Meet The Horses
Sophie
Personality: Gentle, kind, and patient
Best suited for: Children and beginner riders
Loves: Being groomed, quiet attention, and helping kids feel comfortable around horses
About Sophie:
Sophie is one of those horses who puts people at ease right away. She is calm, steady, and incredibly kind, making her a wonderful partner for children and those new to horses. Sophie is especially patient during grooming and learning time, and she takes pride in helping riders build confidence and trust.
Miranda
Personality: Calm, thoughtful, and attentive
Best suited for: Beginners, children, and riders building confidence
Loves: One-on-one connection, gentle rides, and quiet time on the trails
About Miranda:
Miranda is a steady and sensitive mare who pays close attention to the people she’s with. She has a soft, kind nature and is especially well-suited for riders who benefit from a calm, reassuring partner. Miranda enjoys slow, relaxed rides and thrives in an environment built on trust and gentle communication.
Cody
Personality: Playful, kind, and full of character
Best suited for: Mentoring younger horses and bringing joy to everyone around him
Loves: People snacks, attention, and being part of whatever’s happening
About Cody:
Cody is the heart and humor of the herd. Older and now retired, he’s a gentle soul who loves everyone — people and horses alike. Cody has a soft, generous nature and serves as a kind mentor to the younger horses. His playful personality and love of food make him a favorite with just about everyone who meets him.
Millie
Personality: Fun-loving, confident, and a little sassy
Best suited for: Children, beginners, and riders who enjoy a spirited but kind partner
Loves: Attention, grooming, and reminding the other horses she knows what she wants
About Millie:
Millie may be the smallest horse in the herd, but she is truly small but mighty. She can be a bit sassy with the other horses, yet she is fun-loving and full of character. Millie is the daughter of Hollywood and carries herself with confidence and charm. Her playful personality and gentle nature make her a favorite, especially for kids who enjoy a horse with a bit of spark.
Cactus
Personality: Playful, willful, and full of character
Best suited for: Intermediate riders who enjoy an engaged, responsive horse
Loves: Playing, interaction, and having a job to do
About Cactus:
Cactus is one of the tallest horses in our herd at 16 hands high, and he carries himself with both presence and personality. He can be willful and fun, with a bit of a goofball streak that keeps things light and engaging. Cactus loves to play and thrives with riders who enjoy an interactive experience and clear communication.
Puck
A big, lovable rescue Clydesdale with a huge heart and one unforgettable blue eye. Puck is very people-oriented and is loved for grooming and connection time. While we ride him, he is not used for guest riding.
Athos
Personality: Laid-back, kind, and thoughtful
Best suited for: Beginners, children, and confident riders alike
Loves: Attention, trail rides, and spending time with people
About Athos:
Athos is a calm, steady, and reliable horse with a gentle, inquisitive nature. He loves attention and is especially fond of trail rides and time spent with kids. Athos is the kind of horse who helps people feel safe and confident, making him a wonderful all-around partner for riders of many experience levels. His kindness and steady presence make him a favorite with both children and adults.
Shiro
Personality: Strong, steady, and curious
Best suited for: Riders looking for a reliable, sure-footed partner
Loves: Attention, cookies, and spending time with his horse friends
About Shiro:
Shiro is one of the newer additions to Harding Heights Ranch and is quickly becoming a favorite for riding. He is strong and sure-footed, with a fun-loving, inquisitive personality that makes him enjoyable to work with. Shiro thrives in a herd environment and enjoys the company of other horses, as well as plenty of attention from people. His steady nature and curiosity make him a wonderful partner as he continues to settle into ranch life.
Dottie
Personality: Spirited, intelligent, and expressive
Best suited for: Experienced, thoughtful riders
Loves: Purposeful riding, clear communication, and leading the way
About Dottie:
Dottie is a bold and spirited mare who was born and raised right here on the farm, giving her a deep familiarity with her environment and herd. She is the daughter of Miranda and Rowan and carries both confidence and presence.
While Dottie is not typically ridden by guests, she can be well suited to experienced riders who approach her with softness, clarity, and respect rather than control. She has a striking coat with beautiful white flecks throughout and is a favorite ride of Irene’s. Dottie is often used as a lead horse on trailer rides, a role that reflects her confidence, intelligence, and leadership.
Zazzy
Personality: Smart, confident, funny, and easygoing
Best suited for: Grooming, connection time, and learning experiences (currently in training)
Loves: People, her horse friends, and mint Tic
About Zazzy:
Zazzy is the newest addition to Harding Heights Ranch and already a big personality in the herd. She is fun-loving, curious, and very much an “in-your-pocket” kind of horse who adores people. Zazzy is also wonderfully easygoing with the other horses, making her a natural fit within the herd and a joy to have around.
While Zazzy is not yet ridden by clients, she is working her way toward that role. She’s still very much a big kid herself, learning and growing every day. Her playful nature, love of connection, and fondness for mint Tic Tacs make her a favorite with everyone who meets her.
Hollywood
Personality: Quietly confident, gentle, and strong
Best suited for: Babies, young children, and confidence-building experiences
Loves: Little ones, calm connection, and being with her people
About Hollywood:
Hollywood, affectionately known as Holly, is the mother of Millie and a purebred, registered Quarter Horse. She may be one of the smaller horses on the farm, but she is truly small yet mighty — strong, steady, and deeply grounded.
