Horses at Double Take Stables
Here at Double Take Stables every horse has a story and holds a special place in our hearts....
A majority of our horses are Off the Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs). We are a partner farm with Turning for Home and regularly have wonderful Thoroughbreds come in right from the track. You will see quite a few of that at our barn-- being used in lessons, showing or just being spoiled pets. Missy got her first OTTB 10 years ago and she proved to be one of the most challenging horses she has ever worked with but so willing and talented. Ever since then she has enjoyed taking rescues and projects with a majority of them being off the track. Unfortunately they come with a strong stereotype that some people misunderstand... We are not strong believers of the stereotypical OTTBs... We believe that these horses have some of the best manners and foundation out of any. Frequently these horses are not given enough down time to be just a horse and enjoy some time off racing and pasture time. We love to give them that time and start them slowly and correctly.
FUN FACT: Each horse has their own color and we try to match their tack so it is easier to figure who's stuff is whose.
A majority of our horses are Off the Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs). We are a partner farm with Turning for Home and regularly have wonderful Thoroughbreds come in right from the track. You will see quite a few of that at our barn-- being used in lessons, showing or just being spoiled pets. Missy got her first OTTB 10 years ago and she proved to be one of the most challenging horses she has ever worked with but so willing and talented. Ever since then she has enjoyed taking rescues and projects with a majority of them being off the track. Unfortunately they come with a strong stereotype that some people misunderstand... We are not strong believers of the stereotypical OTTBs... We believe that these horses have some of the best manners and foundation out of any. Frequently these horses are not given enough down time to be just a horse and enjoy some time off racing and pasture time. We love to give them that time and start them slowly and correctly.
FUN FACT: Each horse has their own color and we try to match their tack so it is easier to figure who's stuff is whose.
"Serenity"
Serenity is a Thoroughbred mare that came into Missy's hands just by happenstance. We got her when we went to look at a different horse. She was a rescue who's owners were not willing to put anymore time into her. She is great for beginners as well as riders showing the low level hunters and jumpers and is an excellent trail horse. She is quite the character who will never fail to make you laugh.
"Inga"
Inga is a lovely Thoroughbred mare that was donated to our program by a couple who loved her very dearly but were not in a position to keep her. She quickly became many riders favorite horse with her wonderful work ethic and sweet personality. Inga is great at introducing a rider in to the jumpers.
"Dream"
Dream is a stunning german Warmblood gelding. He joined us in 2016 and has been a great addition to our program. Dream has a background in dressage and showed in the jumpers for a few years with us. He has semi retired from our program and is used with just starting out beginners and for trails.
"Ascot"
Ascot Martin "Ascot" was sent to us for consignment and he ended up being a great match for our program. He was owned by a teenager that showed him in low level hunters. This gentle giant stands around 17h and is a great all around horse. He is available for a show lease!
"True"
True Bet "True" came to us from a friend to help sell. He was another one that just fit in here. While reconditioning we found a sweet willing gelding that has potential for anything. Our advanced riders love taking him over fences while our more beginner riders love his consistent trot.
"Maya"
Maya is a quarter horse mare who has done a little bit of everything! She has shown in both hunters and jumpers and has extensive trail miles. Maya is great for most any level rider. She is also a great horse at shows- especially to take you to your first show ever!
"Diva"
Diva is a QHx mare that Missy originally met in 2012 at a barn she used to teach lessons at. Diva was young and green but had plenty of willingness to learn. Fast forward to 2020 where Divas most recent owner reached out to see if we had a client interested in purchasing her and she fit right into our program! Diva has recently started bringing riders into the jumper ring and is a sweet girl with a bit of sass!
"Brownie"
Brownie is a QHx gelding ws a big personality! This guy is smooth and broad, a favorite for bareback! He has shown low level eventing and been trail ridden. He has been a great addition to the program so far.
"Fern"
Fern is a lovely TB mare that is great for all level riders! She originally joined us as a project horse but she was too good of a fit! She hacks on trails quietly and is great at shows too!
