In February 2021’s lesson horse blog (https://www.lastchanceranch.org/meet-the-lesson-horses-at-last-chance-ranch/) we introduced Marie Koder who manages the horseback riding lesson program at Last Chance Ranch. Below is an update from her on the horses from last year and some new great stars!
Cobalt and Cinnamon
We’ve had many changes to the lesson horse roster over this past year. Triple Sec retired at the end of August and is loving life with one of our lesson student’s family. Frosted unfortunately colicked severely and had to be euthanized last May. He is missed dearly by myself and many students. Brisk did not work out for the lesson program as we had hoped, but he has been adopted into a great home!
There are 3 new faces to the program with M2, Connor and Felix! They have all been great additions to the roster and really enjoy their jobs! We are still lucky to have Cobalt, Finnegan, and Cinnamon.
M2 was an owner surrender in May 2021. The camp/lesson program she was in had shut down and she along with two others were the last ones left to find a new home. M2 is a 17-year-old QH mare who stands at 15 hands. She is a big sweetheart and will do everything from little kid lessons to having the teenagers jump around a cross country course. M2 loves trail rides and enjoys going to the horse park. She really enjoys being brushed and curried and is never picky about food! The one thing we have found she doesn’t like, is getting her feet wet! She hates walking through puddles, creeks or the water complex at the horse park.
M2
Felix
Felix was from a neglect case in January 2021. He came to us with a body score of 1 which is the worst body score a horse can have. We weren’t sure if he was going to make it due to how bad of a condition he was in, but he pulled through with quite the spirit! He was in such poor condition that we didn’t know he was an Appaloosa until after he got healthy and shed his dull winter coat. After he was up to a healthy weight, we discovered he is very well trained under saddle and LOVES working! Felix participates in summer camp, lessons and went off property for events many times this past year and he enjoys all the adventures! He stands at 15.3 hands tall and is estimated to be around 22 years old.
Connor was also from a neglect case last year and we got him in August 2021. He came in with a body score of 1 as well but bounced back quickly. Connor is very well trained and loves doing the kid lessons! While newer to our program, he has already proven to be a superb mount for anyone. Connor enjoys birthday parties, going to the horse park and trail rides! He is 20 years old, and nothing fazes this horse. While Connor really enjoys the program, he’s not the most affectionate of horses. He doesn’t like kisses or hugs (he moves his face away) but will always put a happy face on for cookies! He loves peppermints and carrots!
Connor
In the middle of 2021, we started to take the lesson horses and some of the older students off property for fun days at the Bucks County Horse Park. We are only 15 minutes away, and it’s been great to utilize the park’s resources to get the horses and the students more experience off the property. Some of these adventures have included cross country jumping, the Pink Ribbon Ride, Thanksgiving Hunter Pace and many others! The lesson horses like the change of scenery and different tasks to do.
M2
Have you ever dreamed of learning how to ride a horse? Whatever your age, it is never too early or too late to start! Contact us today to sign up for a lesson: https://www.lastchanceranch.org/programs/
Felix
Posted: March 11, 2022 by Jill Roggio