Meet The Herd
“Give a horse what he needs and he will give you his heart in return”
–
Meet Our Equine Instructors
None of what we do at Free Rein is possible without our equine partners. Our horses are the heart of our program. The herd is comprised of seasoned, well trained and willing horses. Not just any horse can be a Therapy Horse. It takes the right temperament, personality, size and health to provide the optimum experience. Every horse in our herd goes through training and schooling to keep them in the best working shape both mentally and physically.
Bruno
Bruno is a Percheron Cross, who is leased to us through Highrocks Camp. Before he became a camp horse, Bruno lived in Charlston. Where he was a trail horse. Now, Bruno enjoys his Summers teaching young boys to ride and going on an occasional trail ride, then working nine months out of the year as a therapy horse. We love Bruno for his sweet and calm disposition making him a great mount for our adults or taller riders.
Gus
Gus is a 2000 Welsh Pony Cross. He is leased to us by Rockbrook Camp, he joined Free Rein in 2021. Before joining our program, he was used as a child’s pony. His small size and sweet personality make him a good mount for our smaller riders and elementary school groups.
Hatch
Hatch is a quarter horse, who is leased to us through Highrocks Camp. Before he became a camp horse, Hatch lived in Birmingham, Alabama. Where he was a children’s jumper. Now, Hatch enjoys his Summers teaching young boys to ride and going on an occasional trail ride, then working nine months out of the year as a therapy horse. We love Hatch for his sweet and calm disposition making him a great mount for children and adults.
Jessie
Jessie is a 2005 Appaloosa Cross. Jessie has spent many years showing hunt seat and eventing competitions before becoming a dressage mount. She loves when riders and volunteers bring her treats. PS her favorite treat is a peppermint. Jessie is ready to work, her forward thinking helps keep riders attentive. Jessie also loves to jump and trail ride.
Lord Nelson
Lord Nelson is a 2020 Gypsy Vanner. Lord Nelson stayed with his breeder for the first few years of his life, due to his bond he created with the breeder’s son, who was autistic. He was trained Western Dressage for two years and won Grand Champion in beginning Western Dressage. In 2025 he joined Free Rein to be a part of our program. Gypsy Vanner’s are known for their beauty, gentle temperament, and ideal size. Making them well suited for therapeutic and adaptive riding. This magnificent breed is a perfect fit for a variety of riders, offering comfort and confidence to not only our riders but horse leaders and side walkers as well.
Lt. Dan
Lt. Dan is a 1995 Draft Pony Cross gelding. He came as a package deal with Sarge. Lt. Dan was used as an Amish Driving Pony. We are working on building his confidence and patience coming into a working program. Lt. Dan is going to be a great addition to our herd due to his size and build, but also a great pony for our Say Whoa to Bullying program.
Oakley
Oakey is 2019, Quarter Horse mare. Born locally in Hendersonville, North Carolina by an individual family. They trained her under saddle to do trail riding. In April of 2025, she joined Free Rein as a herd member. After going to look at her, the team decided her laid back and calm personality would make a great addition to our lesson program. Oakley is now one of barn favorites and is now used for a variety of lessons.
Oz
Oz is a 2000, Oldenburg gelding. He was originally from Germany, bought by his current owner in 2007. Oz is leased to us by Bean Adams. Before coming to Free Rein Oz, competed Novice Level Eventing, a few jumper shows, and a little background in dressage. His show name was Emerald City. Now he is used in our program for a variety of riders and is a great mount for our independent riders, who are learning to trot and do first canter lessons.
Penny
Penny is a 2004, Paint mare. She was owned by an individual family who used her as a trail and show horse. She also worked for a Summer Camp for a few Summers teaching the basics of riding. Penny joined Rockbrook’s team in 2025. She taught campers at all skill levels over the Summer, one of her favorite types of lessons is the upper level who went over fences. She is used for several different riding in our program.
Sarge
Sarge is a 2008 Friesian Cross gelding. Freisians are a horse breed originating from the Netherlands known for their appearance. Historically were used in war and carriage, today you see them in a variety of disciplines such as dressage, showing, and driving. Sarge belonged to an individual who had a small saddle seat lesson program. Sarge joined our program in 2025.
Sophie
Sophis is a 2010, Quarter Horse mare. She was previously used as a lesson horse at Asheville School. Then became a beginner trail horse for an individual. After, coming to Free Rein for a precautionary evacuation, with the local wildfires. It was decided that Sophie would make a great addition to our program, due to concussed walk. Making her the ideal mount for individuals with add and sensory seeking output from the horse.
Stella
Stella is a 2001, Spotted Draft mare. She was a Murray State lesson horses for about 10 years. When she was younger, she used to be one of the jumping horses and would travel to shows with the equestrian team. As she got older, she was a superstar for their beginner riders and taught many students the fundamentals of riding. Previously before going working as a part of team for Murray State, she was a camp YMCA horse. She joined Free Rein as a part of the team in Fall of 2025. Stella is a great addition to our program, due to her sweet personality and build making her the ideal horse for most riders. Her smooth steady trot makes her a great mount for our independent riders learning to post the trot.
Tomar
Tomar is a 2000 Lusitano, that was generously donated by Desiree Wehner. The Lusitano’s heritage goes from far before the current” AD” era through the great Roman crusades and medieval wars. They have been carrying heroes and kings. History has shaped the Lusitano as we know it today – a horse with a brave and intelligent mind, a willing spirit and a unique ability to collect and perform high school dressage including the dramatic airs above the ground. This athletic guy loves to show off his fancy dressage moves. He loves a good scratch on the neck and chest. He is definitely a barn favorite.