"Steel"
Steel is a holsteiner gelding that was a very talented jumper in his younger years! This guy is full of personality and loves to help people love to jump. He also enjoys hacking around the farm. We are so lucky to have found this guy!
"Buck"
Buck nicknamed "Giant" is a huge thoroughbred that stands around 17.3h. This guy has a long record in showing 1.10-1.30m. He has also foxhunted and been trail ridden. He is an easy going guy but will happily move out and jump some bigger fences with our advanced riders. He has been a great addition to our program!
"Twinkie"
Twinkie is a super cute haflinger pony that recently joined our program! She taught her previous owners kids to ride and is now helping kids learn here! She is great on trails and used mostly in beginner lessons.
"BlackJack"
Black Jack is a super goofy Quarter pony. He came to us as a project to work out a few behavorial issues and has since become a permanent addition to our program! BJ has some eventing experience in his past and Missy is currently enjoying playing around on him! He can be a bit quirky but would love to find a person to show lease him!
"Vegas"
Vegas is a very sweet 25yo mustang who has the same owner for over 20 years! Vegas has had a wonderful life with his owner and has shown in the jumpers and dressage. His owner had to move overseas and has trusted DTS with the care of Vegas and Georgia. She is sharing them with us and Vegas is a wonderful beginner horse with very smooth gaits.
"Georgia"
Georgia is a 20yo mare who loves to jump and trail ride! This mare is a forward ride and our advanced students love hacking her around. Thank you to owner, Rhiannon, for sharing your wonderful horses with us!
"Magic"
Magic was Missy's first thoroughbred and proved to be a big challenge! They showed in the jumpers and low level eventing as well as working on their bridleless skills. Magic is very well mannered and is great for first time beginners and leadline.
"Cupcake"
Cupcake Is full sisters to Missy's horse, Luna. We call Luna "Muffin" so therefore what was supposed to be Stella, became Cupcake. Missy kept in touch with Luna's race owner to see if Cupcake would ever be looking for a home after racing. Cupcake, unlike her sister, had a successful race career and was retired November 2016 after winning her last race. We brought her home in November 2017 almost 5 years to the day after bringing Luna home. She of course has a special spot in our hearts and enjoys getting exercised by some of our experienced riders. She can be seen with some beginners and on occasional trails.
"Squeak"
Squeak is our resident mini pony. Her job is to be cute and take pictures. She also likes to entertain some of our young kids with grooming or leading around the farm.
"Pixie"
Pixie is our resident pony. She stands around 13.2hh. Pixie is a very gentle and kind pony. We are very lucky to have her. She loves to be brushed and walk around all day.
"Senor Carrots"
Senor Carrots is our mini donkey. We decided we would like to have a donkey at the new barn and could not pass this guy up. He is formally known as Donkey or Donquito... He has become Arson's best friend and otherwise provides entertainment when you hear him breigh.
"Halo"
We went to an auction June 2020 with attentions of finding a potential lesson horse and a trail horse for a family friend. The auction was HUGE and we stayed all the way until the end where I bid on hip #666... a non halter broke 2yo. She was terrified.. and precious. After finally getting a halter on and getting her in the halter we took her home and named her Halo. We gave her time to unwind and learn to trust. Catching her was not easy, leading her was difficult and haltering her was even harder. But with months of handling she has become very sweet and has learned how to lead fairly well. She will likely stay here to be backed and decided if she will stay here... she has quite the fan club.
special needs pasture
"Pirate"
Pirate is a one eyed rescue pony who we pulled from a feel lot in NC. He had a huge gash in his ear and needed a lot of weight. He is now a little on the chunky side and is Radio's best friend! Pirate is great with kids and very lazy... he will stand all day for grooming and pony rides.
Pirate May 2020 Pirate August 2020
"Teddy"
Teddy is our only gaited horse at DTS. We originally purchased him at an auction to potentially be a friends trail horse but discovered he has very few top teeth left (original though was that we purchased a 30yo horse) and would need a special. He spent a few months getting TLC and gaining weight and his sweet gentle soul found a way into our hearts. He is Missy's boyfriend, Jason, horse and can be seen on some trails and hacking around the farm.
