Rocky
Rocky is a 14.3 hand registered Appaloosa gelding born on March 10, 1983. He was generously donated to Quantum Leap Farm by his former owner, Harriet Henry, in 2000. Rocky was the 2001 recipient of the Florida Animal Hall of Fame Ambassador of the Human-Animal Bond award for his work with handicapped adults. His previous career included fox hunting and showing in numerous hunter-jumper and dressage competitions. Now Rocky occasionally pulls our handicapped-accessible cart, carries smaller riders and works in our EASE program: Equine Assisted Self Exploration. Rocky enjoys his newfound career as a therapist. Fees for his services include carrots, apples and the occasional glazed donut.
Cowboy
Cowboy is a 15.3 hand bay Quarter Horse born in 1996. He was donated by John Faulkner. Cowboy was a show Reiner prior to joining our therapeutic riding program. Cowboy’s specialty is helping riders who are amputees or have limited arm and leg strength as it takes the softest of cues for him to respond. He takes his job seriously and is affectionate and attentive to his riders - particularly with children. Cowboy comes running at the sound of cellophane, knowing it means a peppermint treat (but he'll happily eat any human munchie). He also loves a good back scratch and will try to return the favor to his groomers! Cowboy's best bud is Ponce.
Ponce
Ponce is a show and pleasure horse in addition to serving as a therapy horse at QLF. This 17.2 hand grey Dutch Warmblood was born in 1999 and is owned by Pam Price. When it's time to work, he knows his job; but when it's time to play, he's best described as a fun-loving clown. Why do we call him "Swamp-Thang"? Because he loves to wade in the water and roll in the mud. He may be a natural grey, but he’s usually a muddy brown. He's also the game instigator of the pasture. Watch him find a stick or better yet, steal a halter and lead rope from the gate, which he uses to entice the other horses into a game of tug o' war. When he's ready for a change, he'll pull the fly-masks off their faces and dunk them in the pond!
Sonic
Sonic is a 15 hand bay Appaloosa/Quarter Horse with a small white blanket on his rump. He was born in 1994 and is owned by Roger Anderson. Sonic is our lover boy. He loves to cuddle, lick and be hugged. Kiss him on his soft nose and he'll sigh with contentment. Walk out to the pasture and he'll soon walk up behind you and follow along with his head on your shoulder. He's an excellent therapy horse, patient and gentle, but you have to be careful when he's standing and awaiting his turn. If the opportunity presents itself, he's likely to amble over to the instructor for a hug and a kiss. How can you resist a horse like this? Sonic loves sweets and always eats a piece of cake at birthday parties.
Tie
Tie, or Black Tie Affair, was donated by Kelsie Dabelstein and is sponsored by Nancy Whitehurst. He's a pin-up handsome Morgan who stands at 15 hands, born in 2002. His stunning looks made him a knock-out in halter class and his beautiful action is evident whether he competes as a hunter, in Western Pleasure or stylishly pulling a carriage. Breeding will tell--he is one of the last Kohler Morgans. But Tie's not impressed, he just wants you to scratch his neck. When you do, he arches his pretty neck and pulls his lips back into a smile. Tie likes horse cookies and anything anyone else is eating. He's the original party animal.
Smokey
Smokey is a looker with his amber eyes, buttery buckskin coat and charcoal mane and tail. He's smart too, having been a championship reining horse--and in case you don't know about reining, it's cowboy ballet on hooves. This quarter horse, born in 1995, has been there, done that. He's one of our most experienced riding horses and has had his share of admirers since coming to the Farm three years ago. He's very dainty about taking his treats and loves carrots, apples and horse cookies. Smokey was donated by John Faulkner, sponsored by Bob Fields, and is loved by all!
