Meet Ricochet! The Horse That Started It All...

Ricochet holds the distinction of being the very first therapy horse of Horses of Warriors!

This handsome paint is a registered American Saddlebred/Arabian cross. HOW President & Founder Jamie Franklin, swears Ricochet saved his life. Long before HOW began, Jamie suffered greatly from combat PTSD after 12 years in the Army, two Gulf War tours, Iraq, & the LA Riots. Shortly after a second suicide attempt, a concerned friend took Jamie to a local horse rescue where he noticed Ricochet, head high and tail aloft nervously pacing in a round pen, alone. The folks at the rescue called him “Wild Child” because Ricochet had virtually no training. Before being rescued, he had been kept as a stallion in a neglectful situation. The poor guy spent years in a filthy 5’ x 8’ stall and was brought out only for breeding purposes. Additionally, Ricochet has a disease called Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis, (DSLD) a painful condition that causes the breakdown of tendons and ligaments in his lower limbs. In fact, Jamie noticed Ricochet’s rear fetlocks were almost touching the ground, yet he felt drawn to him. Ricochet walked right up to meet Jamie and even allowed him to remove the halter he’d been wearing for so long it had become imbedded in his fur, all to the amazement of the rescue crew!

And so it began, Jamie adopted Ricochet and promptly got busy building fencing and a shelter to bring him home. Jamie says, the work it took to provide Ricochet with a safe comfortable living space, the daily feedings, training and loving care Ricochet needed to build confidence and trust, gave Jamie a new sense of purpose; a reason to get up everyday to care for this special equine that now depended on him for security and leadership. It wasn’t long before a strong bond formed between them; each helping the other to heal their wounded psyches. This profound healing experience became Jamie’s inspiration for establishing the Horses Of Warriors program; offering the incredible healing power of horses to help humans.

Ricochet is estimated to be around 20 now and because of his DLSD, his current lifestyle is one of complete leisure. He’s fully enjoying his retirement amongst the HOW herd on plenty of acreage to roam with Skye, his loyal mare-friend always at his side. Regular feedings notwithstanding, Ricochet relishes the grain and grooming sessions he gets everyday by our ranch volunteers and wranglers. If you don’t see Ricochet at the gate awaiting his turn, he’ll most likely be found foraging for bits of fresh grass on the back-forty. Yet, no matter how far he wanders, all Jamie has to do is whistle and Ricochet will proudly come running, head high and tail aloft!

Chance’s Second Chance...

This handsome Quarter Horse gelding of impeccable bloodlines came to the HOW Ranch by way of Brentwood, CA after suffering a very serious barbed-wire injury. In fact, it was so serious, his previous owner wanted to have him euthanized. Luckily our President, Jamie Franklin was alerted to his plight by a caring veterinarian who felt Chance could be spared if they could save his badly wounded foot. It wouldn’t be easy; Chance’s foot would need to be cleaned and wrapped continually for several weeks, then eventually put in a solid cast to hopefully join the deep cleave in his severely damaged rear hoof. Well, Jamie agreed Chance was worth it and so began the process of getting him healthy again - which included Jamie’s driving back and forth to Brentwood for months to aid in his convalescence. Many weeks later after Chance’s solid cast was finally removed, it took the farrier expertise of Katie Geary and more recently, farrier Luis Vidales (who both studied under Raleigh Desiato) to get him sound enough to carry a rider. His long road back to soundness required a protective boot, a special shoe and a lot of patience but thanks to loving care and skilled hands, we’re happy to report that Chance made a full recovery!

One little known fact: Chance is also the “face” of Horses Of Warriors; as our equine logo bears his likeness! But good looks aside, it’s that easy-going personality, solid temperament and comfy jog that makes him an equine favorite with our members and wranglers. Over the years, Chance has been instrumental in teaching many of our Veterans, First Responders and their kids how to ride. From riding in arenas and parades, to the high country trails and the rodeo circuit, Chance can and has done it all! Did we mention he also works cattle like a pro?

It took a village of people who cared enough to give Chance his second chance and now his service as a therapy horse helps give people second chances too. We are so proud to have this amazing equine as one of our herd! He has truly been a blessing and a benefit to so many here at Horses Of Warriors.

Good Boy, Chance!

Say HELLO to LEO, the all-time favorite equine amongst our L.E.O. members at Horses Of Warriors!

 Those of you familiar with this big, beautiful Hancock Blue Valentine QH Roan, know he’s definitely the alpha-male of our herd and for good reason! Not only is he tall, dark and handsome, he’s also whip-smart and quick on his feet! (definitely, not for the faint-of-heart!) 

