Hi! I'm River. I'm an Appendix, meaning I'm half Quarter Horse and half Thoroughbred. I got my start as a racehorse but became a ranch horse shortly after. When my mom bought be, she taught me how to jump and do dressage!

I'm new to the RFJ herd, but I'm a gentleman and can't wait to get started in lessons.

Madonna is a unique mix of Thoroughbred and Percheron and she’s done just about everything in her 19 years, including jumping and dressage. She enjoys the finer things in life, particularly anything involving treats. And, if you’re lucky, she’ll show you her smile!

Lexi, at 16, is our resident Welsh pony! She used to do lessons and pleasure rides, but now she’s a celebrity at Ride for Joy. She’s the sweetest girl and despite her small size, she has a big, loving personality!

Bella is a very sweet 15 year-old Appaloosa who was used for Western pleasure and English shows. She’s been an adaptive riding horse for a long time, and you’ll often find her cozying up to her best friend, Madonna. Bella’s no-nonsense personality makes her a great pasture- mate for DiNaldi, so you’ll often see them hanging out together!

Sunny is a 15 year-old Quarter Horse who used to work on a ranch! She has an incredibly sweet demeanor and much prefers to be in the presence of a friend.

One of our newer horses is 8 year-old Denaldi, who is a Westphalian Warmblood. He used to be a dressage horse before joining us here at Ride for Joy! He’s very tall and handsome, plus he’s full of youthful energy.

At 25, Twisty is the oldest lady in our herd, and she’s a Morgan! She’s done everything from performing in rodeos on the drill team to marching in parades and being a trail and pleasure horse. Twisty loves to try and escape her stall when you’re not looking, but she is the sweetest and most loyal horse you’ll likely ever meet!

Jones is a handsome OTTB (off-the-track-Thoroughbred) who has the need for speed! Despite his athleticism, he is careful with his riders and is always safe and gentle. With his personable and easy-going demeanor, he’s a favorite among the Ride for Joy staff.

Burt is our newest addition and also the youngest, since he’s just 5 years old. He’s a Quarter Horse and loves to discover the world by nibbling. He loudly welcomes his friends back to the barn after their lessons, and combined with his spunky personality, he really is the perfect package. He can’t wait to meet you!

It takes a special horse with a lot of heart to be a part of Ride for Joy! First and foremost, we are looking for four-legged team members who are kind, patient, and enjoy a job supporting riders experiencing a variety of disabilities. Horses must also be strong, healthy, sound, and compatible with many different personalities and skill levels.

Ride for Joy provides care leases, meaning that the program receives exclusive use of each horse in exchange for covering the expenses of their daily management and routine healthcare. This allows staff to maintain ongoing training and ensure that each horse’s workload stays within standards set by RFJ and PATH Intl. Some horse owners choose to fund the ongoing care of their horse through a generous tax-deductible donation, allowing RFJ to expand and serve more participants.

Before reaching out, please review the following equine qualifications:

• Physically fit and healthy

• Sound at the walk, trot, and canter/lope

• Calm, unflappable temperament

• Patient and forgiving with young, unbalanced, and uncoordinated riders

• Well-trained and responsive to hand, leg, seat, and voice cues

• Between the ages of 8 years and 18 years

If you have a horse that you would like to care lease to Ride for Joy, please fill out and mail (28379 El Paso Rd. Caldwell, ID 83607) or fax (1 208 550-3208) the Horse Evaluation Form. A RFJ staff member will get back to you regarding any openings in the herd and whether your horse would be a good fit.

Questions? Contact Chanel Jensen at cjensen@rideforjoy.org.