Our Team
Nikki Caudill Owner/Instructor
My name is Nikki Caudill and I love to teach Horseback Riding to both the new and the "already in love"
I teach riders of all ages and backgrounds, and I especially love being able to bring horses into the lives of people who didn't think it was possible.
Teaching gives me more joy than anything else in the world (Except just being around horses of course)!
My Specialites inculde:
- English and Western Pleasure
- Dressage up to 2nd Level
- Show Jumping and Eventing basics
- Jumping up to 2'6" (Unless you provide your own horse)
- Beginner and Leadline lessons
- Riding for students who are interested in showing
Erin Starrett: Instructor
"I am a 23 year-old recent college graduate from Robert Morris University. I have been fascinated with horses since I was 4 years old, starting lessons when I was 6.
"Over the years, I have gained experience in dressage, hunter jumpers, and foundation training. I became involved in helping and teaching local 4H students and discovered how much I enjoy helping others.
"I look forward to teaching many more years at Pony Tails"
-Erin
Since starting with us in 2019, Erin has been teaching up to 5 days a week, has helped with summer camps, and has even taught double lessons with me, Nikki.
She has become a valuable assett to our growing team!
Ellie Yeazell: Junior Instructor
"I've been riding horses since I was seven years old and had moved around barns until I found Nikki around five years ago. I started helping in Summer Camps about three years ago and earlier this year I started teaching lessons.
"Outside of riding horses, I enjoy doing crafts and playing sports. I am also into all things animals and I want to work with them in the future. I hope to learn as much as I can while teaching with Pony Tails."
-Ellie
Ellie has been a wonderful student and a great help here at Pony Tails. Ellie has recently begun her veterinary training at Finley University! We wish her all the luck in the world as she takes her next great step in life!
Meet Our Horses!
Sir Bowie aka “Bowie”
34 Years old in 2024
Quarter Horse
Chestnut Gelding
School horse experience: 26 years
Bowie was one of the first horses that I ever rode, a little over 20 years ago. He is a bit grumpy but a super comfortable ride, patient, and perfect for any beginner.
Bowie has a long list of accomplishments including being a show champion in both Dressage and Eventing, earning high marks from nearly every judge he has ever encountered, and teaching many a first time rider how to go through the basics all the way up to show level.
Bowie has done everything from Western and English pleasure to barrel racing, trot poles, Dressage, and Trail Riding.
As of 2019, Bowie has officially earned his retirement. He will continue to greet new riders and teach students how to groom, bathe, and work safely around horses, though he will no longer be giving riding lessons.
Bowie still has a forever home with us, so please be sure to give him a pet or a treat the next time you see him. He has taught many riders, including myself, all the basics and helped them along the way. . . he now deserves to be spoiled as rotten as possible!
Profittear aka “Profit”
30 Years old in 2024
Quarter Horse
Bay Gelding
School horse experience: 19 years
I purchased Profit as a three year old when I was a young rider. He was my personal Eventing partner for close to seven years. But his true calling has always been to be a school horse.
Profit does well with beginner riders all the way up to advanced jumping. He has a great personality and loves children. He is especially good at lunging and working with kids and adults alike.
We also use Profit for trail riding and balance training and exercises in Summer Camp. He has a kind disposition and is extremely patient.
Profit, sometimes known to the kids as "Bopper", is one of my most popular school horses with new and experienced riders. He especially loves Trail Rides, Jumping, and of course, treats!
Profit is not currently available for lease due to his age
Dollop of Daisy aka “Daisy”
17 Years old in 2024
Mustang/Tennessee Walker Mare
School horse experience: 8 years
Daisy is a little miracle. At only eight years old and with no previous experience as a lesson horse, she quickly became the perfect little pony. She is comfortable, well behaved, patient, and absolutely loves children.
With a little jumping in her background, Daisy is ready and willing to try just about anything and she is very eager to please her riders.
Daisy is also wonderful for teaching new students how to groom. She is very patient and loves to be brushed. And although some mares can be a bit moody, Daisy is just as sweet and loveable as the flower she is named for when she is with people.
