Meet Our Herd

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Delfinia is a registered Norwegian Fjord mare owned by Lift Me Up! She was born on May 3, 1998 and is the typical (and immediately recognizable) brown dun color. Also very typical, she has a dorsal stripe and two-tone mane, (see the Norwegian Fjord in the movie Frozen). Before coming to Lift Me Up! Delfinia was an eventer and pony clubber and you can find her videos on Youtube if you search for her. Don’t be fooled by her diminutive stature (approximately 13.3 hands), Delfinia has a strong neck and shoulders made for pulling a sled or cart, and she can use them to her advantage when she decides to take her handler for a drag over to the nearest patch of juicy grass.

Delfinia recently underwent surgery on her left hind leg, and she is recovering well. She will be out of rotation for a few more weeks, but we hope that she will be back in business, taking care of her beloved riders soon.

Finn is one of two Norwegian Fjord geldings (yes, we have three Fjords in total), and like the other two, has the instantly recognizable brown dun coloring with a dorsal stripe and two-tone mane and tail. Before being purchased by Lift Me Up! Finn pulled a sleigh in Wisconsin -  remember that Norwegian Fjord conformation of strong neck and shoulders? This strong little guy can at times have a different agenda than his leader and may decide to change the plan, especially if the grass is greener elsewhere. Being a Fjord, Finn has strong opinions and likes his side walkers to stay close to his rider’s leg where they are needed. If they get too far back towards his hindquarters, he will let them know with a stomp of his hind leg. Finn is on a special diet so please do not give him anything (including hay) without first checking with an Instructor. He prefers to be groomed in cross-ties as he likes his stall to remain just that - his stall.

Rocky is a 3/4 Thoroughbred and 1/4 Clydesdale, bay gelding with a white star. Before being leased to Lift Me Up! Rocky was a fox hunter who traveled up and down the East Coast and hunted with at least 12 different hunts.  An extremely successful and accomplished competitor, Rocky won the North American Point-to-Point Association Light Draft Horse on the Flat; was a semi-finalist in the North American Field Hunter Championships; and won many ribbons doing judged trail rides and hunter paces. Rocky is a pretty laid-back guy with a puppy-dog personality. He likes to lick you and will carry his own lead-rope if given the opportunity. He loves people, attention and treats - especially grapes. Just don't bring any umbrellas near him. He thinks they will eat him.

Shimmy (a.k.a. "Shim-Shim") is a grey Percheron/Oldenburg gelding and the largest horse in our barn, standing at over 16 hands. Prior to joining Lift Me Up!, Shimmy received dressage training and is capable of some lower level movements. Inclined to be a little pushy until you know him, Shimmy is a truly kind and sweet-natured horse. He takes great care of his riders and has been known to stand like a rock when needed - even though he is a very forward horse who likes to be on the move. His BIG walk gives his riders a lot of movement input, and his bouncy, metronome trot is a great teacher for those learning to post. He loves to spend time with his favorite volunteers and enjoys being groomed. A sensitive boy, he does notice things that some of our other horses ignore, but he handles himself well - he may prick his ears forward and open his eyes a little wider if something surprises him, but he’s sensible and listens to his rider or leader. Being on a special diet, Shimmy is not allowed to have treats. Apples in particular cause an allergic reaction which will give him hives.

Sky is the newest member of the Lift Me Up family. He is a registered American Quarter Horse palomino gelding and having been born in 2002, is one of our younger horses. He was born in Tennessee but bought by his owner, Elizabeth, when he was three and moved up to Long Island, New York where he did some work in various disciplines including dressage, hunter-jumper and some trail riding. Elizabeth and Sky then moved down to Virginia where she switched him to western tack and started exclusively trail riding him. Recently, Elizabeth developed some physical limitations which have made riding Sky increasingly difficult and decided he might be happier coming to play with us! She is happy she can come visit him whenever she likes and was thrilled at how easily he seems to have transitioned to being a part of the LMU herd.