In Loving Memory
Our equine partners simply do not live long enough. We are grateful for the gifts they shared by simply being themselves. This page is dedicated to the ones who are no longer with us physically but will remain in our hearts forever.
Onyx 2004-2022
Onyx peacefully left for the rainbow bridge on 4 February 2022 in the presence of friends and family with the practice owner gently holding him the entire time. Onyx spent much of his life serving others through both Equine Assisted Therapy and Riding Lessons. He was a gentle soul that shared an unparalleled bond with the practice owner as Onyx was one of the original three horses to serve through Valor Horses for Heroes and the first horse the owner had the privilege of adopting. He could frequently be seen roaming the pastures with his head pressed against Ken’s back or chasing food buckets. He brought healing to a tremendous number of individuals and groups both in and out of session. He will forever be missed by any who were fortunate enough to come across his path.
Red 1994-2022
Dudes Great Pine, aka Red, was a beloved friend of our Equine Specialist, Casey. While she was in high school, Red and Casey competed at the national level in reining, an incredible western riding sport that incorporates difficult maneuvers into a beautiful pattern - think "cowboy figure skating!" This was a sport in which Red excelled, ranking them 3rd in the country once upon a time. Red went on to teach many kids and adults to ride and live a life full of love. Upon his well-earned retirement from his riding career, Red became a therapy horse with our team here at Valor Horses. Casey has many treasured memories with Red spanning their 20+ years of friendship. At the age of 28, Red was peacefully laid to rest, and will forever live on in our hearts.
Sunny 1997-2024
Starrin Doctor Sunny, aka Sunny, was a long-time friend of Casey, who met him when she was just 10 years old. She leaned against the wall in front of a stall, and after a minute felt her pony tail being pulled into the stall. After turning around she met a silly little 3 year old horse. The instructor informed her that this horse and the one to his right were both sons of Docs Keepin Time, the horse that played Black Beauty in one of her favorite movies. She was immediately in love. Obsessively. She spent every minute she could at the barn and they had many adventures together. They showed locally in english and western events. They did games, trick training, and tried vaulting, among other shenanigans. Throughout the years, she returned to Sunny's barn to teach other kids on him. In 2020 when he was ready for retirement his owner offered to send him back to Casey. She and Ken brought him home, and he became a huge part of the equine-assisted trauma therapy program.
She is grateful for all this goofy gelding taught her about horses, life, and love, and for the sanctuary he and the barn provided for a little girl who felt she didn't belong anywhere else - a feeling that led her to a desire to help other people heal through horses.
Sunny was peacefully and humanely laid to rest, surrounded by loved ones, on a sunny day in January of 2024, after his body could no longer fight an illness. He will remain in our hearts forever.
Perry 2004-2024
Perpetual Cowboy, or "Perry" as we knew him, spent the majority of his life teaching kids how to ride and introducing them to the world of horse shows in NJ. At a busy lesson barn, sisters McKenzie and Kacie May fell in love with him. They rode and showed him as kids, and after moving away as adults they visited and asked for updates on him when they could. In 2023 the Mays, now living in NC, had the opportunity to buy Perry and give him a laid-back life in his retirement. He came to live with us at Valor Horses for Heroes and quickly became a favorite for many in our program. He thrived in the relaxed environment and made everyone smile with his curiosity, affection, and trust. He was well known for getting you to scratch his itchy face whether you were aware of it or not, and you'd leave with little white hairs all over. Much like many of our veterans share, the transition from one phase of life to another, where there's not so much structure or fast-paced routine, finding your own identity can be difficult. Perry was a great example of how to go through that transition and thrive on the other side. Perry was laid to rest after humane euthanasia due to a tragic injury and was surrounded by family and friends in the end. We are forever grateful to Perry for his time with us, and for bringing us the incredible women that came with him into our barn family.