Meet Smoke — Our First Horse
Smoke’s retirement wasn’t the end of his story — it was the start of his best chapter yet.
After years of service with the U.S. Border Patrol, Smoke was medically retired and donated with honor. His working days on the line were behind him, but his instinct to serve never left. When he arrived at the ranch, he stepped into a new role naturally — steady, observant, and quietly reassuring to everyone who crosses his path.
Today, Smoke is a cornerstone of our program. He helps veterans and first responders slow down, reconnect, and heal — no pressure, no expectations, just open space, fresh hay, and a horse who understands duty and transition firsthand.
Why Sponsor Smoke?
Because Smoke represents exactly what this mission is about:
Service doesn’t end — it evolves
Healing happens in simple, honest moments
Strength can be calm, gentle, and grounded
Your sponsorship directly supports:
Smoke’s ongoing care (feed, farrier, veterinary support)
Program access for veterans and first responders
The preservation of service horses transitioning into meaningful second careers
Meet Pippin
Spicy Heart. Steady Soul.
Pippin is our second horse and one of those mares who makes an impression the second you meet her. She’s a spicy little redhead — confident, expressive, and full of personality — but underneath that spark is a mare who is sweet as can be and deeply tuned in to the people around her. Pippin has worked with all ages, from kids to adults, and has a way of meeting each person exactly where they are.
She’s the kind of horse who teaches without trying. She rewards calm energy, invites connection, and reminds people that strength and softness can live in the same place. On the ranch, Pippin brings both joy and grounding — a steady presence with just enough fire to keep things honest.
Sponsor Pippin
Sponsoring Pippin means directly supporting her care and the work she helps make possible. Your sponsorship helps cover:
Feed, supplements, and daily care
Farrier and veterinary needs
Tack, grooming supplies, and equipment
Ongoing training and program support
In return, you’re not just backing a horse — you’re investing in the moments of confidence, calm, and connection she helps create for veterans, first responders, and families on the ranch.
Why Pippin Matters
Every herd needs balance. Pippin brings it — a little spice, a lot of heart, and a steady presence that people feel the moment they step into her space. She reminds us that being strong doesn’t mean being hard, and being gentle doesn’t mean being weak.
If Pippin speaks to you, we’d be honored to have you stand with her.
Meet Hoss — Built the Right Way
If you’ve ever been around horses, you know there are some that feel like they’ve got an old soul. That’s Hoss.
Hoss is our mellow, steady ranch gentleman — the kind of horse who doesn’t need to prove anything. He’s confident without being pushy, calm without being lazy, and he brings this grounded energy that makes people feel safe just standing next to him.
Hoss isn’t just any horse at Homefront Horsemanship — he’s Sandy and Ben’s personal horse, and he’s been part of their day-to-day life on the ranch for years. Ben raised and trained Hoss himself, from the ground up. That means Hoss wasn’t shaped by shortcuts or quick fixes — he was built patiently, with consistency, and with a deep understanding of what makes a horse truly dependable.
And that foundation shows up every time someone new climbs into the saddle.
Hoss has been a steady teacher for countless new riders, from nervous beginners to folks who just needed a calm horse to help them rebuild trust — in the horse, in the saddle, and in themselves.
He’s the horse we lean on when it matters most.
When someone is uncertain.
When a rider is shaky.
When confidence needs to come first.
Because Hoss doesn’t demand perfection — he offers steadiness.
He’s the kind of horse that reminds you what good horsemanship is really about:
patience, partnership, and peace.
Sponsor Hoss
When you sponsor Hoss, you’re helping keep our programs free of cost to participants — and giving new riders a safe, confidence-building first ride with a horse who never quits on them.
Meet Eddie
Eddie’s past isn’t written down anywhere, but his training sure is—etched into every step he takes.
Wherever Eddie came from, someone took the time with him. He’s a good gelding in the truest sense of the word: respectful, willing, and tuned in. He understands his job, listens closely, and shows up ready to work every single day. Not rushed. Not dull. Just solid and honest.
Eddie came to us from Rapture’s Rescue Foundation, and it didn’t take long to see that he’s eager to learn and proud to do right. He picks things up quickly, meets new situations with curiosity instead of fear, and carries himself with a quiet confidence that riders immediately feel.
