About the Horses

"We look forward to coming. We don't like leaving. And we always feel happier when we leave than when we came. Thanks for the friendship." The Gellers

"Thank you for the great memories of my first ride ever. Honey was a sweetie, and you are a wonderful instructor." David

"Letitia & John, What a honeymoon ride! We had a great time with John, Squire, & Zuni. Thanx so much for a super experience. We'll surely be back." Chuck & Jane (NY)

"The Sun Bowl Ranch was certainly a big part of our Stratton stay. This is truly a special place. Thank you." John, Dallie, Ashley, & Natalie Poletto

About the Horses

The horses make an irreplaceable contribution to the unique qualities of the Mountain View Ranch. They're simply wonderful animals—willing, responsive, gentle, and kind. Many guests ask us for "the gentle one," and our honest response is that they're all gentle. We take great pride in the quality and care of our horses. Their health and happiness are our priority, and it shows. Our horses treat us and our guests with the same respect that we give them.

Poco: a handsome black and white registered paint gelding is an absolute sweetheart with a kind and mellow soul. His temperment makes him a pleasure on the trail. He usually takes the nervous rider, because he's so laid back.

Tuffy: A cute pure black registered paint gelding is a Ranch favorite, because of his adorable face and sweet disposition.

Cheyenne is a handsome sorrel Quarter Horse gelding. He's very friendly and responsive and great with kids and grownups. He's also talented at untying knots and at freeing other horses from bridles and halters by pulling them right off their heads.

Dallas is a regal-looking chestnut Quarter Horse gelding who joined our family in June, 1999. He'd been badly treated and was very shy and frightened when he first arrived. All the wranglers love to ride him because he's so responsive, and we've all given him extra gentling.

Dream Bar: A sorrel registered paint mare is a joy to ride as her trot is as smooth as glass. She has a real personality that will warm your heart as you ride together.

Ginger, a sweet-natured registered spotted jenny donkey, is a trail-ride favorite of many children. She's the sister of Jazz, another talented Long-Ear at the Ranch. Letitia's first ride was on a donkey, and Sun Bowl Ranch stays with tradition.

Happy is a gray jenny donkey who, like Ginger, is a perfect trail-ride mount for young 'uns. Happy is famous for her braying, and she likes to express her opinions during the instructional session before each ride.

Honey, a pretty little chestnut Morab mare, is a true jewel. She was Letitia's lead horse for nearly two years. She's a delight for the experienced rider, but so gentle that most of the time she takes care of the youngest children. And, boy, can she go forever.

Hoochie is a striking brown-and-white leopard Appaloosa mare. She's a great little trooper and a pleasure for riders of all levels. She sure does like her food, though, and she's plump enough for two.

Jazz, Ginger's brother, is a chocolate-brown spotted gelding donkey. He's another gentle soul who loves to put his head in your lap or on your shoulder. He would be quite content to be scratched all day long.

Saqaua: A striking and dainty registered bay paint mare is gentle and willing to please with a kindly eye and gentle heart. Responsive and willing she is a joy to ride.

Just call her Leo: is a colorful registered buckskin paint mare that's strong build allows her to carry large riders, yet her sweet disposition often warms her to the small riders too.

Cherokee, a beautiful black-and-white blanket Appaloosa, has been John's boy for over eleven years. When he first joined us, he was skin and bones and sick with pneumonia. Now he's a healthy and happy herd boss who enjoys getting the others fired up in the pasture.

Smoky and Bandit are inseparable, so we introduce them together. Our two big boys are brothers and very devoted to each other. Both are magnificent chestnut Belgian geldings. Bandit weighs about 1700 pounds, and Smokey is close to a ton. They're so talented that they not only pull the sleigh and the wagon as a team, but often trail-ride as well.

Sparky is a chestnut Quarter Horse gelding with a white mane and tail that make him awfully cute. He's truly wonderful with kids and grownups alike. He works hard and never complains.

Splash is an unusually handsome white, brown, and gray Appaloosa gelding. And what a sweetheart. We couldn't ask for better.

Salsa: A big registered appendix chestnut mare is great on the trail and in the ring. She has a get up and go spirit, but is always willing to listen and please.

Fenix: Is a big grey thouroghbred gelding who's tall stature makes him a striking mount. He's spirited and eager to go, but gentle and responsive - with a canter to die for.

Bikini: is a grey registered arabian mare who is so responsive she wears only a hackamore. She is a pleasure in the ring and on the trail and is usually mounted by children because of her gentle way with them.

My Boy: is a registered sorrel paint gelding who is a sweet and loveable mount.

Mina: is a registered paint white mare with striking blue eyes that will entrance all that meet her. Sweet and extroidinarily mellow she is a joy to work with.

Big Bob: A gorgeous registered black percheron gelding, he pulls the sleigh in the winter and impresses riders under saddle during the summer.

Spurs: This handsome chestnut quarterhorse gelding is now Letitia's sweetheart. Although older, his spirit shines and and impresses all that watch him - especially when running the barrels, which he does with athletic grace.

Comanche: a chestnut blanket appaloosa gelding is always ready to go, but his responsiveness make him a good mount for adult or child.

Lady: A big gorgeous bay quarterhorse mare is loved by all that ride her. She's a pleasure on the trail and
in the ring.

Tiny and Tiny's baby Blue Eyes:: She's a big chestnut belgian mare who got half the fall off last year when she popped out a big paint colt with blue eyes. But she'll be welcomed back to the trail this summer.

Cocoa: is a handsome buckskin pony gelding who works on the trail and in the ring with kids and even small adults.

Trigger is a pretty chestnut mare pony who likes to work on the trail. She's got lot's of energy and is good with children.

Mama is almost identical to Trigger and is named for her adorable colt. She loves being a mom and even tried to kidnap Tiny's baby right after she had him!

Blackie is a small black pony that is super gentle and good on the trail and in the ring. Because of his small size he's a favorite for pony rides.

Baby Pony was named by Shayla and is Mama's adorable baby. He is very sweet and gentle and lets 3 year old Shayla lead him around. In a couple of years he will be riding at the Ranch too.

Although Sunny isn't a horse, he's an important member of the family. When he's not greeting or entertaining our guests, he often keeps the horses in line, patrols the property, offers advice to John and Letitia, makes sure that meals are fit for human consumption, sleeps on important furnishings to prevent them from floating away, or otherwise makes himself useful.

In Memory

One of the best parts of having a Ranch is being able to share our lives with so many wonderful horses. However, one of the hardest parts is when they inevitably pass on. Our horses are like family and we remember them all with heartfelt gratitude for all the good times and wonderful rides. So, we remember you all here and in our hearts.

Thank you

Indian

Nixon

Woody

Aztec

Magic

Mystic

Zuni

Goldie

Kiana

Moving On

There comes a time when our faithful horses need to retire from their strenuous summer schedule. When that time comes we sadly, yet gladly, place them in a special loving home - usually with a child. So, another special Thank You to our horses that have moved on.

Mohican

Squire

Captain

Big Red

Montana

Angel

Milky Way

Mesa

Email - riding@mountainviewranch.biz

Mountain View Ranch
502 Easy St.
Danby, VT 05739
(802) 293-5837