CAPPUCCINO
QUARTER HORSE | Born 2003
Cappuccino, more affectionately known as “Cappy,” is a buckskin gelding donated by a generous and faithful supporter of MANE. This golden boy has the winning personality to make friends with a variety of students and volunteers who come to MANE throughout the year. Cappy has an easy-going mindset that matches
Thank you, Sommer, Gaines and Cav Vaughn, for sponsoring “Cappy” for 2025-2026!
CHARLIE BROWN
QUARTER HORSE | Born 2005
Charlie Brown is MANE’s newest “Steady Eddy.” Staff, volunteers and riders alike value his calming nature and gentle spirit. Since coming to MANE, Charlie Brown has excelled with both ground students and riders!
Thank you, Bentt Spear, for sponsoring “Charlie” for 2025-2026!
CHLOE
SHETLAND PONY | Born 2007
Chloe, a lifelong lesson pony, has adapted perfectly to the therapeutic riding arena! With delicate features, expressive eyes and a very kind demeanor, she is a perfect starter mount for MANE’s most petite riders.
Thank you, Sue Bell Cobb & Julie Beasley-Double B Ranch, for sponsoring “Chloe” for 2025-2026!
WYATT
AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE | Born 2010
Thank you, Sammy Razick, for sponsoring “Wyatt” for 2025-2026!
CHUCK
PAINT | Born 2002
Chuck has quite the education to give MANE students! Originally from California, he earned an APHA Youth World Championship title. He then traveled to Auburn University and competed with the equestrian team in Western Horsemanship. He is excited about teaching young riders at MANE with his calming demeanor and kind spirit.
Thank you, Namburu Family, for sponsoring “Chuck” for 2025-2026!
ECLIPSE
WELSH PONY | Born 2005
Eclipse is a retired hunter pony, donated to MANE by The Calabro Family of Tallahassee, Florida. Her name matches her beautiful color, but Eclipse is a ray of sunshine! This raven-coated is a delightful addition to the herd. Her patience and kind attitude makes her a favorite among students and volunteers alike!
Thank you, Warren and Coleen Walhaug, for sponsoring “Eclipse” for 2025-2026!
FRED
AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE | Born 2010
Fred is a 12-year old bay American Quarter Horse gelding with just enough chrome to make him standout! Standing at 16 hands, this gentle giant has captured the hearts of staff, students and volunteers alike. Donated by the Auburn University Equestrian Team, he has made a splash here since his arrival!
Thank you, Botterbusch Family, for sponsoring “Fred” for 2025-2026: In memory of Ron Botterbusch
DARLA
WELSH PONY | Born 2007
Darla’s cute stature and spunky personality have quickly captured the hearts of many a MANE student and lovers of the movie “Little Rascals”. Darla previously resided in Auburn, AL as a retired hunter/jumper pony, before being generously donated to MANE’s program by The Ingram Family. Keep a watch on MANE’s newest “Little Rascal” as she conquers BIG things for years to come!
Thank you, Larry and Jane Rued, for sponsoring “Darla” for 2025-2026!
HALF PINT
QUARTER HORSE CROSS | Born 2001
Half Pint is a quarter horse cross that takes life in the slow lane. Before joining the MANE herd, Half Pint enjoyed showing off his counting skills – watch out for this trickster! With such a calm demeanor and steady gaits, Half Pint is a great asset to MANE’s therapeutic riding program.
Thank you, Pat and Cyndi Crockett, for sponsoring “Half Pint” for 2025-2026!
LEDGER
QUARTER HORSE | Born 2012
Ledger, donated by the Auburn Equestrian Team, came to MANE in August of this year and quickly adapted to his new role as a therapeutic equine. Ledger is a tall, dark and handsome Quarter Horse that enjoys working alongside his fellow Auburn friends Chuck, Wyatt and Fred. This lovable gelding has a goofy yet willing personality that will bring smiles to the faces of MANE’s students, staff and volunteers for years to come!
Thank you, Julie Beasley- Double B Ranch, for sponsoring “Ledger” for 2025-2026!
