From the Mountains of North Carolina to Natural Freedom

Pepper’s journey to Natural Freedom began in the mountains of North Carolina—and it was an adventure before she ever arrived.

She traveled north through a snowstorm, requiring a layover along the way, and even crossed the Canadian border as part of her journey. Along the way, she picked up a traveling companion—a Hanoverian being shipped from Germany. By the time Pepper finally reached Ohio, the hired transporter had a rig so large that he couldn’t pull into our driveway. So, Pepper had to be unloaded right there on the road! Pepper said good bye to her travel partner as the Hanoverian continued their journey out west.

She had traveled a long way to become part of our family.

Pepper came to Natural Freedom as a 4-H pony for our then third-grade son. In North Carolina, she had been trained as a jumper. But our son had other ideas. Together, they began learning the fast-paced world of gymkhana—an equestrian timed sport featuring speed-pattern racing, barrel racing, pole bending, and other timed games.

Pepper and our son became quite a team. They qualified for the Ohio State Fair in the pole bending race. Unfortunately, to compete in the Ohio State Fair Horse Show, a rider had to qualify in two events. They didn’t make it to the show, but their partnership had already become something special.

Pepper was a versatile, patient pony—and she was remarkably tolerant of an imaginative young boy. The imagination of a young country boy and his pony has no boundaries. From a creative game of modified, safe jousting game with friends to dreaming of being a bull rider and the trail rides they had many, many fun times. Jousting is a Middle Ages and Renaissance medieval sport where two knights ride horses towards each other and try to knock each other down using long wooden spears called lances.

The modified jousting game consisted of our son riding his new mount, Cheyenne (see Cheyenne’s Story Trail) and his friends that were less experienced riders on Pepper. Unfortunately, though Pepper was patient and walked his friends struggled to keep Pepper between them and the ground. They would slowly and gently slide off her side with each start of the run. Luckly, they had helmets and it was in slow motion so no one ever got hurt but they have fun memories of the creative attempt!

Our son also dreamed of becoming a bull rider. Pepper became an important part of that dream, too. He would run her the length of the show arena and then dismount in the opposite direction, practicing what he imagined would be a bull-riding dismount.

At first, Pepper would stop immediately.

She would check on him, making sure he was all right after he shifted his weight in the saddle. But eventually, Pepper figured out the game. She learned that her boy was okay—and she kept right on running.

That was Pepper. She learned. She adapted. And she trusted.

From 4-H Pony to Therapy Horse

4-H also required a community service project. At the time, a new therapeutic riding program was developing in our area and was looking for horses and ponies that could become therapeutic riding mounts.

Our son decided Pepper could help.

Every evening after school, he worked with her to prepare her for her new job. With a borrowed wheelchair from a local church he would lead Pepper up and down the driveway while he sat in the wheelchair.

It must have been quite a sight.

Neighbors would stop to watch, often wondering if our son was okay as he traveled up and down the driveway in a wheelchair beside his pony!

But there was a purpose behind those daily sessions. Pepper was learning that wheelchairs were nothing to fear, and our son was teaching her how to become a safe and confident partner for people with disabilities.

When their 4-H career came to an end, Pepper made a swift and natural transition into the newly developing Natural Freedom equine assisted therapy and learning program.

She became one of our very first therapy horses.

Pepper, the Mother

Pepper’s gifts didn’t stop with therapy.

When we adopted a nurse mare foal—just three days old—Pepper immediately stepped into another role. She became an adopted Mom(mare).

She accepted the tiny foal and cared for her effortlessly, providing the comfort, companionship, and security that a baby horse needed.

It seemed that Pepper understood exactly what was being asked of her.

 

A Pony Who Gave So Much

Pepper was an amazing pony for so many people.

She began her journey as a mountain pony from North Carolina, traveled through snow and across borders, became a beloved 4-H partner, learned to race, jump, and play along with a young boy’s dreams and imagination. She learned to accept a wheelchair and became one of Natural Freedom’s first therapy horses. Then, without hesitation, she became a mother to an orphaned foal.

Pepper had a remarkable ability to meet people—and horses—where they were.

She was patient. She was versatile. She was trusting. She was willing.

And she was deeply loved.

Before Pepper became a therapy pony, before she became a mother, before she touched the lives of so many people in our community, she was simply our son’s pony.

Her story began with the love of one little boy and grew into something much bigger.

Pepper gave pieces of herself to so many—and in doing so, became part of the story of Natural Freedom.

Her journey was long. Her heart was generous. Her impact was immeasurable.

Pepper was loved by our family first, and then by a community that came to admire and cherish her.