Meet Our Herd!
God has gifted us with an amazing equine family to shoulder with us in the ministry at Haven Acres. Nearly all of our horses have been rescued or adopted, and because of their stories they are living parables–teaching everyone who steps foot on the property that even though we are all broken in some way, we can still love and be loved. All of us have had experiences in life that have left us broken, but God reached into our world to tell us that even while we are broken, He loves us so much that He died for us. These horses all have stories of their own brokenness, but because they have been rescued and loved in their brokenness, they in turn are able to love those who are broken. We truly have some amazing horses!
Our Horses:
Bay
Hard-Working – Sweet – Confident
Meet Bay! Bay is a hard-working, been-there-done-that kind of guy. He is a Quarter Horse in his late twenties who is living out his retirement at Haven Acres after being an award-winning roping horse. He is our newest horse, donated in the spring of 2023 because of his age and some soreness in his foot (or feet?). Despite being the second oldest horse we have, Bay is very confident and won his way to the top of the herd as soon as he came.
Beau is lovingly sponsored by the Lubinski family!
Beau
Photo by Pam Heikkila
Friendly – Mellow – Cuddly
Beau is a beautiful chestnut gelding in his early twenties. Beau is a big sweetheart who would much rather cuddle than work hard, which works great at Haven Acres. While Beau doesn’t have any physical problems like many of our other horses, like many of us he has struggled with fear of the unknown. We have seen a lot of growth in him though when he is paired with a confident kid, as he is able to borrow their confidence and be a braver horse!
Click here for a video of Beau!
Beau is lovingly sponsored by the Trombley family!
Buttercup
Photo by Pam Heikkila
Bossy – Forward – Confident
Buttercup, aka “Barbie horse,” is a gorgeous palomino mare in her early twenties. Her previous family was looking for a new home for her since their kids had grown up, but she needed a home where she would not have to work hard or compete because of a previous hoof injury. Despite her limitation, Buttercup still prefers to speed walk or go as fast as you’ll let her! She has developed a great relationship with a few of our more experienced riders who have been really enjoying her spunk and desire to go.
Click here for a video of Buttercup!
Buttercup is lovingly co-sponsored by Deborah Shanahan and Gayle Smith!
Cassia
Photo by Pam Heikkila
Affectionate – Energetic – Happy
Cassia is a sweet, bay, Quarter Horse mare in her mid twenties. She came to Haven Acres limping in both of her front feet. She had many farriers look at her feet to try to help, but they were unable to fix it. When she came to Haven Acres our farrier found abscesses in both front feet and within a day she was back to normal again! Cassia is the most affectionate mare we have and despite her age she has a lot of energy. Since she living at Haven Acres she has developed something in her back hip that seems to “catch” when she walks once in a while, but it never bothers her. Her kids love her and we are grateful that her hard circumstances allowed her to come here!
Sponsored!
Cody
Photo by Pam Heikkila
Reliable – Willing – Confident
Meet our hunk of a guy, Cody! Cody is a Paint gelding in his early twenties who has come to us after being a grandkid trail horse most of his life. He is a big, strong boy who instantly became the boss of the herd. Cody can be a little stubborn and definitely teaches kids to be better rider, but he’s a level-headed, smart horse who wants to learn if you take the time to teach him.
Cody is lovingly sponsored by a family from Burnsville, MN!
Denver
Photo by Brittany Toth
Sweet – Eager to Please – Playful
Denver is a handsome, stocky Quarter Horse gelding born in 2013. He has a bay roan coloring and stands about 14.3 hands high. He is very well trained and eager to please and learn new things. Denver was given to the ranch by a Haven Acres donor in the winter of 2021 when we were in need of another reliable, well-trained horse. Since having him, we have learned that he can be spooky and needs some more training before he can be used with kids. But he is so sweet and we love having him!
Denver is lovingly sponsored by a family in Lakeville, MN!