She is well on her way to becoming the kids' new favorite!
Daisy has recently developed a condition known as “ringbone” which is an advanced form of arthritis. She has since been retired from difficult work and jumping, but is still doing great for the kids and beginners.
Daisy is currently unavailable for lease because of her ringbone.
Goodness Gracious aka “Goodie”
26 Years old in 2024
Quarter Pony Cross Mare
School horse experience: 14 years
Goodie is one super expressive little Pony! She has been everywhere, done everything, and loves it all, though her true passion is Jumping.
Goodie has shown up to Novice level (2'11" Jumps), and has shown all over the Tri-State area. I reserve her for my intermediate beginners and more advanced riders as she can be a bit on the quick side, especially when it comes to Jumping. She is a blast to ride as well as smooth and comfortable.
A few years ago, Goodie succumbed to a tumor in her left eye and has lost a good deal of her sight in that eye, but it hasn't slowed her down a bit! She still loves to run and Jump her heart out!
Goodie is currently available for a partial lease to a rider with a moderate amount of experience, please contact Nikki for details.
Space Jam aka “Bugs”
14 Years old in 2024
Mustang Gelding
School horse experience: 7 years
Bugs comes from a tragic background that we won't discuss here in detail. He was born a wild Mustang on the plains of Colorado and rounded up at about the age of three.
Between the ages of three and seven, poor Bugs was not treated well, and ended up being rescued by Kim Kinder and Fighting Chance Rescue in Hammersville, Ohio. So named because he was covered in ticks and parasites, "Bugs" now lives with us at Pony Tails and is fat and happy and healthy.
We have been working with him to train him as a school horse for some time and he is doing quite well with both beginners and advanced riders, though we have discovered that he can be a little slow at times! He is sweet and friendly, so we don't mind him being a little pokey.
Bugs is currently available for a partial or full lease to a rider with a moderate amount of experience, please contact Nikki for details.
Limitless aka “Rusty”
23 Years old in 2024
Thoroughbred Gelding
School horse experience: 7 Years
Rusty was rescued by "Little Patch of Heaven" Rescue right here in Ohio. He is sweet, affectionate, and willing to try anything we ask him. Though we don't know if he has ever been a school horse before, Rusty is learning quickly that having many riders means lots of treats!
His trot is springy and challenging, but his canter is a dream! We are teaching him the art of jumping, and he is adding new energy and life to our lesson program.
As he builds muscle and gains weight, he is quickly becoming a favorite with the students.
Rusty is currently available for a partial lease to a rider with some experience, please contact Nikki for details.
Asian Star Jasmine aka Jasmine
18 Years old in 2024
Mustang Mare
School horse experience: 6 years
Jasmine is a sweet little mare who had been privately owned since she was rescued by Stephanie Meadows.
She has experience with kids, dressage, and jumping, and we are super excited to have her in our program.
As of February 2021, Jasmine is working well into the Program!
She is building muscle and working on her jumping skills, quickly becoming a beloved member of our team. She is even starting to work well with the beginners.
Jasmine is smooth gaited, patient, and willing to learn new things.
Jasmine is currently available for lease to a student with some experience. Please contact Nikki for details
Thunderstruck aka “Thunder”
8 Years old in 2024
Paint Gelding
School horse experience: 4 years
Thunder is currently our youngest school horse and just as cute as he can be.
Originally a rescue from Little Patch of Heaven, Thunder has made lots of friends and made lots of progress in his two years of training with us here at Pony Tails, and now he is ready for his Lesson Debut!
Thunder is currently learning how to canter and jump under saddle now that he has conquered his walk and trot basics. He is finally moving to being ridden by more than one or two riders, and he is gaining confidence and skills.
Thunder is quirky and cute and has a great personality. We are looking forward to including him more and more into the program.
Thunder is currently available for lease to a rider with plenty of experience. Please contact Nikki for information.
