TUFF
1990-2010
Chestnut Quarter Horse Gelding
16.0 hands
Tuff is the founding horse and namesake of the Tuff Therapeutic Riding Foundation, and with very good reason. Tuff started the program with Ellen even before they moved to Jewel View. Tuff began his work with Child Welfare youth who were living in residential treatment, he gave them confidence and self esteem and continued his work when Jewel View became home. Tuff was the first horse in the program, bringing kids his special blend of unconditional love and attitude to all his work with them. Tuff loved his kids and took very good care of them, making sure they felt loved and safe. His attitude was legendary, as he displayed his unique personality always. As a result an award was named in his honour, the Tuff Attitude Award is given each session to the youth who comes regularly with the best attitude. Attitude is everything and a positive attitude is what Tuff embodied.
The naming of the Foundation after Tuff is a tribute to him and his legacy prevails!
BUBBA
Chestnut Quarter Horse Gelding
Stands 15.2 hands
Born in 2006
This man is the homebred baby of TTRF - he was literally born for this job! Bubba is goofy and charming and always spends as much time snuggling with his riders as he can get away with! He is exceptionally kind and sweet and wrinkles up his nose like a bunny when he's happy! Bubba is super sensitive and tunes in deeply to this rider, looking to them to reassure him and be in control, so he's very good at bringing out confidence and leadership skills.
CARUSSO
Donated by Larkin Ridpath
Gray Swiss Warmblood Gelding
Stands 16.2 hands
Born in 1994
Affectionately known as Saint Carusso, this guy just might be the sweetest horse in the world. Carusso is very affectionate and likes to give people hugs by wrapping his whole neck around them.
Gentle and kind, Carusso is the master of making his rider feel safe. He is the perfect mount for riders who are timid or unsure about horses as he is very reassuring and keeps things at a very slow pace - sometimes maybe even too slow! He does hold the title of being the slowest horse in the program, but he teaches persistence and perseverance!
In his younger years Carusso did extensive Dressage showing with his previous owner and this training has made him very in tune with his riders. And don't be fooled by his slow-poke act - he's still got a few fancy dressage moves up his sleeve!
WALSH
Donated by David Prichard and Heather Hayne
Black Hanoverian Gelding
Stands 16.3 hands
Born in 2002
Walsh is fairly new to our team and he has settled perfectly into the groove of his new job. Walsh came to us after many years performing on the RCMP musical ride and was purchased especially for our program in the RCMP Horse Auction of October 2018. It didn't take him long to get used to his new home and we are so excited to have this special guy on our team!
Walsh is a very affectionate guy and would happily spend the day cuddling with a friend - His motto is "who needs to work when you can snuggle instead!"
A very special thank you to David Prichard and Heather Hayne who made it possible for Walsh to start this new chapter of his life here at TTRF.
SEALY
Donated by Laura O'Brien
Dark Bay Hessen Gelding
Stands 16.0 hands
Born in 1995
Sealy says:
“I’m really good at listening to and taking care of my rider but I might surprise you with my sass! I love to have a goal in mind and our confidence will fuel each other. If we both set our minds to it, we can accomplish anything!”
The kids say:
“We love Sealy through and through! His confidence, kindness, and sass never fail to charm us. He always brightens our day, even the really hard ones, and puts a smile on our face. He has taught us so much about believing in ourselves and trusting ourselves!”
NICK
Chestnut Quarter Horse Gelding
Stands 16.0 hands
Born in 2010
Nick is brand new to the program. Nick was inherited by Ellen and Jewel View when a dear friend and supporter Pat Brown passed away. Mrs. Brown was the lady who sold both Jewel (namesake of farm) and Tuff (namesake of Foundation) to Ellen. Nick is another special horse, who happens to also be related to both Jewel and Tuff! A beautiful Albertan Quarter horse, Nick arrived in May 2021. Nick is already participating in groups and loving the kids. Nick loves to cuddle and has a very laid back personality. He is young and strong and is going to make an excellent addition to the program.
CHARLIE
Chestnut Quarter Horse Gelding
Stands 15.3 hands
Born in 2008
Charlie says:
“I am a beautiful horse who is mindful of others, I like everyone to feel welcome and cared for. I like to joke around and play, everything’s better when it’s in my mouth. I have sensitive feet so I walk on the grass anytime I can. I like it when my rider brings a calm energy and takes care of me”
The kids say:
“Charlie is so funny, he always wants to cuddle and get hugs. He listens to his heart when riding and loves being told he’s a good boy. He constantly wants attention and we love giving it to him. We love Charlie!”
