The horses come first at Finish Line Farm. Please enjoy the photos of our very special equines!
Dunkin
Miniature horse possibly Shetland pony mix
Dunkin has been with the farm for many years now, first as a companion for an injured horse who was on stall rest, now as an active part of our lesson program. Dunkin’s small size and kind nature make him perfect for the young students just starting out. Although Dunkin is cute, he is a “real horse” and has his own custom sized bridle and bit as well as a nice fitted saddle. Dunkin can walk, trot and canter and also enjoys small jumps. Most of the time if Dunkin is not being ridden you will see him with a muzzle on, he doesn’t bite but we do have to restrict his grass intake. Dunkin is a fabulous lesson horse and ready to teach our youngest students how to ride !
Juice
2003 Thoroughbred (ex racehorse)
I can’t say enough good things about Juice ! Bred by Sheik Mohammad of the United Arab Emirates with a stud fee of over $100,000, Juice ended up being a dud on the racetrack. We’re so happy he did though because he has brought so much joy to us at Finish Line Farm ! Juice was taken off the track and retrained as a jumper by Meredith who competed him successfully for many years. Juice has a quirky personality and can be a handful for adults, but loves children and takes such good care of his kids. Juice is quiet, bomb proof and forgiving at the walk. His trot is the best to learn to post on (it’s very bouncy) and his favorite thing is jumping. Nothing phases Juice, he’s the best to trail ride and always has his game face on at shows (his game face always involves a tongue hanging out !).
Meatball
Meatball aka Spicy Meatball, Meaty, Meat-ta-balla (said in Italian accent )
16 year old American Quarter Horse
Meatball is the only horse I’ve ever purchased from an auction. He was the second to last horse to go through and I ended up spending a lot of money for him, but I got him out of the auction cycle for good. Meatball was pretty sour when we first got him. He didn’t seem happy those first few months and I barely used him for lessons. I tried trainers, injected his hocks, holistic therapies, everything. He just didn’t want to play. I gave him a winter off and just let him be one of the herd and come spring he had a different attitude. He’s of course still spicy sometimes, but the chip on his shoulder is gone and he really loves his job. I’m not entirely sure what the moral of his story is except sometimes they just need time and love. We’re grateful meatball decided to love us back !
Noodles
OTTB Gelding
Noodles is one of our newer horses but he fits in swimmingly with the herd ! He is owned by my sister Ally and she generously allows us to use him for lessons. Noodles is secretly an amazing jumper and dressage horse (he competed in upper level eventing), but like Juice he’s ok toning it down for his young jockeys. He’s a special horse in a plain bay wrapper and we are so thankful for him !
Hershey
Hershey is the newest member of the FLF lesson squad. He’s an ex racehorse just like Juice, Noodles and Chewy. Hershey was adopted by Meredith from MidAtlantic Horse Rescue after many years of trying to find the “perfect lesson pony”. Sometimes the perfect lesson pony is a full sized ottb. Hershey is great at teaching students their first jumps, posting the trot, and steering (he can be a little wiggly!). We’re so happy to have him to finish out our quadrille of bay OTTBs
Sundae
Appaloosa Gelding
Kind, patient, gentle are a few of many positive attributes to describe the best lesson horse ever. He has the most comfortable gaits of any horse here, perfect to learn on before moving on to another horse. Sundae is comfortable being a stepping stone for most students but he does have a few special kids who have stayed committed to him as they progress. Almost every student in the lesson barn has Sundae to thank for something, and we are thankful for him for that !
Oo we Oo
the baby of the farm.
Oo we Oo (named after what the henchman say in The Wizard of Oz) is from the New Bolton Hospital feral pony program. We adopted him and he instantly took to being a lesson horse. He is larger than Dunkin but still small enough for young or timid young riders. He can be quite spunky in the field with his friends, but is calm and steady when being ridden.
Nacho
Quarter Horse Gelding
When I needed another lesson horse for my growing program I knew my old trainer could help me. Nacho was on his way to Missouri and I had to hijack the trailer and pull him off and take him home ! Nacho is every horses best friend (especially Rylos ), broke to a T, and a surprisingly good jumper ! He’s got a tiny little stride and smooth ride which is great for teaching first trot and canters. He’s a somewhat acquired taste, but the lesson kids that love him love him big !
Chicken Nugget
Quarter Horse Gelding
Chicken Nugget is the newest addition to Finish Line Farm’s lesson program. He is a short and stout horse who’s just an inch or two above being a pony. Nugget is gentle and slow and perfect for our beginner and intermediate riders.