Teddy june 2020 Teddy August 2020
"Radio"
Edens Boy “Radio” is our blind rescue. He was adopted through turning for home several years ago and his owner sadly fell on hard times and Radio and his pasture mate were neglected. Radio and his pasture mate were sent to us to rehab and adopt out when ready. Due to radio being blind and having no top teeth due to cribbing and neglect he was going to be hard to adopt. After a few weeks trying to let this sweet boy enjoy life, Missy decided that she could not bring herself to euthanize and made him a permanent addition to DTS to ensure he would always have a safe landing. This gelding has so much personality and heart- come meet him and he will steal yours.
Radio, Pirate and Teddy make up the "Special needs" pasture.
Radio, Pirate and Teddy make up the "Special needs" pasture.
Radio May 2019 Radio June 2019
Radio December 2019 Radio June 2020
In loving memory...
Twister
Twister was my first horse and purchased when I was 12 years old. He was 5 at the time and a high spirited appendix x saddlebred that was a green and just gelded (sired 6 fillies!). He taught me so much. Twister and I never showed together much but enjoyed riding at home and many adventures and trail rides. He was full of personality and often found opening gates. I was lucky to own Twister for almost 16 years. He was retired at a fairly young age due to arthritis but enjoyed 10 years of retirement. Twister taught me so much about responsibility, care, patience and how important I think a bond with your horse can be. He was my go to in school when I needed a getaway and a thing to look forward to after work. He never failed to bring a smile to my face. I am thankful for my parents who bought Twister for me and allowed me to have the many years together but only wish his time was more predictable so he could have had even more spoiling and love.
Vertical Horizon
"Caly"
Where do I even start... "Crazy Caly" the one that I couldn't stand originally and the same one that took my to my first 3'6 course, my first trip to the beach and so much more. We sadly lost this girl due to colitis. I miss this girl so much and am so thankful for the years we had together. We enjoyed flying around the jumper ring and then learned to have more control a few years later. She taught me so much and had such a big heart.
Better than a Benz
"Bentley"
One of the most memorable comments I received was from a photographer that said he had never seen a horse that looked as happy as Bentley did in every picture...
I truly hope that Bentleys life was that. I am so thankful for the 6 years we had with him but devastated that those years came to an early end. He always did seem happy and was one of the most personable and gorgeous horses I've ever met. It is hard to think of how fragile horses are and how precious each moment is with these incredible animals. We unfortunately lost Bentley after he had surgery to remove a sequestrum. The bone was more compromised than x-rays showed and it could not hold after surgery. Bentley was a huge part of our farm and had many successful miles in the jumper ring. He spent his last years reunited with his best friend, Rai and very well loved. Bentley helped bring advanced riders into the rated jumpers and enjoyed many hacks with me. I have never had a horse that was loved by so many pasture mates. He is missed by all.
I truly hope that Bentleys life was that. I am so thankful for the 6 years we had with him but devastated that those years came to an early end. He always did seem happy and was one of the most personable and gorgeous horses I've ever met. It is hard to think of how fragile horses are and how precious each moment is with these incredible animals. We unfortunately lost Bentley after he had surgery to remove a sequestrum. The bone was more compromised than x-rays showed and it could not hold after surgery. Bentley was a huge part of our farm and had many successful miles in the jumper ring. He spent his last years reunited with his best friend, Rai and very well loved. Bentley helped bring advanced riders into the rated jumpers and enjoyed many hacks with me. I have never had a horse that was loved by so many pasture mates. He is missed by all.
- Down by the Bay
- "Chic"
Chic was a once in a lifetime pony. Missy grew up riding her and she was a talented horse. She was unable to purchase her as her first horse but made herself and Chic a promise that she would buy her one day and have the rest of Chic's time together. Missy was able to own Chic for 6 wonderful years before she passed away. Chic and her had many fun and successful outings including many schooling shows, their first horse trial and C show. Later on Chic joined the DTS lesson program and helped successfully bring young riders into the show ring. We were very lucky to have this talented mare to bring us such great memories, show experiences and lessons. We miss her everyday.
Horses leave hoofprints on your heart.