Skye Search aka “Skye”
23 Years old in 2024
Thoroughbred Gelding
School horse experience: 8 years
Skye has been a school horse before, at another facility. He has also been an Eventer, a trail horse, a show horse, a Race horse, and much more!
Coming from Fighting Chance Rescue (The same rescue as Bugs), Skye has had many owners over the years, but is now a member of the Pony Tails herd for the rest of his days. Being a Thoroughbred, he enjoys running and jumping, and he has become fast friends with Rusty and Thunder.
Though he has a lot of experience, Skye is young at heart and has a ton of energy, so at the moment he is going through some training and only being ridden by our more experienced riders as we work to tone down his energy levels when it comes to cantering and jumping.
We are excited to add him to our program!
Skye is currently available for lease only to a rider with lots of experience. Please contact Nikki for details.
Nighty Night Lucy AKA “Lucy”
15 Years old in 2023
Shetland Pony Mare
School horse experience: 1 year or more
Lucy (shown here with her best friend Penny) was originally a pony ride and party pony, but when the pandemic hit, her owner had to sell her business. Lucy then went to a private farm and became excellent buddies with retired race horse Penny. They have been inseperable ever since.
Lucy hasn’t done much work in the past few years, which is fine with her because she has developed a condition called “cushings” which is, unfortunately, common in horses and ponies. The condition causes Lucy some foot pain, and it also causes excessive hair growth and sweating… But we here at Pony Tails are well prepared to deal with her condition and help her to be in as little pain as possible. She is currently on medication for the condition and gets her feet trimmed in a special way to keep her comfortable.
Lucy will be used for light work for our youngest riders and pony rides. We are thrilled to have her and Lucy in the program! Even if they do tend to yell when they can’t see eachother!
Lucy will be unavailable for lease due to her size, but we are always happy to have volunteers to help with her excersise and training.
Spinnerette aka “Spinner”
17 Years old in 2023
Miniature Paint Mare
School horse experience: 1 year
Spinner is a cute little rescue that we are working on integrating into our program. She knows how to work under saddle, as well as drive, but she has been having a few small medical problems since she came to us, and as therefore been unable to be ridden.
We have been working her in hand in the meantime, but she has still gotten a little round from not working. We are hoping soon that we can get her medical issues under control and can get this little girl back to work so that she can give leadline classes to our smallest riders.
Spinner will not be available for lease, but we are always looking for volunteers to help with her training!
Liza Luray aka “Liza”
17 Years old in 2023
Haflinger Mare
School horse experience: About 1 year
Liza has been Nikki’s personal pony for many years, but is now slowly working into the lesson program.
Liza is sweet beautiful, but has an unfortunate past, so she is a little distrustful of people at first. She has limited training at 16, and so is only being ridden by our more advanced riders for the time being.
With some experience in Dressage and Jumping, Liza is well on her way to being a permanent member of the lesson program.
Liza is currently available for lease only to a rider with lots of experience. Please contact Nikki for details.
Jace E Penny AKA “Jace”
21 Years old in 2023
Paint Mare
School horse experience: 1 year
Jace lived on a farm with a loving family and her best friend for most of her life. She competed in 4H, went on trail rides with her owner, and grazed with her buddy, basically living her best life. When her best friend of 14 years passed away, Jace became sad and depressed and eventually stopped eating, no matter what her human family did.
Due to some medical issues of their own, Jace’s human family realized that they could no longer care for Jace, and through a chain of friends and acquaintances, we at Pony Tails heard Jace’s story and reached out to help. Jace came to live with us in April of 2022, and the moment she realized that she wasn’t alone anymore, she started eating again and gaining strength.
Now Jace has a whole new group a friends and a new purpose in life. She is chubby, happy, healthy, and gets visits from her original human family. She is sharing her 4H experience with a whole new group of riders.
Not a happy ending, but a wonderful new beginning!
Jace will be available for a partial lease to a rider with some experience. Please contact Nikki for details.
