Admiral
Admiral (2005) is the gentle giant of the Bridle Paths herd. A Percheron/Thoroughbred cross standing 17.3 hands high, our herd boss boasts a quiet and kind temperament and a larger than life personality and a delightful sense of humor. He lends riders confidence in mounted sessions, and his sensitivity and intuition are also assets in the psychotherapy program . In October 2017, Admiral’s hard work with veterans earned him the Klinger Award for Honor and Service at the Washington International Horse Show. The resident escape artist, Admiral spends his free time with his buddies Sunup and Pumpkin and “quality testing” the pasture fences.
Admiral was donated to the program by Dr. Michael Hasz.
Lucy
Lucy (2005) is a Dutch Warmblood/Thoroughbred mare from the renowned Art Deco line. Lucy’s flashy good looks and nurturing spirit have endeared her to many of our psychotherapy clients. She can often connect with clients who have experiences of trauma, offering a safe and nonjudgmental relationship. Lucy continues her dressage education at Bridle Paths, and our more advanced riders benefit greatly from her training. Lucy enjoys snacking on pitted cherries and having girl time with Myk.
Lucy was donated to the program by Sally O’Dwyer
Sunup
Sunup is a 2003 Quarter Horse gelding standing 15.1 hands high. Sunup has had training in both hunters and dressage, and he offers great learning opportunities for our more independent riders. He develops close bonds with his teen and adult clients, and he takes a lot of pride in his work. His quirky and inquisitive nature brings valuable insights in psychotherapy sessions and can have a grounding effect for his clients. In his free time, Sunup enjoys hanging out with Admiral and Pumpkin, and occasionally amuses himself by opening and closing his stall door.
Sunup is free leased to Bridle Paths by the Fallon family.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin (2000) is a Welsh/Thoroughbred cross pony standing about 14 hands high, and he was the first member of the Bridle Paths herd. He comes to us from Connecticut, where he logged lots of miles in the hunter show arena. Pumpkin’s extensive training helps teach the subtleties of seat, leg and rein aids to our students. His sensitivity is also helpful in psychotherapy sessions, as clients learn to read and convey nonverbal cues from the horses. When Pumpkin isn’t working, he likes napping in his stall (and sometimes even talks in his sleep!).
Pumpkin was donated to the program by the Fallon family.
Chance
Chance (2002) is a 16.2 hand Belgian Warmblood gelding with extensive experience as an A-rated show hunter and equitation mount, showing up and down the East Coast in his younger days. Chance’s show ring experience, extensive training, and big stride help riders perfect their posting, steering, and balance in the adaptive riding arena. Chance’s focus and ability to get his point across also offers clients myriad insights in our psychotherapy program. Aside from spending time in the paddock next to his friends Phillip and Rico, Chance also enjoys eating apple pie, his favorite treat.
Chance is free leased to the program by the Fallon family.
Myk
Myk (2005) is a Belgian Draft/Paint Horse mare standing about 16 hands high. A former hunter and jumper, she loves a nice hack around the property. This sweet beauty has become an indispensable part of our program. Myk participates in all facets of our program, but her gentle spirit and calm demeanor really shine in the psychotherapy arena. In her free time, Myk enjoys a good belly scratch, jelly donuts, and grazing in the field with her friend Lucy.
Myk is free leased to the program by Nina Ghorbani
Snowy and Thunder
Snowy (2002) and Thunder (2008) are registered Shetland ponies who spent their early years at Lockmoor in Great Falls with Tom Schaaf and the Crippen family. They graced a couple of Virginia farms before landing with Ann Smith, where they were much loved before joining Bridle Paths. This mother-son duo are learning to excel in the psychotherapy program and help volunteers and clients learn the art of compassionate horsemanship. In their down time, Snowy and Thunder enjoy baths and pampering (Snowy) and exploring how everything works (Thunder).
Snowy and Thunder were donated to the program by Ann Smith and Tom Schaaf.
We remember past members of the Bridle Paths herd with love and gratitude.
Many thanks to Erin Gilmore for the gorgeous photos of our horses.
