School Horses/Ponies

Cachou

Friendly Cachou joined us in the Winter of 25' in fairly rough shape. After a long "rehab", she has become one of our quietest, most dependable teachers. She’s often assigned to beginners in the G1–G3 sequence, where her steady - and smooth! - way of going helps students feel safe while they develop steering, transitions, and balance at the trot.

She’s also a firm favorite with our college students, who appreciate her calm, friendly personality both in the arena and around the barn.

Dax

Friendly, steady Dax joined us in Spring 24' from a friend of the program (whom AM used to take trail riding with Dax when she was a teenager...).

Dax is one of our most patient teachers. He’s often paired with riders who are ready to develop a steady posting trot or to build confidence at the canter. Because of his quiet temperament, he helps students focus on their own balance and aids without being rushed.

He’s also a favorite with our college students, who appreciate his steady nature and reliability. 

Harry Trotter

Quiet, laid-back Harry came to us in early 2022 from an Amish family in Lime Springs, IA (he was advertised in the paper for being "too slow"...). His quiet and laid-back nature makes him our go-to horse for adult beginners.  He gives new riders the confidence to relax and focus on their balance, steering, and basic aids without feeling rushed and his steady pace makes him especially valuable for those taking their very first lessons.

Outside of lessons, Harry loves a good trail ride (usually with Goldie, the barn dog tagging along). His kind, unflappable temperament makes him one of the most reliable partners in the program.

Poppy

Poppy is an easy-going but forward mare who brings plenty of energy to her rides. After joining us in the Fall of 2024, she quickly became a reliable part of the lesson string. She’s proven herself to be super willing and adaptable, whether it’s Horseball, jumping, or trail riding.

She is safe and steady at the walk/trot, making her a great fit for advanced beginners who are ready to progress. At the same time, she’s athletic and forward enough to challenge more experienced riders: a fun partner for ambitious students!

Star

Star joined us in the summer of 2025 from an Amish family in Lime Springs, IA, and has quickly settled into schoolie life. Forward and willing, she’s especially popular in our college and adult lessons. Riders appreciate her smooth canter and cheerful attitude: She’s always happy to go to work and makes every ride enjoyable.

Stylish Jo

Athletic, friendly Jo came to us in the Spring of 24' and has quickly made her mark in intermediate lessons. She is still young but she is eager and always tries hard for her rider. We can't wait to see her develop in the next few months!

Trigger

Trigger came to us in the summer of 2021 and quickly became a favorite in our intermediate and advanced groups. Affectionate and outgoing, he’s always ready to work and especially shines over fences. With the scope and steadiness to handle G6 and G7 courses, he’s a reliable partner for riders looking to push their skills to the next level. 

Coquette

Sweet, quiet Coquette came to us, barely halter-broke, in the Summer of 2018 (along with her brother Jolly Jumper). She's since grown up, learned about being a riding pony, a Mum (to Mischief Managed), and a reliable steady lesson pony. 

Best teacher for students developing confidence at canter!

Crème Brûlée 

CB was a bit of an "impulse purchase" in the Summer of 24' has she reminded us of Ginny Weasley when he saw her at a friend's barn. She's currently one of our G6 Students' "project ponies" and is slowly dipping her toes into the schoolie life with some G3 & G4 lessons. She is a quick learner and a delight to work is!

Daisy

Unicorn-like Daisy came to us in early 2021 after spending her early life teaching our farrier (and his siblings) to ride. We wished we could clone her as she is the type that can be your child's first ride and go XC in the next lesson with a teenager. 

Ginny Weasley

Sassy, atheletic Ginny came to us from Harmony, MN in the Summer of 22'. Our more advanced riders worked with her through the Fall and Winter (they *love* jumping with her) and she started G2/3 lessons - with a lot of enthusiasm! - in the Fall of 23'. 

Mulligan

Mulligan actually is related to Mac-a-roanie and is here on loan from our neighbors @ Quandahl Farm. He is with us to learn about "lesson barn shenanigans" and get some miles. So far he has proven very curious and a total cuddle-bug!

Blackjack

Cuddly, and sometimes sassy Blackjack came to us in the Fall of 2021 when our farrier's father donated him to the program. Blackjack's original "own kids" had outgrown him and he was ready for more children to love. At almost 25 yo, he is mostly retired now but still occasionally fills in for leadline and G1-2 Shetland lessons.

Cappuccino

Athletic, mischievous Cappuccino came to us in the Fall of 2021 from an Old Order Mennonite auction in Elma, IA. He started life as a "schoolpony" driving his charges to school and driving is still where her excels at. He is the riding school's "ATV" helping with dragging the arena and mowing the lawn. He also is a staple of the G2+ Shetland lessons, helping kids become more assertive riders. 