Jedediah
Photo by Pam Heikkila
Energetic – Responsive – Sassy
Jed was rescued in the fall of 2016 from an auction, slaughter bound because he was too old to work the long days of a ranch horse anymore. Since coming to Haven Acres, he has gained back about 200 pounds and loves being here! He is a tall chestnut gelding in his late twenties (maybe early thirties?), but you would never guess it based on his personality and energy. He is one of the happiest horses we have, he loves to work, and has a special talent of “mirroring” the people who are around him. He seems to be losing some vision and has now been retired from sessions, but we are so grateful to be his retirement home!
Click here for a video of Jed!
Jed is proundly sponsored by Gulf Coast Flooring in Houston, TX, Larry Rother, and Linda Mullen!
Jetta
Photo by Pam Heikkila
Confident – Calm – Sassy
Jetta has the honor of being the first horse at Haven Acres. She has seen other horses come and go while continuing to be a steady presence in the herd. Jetta is a tall Quarter Horse mare in her late teens with a rich dark brown coloring. Because she is so patient and quiet, Jetta is a great horse for participants who have a hard time riding independently due to their physical limitations. Through a relationship with this gentle horse, these kids have been able to gain confidence and a feeling of satisfaction that they cannot find anywhere else.
Click here for a video of Jetta!
Jetta is lovingly sponsored by a family in Burnsville, MN!
Jubilee
Photo by Pam Heikkila
Friendly – Willing – Smart
Meet Jubilee! Jubilee was rescued January 2018 along with her sister Liberty from a humane case. They came from a property where they had never been touched, given any sort of vet or farrier care, or given good food or water. When they came they had lice, worms, and they were terrified of us. But God doesn’t love us because we’re lovable, He rescues us even when we’re still a mess, and their story is a wonderful picture of that. Since coming to Haven Acres Jubilee has learned to trust humans and actually be one of the most respectful, willing horses we have. She is now eight years old and she is a beautiful little mare who loves to run around and play!
Jubilee is lovingly sponsored by a family in Elko, MN!
Liberty
Photo by Pam Heikkila
Patient – Smart – Inquisitive
Liberty came to Haven Acres at the same time as Jubilee and has a similar story. However, she was even more fearful, and we couldn’t even touch her for a whole week! All winter after rescuing her and Jubilee we worked with them on the ground to gain their trust and respect. At first we thought Liberty would be the harder of the two to train but she has just blown us away with her willingness to learn and how smart she is! She is still in training to become a steady, safe kids’ horse but we are so thrilled with her progress and heart. This young little chestnut Arabian mare is a special part of our herd!
Click here for a video of Liberty!
Liberty is lovingly sponsored by Red and Judy Peryea!
Lucy
Photo by Brittany Toth
Trusting – Sweet – Patient
Lucy is a beautiful, little paint mare in her teens who came to Haven Acres in the fall of 2020. She has an eye problem called uveitis that has caused her to go mostly blind and needs to be constantly monitored. Her loving owner donated her to Haven Acres after she had tried to keep it under control but was unable to with her boarding situation. Lucy is a sweet, gentle girl who is a star patient with her eye treatments and totally trusts people even though she cannot see very well. She has a lot of bravery and spunk when being ridden too and has been a really great horse for her kids!
Lucy is lovingly sponsored by a family is Shakopee, MN!
Maximus
Photo by Pam Heikkila
Confident – Slow – Gentle
Maximus is our first draft at Haven Acres and we are thrilled!! He is a big Percheron gelding in his early twenties. He was donated to us by Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch who used him as a trail and pulling horse. In fall 2018 he had a serious infection in his leg that ruptured and put him on stall rest for months. The following spring Ironwood Springs decided to donate him to us so we could continue to aid his healing. After nearly a year of time-consuming care, his wound is completely healed! Max is a big horse but he’s also incredible gentle. The kids who get to work with him just fall in love with him!
Click here for a video of Max!
Max is lovingly sponsored by a family in Apple Valley, MN!
