Our Equine Therapists

Annie

Annie is a chestnut mare. She stands 14.1 hands tall.  She likes to hang out with her friends Bonnie, Captain, and Mack.  She is very friendly and approachable.  She joined STRIDE October 2025

Bandi/Keystone

Keystone (Bandido/Bandi) was born in Montana in 2004. He arrived in Alaska at 6 years of age, settling into the herd at Victory Bible Camp in Glacierview, Alaska. He spent 10 years as a trail horse, providing countless hours of trail riding experiences to many riders. He is a very smart horse! He taught beginning riders “the ropes” and knows how to be a “pack horse”, carrying gear for people on trail trips.

In spring 2023, Keystone came to stay at STRIDE for a while, since his family is temporarily out of state. He has learned to listen to his rider and his leader at the same time! He can get a bit frustrated if he gets bored but tries his best to follow his rider’s wishes. He is happiest when working with his best friend, Sundance.

Bonnie

Bonnie is a retired champion barrel racer.  She stands at 15.3 hands and is the lead mare of her herd.  She is friendly and curious.  She joined STRIDE October 2025. 

Captain

Captain has been awarded the “Good Citizen” award at STRIDE.  He is very friendly and checks in with the whole herd.  He stands 16 hands tall and joined STRIDE October 2025.

Cedar

Cedar is an unknown cross but we believe he has Arabian in him. He was born around 2004. We don’t have a lot of history since he is a rescue. He stands at 15 hands and he is the newest addition at STRIDE. He joined us in February 2024. He is fitting right in and is going to be an amazing therapy horse. He has a great personality and loves to greet everyone as they come to the barn.

Cedar is sponsored by Pete Eason.

Cherokee

Cherokee is a Quarter Horse and Percheron cross and was born in 1995. He stands 17.1 hands and he is one of the tallest horses at STRIDE. Cherokee has been at STRIDE since 2017 and was previously a lesson horse at Sindorf Equestrian Center before his retirement. He is also the 2011 Alaska State Horseshow Long Stirrup Reserve Champion. Before being donated to STRIDE, Cherokee did a lot of jumping and dressage. He is sweet and lovable. He will let everyone know when it is feeding time by knocking on the door to the barn with his hoof. He is loved by participants and leaders alike.

Cherokee is sponsored by Marcia Beck, Anonymous, and Tracey Eason.

Cherry

Cherry is a very sweet horse and stands 16 hands tall.  He is quiet and very approachable.  He is fine grazing on his own or with others.  He joined STRIDE October 2025

Coy

Coy is a Morgan horse and she is 14.2 hands. She was born in 2001 and has been at the Ridge since 2008. She is a sweet girl that loves to be brushed, scratched, and played with. She is initially shy, but with a few scratches or a good brushing, she warms right up.

Coy is sponsored by Devin Groseclose.

Dakota

Dakota stands 14.3 hands tall.  He has a gentle heart and is approachable, but he isn’t super outgoing.  He joined STRIDE October 2025.

Diamond

Diamond is a black and white paint and stands 13.3 hands tall.  He is delightful and has a quiet personality.  He is independent but if friendly and approachable.  He is happy grazing on his own or with the herd.  We think the key there is he is just happy grazing.  He joined STRIDE October 2025.

Eli

Eli, short for Elijah, an Arabian gelding and is just under 13 hands tall. Eli was born around 1994, but we aren’t 100% sure when. He joined the STRIDE band in May 2022. He has a very engaging personality and loves attention. Before moving to his forever home in the Valley, he lived in Fairbanks and Anchorage. While living in Fairbanks, his ears were frostbitten; some people think he looks a bit like a teddy bear! Though they are shorter, they are still very effective horse ears! Eli lived in Anchorage at the Diamond H Ranch (now closed) and was employed as a lesson horse specializing in English riding styles. He loves to stretch out and run at great speed! This activity has earned him the nickname “Fancy Pants”. Everyone who visits the barn is captivated by Eli.

Ghost

Ghost is a grulla Quarter Horse standing 14.3 hands tall. The youngest member of the STRIDE herd, he joined the program in 2020 and quickly became a barn favorite. Ghost is known for his sociable nature and gentle curiosity—he loves spending time with kids and getting pampered during grooming sessions. Though still relatively young and started under saddle, Ghost is eager to please and continues to grow in confidence and skill. His calm energy and kind heart make him a wonderful addition to the STRIDE team.

Mack

Mack is a bay gelding and stands 16 hands tall.  He is friends with Annie.  He is very handsome and approachable.  He joined STRIDE October 2025. 

Magnum

Magnum is a Draft Horse cross and stands 14.1 hands tall. Magnum was born in 1998 and is rescue that has been with STRIDE since 2013. Magnum was a trail horse, and he has a lot of hunting experience. He is sure footed, patient, and steadfast. He is very attuned to his rider and responsive to his rider’s needs.

Montana

Montana is a sorrel who stands 13.2 hands tall.  He has a gentle and kind spirit.  He grazes with everyone in the herd.  He joined STRIDE October 2025.

Ruger

Ruger is an appaloosa gelding who came back to his home in the Valley in
2013 from the Kenai Peninsula. He is 15.2 hands.  In 2008 he had an injury to his left hind hoof which needed casting and attention until it grew back out. 
His hoof totally regrew!  He is a very kind, patient horse with an amazing personality and incredible resilience.  Over the years he has
developed summertime allergies which require a monthly shot and lots of
curry time and generous helpings of Coat Defense.  He has also been
diagnosed as legally blind, though he gets around quite well, often with
gentle assistance from his herd mates.  Born in 2000, he is one of
the sweetest, most accommodating horses in the herd and always good for
a grooming!

Shadow

Shadow is a shy but gentle gelding. He needs time to warm up to people. He is bonded to Tracker, but hangs out with the rest of the herd too. He joined STRIDE October 2025.

Sundance/Valiente

Sundance (or Valiente) was born in Montana in 2004, He came to Alaska at age 6 to join a herd of trail horses at the Victory Bible Camp. He is described as a dependable, honest horse who carried beginner riders for 10 years on the trails in Glacierview, Alaska. He has also worked as a lesson horse and as a “pack horse”, transporting gear on the trails. One time during a trail adventure, Sundance injured his left eye. It has healed up well though it no longer helps him see; he does not let this slow him down!

Sundance joined the STRIDE herd in spring 2023 and has become the leader. He is very affectionate, curious and loves to roll in the mud and take life easy. He is a Palomino, so mud splotches on his light coloring are very noticeable! We feel lucky to have him at STRIDE. He will carry riders, with his best friend, Keystone, until his family returns. We know that they miss their guys!

Tracker

Tracker is bonded with Shadow and they can usually be found together.  He also spends time with the rest of the herd.  He is very approachable.  He joined STRIDE October 2025.