That kind of horse is a gift—especially for veterans and first responders stepping away from high-pressure, high-stakes roles. Eddie offers a reset. A calm presence. A place where the nervous system can slow down and confidence can rebuild without force or expectation.
Eddie reminds us that good training lasts, even when the rest of the story is unknown. And now, he gets to use that foundation to help others find their footing again—one calm ride, one steady moment at a time.
Meet Patches—the kind of horse every kid remembers forever.
Patches is the perfect horse for kiddos. He’s affectionate, patient, and absolutely convinced he’s a lap dog. If you stop to say hello, he’ll lean in like he’s been invited—and honestly, he has.
He came to us from Rapture’s Rescue Foundation, and it didn’t take long to see where he shines. Patches is gentle with small riders, forgiving with learning hands, and endlessly kind. He meets kids at their level, helping them feel safe, confident, and proud of themselves—whether they’re brushing, leading, or riding.
Out on the ranch, Patches brings joy. He teaches patience, trust, and responsibility in the softest way possible, reminding families that horses don’t just build skills—they build connection.
We’re grateful to welcome Patches to the Homefront herd.
If love could wear a paint coat, it would look a lot like him.
Meet Cosmo
Some horses arrive quietly… and somehow change everything.
Cosmo came to Homefront with a past rooted in service—years spent helping in other programs, carrying riders who needed more than just a lesson. He understands the work. He understands people.
And most of all… he understands patience.
He’s the kind of horse who waits. Who steadies. Who meets each rider exactly where they are—whether it’s a nervous first ride or someone rebuilding their confidence one step at a time.
We’ve already seen it in him…
the way he softens under an unsure hand,
the way he stands just a little longer,
the way he helps riders believe they can.
That’s not something you train.
That’s who he is.
But out in the pasture… there’s another side of Cosmo.
Lately, he’s become downright playful with his pasture mate, Smoke—running, nudging, stirring up just enough mischief to remind us he’s not just a steady teacher… he’s still got plenty of life and joy in him too.
And that balance matters.
Because the horses who can carry both—
the calm and the spark—
are the ones who change people.
At Homefront, Cosmo is stepping into a new chapter—helping riders of all ages grow stronger, braver, and more connected, both in and out of the saddle.
And if you ask anyone around the ranch… he does have one weakness.
Bananas.
Cosmo will do just about anything for one—and we’re not mad about it.
If you’d like to be part of his journey, you can sponsor Cosmo and support his care (and yes… his banana fund 🍌).
Because horses like him don’t just show up.
They show up for others.
And that’s exactly what makes them special.
Welcome home, Cosmo.
Meet our Donkeys - Layla & Billy
Not every hoof at Homefront is built the same—and that’s exactly the point.
Layla, our gentle standard donkey, and Billy, our tiny but mighty mini, may be smaller in size, but what they bring to this ranch is anything but small.
From the moment they arrived, they settled in like they’ve always belonged.
And the kids noticed immediately.
There’s something about them—soft, approachable, steady in a way that invites even the most hesitant hands to reach out. For many of our riders, especially the youngest ones, Layla and Billy are often the first step. The first touch. The first moment of connection.
And that moment matters.
Confidence doesn’t always start in the saddle.
Sometimes it starts with a quiet nuzzle…
a small hoof standing still…
a child realizing they’re safe enough to try.
Layla and Billy have already begun that work here—melting hearts, building trust, and reminding us that impact isn’t measured in size.
They’re not just part of the herd.
They’re part of the foundation.
We’re proud to have them here at Homefront—and even more grateful for the role they’re already playing in the lives of the families we serve.
Why Monthly Matters
Monthly support gives Homefront Horsemanship steady footing — the kind of dependable backing that keeps this ranch running strong. It allows us to plan ahead, schedule programs with confidence, and make responsible decisions instead of hoping the numbers work out at the last second. When support is consistent, we can focus on what matters: showing up for participants and delivering a high-quality experience every time they walk through the gate. It also means our horses receive steady, uninterrupted care. Feed, farrier visits, vet needs, and basic supplies don’t come and go — they’re ongoing.