Opie
Photo by Pam Heikkila
Laid-back – Affectionate – Playful
Opie is a Thoroughbred/Quarter horse cross who was bred and trained to race. However, with his laid-back personality and a coffin bone injury, he was retired before he could run even one race. After passing through a few different hands, he came to us in the summer of 2017. Opie is one of our tallest horses and he is donned with a unique brown coat that changes colors throughout the seasons. He is nicknamed “Opie Dopie” because of his relaxed attitude, fitting right in at the ranch. Opie has also turned out to be the “little brother” of the herd. He is constantly pushing the other horses’ buttons and getting in their space like a good little brother would do!
Click here for a video of Opie!
Opie is lovingly sponsored by a family in Farmington, MN!
Ruby
Photo by Hannah Mountain
Confident – Gentle – Calm
Ruby was the first horse donated to Haven Acres in April 2013. She is a beautiful bay Quarter Horse mare in her late teens who is the boss of her herd of mares. Ruby was trained to be a barrel racing horse, however, she has a hoof problem and running caused Ruby too much pain to be able to compete. She also has arthritis in her legs and a problem called navicular now that she has gotten older. Ruby is a very gentle horse, and she can build the confidence of even the most nervous rider. One boy in particular has grown very attached to her, and even though he is in a volatile season of his life, he finds comfort in the fact that he always has a friend in Ruby.
Teddy
Photo by Brittany Toth
Sweet – Calm – Friendly
Teddy is a sweet Haflinger pony in his later years of life. His prior owners basically rescued him from slaughter, but after they got him he developed multiple health issues that prevented him from being ridden very much. So he was donated to us summer 2021. He is a very affectionate horse and always comes up to greet you and get loved on. He is also very laid back and calm, which is great for the kids! We are very thankful to have this beautiful, special pony!
Teddy is lovingly sponsored by the Stacey and Storm!
Tess
Photo by Pam Heikkila
Timid – Gentle – Humble
Tess is a beautiful Quarter Horse mare with a timid personality, making her easy to get along with but puts her at the bottom of the pecking order. She was born and raised at our vet’s family’s ranch, working cows and entering some competitions, but she developed early arthritis. Not healthy enough to keep up with the hard work, she was lovingly given to Haven Acres. Now, while other horses might’ve been at the end of the road, she is learning and enjoying her new job of easy-going sessions with loving kids. Fun fact, she is the sister of our horse Beau!
Click here for a video of Tess!
Tess is lovingly sponsored by Amanda Stamm!
Trixie
Photo by Pam Heikkila
Patient – Kind – Sweet
Trixie was our first rescue horse. She is a little chestnut pony with a blonde mane and tail and she’s super sweet. Since she’s a pony she’s pretty small, which is perfect for some of the kids! Trixie came from the largest horse rescue in Minnesota, where the horses on the property were so starved that they had eaten each other’s manes and tails. In these conditions Trixie received a wound that resulted in blindness in her left eye. After rescuing her she was so terrified of people that it took her a long time to trust again. Now, a few years later, she is one of our most willing, patient, trusting horses, and has aided in the healing process of multiple children going through their own seasons of anxiety and fear.
Trixie is lovingly sponsored by families in Shakopee, MN and Farmington, MN!
Zacchaeus
Photo by Hannah Mountain
Spunky – Sassy – Smart
Zacchaeus is our wee little mule! Zacchaeus came to us from Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch with Maximus in the spring of 2019. In the fall of 2018 he was three years old and had never been handled. By the time he was donated to us he had been somewhat halter broke but still very scared of people. Since coming he has already learned a lot and become much less fearful when we halter and lead him! He is a sweet, quick learner but he also has a mind of his own. We are so excited for him to keep progressing in his training so that he can be a friendly guy for all the kids that come out to enjoy!
Click here for a video of Zacchaeus!
Zacchaeus is lovingly sponsored by a family in Apple Valley, MN!