Domino

Friendly, keen Domino came to us in the Winter of 2023 from a Granger, MN Amish family. He also started life as a "schoolpony" - but "his" child actually rode him to school instead of driving him. When his boy outgrew him (he actually is the 2nd smallest pony here), his people called AM to offer him for the lesson program. Sweet Domino is a favorite of the G2 Shetland crew and he can't wait for them to reach the G3 level so they can "zoom" and "jump"!

Galileo

We adopted "zoomy pickle" through the MHARF in the Summer of 2019. He is the perfect all-around lesson pony, able to be your child's first every ride but also to take them over their first jump or canter in the field. 

Merrylegs

Assertive, cheeky Merrylegs was the original lesson pony as she was the first we purchased specifically from Wisconsin for the lesson program, in 2018. She is super fun to drive and, under saddle, she will teach your child to become a more assertive rider.

Rosie

Gentle, patient Rosie came to us in the Fall of 22' from Lime Springs, IA. She is the ultimate "baby-sitter" tolerating with unending patience all the barn kids' shenanigans. She is the oldest equine in our herd and at almost 30 years old, she is mostly retired - still occasionally filling in for leadline lessons so she can still be loved by "very small humans"...

Big Red

Big Red came to us with his Mum (Cinnamon) in the Summer of 24'. He is learning to be an "independent boy" without his Mummy - and currently is one of our G6 Students' "project ponies". He is learning quickly and is a total lovebug: he seems to think his job is to be "riding school official greeter" as he always hurries to the fence to meet anyone parking next to his pen! We love his enthusiasm and zest for life!

Cinnamon

Sweet Cinnamon came to us (with her son Big Red) in the Summer of 24'. She quickly slid into the lesson string, excelling at leadline lessons. She genuinely *loves* children!

She is currently taking a break from the lesson program while we figure out her Cushings treatment. 

Jolly Jumper

Versatile, friendly Jolly Jumper came to us in the Summer of 2018 (along with his sister Coquette). We started him under saddle and he has since become one of of most versatile lesson ponies, happy to enthusiastically "try his hoof" at any discipline. 

Mischief Managed

Sassy, curious, and well... mischievous Mischief Managed was born at AMF Equitation in June 2022 (the son of medium pony Coquette). He *loves* being the center of attention & copying what the big horses do. Over the summer, he has slowly started to learn "big boy things" like saddles & he now can't wait to participate in lessons too!

Turbinado

Baby Turbinado was born (over a month early!) in the Spring of 24'. He is sweet and friendly and enjoys watching lessons, along with pen mate Big Red, from his pen next to the arena. 

Valentine

Assertive and athletic Val predates the lesson program and used to be (along with Tejano Taylor) AM's personal horse. She's joined the lesson string in 2022 and while she will make you work hard in the arena, she *loves* anything outside, particularly cross-country jumping and fox-hunting. 

Allen

Cuddly, friendly Allen joined us in the Summer of 23' from an Amish farm in Granger, MN. He quickly adjusted to the schoolie life and even won his class (Intro A) at his first ever dressage schooling show!

Banana Split

Friendly, curious Banana Split came to us, very emaciated, in the Winter of 2023. We "rehabbed" him and enjoyed his friendly, cuddly personality. He now lives with a family in Cresco, IA and we hear he and "his" new rider did great in the County Fairy this past Summer! 

Bertha

Forward, teddy-bear-like Bertha joined us in the Fall of 23' from an Amish school fundraiser in Canton, MN. She proved very eager to please and learn her new job but she wasn't quite sound at intake and never became quite sound enough for joining the lesson program full time. 

Buttercup

Athletic, outgoing Buttercup came to us in the Summer of 2023 quite fearful of new people (probably due to some rough handling in her past). She was pregnant at intake and gave birth to sweet Turbinado in the Spring of 24'. The broodmare life was more her calling and she moved to Waukon, IA in the Fall of 24' to continue raising baby ponies. 

Betz

Gentle, steady Betz joined us in 2020 from an Amish retirement auction in Canton, MN (we kept sending her people photos of their farmhorse turned schoolie). She quickly became a beginners' firm favorite, willing to "try her hoof" at anything (even the occasional jumping!). She sadly passed away in the Summer of 24' and is greatly missed.

