Miracles in Motion Retired Horses

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Horse Hall of Fame
Miracles in Motion has been blessed with many worthy steeds over the years. This page is a humble tribute to those horses. Feel free to send your stories and photos to rpaarmann@mchsi.com.

Ashia is a registered Arabian who was donated to Miracles by a woman in Swisher. He was once called the most photogenic horse at Miracles because he appeared in so many newspaper features. Ashia enjoyed his retirement home in Mt. Vernon, under the care of Jackie Wallace. Ashia passed away peacefully right after his 34th birthday in February 2006.





Big Boy was donated to Miracles in the fall of 2001. This sorrel Quarter Horse with a white blaze was a family horse used for many activities. In recent years, he attended the Marion Farm Days and gave pony rides to children, sometimes three at a time! At Miracles, Big Boy was a very tolerant gentleman. He passed away peacefully in 2004. DOB: 1983.

Buddy had a special patience with riders who have trouble controlling their bodies -- or their enthusiasm! For 10 years, we counted on our Quarter Horse Buddy to be calm and patient in any situation. Boisterous games, unexpected movements, or the loud cheers of an excited rider were all in a day's work for Buddy. Buddy is half brother to Sonny. Born in 1980, he passed away peacefully in November 2005.

Cash came all the way from Nebraska to be a Miracles horse! His owner, Bryn Geerdes, saw our website and was so impressed, she hauled him five hours to donate him! Cash is a very tall, gray Quarter Horse with a black mane and tail. He was used in rodeos as a roping and barrel horse. He has a "been there/done that" attitude and became a favorite with exercise riders. He is a great-grandson of Kentucky Derby winner Bold Ruler.Cash now happily resides at Joyce's ranch near Iowa City with companions Foxy and Blaze.

Chief Pilot is a red Appaloosa was purchased in 1998 with money from the Noon Pilot Club of Johnson County. We are very grateful for this donation as Chief was one of Miracles' most versatile and "usable" horses. He carried almost any rider, and through his laid-back nature, taught many students to become better riders. He joined Nessie in retirement at Alysia Haman's family farm. DOB: 1985.

Duan (pronounced dune) came to us in 2004 when his college-student owner became too busy to give him the attention he needed. Duan came with extensive dressage training and a love of people—especially people who took the time to find his special itchy spot. Duan bonded with Miracles volunteer, Loryn Smith, and when it was time for Duan to retire, Loryn was very happy to provide him a new home. Duan moved with Loryn to Madison, WI in 2006. Loryn reports that “Duan is very happy in his new home. He gets the 'one owner' attention from me that he needs in order to be a good therapy horse. He is being used in classes at Three Gaits Therapeutic Riding Center in Madison. The independent riders love him and his personality is a favorite with the volunteers. I am glad that I get to see and ride my favorite Miracles horse as it has let me keep a piece of Miracles in my new home.”

Duke is a well-built bay Quarter Horse who joined the Miracles herd in the fall of 2000 and retired in 2003. Duke was previously used as a team penning horse and neck reins very well. He trained in classes during spring 2001 and carried our larger riders until 2003, when he received a new home and a new name. His new owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, lovingly renamed him "Dollar" after the horse of "The Duke," John Wayne.

Hombre, a Quarter Horse, was donated to Miracles in Motion in 1999. Hombre was ideal for our independent riders because he listened so carefully to their commands. He was also a wonderful horse on which to learn how to canter. Hombre retired in 2002 to Erin and Tim Hazen's farm, where he spent the rest of his days grazing in big fields of grass and trotting around with his old friends Kip and Whitney. He passed away peacefully at the ripe old age of 30.

Leo was acquired by MIM through a donation from Civitan — he was one of the first horses purchased that way. He was the son of Sweet Cindy, owned by Dr. Mary. He was pretty sweet and the favorite of one of the young adult women riders at one time.  He was very trustworthy and a good solid horse who was large enough for bigger riders.



Nessie - Finesse "Nessie", a gray, registered Arabian, joined Miracles in 1999 and retired in 2001. He quickly became a favorite of volunteers and students alike, with his beautiful long mane and tail and classic Arabian head. Nessie is usually very calm, but when nervous he finds solace in chewing on his bit or licking his handler. Previous careers include trail horse and show horse. Nessie was partially donated by his previous owner; his purchase and continued support came from the generosity of the Collins Employees United Fund. Nessie resides with the family of Alysia Haman, one of our students. DOB: 5-4-83. This photo is from 2007.

Otto
A sturdy Appaloosa, Otto carried our larger riders with ease. Otto had a laid-back personality, but he had a mischievous side, too. Horse committee folks will remember Otto's habit of casually hanging around the gates, pretending to mind his own business, and then he'd dash through the gate the second it was opened. Otto was retired in 2000.


Slugger, our tiny bay pony for many years, was more inviting to small children than our full sized horses. Slugger loved to be hugged and had a big heart in his small body. With his short little legs, he had to take a few extra steps to walk around the arena, but he marched along with the others and finished every relay race! Slugger joined the herd in 1998. He passed away in October 2007. DOB: 1985

Speckles' color suggests Appaloosa; his gait suggests Tennessee Walker, thus we called him a Walkaloosa! Speckles came to Miracles in the summer of 2000. He was used as a trail horse and has previously worked at a camp. Sidewalkers appreciate his modest height, and his sturdy build and smooth gait make him a natural therapeutic horse. Speckles was purchased with money from The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. He retired in 2004. DOB: 1986.

Toby, a tall bay Thoroughbred, stayed at Miracles for a short time in 2001 and 2002. His sweet personality and kind nature made him a favorite with the horse committee volunteers and students. Toby had an illustrious career as a Pony Club and lesson horse before arriving at Miracles.


Tom was a sturdy, 20-something bay pony with a large white star and a tiny white spot on his right shoulder. The white spot is from years of wearing harnesses as a competition pulling pony. When Tom first arrived at Miracles in Motion, he was a bit of a challenge to catch, but soon he figured out that Miracles was very different from waht he used to do—it was a lot less work and a lot more treats! Tom is kept busy with the multitudes of young children that ride in the program. Tom was partially donated in 2005 by the Cochran’s of Oxford. He passed away peacefully in 2007.

Twiggy was one of our early steeds, donated by Carol B. She was a mare just big enough to be a horse. Today, Miracles accepts only geldings into the herd.




Whitney, a grey Thoroughbred/Connemara cross, served many MIM riders since 1997. He officially retired in October 2001. Whitney is one of those horses with a strong personality, the kind of horse who challenged the independent riders to do things right, but also took care of the riders who needed more assistance. He imagined himself to be the boss of the herd (when we all know Buddy was the real boss), and he pranced around on crisp fall days like a yearling. Whitney brought a bit of elegance to the Miracles farm. He has found a retirement home with Erin and Tim Hazen at their acreage in Solon. Whitney also imagines himself the boss there, and Kip is too polite to tell him otherwise. DOB: 1980


Do you have a story about a former Miracles horse? If so, please contact Ruth Paarmann at rpaarmann@mchsi.com.