Our Equine Staff

At Equi-librium, we know our horses have the most important jobs of all. Our 15 therapy horses range in size, breed, and skill to meet the diverse needs of our participants. For many of our horses, therapeutic horsemanship is a second (or third!) career after years in the show ring, race track, Renaissance Faire circuit, or even the police force. Scroll down to meet the incredible animals that live and work at Equi-librium.

STAR

Star is our resident Miniature horse! Born in April 2010, he stands only 8 hands tall or 32 inches. Star came to Equi-librium in January 2020. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in his giant personality. Even though he is smaller than most ponies, Star is considered a draft horse, built for pulling. As a driving horse, Star is capable of pulling up to 3 times his weight. In his past work, he competed in driving shows and won many ribbons to show for it. He is also our famed local ambassador! Maybe you have seen him out supporting our events. If your school or organization would like to book an educational visit with Star, please contact our Outreach Coordinator, Christina Coxe at christina@equi-librium.org.

Star was purchased through a generous grant from The Stabler Foundation.

Jackie

Born in 2007, this beautiful black 15.3 hand tall Percheron/Standardbred mare is a “Jackie of all trades.'' Before Jackie joined the herd in October of 2015, she worked in an Amish carriage operation near Lancaster, PA. Big and very strong, she effortlessly pulls the wheelchair-accessible Thornlea wagon in our driving program. Jackie is also a dependable, smooth-gaited horse for our mounted programs. She excels in driving lessons and in mounted lessons, where she accommodates our larger riders.

Jackie was purchased through grants from The Stabler Foundation and Just Born.
Photo: Devin Lynn Photography

Jackie is currently sponsored by the Meera Foundation.

SONNY

His stunning red coat and sunny disposition make Red Sun, or Sonny, as we call him, a perfect addition to our riding program. Born May 13, 2001, Sonny is a chestnut-colored registered Paint gelding, standing at 15.2 hands tall. He joined the herd in March of 2015. He is a perfect match to our mounted program with his extensive training in western pleasure riding. He can be a bit on the slow side, but that’s exactly how he helps many of our riders. His steady gaits and sweet temperament have made him a favorite of the instructors and participants alike. Sonny excels in mounted lessons with all levels of riders.

Photo: Devin Lynn Photography

Sonny is currently sponsored by the Linsky Family

GEORGE

Read our Press Release Here!

George is the newest member of the Equi-librium herd, but he’s a familiar face in the community. That’s because George served on the Bethlehem Mounted Police Unit for 12 years! You’ve likely met George in the streets of downtown Bethlehem, at Musikfest, or at his old home at the Quadrant Private Wealth Stables, home to the Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Police.

We are grateful for the opportunity to support George in his retirement from police work, and keep his mind and body active with a new career as a therapy horse! George arrived in late 2022 and spent the winter in training learning his new job, and made his program debut in 2023.

George was generously donated by the Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Police.

George is currently sponsored by Jolene Vitalos, Michael Leaser, and generously supported by many friends in the community.

ROSIE

Rosie is a registered Haflinger mare standing at 14 hands tall. Born April 25th, 2004, she wears a beautiful golden colored coat common to the Haflinger breed. She joined the herd in July of 2019. With her playful personality and sweet temperament, she is a barn favorite. Rosie is owned by our very own Jamie Keller, who was downsizing her own family farm, and we’re so grateful she allowed us to bring Rosie into the Equi-librium family. Rosie has many talents and excels in mounted and unmounted lessons alike, with independent riders and assisted riders.

Rosie is generously leased to Equi-librium by Jamie Keller

Guinness

Guinness is a Haflinger gelding standing at 14.3 hands tall. Born in 2013, he is a young member of the herd. He joined our driving program in 2020 after a "post-graduate education" in the highly regarded draft horse program at Morrisville State College in Morrisville, NY. His broad frame and desire to learn makes him ideal for driving. After a year driving with a cart, Guinness has graduated to driving our big, wheelchair-accessible Thornlea wagon. He loves to play and goof around in the pasture and you will often find him hanging his head through the fence. He is gaining experience every day as a therapy horse and loves attention from people. In late 2021, Guinness began training under saddle to join our mounted programs! His size and talents make him an ideal addition to our equine herd. Photo: Devin Lynn Photography

EDDIE

Edward The Great (a.k.a.“Eddie”) is a gray Percheron gelding standing at 15.3 hands tall. Born in 1997, this Gen Z steed hails from Lancaster, PA. Before Eddie’s career began at Equi-librium in November 2021, he was a jousting horse on the Renaissance Faire circuit, traveling around the U.S. to places such as Michigan, Kentucky, and New York. Eddie excels in all programs but his favorite includes mounted games like ring toss, because it reminds him of playing with the squires.

Eddie was graciously donated by Kate Hopkins and Roundtable Productions.

Photo: Devin Lynn Photography

CHEF

Chef Graf Gunner is a 22-year-old 16.1 hand chestnut Hanoverian. Chef was previously a show horse who competed up and down the East Coast circuit in every discipline from hunters, jumpers, to dressage. Afterwards, he landed himself a great home with her Royal Highness of Roundtable Productions, Kate Hopkins. Chef was the Queen's master of ceremonies mount, where he conducted the Joust games and tournaments of champions. He also goes side saddle! He is new to our program but we have no doubt he will excel in riding classes and help to develop more advanced riding skills.

Chef was donated by Kate Hopkins and Roundtable Productions.
Photo: Devin Lynn Photography

Chef is currently sponsored by the Gerber Family.

Would you like to donate a horse to our program?

Equi-librium is looking for a few good horses to add to our herd! We have space for 15, and currently have 13, and a few will be retiring soon. We are really interested in finding one or two larger drafts or draft crosses, (although we do not want to consider any horses over 16 hands and 15 years old) and another pony would help to address our program needs as they currently stand. If you know of a horse that could be donated or sold (at a reasonable rate), or you have one yourself and you’d consider offering it to be used in a program like the one we have here at Equi-librium, this handy checklist, filled out and sent to us at kim@equi-librium.org would be the first step in that process. Thank you for your consideration!

WHAT DO WE LOOK FOR IN A THERAPY HORSE?

Therapy programs are physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging for horses. We strive to keep our horses happy, healthy, and loving their jobs for many years. Here are some of the criteria we consider when looking for a great equine partner:

• sound at the walk, trot, and canter with balanced, rhythmic gaits

• well-mannered horses capable of accommodating physically unbalanced riders, adaptive riding equipment, and assistive devices

• obedient to voice and leg signals

• accepting of multiple horse leaders and the presence of professional and volunteer helpers. Side helpers walk alongside and assist our participants during lessons. Equine-assisted therapy sessions are conducted by a PATH-certified riding instructor and certified physical and occupational therapists who design movements to help participants with functional limitations.