Gabriel (Gabe)
Breed: Shetland Pony
Color: Chocolate Dapple
Height: 11 Hands
Sex: Gelding
Joined Hope Reins: February 2010
Fun Facts: His nickname is “Romeo.” Gabriel is our "little Romeo" on the farm. He is quite the little charmer and is still trying to get the mares (or 'girls') to realize that his personality makes up for what he is missing in height!
Our adorable little Shetland pony, Gabe, is 11 years old, and has a background as a 'party' pony. When Gabe's owner decided to donate him to the local rescue shelter after selling her farm, God's hand came to our rescue by placing him in our possession! It was a divine connection! Gabe is a very sturdy, strong pony who tries to be the “head” of the Hope Reins' herd (he was 'in charge' at his old farm, too!) Gabe knows he's the entertainment on the farm – and people's attention takes the place of food in his stomach... He's all set as long as he has your love and your heart!
Gabriel means "God is my strength."
Esther (Essie)
Breed: Morgan Pony
Color: Liver Chestnut
Height: 13.2 Hands
Sex: Mare
Joined Hope Reins: April 2010
Fun Facts: Essie has a heart that is wild. Her favorite place to be is out in the pasture with all of her friends. Once you get into her heart---you're always in. She's beautiful and she knows it!
Esther is a 20-year old Morgan pony that loves her new life at Hope Reins. She was lovingly donated to our program from a local barn where she was known as "Star" and spent many years as a show and beginner lesson pony. Her life at Hope Reins is a new 'adventure' for this beautiful girl! In the Old Testament, Esther was a very brave queen that saved her people – and we thought it was a perfect name for our "Queen of the Farm."
We look forward to Esther helping many children in the future at Hope Reins!
Esther means “Star.”
Shiloh
Breed: Pony of America
Color: Gray Dapple
Height: 12.1 Hands
Sex: Mare
Joined Hope Reins: April 2010
Fun Facts: Shiloh is the sweetest! The way to her heart is with food (her favorite: carrots) . Shiloh also loves rain storms and rolls in the wet mud while her silky grey coat gets grimy and filthy!
We are blessed to welcome sweet Shiloh as an addition to our program. She comes from a loving family who knew this gentle pony would become a trusted friend to the children at Hope Reins. The “girls,” as we call them, Shiloh and Essie, are together constantly – and are BFF!
Shiloh means “His gift” and in Hebrew “peaceful and tranquil.”
Sonny
Breed: Quarter Horse
Color: Palomino
Height: 14.2 Hands
Sex: Gelding
Joined Hope Reins: February 2010
Fun Facts: Sonny loves whole apples (we think he likes to hear the crunch). He also adores new friends to sing to him... He also has a little crush on Essie – but his favorite thing in the whole world is hearing someone on his back laugh!
Sonny became a part of the Hope Reins family through staff member and volunteer Anna Foulkrod. “Sonny completely rescued my heart,” she says, “and he loves his new buddies.”
According to Anna, a friend of hers 'rescued' Sonny from going to an auction – and he then lived a happy life with his best buddy named Cody. However, after Cody died, Sonny felt very alone and full of anxiety. Fortunately, Anna started taking care of Sonny and became his owner. “There was a time when he was nervous and used to pull his hair out,” she says, “I guess I rescued him and he rescued me!” she says. “Now, he grazes in the fields and loves the daily visits from the kids!”
Anna refers to Sonny as a 'big dog' sometimes because of his gentle nature and ability to follow instructions happily.
Sonny means “our son.”
Jesse
Breed: Quarter Horse
Color: Bay
Height: 14.2 Hands
Sex: Mare
Joined Hope Reins: November 2010
Fun Facts: Jesse likes to MOOOOVE! There's no stopping her when she's got her eyes set on something. She loves the wind in her mane as she runs around the pasture at Hope Reins!
It is a remarkable statistic that horses can lose 30% or more of their body weight and still survive. Horses in this condition have little muscle mass, brittle bones and can barely stand.
Jesse is just one of these horses - a true survivor and receiver of God's grace - who now calls Hope Reins her home. The 18-year-old quarter horse, starved almost to death and missing half her tongue, was saved by The United States Equine Rescue League. The vet didn't think she'd survive the night, but she did. This beautiful bay mare astonished everyone and now delights the kids who visit the farm with her sweet, thoughtful personality.
Jesse means “gift” in Hebrew.
Joey
Breed: Appaloosa
Color: Leopard
Height: 15.2
Sex: Gelding
Joined Hope Reins: February 15, 2011
Fun Facts: He's an inspiration to so many with the fact that he's completely and utterly blind – and yet this disability doesn't stop him at all. He is such an independent guy – making his way around the paddock with no problems at all!.
Joey's story is one of darkness and light. At the height of his career, this beautiful Appaloosa qualified for the Olympics in level 2 dressage. His majestic stature, athletic strength and willingness to work tirelessly made him the perfect dressage partner. Unfortunately, a downward spiral of abuse and neglect began when Joey retired and as he moved from one owner to the next his circumstances grew more dire. When The United States Equine Rescue League (USERL) found Joey, he was thought to be dead, his body lying motionless in a Virginia pasture. Remarkably, Joey survived but severe starvation left him completely blind. Joey found his light once again when he joined Hope Reins of Raleigh. His amazing story of perseverance through darkness is shared daily with our kids at the ranch who face similar extraordinarily difficult circumstances in their lives.
Joey's full name is Joseph, which means “God Will Increase.”