Idaho
Idaho is named for the potato, but we think she looks more like an angel…a very well fed angel. Idaho was our Christmas pin-up and wore a Santa hat on our 2009 Holiday Bash Invitation—maybe you saw her. She’s our favorite canvas when we have a party for kids who want to play “Paint the Pony.” Idaho is a Percheron and Welsh pony cross and was born in 1998. She is our choice when we need a carriage horse for a driving lesson. Participants who can’t ride a horse, can choose to go for a drive in our two-wheel gig. We can even roll a wheel chair into the cart and set off to see the sights of our beautiful property. Idaho was given to Quantum Leap by Jody Hanna and is sponsored by April Sumner. We are forever grateful.
Doc
Doc is registered as Riskey Skipping and was born March 26, 2006 in Tomball, Texas on the ranch of Doc Cadwalder, of the Cadwalder Behavioral Clinics. His Cadwalder parents are both Equine Assisted Psychotherapy horses in the ranch’s program. He comes by his therapeutic name and temperament naturally and is very happy to be on the At EASE team at Quantum Leap Farm. He may be a new member, but he is an old soul. Doc belongs to Carla and Dewayne Staats.
Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is what we call in the therapeutic riding world: the go-to horse. He’s the keystone of our daily sessions. The big, 17-hand retired hunter/jumper was born in 1989. His size makes him perfect for many of our adult riders. His warmblood temperament is a beautiful match for the routine, quiet work he is asked to do. He’s a big puppy dog—just happy to be here. Tampa’s beautiful bay color earned him his name. Tampa Bay was donated by Valerie Harwood and is supported by Roberta Skinner and Adolf Klares, and we thank them every day.
Other Residents
Eugene
Eugene is our donkey. He grew up on the Farm after being donated to Quantum Leap as a baby. This burro is very sweet and kind, and you haven’t lived until you’ve felt him pick up a treat from your hand with his gentle, velvety lips. Unlike our horses, he knows the difference between your finger and a carrot. Eugene’s endless curiosity and interest in people makes him invaluable in our Equine Assisted Self Exploration program (At EASE). Eugene was born in 2004.
Nellie and Tillie, pygmy goats
These two girls are a barrel of fun, and that fun is most enjoyable when they’re on the other side of the fence. One minute they love you, and the next you’ve been elected to participate in their favorite game—“Let’s Butt Heads!” They’re eager to try treats but if they don’t like what you give them…you guessed it— “Let’s Butt Heads!” They hate to be left out in the rain, love to get fat and sassy, and can be very cuddly and nice when you groom them.
Sherpa
Sherpa is our handsome, graceful Siamese. The Farm is home to some supremely elegant animals and Sherpa is one of them. He is talkative and loves to make entries on your computer. Sherpa actually lives part-time at Edie’s and follows her home at night after work, trailing along behind like a dog.
Elvira
Elvira, AKA Psycho Pus or Witchy Poo, is the Queen of the Barn Yard. We can’t count the number of folks she has lured into petting her only to end up with a heavy, extremely dirty black cat wrapped around their forearm, with a “Make My Day” look on her face. We love her though, and if you take a lesson, she just might come into the middle of the ring and assist your instructor. It’s one of her favorite things.
Drumstick, Butterball and Wishbone
These adorable turkeys are the latest additional to Quantum Leap’s menagerie. Drumstick’s claim to fame is that he’s worth at least $600. That’s the price of an earring he picked off one of his human admirers and promptly swallowed. It’s not been seen of since and we HAVE looked. Edie found the big white turkey, Wishbone, on the side of the road at a busy intersection in Pinellas County. Glancing out the window she saw this incredibly disheveled bird standing way too close to traffic. Edie promptly pulled her big dually truck over, saw that Wishbone was in a bad way, picked him up, put him on the seat next to her and drove off to the veterinarian. Wishbone was hungry, hot, missing half his feathers, with malformed feet and an infected bite on his tail. After he recuperated at the vet’s, he made a smooth transition and has become one of Quantum Leap's favorite animals.
Please call Quantum Leap Farm at (813) 920-9250, or submit a web form for more information about our Horses and Animals.