Little Bits Horses | little-bits

Our therapy horses are very special animals, chosen for their dependable nature and their affinity with people. They are quiet and well trained. Please scroll down to see our horses that we are currently using in our program and read a bit of history on them. (Updated frequently)

Staff with "Hooves"

Avery

Avery is a beautiful Quarter Horse chestnut mare that is privately owned and has been fully leased to WELCA for lesson use. Born in 2006, this mare has the training and energy to help new riders learn how wonderful horse riding is.

Avery arrived at Whitemud in the summer of 2020 with Chrissy and Everest and has been integrated into the WELCA learn to ride program as she prefers not to canter. She has an English background and will test her riders’ abilities by making them learn how to ride and ask for aides correctly.

Avery started with Little Bits in the spring 2022 and is a happy addition to our horse family. She is sweet natured, smart and loves to have conversations with her leader.

You can find Avery with Chrissy, Manny (new addition) and Everest in a back paddock where they all live together.

Dakota

Dakota has been part of many, many events since being at Whitemud. She was in a commercial for the CFR rodeo with Gord Steinke of Global TV and a Christmas Eve special on CBC radio playing the part of a reindeer crunching through the snow pulling Santa in his sleigh complete with jingle bells. A couple of years ago she appeared with Niobe Thompson in a CBC Nova episode called First Horse Warriors. She has also spruced up photo shoots, including weddings and has also appeared in print media numerous times. Dakota had also entered her in the CBC royal wedding hat contest wearing a flowery and beribboned creation. That was for Prince William and Kate’s wedding.

Dakota is a beautiful bay mare was born in 1998. Dakota was leased to Whitemud in March 2007, and this is when Jean (a great patron of Whitemud) started to sponsor her and in July 2018 Jean took full ownership of Dakota. Jean also helps take care of a few other horses like Cocoa. In 2008 Little Bits had the honour of adding her to our program and we found that she was a perfect fit.

If you need to ride a horse that can be both independent and responsive, then Dakota is your mare. She will shuffle over with the lightest leg but if you do not pay attention the Dakota will not perform her best for you. She wants her riders to engage with a soft hand and leg. Dakota likes to be brushed and tacked with the lightest touch. She is very opinionated on this matter and should be treated with the utmost respect due.

Davinci

A newer addition to Whitemud arrived in March 2022 named Davinci. This stunning black Tennessee Walker cross gelding stands 15.1 hh and was born in 2003.

By the fall of 2022, Davinci started in a few lessons with more independent riders and was an instant hit. Davinci is lovely, soft and very gentle and will come and see you when he is called in the field.

Disco

Disco is a stunning buckskin Quarter Horse mare that was born in 2012. Disco moved to Whitemud in 2022 and is privately owned. Disco is only used by a few riders in our program and they are very lucky to work with her.

Easy

Chestnut geldings can be common but Easy who is a Quarter Horse cross, is no ordinary chestnut gelding. Easy was born in 2007 and arrived at Whitemud in August of 2016 where he started his new career as a beginner and advanced mount in the WELCA classes. Easy had participated in the 4H clubs and was ridden on trail rides with his previous owners, which made his transition to a lesson horse easier.

In 2017, Easy started classes in the Little Bits program with independent riders that could take advantage of his sensitive nature. Easy was also ridden by riders that needed more help and he was able to help them complete tasks with ease. Being very curious, Easy loves to watch what is going on around him and you can often find him people watching. Easy does have a small following that adore him.

Echo

Located in a field called Hillview is the most adorable bay Morgan horse named Echo. With his long thick black mane and tail and big brown eyes that are hidden beneath a tick forelock, you can see a twinkle in his eyes. This handsome fellow is independently by two great Whitemud patrons.

Echo was born in 1999 and started in the Little Bits program back when he was 4 years old. Echo has been used on and off in our program since because of his agreeable nature. Echo's rides are very loyal and love riding him, especially when he’s all dolled up in his pink accessories.

Augustus of Troy (aka: Gus)

Gus is a handsome 16 hh bay Warmblood gelding that was born in 2009 and his sire was Iroko. Gus competed in cross country horse, hunter and jumper competition with his previous owner. He arrived at Whitemud in 2021 where he was used in the WELCA program. This year, Gus has shown a lot of growth with patience and is now being ridden by more independent riders in our program.

Gemini

Gemini is a dark bay Quarter Horse mare that will stand out in any field. She was born in 2002 and is a Doc Bar line which in Quarter Horse terms is pretty darn good. When Gemini arrived in 2012, she was very shy and unsure of her role at Whitemud. She became best friends with one of her pen mates Ali Cat and for a few years, they could be found hanging out together but now she has a penmates and is the boss to the other mares that live with her.

