Welsh Pony - Morgan Cross Gelding

Alive on this earth nearly 41 years, Cricket was always young at heart! Dearly loved by Caitlyn for 17 years, Cricket gave thousands of riding lessons under her watchful eye and loving care. Cricket was best friends with Riley and Mimosa, and used to jump a lot (even into his early 30’s with lighter riders)! He thoroughly enjoyed his retired life with the herd, and also students and campers who loved to give him a good brushing, feed bag snacks and lots of love — and of course on occasion he returned the love with a nice, little ‘headbutt’. :P We miss him so much! See you in Paradise, run free and test all the jumps for us, Mr. Cricketey. <3

Purebred Thoroughbred Gelding

Rescued at 16 years of age from starvation, I’m grateful to say I’m now 25, muscled up, I’m my Momma’s main personal riding horse, I feel (and sometimes act!) less than half my age and can travel the fastest among all the horses at Stone Fort Stables (up to 40 mph)! Don’t let the ‘tough guy’ facade fool you, though — deep down I’m the biggest ‘softie’ here. ;)

Saddlebred Gelding

Rescued in 2016 from an unknown situation, through a sweet lady who owned me for a time and my now Mom who trained me, I learned to trust leadership from humans again and my name was fitly changed from Rebel to Gideon. A solid leader in the herd — I’ve now respectfully yielded the 1st position to Echo —, I love carrying riders young and old, new or seasoned and am always up for a good canter up ‘canter hill’. :) Despite having to wear a grazing muzzle while turned out and off duty (I love to eat!), I still think I’m the best looking guy, I have a positive outlook on life, don’t sweat the small stuff and will occasionally teach you how to be a better leader, too. ;)

Quarter Horse Mare

The favorite of many, my versatility rivals my humility (my Mom told me so). I’m always up for adventure under riders feeling brave (and may show it, too!), but am extra careful around young’uns and those who need protecting. My dorsal stripe looks good whether under an English or Western saddle (or no saddle at all!), so come and enjoy a rider’s view of my uniquely-black-tipped ears. :) Usually selected to carry any student’s mother who wants to ride, too, I suppose you could call me the ‘Momma’ of the herd.

Arabian-Quarter Horse Mare

Rescued at 5 months old from starvation, sadly my mother didn’t make it due to the same treatment. Nevertheless, 7 months later I recovered, arrived here for training, was quickly fallen in love with by the same trainer and adopted into my forever home! Now, I’m already almost 5 years young and so happy and loving my life. I learned to do everything here at Stone Fort Stables, and am now a popular girl in the riding lesson program for riders of all ages! My occasional sassiness might at times try to match my intelligence, but then I’m reminded that deep down I really just want to do my very best in everything. <3

Welsh Pony Cross Gelding

A horse gifted by a generous heart, I’m an answer to my Mom’s prayers! One of the horses still in training here, I love looking forward every day to what I might get to learn or practice. My heart is golden, my willingness is sincere and is present 100% of the time, and you can see it in my eyes — I shall make someone a very nice riding horse one day. Who knows, maybe in the future I’ll carry students, too! :)

Appaloosa Mare

They don’t call me Zippy for nothing! Ready to go at the slightest request, my willingness and ears towards the rider are top-notch. Don’t ask me why they named that hill in the field ‘Canter Hill’, because the only speed for me other than walk or trot up that thing is a dirt-eating gallop (if I’m allowed). I remember racing around barrels at some point in my past, and still dream of doing so on occasion. But I also really love jumping, trails, ground work, you name it — my life and job here is wonderful! Along with my willingness for speed and nearly anything asked of me by an experienced rider, I’m also much loved and quickly admired by many novices who are learning to walk and trot, and who have the eyes to see the deep sensitivity and tenderness I possess. <3