SONORA
AMERICAN MUSTANG | Born 2010
Sonora, a mustang from the open plains of Wyoming, learned how to survive in the wild in her early years. Her outstanding performance at the 2016 Mustang Makeover challenge caught the attention of a generous MANE supporter. MANE staff, students, and volunteers admire her kind eye, intelligence, and devotion.
Thank you,The FurmanaTTor, for sponsoring “Sonora” for 2025-2026!
SPIRIT
ARABIAN MINIATURE CROSS | Born 1997
Spirit is an integral part of MANE. Known as the energizer bunny, he has been teaching children to ride for over 10 years. Trotting is the name of his game, especially when competing against his best friend, Baba. He loves to help promote confidence and independence in his riders so they can graduate to greater challenges.
Thank you, Steve & Niki Johnson, for sponsoring “Spirit” for 2025-2026!
STORMY
Stormy came to the MANE program in 2022 and has quickly become a class favorite. She jumped in with all four hooves to MANE’s summer camp and never looked back! Staff and students alike value her for her rock solid brain and kind, caring disposition.
Thank you, Howell Family, for sponsoring “Stormy” for 2025-2026!
SWOOPES
GYPSY VANNER | Born 2009
Swoopes is a black and white paint Gypsy Vanner who was acquired by MANE through a Facebook contest in 2016. MANE won Swoopes through daily Facebook votes by committed supporters, volunteers, and students. This traveler, who was originally imported all the way from the United Kingdom, has been welcomed with open arms by the students and staff of MANE!
Thank you, Buce Family, for sponsoring “Swoopes” for 2025-2026!
LOTSA DOTS
APPALOOSA | Born 2014
Meet Lotsa Dots, MANE’s newest arrival to the therapeutic equine herd! Donated by MANE Volunteer, Audrey McWhorter, Lotsa Dots is a spirited and lovable Appaloosa gelding whose unique spotted coat is as vibrant as his personality.
Thank you, Richard Family & Bryan Family, for sponsoring “Lotsa Dots” for 2025-2026!
TEAL
GYPSY VANNER | Born 2016
Teal was donated to MANE by Lexlin Gypsy Ranch when she was just 2 years old. This spunky filly spent her childhood learning how to be a therapeutic equine from the older horses in the MANE herd. Teal is a uniquely marked mare with one blue eye, and steals hearts with her looks and attitude.
Thank you, Kyle Weidman and Elizabeth Anderson, for sponsoring “Teal” for 2025-2026!
JOJO
QUARTER HORSE | Born 2015
JoJo, donated by the Auburn Equestrian Team, is a handsome and level headed gelding as cool as the Arizona desert breeze. JoJo is the kind of horse every cowboy dreams of. A show-stopping reining horse with calm confidence, grit, and just the right spark to light up the arena. Quiet strength, steady spirit, and a legacy that shines.
Thank you, Len Jones, for sponsoring “JoJo” for 2025-2026!
WHINNIE
MINIATURE HORSE | Born 1995
Whinnie is a chocolate palomino miniature horse. As a tenacious ambassador, Whinnie has introduced and promoted MANE’s equine-assisted programs to thousands of children across the River Region. Though too small to be ridden, she is the perfect travel size. MANE’s little mascot loves to be the center of attention at schools and special events!
Thank you, Spurlin Family, for sponsoring ” Whinnie” for 2025-2026!
MVPs of MANE
We could never forget these retired horses. They will always hold a special place in our hearts, as well as in the hearts of the countless people who met and rode with them.
SHINE
QUARTER HORSE | Born 2016
The hearts of MANE are heavy as we mourn the unexpected loss of Shine on July 22, 2025 of whom was generously donated to MANE by Auburn Equestrian in October of 2024. Shine was truly one of a kind with his beautiful golden coat equally matching his beautiful golden heart. At only 8 year old, Shine took a little more time to convince that the slower paced life of therapeutic riding was really for him… but boy when he realized it, he really did live up to his name! During his time at MANE, Shine brought joy to the lives of so many individuals with his fun personality, big lip curling smiles, and kind and inquisitive nature. Shine didn’t just provide lessons for his students, he taught the MANE staff too, providing an invaluable journey of lessons in perseverance, patience, trust, confidence and dedication. We wish the journey could have been a longer one… you will be greatly missed!