Gemini is used in the learn to ride program with WELCA where she stays on lead. With Little Bits, Gemini is a STAR. Patient, kind, understanding and even tempered, this mare is ridden by riders that need to be mounted in less traditional ways. She will walk up to the ramp and allow her rider to be assisted onto her back with confidence. Gemini is very forward and likes to stride out. When allowed, Gemini will break into a smooth jog which often delights her riders and if you walk a little faster, Gemini will trot out with you on the lead. We are very fortunate to have her in our program and all love her pluck and grace.

Jasper

Jasper is an adorable chestnut gelding that was born around 1999. Jasper arrived at Whitemud in 2018 where he and Major were slowly adjusted to a new life. They were both previously riding and packing horses in the mountains. Jasper has been used in the Little Bits program on and off since arriving and is mostly ridden by more independent riders that appreciate his steady gait.

Jaycie

Jaycie is a beautiful dun Quarter Horse mare that lives in the front mare field with her best friend Aries. These two are thick as thieves and you can often find them hanging out and grooming one another. Jaycie arrived at Whitemud in July 2018 where she began her slow introduction to her new role as a lesson horse. Born April 25, 2001, Jaycie has soared in her new role and will often take great care of her riders, regardless of their age. Whether they are beginners just learning the basics to striding over fences with more advanced riders, nothing bothers her.

In the fall of 2018, Jaycie began her introduction to the Little Bits program. She was a hit. Because she is such an easy-going horse and very responsive, the riders that are more independent can perform off lead and do the exercises asked by the instructor. Jaycie can also be ridden both English and Western and looks stylish at the same time. She does have a following and her riders absolutely adore her.

Grazing with her friends is one thing Jaycie loves best. She would love treats but we must keep her waistline in check, so we ask that you do not give her any snacks. We are very grateful that Jaycie is part of our program and part of the horse family that riders and volunteers can get to know.

Sa Kasanova (aka: Kassidy)

Kassidy is a registered Arabian gelding that has an alluring appeal that draws you to him. This classy chestnut has four white socks that likes to keep clean and a white blaze that helps captivate you. Like most Arabians, Kassidy is very curious and will come over and greet you at the fence or in the field.

Kassidy was born in May 2001 and lived with his horse mom from the age of 4 to15 years and then was donated and arrived at Whitemud in the fall of 2016. He was then introduced into the WELCA lessons where he thrived in all the lessons formats. Kassidy has a foster mom that looks after his extra needs and cares.

It was not until the winter session in 2020 that Little Bits started to use Kassidy in the lessons where he found a new following with his popularity. Kassidy does like his riders to keep engaged and is willing to perform the movements but only when asked correctly and will always try his best. His small stature and wider frame make him easy to ride. Kassidy does love horse treats but because he is such an easy keeper, is not allowed any snacks.

Lilo

Lilo is a dun Quarter Horse mare with unique stripes on her mid legs. She was born around 2008 and has done it all. English, western, working livestock and mountain traversing. Arriving at Whitemud in March 2022, Lilo was put right into the summer camp lessons.

Lilo was introduced into the Little Bits program in the winter of 2023 and is showing that she loves working with her new riders. She challenges them in lessons, and we look forward to Lilo being a part of our program for years to come.

Luke

Standing in a field is a grey Percheron-Fjord cross standing in a field is a grey Percheron-Fjord cross gelding called Luke. He is stunning with his long flowing mane and tail, looking like a steed that would carry his rider into battle. Luke will sweet talk you over to visit for a scratch and a possible treat, but he is not allowed any treats as he is on a very special diet (though he would argue he is still hungry). He will also pose for cameras and loves the close-up and personal shots.

Luke was born in 2003 and is privately owned and his owner travel quite far to purchase him and bringing him back to Whitemud to live. She fell in love with his spunky spirit and loveable gaze. Once he arrived, Luke needed a lot exercising with all his energy and started classes with more advanced riders in the WELCA program. For his size, Luke is smooth to ride and has a high step when excited.

It was a few years before Luke was ready to be used in the Little Bits program. He needed to learn to slow down and be chill. Luke is a favorite with leaders because of his good nature and has become one of the horses that can be ridden by riders that both need more assistance and off lead. You need to watch your toes as Luke does like to walk close beside you.

Blessed Twice Mary (aka: Mary)

Mary is a pretty chestnut Quarter Horse mare that was born in 2005. With her previous owner, Mary was a working cow horse. She moved to Whitemud in late 2022 where she started in the WELCA program but was so good, she was then introduced into the Little Bits program and is now a favorite with riders and volunteers.