Candy

Sweet, athletic Candy spent a little less than a year here (2023-2024) as a foster pony from the MHARF. She started life as a gaming pony and could still be "zoomy" but she also is genuinely kind and is the type who will "babysit" a child (she had endless patience for the barn kids' shenanigans!). 

Caramel

Loving, empathetic Caramel came to us from WI in the Winter of 2019. He took his job as "seeing-eye pony" for his late friend Smurf very seriously and showed the same caring personality (with a hint of mischief!) with the lesson children. 

He sadly passed in the Spring of 2024 and is greatly missed by all in our #barnfamily!

Cookies & Cream

Calm, resilient (and sometimes sassy!) Cookies came to us very emaciated in the Summer of 2019. She spent the next two years showing beginner riders the ropes before being adopted by one of our adult riders and enjoying a "pre-retirement" in West Union, IA. We love hearing about their adventures in local parks!

Dale Evans

Easy-going, friendly Dale predated the lesson program as AM had originally bought her as an endurance prospect (all the way from Oklahoma!). She did one season of endurance and then she quickly adjusted to the lesson program. She was a great favorite of all levels and unfortunately recently passed away (Winter 23)

Dori

Sweet, friendly Dori (Daisy's daughter and Mischief's half-sister) spent the Summer of 22' at the riding school, on loan from friends in Canton, MN. She was very popular with all levels and we are frequently asked when/if she'll come back and stay with us. :)

Duncan

Our favorite curmudgeon, Duncan was on loan for two years (2020-2021) at the riding school. He was well-loved by 2-legged (he even got birthday cards!) and 4-legged friends (Merrylegs still misses him). He is now retired with is family in Cresco, IA and we love hearing from him from time to time. 

Honey

Athletic, sweet Honey came to us in the Fall of 23' from Southern MN. She really enjoyed her jumping but found the "schoolie life" a bit too stressful. She now is a companion to a neighbor's horse and we still get to see her occasionally!

Mac-a-roanie

AM had lots of "adventures" (clinics, shows, etc) with baby Mac-a-roanie (when he belonged to good friends down the road). He was then sold and moved to the Chicago area. He however eventually came back to Iowa and joined the lesson string in the Fall of 19'. He (along with Daisy) is the perfect all-around schoolie, able to be your teenager's first ride ever before taking you XC in the next lesson. 

He returned to his family in Summer 25'.

Milo

Zoomy, kind Milo came to us in the Fall of 22' from a nice family in Fayette, IA. He quickly learned his job and excelled as a G2-3 horse. He even won his Training level class at his 2nd ever Dressage schooling show! He sadly passed in the Fall of 24' and we miss his steady, confidence-building presence in lessons. 

Mocha

Kind, patient Mocha had started life as a ranch horse out West. She came to us in fairly bad shape but all could see her great mind right away. After a year (2020) at the riding school, she was retired with one of our former adult students who enjoyed lots of adventures on the trail with this sweet mare before she passed in the Summer of 23. 

Sir Oliver

Funny, eager little Sir Oliver spent the Winter/Spring of 2021 with us. The riding school life wasn't quite his calling and he now is an Amish driving pony (we hear "his" little boys love him because they can get to the river to fish *very fast*!)

Smurf

Sweet, mostly-blind Smurf came to us in fairly rough shape in the Summer of 2022. He quickly bonded with his "seeing-eye" friend Caramel. In a pinch, he would fill in for leadline lessons when we were short a pony but mostly he enjoyed all the love and pats from students and families - and roaming around the farm and "innocently" (conveniently?) finding his way to the neighbor's alfalfa field... He passed away in the Fall of 23 and is greatly missed.  

Tejano Taylor

Affectionate, flamboyant Taylor predates the lesson program as he was the first horse AM got in the US, back in 2011. He raced in Chicago for many years and the busy racetrack prepared him well for a busy lesson barn! He was very well loved and took his job teaching flatwork to intermediate students very seriously.

Van Gogh

Laid-back Van Gogh spent one year with us (2019) before moving on to a lovely family in Western Iowa (trail-riding and now giving Western lessons). 

Wilson

Athletic, sensitive Wilson was here on loan from Winona, MN for two years (2021-2023). A huge favorite of some of our more advanced riders (he loved his jumping!), he really longed for having "his own person" and didn't quite enjoy having multiple lesson riders. He is back with his original family - and his mini BFF!- in Minnesota and we love seeing photos occasionally on social media!

Zena

Sweet, cuddly Zena came on short-term loans from our neighbors down the road whenever we were short a horse in the early days of the lesson program (2018-2019). She was *very* well-loved for her patient demeanor and is remembered fondly by all the young riders who had their first ride on her.