuitive, and loves to help people who feel like she used to. She’s learned a healthy balance of supporting others and supporting herself. She is a wonderful and intuitive mentor… We are so proud of how far Topaz has come!
Topaz
Huck
Huckleberry Finn is one of those ponies who just melts your heart! He's well-named, being a rascal of the highest order. He makes a sport of choosing a herd mate to follow and then, as that herd mate starts moving faster to get away, Huck will speed up and keep following. Eventually the herd mate gets tired of the game and much squealing and a little kicking ensues. Huck backs off and then, when that horse starts to move again, Huck will start to follow! As much of an imp as he can be in the herd, Huck is brilliant in the arena. On one hand, he will gently approach and quietly connect with participants who struggle to communicate. On the other, he will play happily with participants who are energetic. He knows what's needed and always seems to be where he should be, doing exactly what is needed to be done.
Tikka was a stressed little mare when she joined our family… unfortunately her growing needs weren’t met as a youngster and she’d had several babies at too young an age. In spite of these early setbacks, Tikka has put on healthy weight and is growing more confident as she nurtures friendships in her new herd. Although she’s quite particular about what people she allows near, Tikka is on her path of being a mentor and many of our participants are loving this wise, curious, and watchful golden girl who has so much to teach us about forgiveness and resilience!
Tikka
With his big head, malnourished body, and poor manners, Sterling didn’t stand out in any positive way when we first laid eyes on him. But he was part of a group of nine ponies, which included four very young ones, and every one of those babies was drawn to this silver boy. Our curiosity was piqued and we knew that Sterling had some special quality just waiting to be discovered. He spent his first few months growing, getting healthy, and figuring out how to communicate with his new four-legged and two-legged family members. He is well on his way to expressing what makes him special and stands out in (mostly) positive ways!
Sterling
The Littles
Kiwi is a lot of personality in a little bundle of hair! She is brave and adventurous but she also knows when it's time to settle down and get to work. Kiwi has helped many of our participants feel safe. She is always up for fun and, in her maturity, she’s developed some mighty confidence! Her herdmates don't always appreciate this confidence, which has her pushing the others away from the best parts of the hay. When around people, Kiwi loves getting attention and being brushed until she's gleaming. She also appreciates having her itchy spots scratched and being cuddled with love. Thanks to the wonderful family who donated Kiwi to our EAL program several years ago.
Kiwi
Finnegan
Finnegan Hieronymus Trotsworth was bestowed his mighty title in 2021 by polling the Symatree family! He spent his first seven months at Symatree in the nursing stall, as we worked alongside Farrier Michele in rescuing his abscessed feet. Today this sweet and wary mini is well established with the other four-leggeds of this forever home. He still isn’t sure about us two-leggeds, and catching him is always an adventure! He’s had his first taste of mentoring and was brilliant, but will still need more time to rebuild the trust that somehow got shattered in his early years.
Added to our family in Fall of 2023, this little cutie is both angel and imp. Standing firm and refusing to be corrected by his herd members, Sparkplug is as curious as they come and he absolutely adores people and any attention they lavish upon him.
Although new, Sparkplug has already begun mentoring clients of all ages and is quickly becoming a favorite!
We’re excited to continue getting to know him and are curious to learn about the special gifts he will contribute.
Sparkplug
Engage with the Herd
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