JEANNIE
Bay Haflinger X Hackney Mare
Stands 14.2 hands
Born in 1994
Jeannie is a fabulous member of the riding program, bringing a huge personality in a little body. Hang on if you are riding Jeannie, as she loves to go, although also keeps her rider on as she speeds on. A mini firecracker, huge brown eyes and adorable little ears, Jeannie takes her role in the program very seriously, but is always ready for fun!!
KRACKER
Donated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Black Canadian Sport Horse Gelding
Stands 16 hands
Born in 1992
Kracker is our resident barn clown! He is known for his sense of humour and always keeps his riders laughing. Before coming to Jewel View, Kracker's main job was teaching RCMP recruits how to ride AND he also pulled the official RCMP carriage. He was in charge of pulling the royal carriage when members of the royal family visited Ottawa, and he's even pulled Her Majesty the Queen in his carriage.
Kracker is very expressive with his emotions, and when he's feeling good he flaps his lips to let you know just how happy he is!
In Memory
KODY 1994-2021
Donated by Bob Rose
Chestnut Quarter Horse Gelding
15.3 hands
Kody was a horse with a giant personality! This dude was an ex-barrel racer and he was not shy about expressing himself, making him an expert in teachings riders how to read body language and speak horse! Kody may have acted tough sometimes, but he was soft at heart, and although it might have taken a little more time for his riders to figure him out, once they did he was a true partner.
Kody was often called our "magnifying mirror" because he didn't just mirror his rider's emotions - he magnified them times 10! Kody worked well with riders who were particularly sensitive, and was a master at reflecting his riders' emotions back at them. With his western background, Kody taught his riders to let go and stay in the present moment. We miss him terribly!
FlASH 1986-2019
Loaned by Barb Nettleton
Chestnut Quarter Horse Gelding
15.2 Hands
Flash volunteered in the program for many years and started in the very beginning with Tuff. Flash was known as the biggest confidence builder. When the kids rode him, they said they could do anything!
Flash was a retired Quarter Horse champion and enjoyed his life with his best friend and owner Barb, and loved taking care of the kids.
Flash was always happy to participate in any and all things involving the people in his life. His presence is greatly missed. He is still talked about often.
One of a kind Mr. Flash Man!
MATT 1994–2018
Donated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Black Trakehner Gelding
16.1 hands
Matt was known around the barn for his intelligence and his super serious attitude. We used to joke that he was up at night doing math equations and science experiments in his stall! A former horse in the RCMP Musical Ride, Matt travelled all around the world performing before spending the last five years of his life enjoying his forever home at Jewel View.
When Matt started out in a lesson he would kick things off with his famous 'power walk' - just his way of letting us know he was ready to go and taking his job seriously! He was exceptionally kind and never put a foot wrong - even with such a fast walk, he made all his riders feel very safe.
Matt loved Tic-Tacs, going out for hacks and his best friend was Kracker, who he was known to share a stall with on occasion.
We are heartbroken to have lost Matt but we are forever grateful for the time we got to spend with him. Thank you Matt for your years of dedication to our program; the patience and kindness you showed all of us will never be forgotten.
ROCAMO 1998-2018
Donated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Black Hanoverian Gelding
17.3 hands
Rocamo was the biggest horse that we have ever had in the program, but boy did he have a heart to match his size. Roc was incredibly handsome and charming with loads of personality, and he bonded very deeply with his riders. Rocamo was very smart and could be cheeky when left to his own devices, so he taught his riders how to be gentle but firm leaders - and the importance of always having a plan!
His name Ro-Ca-Mo stands for Royal Canadian Mounted, and he used to be the lead horse in the RCMP musical ride before coming to spend the last chapter of his life at Jewel View.
Rocamo LOVED to sniff hair, and would happily stand for hours with his nose buried in his rider's hair. He was also the master of giving himself serious mud baths and was known to be caked in mud by the end of most spring days.
Rocamo was an exceptionally special horse and we are devastated to have lost this unique boy. We feel very lucky to have been a part of his life, and will never forget the impact that he made on so many lives and on our program as a whole.