BABA
PAINT | Born 1996
Baba made a huge impact during his many years in the MANE program. He had a successful career as a show pony in the hunter ring before his role as a therapeutic equine began at MANE. He was a “grumpy” old man who was dedicated to teaching some of MANE’s youngest riders. His unsurpassed devotion led to non-verbal students saying “Baba” as their very first words. Baba earned the title ” MANE Horse of the Year” in 2023. In the Summer of 2024 Baba’s purpose on earth was fulfilled and he gained his angel wings. His kind heart will not easily be forgotten, even by riders who have long since graduated from MANE’s Program.
CHANNING TATUM
Haflinger
Channing Tatum was a handsome Haflinger gelding who charmed all of MANE’s participants along with the volunteers and staff members too! “Tatum” as he was commonly referred to, loved his students and daily antics. Sadly, Tatum passed in the Spring of 2024 and is greatly missed by many.
DIXIE
Quarter Horse
Dixie is a refined bay Quarter Horse mare who charmed her way into thousands of hearts. She worked as a lesson horse before becoming a member of MANE’s herd. Her dressage training helped Dixie teach MANE students how to use their aids properly. After retiring from MANE, Dixie relocated to the country to be pampered by two loving little girls!
GOLDIE
Thoroughbred
Goldie was a 19-year-old Thoroughbred. With a smooth walk, trot, and canter she was perfect for all students at MANE. Goldie holds the honor as the first equine therapy horse at MANE to be certified to use the mechanical lift for mounting, making her the staff’s go-to for anyone with mobility issues or wheelchair bound.
ILLION
THOROUGHBRED | Born 1995
Illion, a tall, dark and handsome bay thoroughbred, was a great competitor in the Hunter/Jumper ring before coming to MANE. His gentle demeanor has helped carry riders of all ability levels to the next level. Illion is enjoying his retirement pasture and has been reunited with his former owner.
JILL
Quarter Horse
Jill was a 36-year old Quarter Horse with over 10 years of service at MANE. Though the majority of her last years at MANE was spent in the pasture relaxing, Jill thoroughly enjoyed hands-on time and attention from new volunteers as they learned about grooming and tacking therapy horses.
JOSIE, OLIVE & NUTTY
Coming from very different backgrounds, these three ladies were the backbone of MANE for many, many years. Pasturing and working nearly every class together, Josie, Nutty & Olive were inseparable! After their service to MANE, Josie is making a comeback to her original career as an all-around show horse and Nutty retired to life in the pasture with an occasional day of roping! Sadly, Olive passed in 2020 and the MANE staff likes to think she is happily galloping as a fox hunter once again.
LC
Arabian
A miniature Arabian with a heart of gold! Despite his short stature, L.C. believes he is the King of the MANE Herd. His independent nature and rhythmic canter make him a perfect fit for students looking to advance their riding skills. L.C. continued to transition students from beginner riders into intermediate equestrians until his passing after many years of service at MANE.
LOU LOU
Appendix
Lou Lou, often referred to as “Lazy Lou”, was a fox hunter before excelling in her career as a therapeutic riding horse. This chestnut Appendix had a wonderfully smooth trot and quick, sound mind. She calmed even the most timid of riders with her slow and steady personality.
PUDDIN’
Haflinger
Puddin’ is a spunky little Haflinger mare who is just as sweet as her name. Greeting MANE riders and volunteers with a soft whinny, Puddin’ gave comforting sensory feedback. With an active walk, she was well suited for MANE’s therapeutic riding programs before retiring as a pasture companion in Georgia.
TWEET
Morgan
Tweet was as sweet as can be and loved attention! This Morgan’s love of being a therapy horse was apparent with every step of her trademark bouncy trot. Introverted and shy, Tweet’s favorite place to be was in her stall or bargaining for a special treat!