Back in the early years of HOW, Jamie and his best friend, Stockton PD Officer Ron Maxwell, took a ride out to a ranch to help deliver some cow-ponies. Leo’s impressive blue coat caught Ron’s eye right away, as he suddenly darted in front of Jamie’s truck. Well, curious Leo noticed them too, as he trotted alongside Jamie’s truck, poking his head inside the driver’s side window to check them out! Ron and Jamie had a good laugh about it, yet they could not anticipate what Leo would do next: After unloading their delivery, a loud ruckus was heard and Jamie noticed his trailer shaking. He went to take a look and found Leo in his horse trailer, loaded to the front, nose forward, all ready to go! They tried to remove him but evidently, Leo was ready for a new adventure and with the ranch owner’s blessing, Jamie hauled him straight to his new home at Horses of Warriors! Ron quickly named him LEO (acronym for Law Enforcement Officer) and naturally, Leo became Ron’s horse. Ron loved Leo very much. He knew having Leo in his life had spared him from potentially self-destructive behaviors. Tragically though, we lost Ron to Covid-19 in 2021 and nearly lost Leo to Colic that same year; both were hospitalized at the same time. Through the years, many LEO members in our HOW family come to spend time and bond with Leo; in part, to pay homage to the memory of their Brother, Ron, but to also connect through the bond that all LEO’s share. Our Leo lives on, as a symbol, a conduit perhaps, to that bonding experience, both human and equine.

Ron Maxwell was very well-loved in his community and a large part of Horses Of Warriors. He is sorely missed and will never be forgotten.

Meet Jigs!  We felt it was high time to pay tribute to one of the hardest working horses in our herd! From day one, straight out of the trailer in 2019, Jigs has been saving lives and teaching so many more how to ride…

Jigs was donated to Jamie Franklin when his previous owner learned about our Equine Therapy Program for Veterans and First Responders; she felt Jigs would be a great fit for such work. After all, he was a trained reining horse with exemplary Quarter Horse bloodlines.  So many of our members enjoy riding Jigs, due to his calm demeanor and power-steering reining. Jigs was also a special favorite of our Fallen Warrior Brother, Army Combat Veteran, SSG. Samuel Faulstich, who we unfortunately lost in 2023. Additionally, Samuel’s young daughter rode Jigs on the day of her Father’s beautiful Military Memorial Ceremony, held at our ranch. Jamie says Jigs is his go-to horse for gathering cattle, high-country trail riding, parades, and rodeo events. This author has also had the pleasure of riding Jigs in the High Sierra, the La Grange Rodeo Grand Entry, and many local parades and can attest that this sweet sorrel gelding can be calm as a cucumber, but put him in front of a cheering audience and he’ll show off all his tricks, including his agile Quarter Horse quickness, that really gets your heart pumping! 

Happy Birthday, Star Spangled Colonel, aka Jigs! 

We Love You and Thank You For Your Service!

If you’d like to contribute to help with Jig's feed, care and/or medications please follow the link below. 

GOD BLESS the old horse that teaches us to ride,” for without her, we may never get the chance to learn about ourselves…

Horses Of Warriors stands in gratitude and reverence for the patience, guidance and wisdom of the older lesson horse, which is why we are honoring our own Miss Jenny this month! Anyone who has ever thrown a leg over this gentle girl, comes to understand that not only are they in good (and tall) hands, they are also reliably safe.  

Jenny, a majestic dark bay Percheron/Quarter Horse cross, came from a private seller in Sonora originally, but was donated to HOW in 2021 by one of our wranglers-in-training who’d relocated out of state. Although we don’t know very much about her earlier life, we do know that she can be counted on to take care of every new rider we give her, from tiny toddlers to super-seniors and everyone in between! Jenny is most often our introductory horse because of her rock-solid draft-horse demeanor, her smooth gaits and a “been there, done that” attitude; We think it’s safe to say that if you’ve ridden at our ranch, you’ve probably ridden Miss Jenny at least once! In the 4 years since she’s been a part of our herd, she’s participated in countless parades and trail rides too. Jenny is estimated to be pushing her mid 20’s, so if she’s not parading, she’s mostly teaching lessons in our arena.

This bomb-proof mare has been and continues to be such a blessing to our lesson program with her calm way of safely challenging the rider; slowly building their confidence as they learn to trust their own abilities, thus making her the perfect go-to horse for the “green" rider.

Good Girl, Miss Jenny and Thank You for your service! We’ve got nothing but LOVE for you!on goes here

Description goes hereRita is our resident green-broke Arabian and HOW’s unofficial “Welcoming Committee” equine, as she is usually the first horse to greet any newcomer, be it human or horse! Always curious, welcoming and friendly.

Young Rita is a favorite to many, but she holds a special place in the hearts of our property owners, Sam Khacho and his family who since 2018, have so generously granted Horses of Warriors the use of “Rita’s Hills,” the beautiful 120-acres on which our ranch is currently located. Being here in the heart of Jamestown has enabled Horses of Warriors to flourish, while providing a wonderful safe haven for our Warriors and their families.

Whether it’s enjoying a meal and comraderie on our deck, or taking riding lessons in the arena, or simply going for a ride or a peaceful hike on our trails, the Rita Hills location can’t be beat and we remain eternally grateful to the Khacho family for this gift. Incidently, Rita’s Hills was named after the Khacho’s beautiful young niece Rita, whom they’d tragically lost to cancer. Likewise, our lovely little Tulip was renamed to pay homage to Rita as well.

It’s always great to see Sam and his family; how they always seek out and spend extra time saying hello to Rita. Of course, Rita’s always happy to reciprocate and bask in their love and attention, as it's one of her favorite pastimes! Sponsor Miss Rita Today!