Appendix (Quarter Horse-Thoroughbred Cross) Mare

Let this first thing be clear: Cricket is my guy. Second, I’m the ‘boss mare’ in this herd (after Caitlyn, Echo and Gideon, of course). Third, though once sold as a “plus one” horse for very little at an auction, I’m now relieved and grateful to say my now-forever-home Mom sees the incredible value I have. Now I can stretch out my pretty legs in peace and with purpose as I carry her and others ready to team up with my state-of-the-art willingness, movements and athleticism. Jumps? No problem. Dressage? Let’s do it. Fox Hunting, Western or trails? Yeehaw. Just when your riding muscles begin to burn, that’s when for me we’re only getting started. ;) P.S. When off duty, I love standing still and receiving gentle head rubs and pets. <3

Lusitano Filly (2 ½ y.o.)

I may have the biggest ears here, but I’m still the baby of the bunch! Rescued not too long ago from a place where sadly all my surrounding herd didn’t make it yet remained around me, I’m someone very familiar with healing and new beginnings. I thank God for those who rescued me (Carolina Equine Rescue & Assistance) and for my trainer who adopted me in November 2024! Nobility is the name of the game for me, as my bloodline speaks of it and with how I impress my new Mom with an intelligence she’s yet to experience in any other young starter. Already having participated in my first clinic, helping with lessons and demos in horse training and starting at Stone Fort Stables, teaching students about young horse behavior and giving my Mom short rides at the walk, I’m so excited to one day carry her and other experienced riders as part of the riding team! :-D

Halflinger-Percheron Cross Mare (5yo)

They don’t call me a ‘tank’ for nothing…however, I’m not quite sure why they call me that. With the smooth and pretty way I move, even at the canter — despite my, should we say, ‘generous’ build —, along with my not-so-generous height, even the farrier who brought my parents together decided to rehome me because he was hoping I’d have a little more height to my frame. Nevertheless, after being well loved and cared for by my second owners, then started under saddle in the training program here at Stone Fort Stables, almost 2 years later I’ve returned here and have found my forever home! I’m excited for adventures to come in which I can help and move all this muscle! Kids’ Horse Camps, trail rides, clinics — let’s go! :-D Oh, and if you call my name when I’m out with the herd, I’ll most likely be the first to come to you. ;)

Purebred Thoroughbred Gelding (6yo)

As an off-the-track Thoroughbred, though I may be fast, my speed still can’t outrun the sweetness of my soul. I was just born that way. I may have been misunderstood at the dressage barn I went to after my racing days, but I hold no hard feelings — I still like to move really pretty sometimes. ;) I sure am grateful for the love, care and re-starting given to me by my previous owner, who helped me to let go of a lot of concerns and later lovingly gave me to Caitlyn for my continued education, loving care and riding career and now, I’m one of the horses in training. <3 So far, I love it here! Gideon has kindly let me take the lead in the herd, but that doesn’t prevent me from still being goofy on occasion. P.S. I really like ear rubs!!

Shetland Pony Arabian Cross (Gelding, 9yo)

Standing at a staggering 13 hands high, I have just as much finesse as I do cuteness. Started under saddle by Caitlyn 5 years ago, I learned how much fun it is as well to carry a human! However, my story hasn’t always been so pretty. Even though I was born on a loving farm and then trained by someone else how to move and stand pretty in halter shows as a yearling — my show name and photos are still online! —, somehow after that I ended up in a kill pen, sick and in need. Rescued just in time by my previous owner, I’m grateful to say life has been so much better since then! She nursed me back to health, then introduced me to Caitlyn who taught me how to be a riding horse when I was 4. Once I was trained to ride, I spent 5 years in the mountains enjoying lots of love and grass, and then was generously given to Caitlyn to continue my riding career. Once she started to ride me again, it was as if no time had passed! Quick review, and I was back on track. Now I humbly admit I’m becoming a favorite riding horse of many students, of all different ages. I love giving pony rides to little ones, taking others for a trot or canter down the trail or Canter Hill, or over jumps in the field or woods! Show me what to do, and I’ll do it with enthusiasm and poise! :)