In Loving Memory
Chocolate Chip aka “Chip”
In loving Memory, 2021
Shetland Pony Gelding
Lastly I would like to pay homage to Chip, our beloved pony who passed away in 2021.
Another rescue from "Little Patch of Heaven", we weren’t really sure what Chip's past was or what all he had been through. All we knew is that he was little, cute, fuzzy, and a little defensive and grumpy!
Little Chip was very deserving of our love. You could tell that he had been mistreated during his life, and when we met him he was underweight and obviously neglected. He was unsure of saddles and girths, though he loved to be brushed and pampered. We are unsure of why he ended up at the rescue, but we know that little ponies have biiiig attitudes, and Chip was no exception!
Chip eventually began to suffer from siezures, and in late 2021 they became too much for him and we had to say goodbye. We miss him very much, but we will never forget his time with us.
We are greatful that we were able to make his last few years happy and healthy.
Rest in Peace Little Man.
Moosetracks aka “Moose”
32 Years old in 2023
Leopard Appoloosa Gelding
School horse experience: 17 years
We lost our beloved Moose to old age in 2023, but he will always be remembered as a wonderful companion and teacher. We will forever hold him in our hearts.
Below is is profile as it appered on our website when he passed.
Run free old friend.
Moose is very popular with the young and intermediate riders. His flashy colors and suitable personallity make him an instant hit.
In his younger days, Moose was an Eventer and Dressage Horse, taking multiple wins over his career. As a school horse, he teaches new riders the basics of Dressage and Jumping. His comfortable gaits and easy going nature make him a perfect match for a new or nervous rider.
Due to a sickness and injury in late 2019, Moose has had to retire from difficult work and now only does walk/trot lessons. He is still hanging in with us and is getting stronger all the time.
As of 2022 Moose has fully retired from Riding. He will continue to give grooming demonstrations and show students how to lead a horse. He will have a home with us for the rest of his life.
Agreetobegood AKA “Penny”
19 Years old in 2023
Thoroughbred Mare
School horse experience: 4 years
Penny sadly passed away in 2023 due to an unknown medical condition. We will miss her greatly, she was well loved in her short time with us.
We were honored to have her as part of our program. Below is her profile as it appeared when she first came to stay with us.
Years ago, Penny was a Jumping school horse, and before that, she was a race horse, but for the past several years, she has been relaxing in a pasture with her pony friend Lucy.
Penny still has lots of experience to offer, but has lost much of her muscle and energy, so we are slowly working her back up to being a school horse. At the moment, she is working slowly with the younger kids and doing infrequent hard sessions with the advanced riders.
She is kind and gentle, with an extremely sweet disposition, and even though she doesn’t like being separated from her little pony friend, we are excited to work with her and give both her and Lucy a loving and forever home.
As of late February 2023, Penny and Lucy are learning to be apart and are slowly beginning to function without each other, though we will never permanently separate them as they are so well bonded.
Gingersnap AKA “Ginger”
17 Years old in 2023
Belgium Cross Mare
School horse experience: 1 year
Tragically, we lost Ginger less than 3 days after we lost Penny. Ginger had been struggling with gastrointestinal issues for some time, and eventually her body just gave out. We believe that she had some kind of cancer.
Ginger was a sweet girl who was mistreated and then thrown away, but we were happy to give her a loving home for the last few years of her life. We will miss her dearly and we will always hold her close in our hearts.
Below is her profile as it appeared in 2022 and 2023. I hope that you and Penny are enjoying all the good grass you can handle in heaven.
Ginger was rescued by “Fighting Chance Rescue” from an auction. She was most likely an Amish Plow Horse for most of her life, and she has little social experience. Luckily she is learning fast and she is super sweet.
Ginger is gaited, which means that she cannot trot in a traditional sense, but her running walk gait is very comfortable. She is most likely crossed with a Tennessee Walker, though we cannot be sure.
This lovely lady is quickly learning and integrating into our lesson program as she builds muscle and stamina to carry the kids around the arena.
We are happy to have her with us!