As a mare and a mother herself, Holly is exceptional with babies and young children. She has a calm, nurturing presence that helps even the littlest visitors feel safe and comfortable around horses. Within the herd, Holly is a quiet leader — a dominant mare who doesn’t need to be loud to be respected. Her confidence is subtle, steady, and unmistakable.
Beautiful, sweet, and gentle, Hollywood brings both strength and softness to Harding Heights Ranch and is loved by everyone who spends time with her.
Rowan
Personality: Intelligent, expressive, and full of presence
Best suited for: Observation, connection time, and trick demonstrations
Loves: Learning, performing tricks, and treats
About Rowan:
Rowan is a stallion and a Suffield Mustang (block horse) from the Alberta Wild Horse group. He is not used for lessons, trail rides, or business activities and is generally reserved for Shauntelle.
Rowan is exceptionally smart and enjoys engaging with people, especially when it comes to showing off his tricks for kids. With a few treats, he’s happy to demonstrate his repertoire, which includes pawing, rearing, nodding his head yes and no, and even bowing.
His intelligence, presence, and expressive nature make him a fascinating horse to observe and a memorable part of the ranch experience.
The Farm Animals
Jose & Diego
Personality: Gentle, curious, and full of character
Best suited for: Birthday parties, horse camps, and farm tours
Loves: Treats, attention, grooming, and going for walks
About Jose & Diego:
Jose and Diego are a pair of miniature donkey brothers who have been part of Harding Heights Ranch for nearly two decades. They are quite the duo and are well known for their loud, enthusiastic brays — especially when treats are involved.
Jose is missing one eye due to an accident that occurred before they came to the ranch, but it doesn’t slow him down one bit. Both donkeys are incredibly gentle and kind, making them favorites with children during birthday parties, horse camps, and farm tours.
Jose and Diego love being groomed and enjoy heading out for walks with Grace and Tayler. They live alongside the sheep and are a much-loved (and very cute) part of daily life on the farm.
The Sheep
Our sheep are an important and much-loved part of life at Harding Heights Ranch. We raise Barbados Blackbelly sheep crossed with Katahdins, a hardy breed of hair sheep that naturally shed their coats in the spring and do not require shearing.
They are friendly, curious, and beautiful animals, and visitors especially enjoy spending time with them during farm tours, camps, and birthday parties. Children love being able to pet, feed, and quietly visit with the sheep — and in the spring, meeting the lambs is always a highlight.
One of the sheep’s favorite parts of the day is heading out to pasture for fresh grass, where they spend a few hours grazing during the spring, summer, and fall. And just like the horses, they are big fans of horse cookies, which makes them especially popular with kids.
Our sheep are raised with care and respect, and we look forward to welcoming new lambs each spring as part of the natural rhythm of farm life.
The Bunnies
Our bunnies are large, gentle Flemish Giant crosses with beautiful, multicolored coats in shades of brown, grey, caramel, and white. They are calm, sturdy rabbits and are well suited to farm life.
Each spring and summer, we look forward to welcoming new litters. The baby bunnies are always a highlight for visitors — incredibly soft, curious, and fun to watch as they grow. Once they reach an appropriate size, children may have the opportunity to gently hold and interact with them, always with guidance and care.
The bunnies enjoy a simple, natural diet and especially love fresh grass and plantain, which we often pick for them right from the pasture as a special treat. Spending time with the rabbits offers kids a chance to slow down, practice gentleness, and learn about caring for animals on a working farm.
Our rabbits are raised with respect and good husbandry, as part of the natural rhythms of farm life.
The chickens
Our chickens are busy, curious laying hens who spend their days clucking, scratching, and exploring around the farm. They are always on the move and are some of the hardest workers here.
When timing allows, kids love helping to collect fresh eggs, which is often a highlight during camps and farm visits. It’s a simple but meaningful way for children to connect with where food comes from.
From time to time, we also get to enjoy the excitement of baby chicks hatching. Watching the fluffy little chicks wander around the yard is always a delight and brings a lot of joy to visitors of all ages.
Our chickens play an important role on the farm and add constant life, movement, and personality to the day.
The Ducks
Our ducks are Muscovy ducks, which means they don’t quack — making them a quieter and peaceful presence around the farm. They’re mostly here for enjoyment and are fun to watch as they go about their day.
In the spring, they love spending time in the ponds near the horse paddocks, splashing, swimming, and soaking up the sunshine. They’re also excellent at helping keep bug populations down, which makes them very helpful farm residents.
When ducklings hatch in the spring and summer, they quickly become a favorite with visitors. Watching the tiny babies follow their parents around the yard is always a delight — they are, quite simply, blinkingly cute.
The ducks add personality, movement, and a bit of whimsy to daily life at Harding Heights Ranch.
The Geese
Our geese are part of the everyday rhythm of farm life at Harding Heights Ranch. They’re mostly ornamental and add personality, movement, and classic farm charm wherever they go.
Geese are social, curious, and very aware of what’s happening around them. During nesting season, if a female goose is sitting on eggs, the male can be protective of the nest. For this reason, children are always guided and supervised around the geese to ensure everyone stays safe and comfortable.
Watching the geese waddle around the yard, interact with the other animals, and go about their day is often a source of curiosity and laughter for visitors. They add character and liveliness to the farm and are a familiar part of daily life here.