Mike

In July 2018, a very cherubic bay gelding named Big Mike arrived at Whitemud. Big Mike is a Welsh Cob which is a breed known for their diversity and calmness and was chosen as a prefect mount for his size and attitude for both the Little Bits and WELCA program. When he arrived and started to settle in, Big Mike needed to have a slight name change as there was already a horse named "Big" at the stable so, his name was shortened to Mike. He was born on June 1, 2002.

Mike started with the WELCA program and was so good, he was then introduced into the Little Bits program in the fall of 2018 where he became a hit. Being a large Welsh Cob, Mike is only 14 hh but don’t let his size fool you because he can make even the largest rider sit well on his back. Mike is smooth and helps keep his riders balanced on top of him. Mike can be ridden by both independent riders and those that require more help on his back and leaders adore Mikes loving and curious nature.

Peanut

This pint size hose is called Peanut and this name suits him perfectly. Peanut, who is a buckskin gelding, was born in 2010 and is a Welsh/ WH cross and belonged to a family that did eventing with him. Peanut arrived at Whitemud in Oct 2020 where he was put into classes in the WELCA program and then into the summer camps.

Peanut joined the Little Bits program in September 2021 and has been doing very well with his riders and the volunteers that work with him. Once he gains a rider's trust, they relax and show how well they can perform with him. Peanut does love every horse he meets but once he moved in with Domingo (a black and white gelding), they got along so well you can often find them eating side-by-side in their pen.

Pearl

Pearl is a sweet flea-bitten grey mare that stands about 14 hh. Born in 1995, Pearl knows her stuff and loes for her riders to be gentle and understanding.

Pearl does have a horse-mom that treats her with lots of love and grooming and shows Pearls that getting older does not mean you can't be good looking as well.

Jack Royal Mystery (aka: Popeye)

Do you know Jacks Royal Mystery? Well, you should… this is Popeye… and he is fantastic? This chestnut gelding arrived at Whitemud in 2004 and became a fast favorite with independent riders in the WELCA program and in our Little Bits program. Popeye was born in 1996 but you would never know it by looking at him.

When you touch Popeyes hair, it feels like a soft baby blanket. Being a chestnut, it is always best to only use the softest brushes, or you will end up with a grumpy horse. When being ridden, Popeye’s rides know what a remarkable western jog he has and anyone leading Popeye knows to always give him plenty of room. Those of us who work with him, love him and all his playful ways.

Reighvn (aka: Raven)

Raven is a black Morgan Thoroughbred mare that was born in 1998. Raven arrived at Whitemud in April 2022 and was started in our program in the fall of 2022. She is a great horse with the right rider but will steam-train you if you don't pay attention. Slow and steady we try to strive with her.

Scout

Scout is an adorable Arabian flea-bitten grey gelding that was born in 2005. Scout’s life with his previous owners as a family horse made him very patient and kind. Arriving in the summer of 2023, Scout was ready to jump into the WELCA and Little Bits program where he fits right in.

Steel

Steel is a beautiful large grey gelding that was born in 1994. He arrived at Whitemud in March 2016 where he was slowly integrated into the WELCA program. Steel soon had his own fan base where he helped them learn so much from all his previous training.

Being a grey horse, Steel has one flaw. He loves to get dirty, and nothing does that better than a dirt or mud roll. That’s OK, his riders and the volunteers all make sure to give Steel a good thorough brushing before lessons start.

Steel was introduced into the Little Bits program shortly after and due to his size, was matched with riders that were independent so that the riders could work with Steel closely in lessons with leaders only helping when needed. Being smooth gaited, Steel helps his riders at both the walk and trot doing patterns, direction changes and other activities both indoors and outdoor and helps his riders achieve more confidence. Steel will pose for photos with his riders, and he loves a nice gentle scratch on his neck when he has done well.

Winter

In March 2021, a new horse arrived in town named Winter. Born in 2007, this beautiful grey mare is a Paint and Percheron Cross standing at 15.1 hh. Little Bits purchased Winter from her previous owner in the Wetaskiwin County when she showed that speed was not in her repertoire for barrel racing.

Winter started in the WELCA 2021 camps in July and was introduced into the regular riding programs then into the Little Bits program that fall of 2021. Her foreword motion can seem a bit intimidating but with a soft voice, longer loose reins and a gentle hand, slows her right down. Winter has integrated herself into our program and is a hit with her riders. She loves to walk out on the trails and Keillor Road, but she is particular on who leads. Winter can be matched well with the right leader.