San Antonio Equine Photography | Hans the Norwegian Fjord

Hans, Majson’s Hans, is a Norwegian Fjord Gelding. Hans shares a stallion in his bloodlines with both Maggie and her full bother Sven, who are other horses at RED Arena. The Stallion is further back in their pedigree but his name is Grabb. Hans was bred by Bear Creek Fjords.

This handsome Brown Dun with a Dorsal Stripe, Leg Barring, and Pangare lives at RED Arena where he helps to rehabilitate and take care of countless children and adults each week. Hans is a sensitive soul that thrives on praise. You can see this in his eyes; they are bright and alive and exude intelligence, curiosity, and goodwill. I can honestly say after being around him for a small amount of time, I would consider him the grandfather of RED Arena. He has a bit of an old and wise personality. Although, he can occasionally show a touch of the Fjord stubbornness.

The staff at RED Arena share, “Hans is a wonderful, strong, and tolerant hippotherapy horse! He suits riders of all sizes and abilities. Hans also gives therapeutic riding lessons, and occasionally enjoys hopping over a log or a creek during his weekly conditioning rides. Hans can do a little bit of everything from jumping to western, trail riding to dressage.”

“Hans came to us from Colorado and was very green at first. It took a full year, but with the guidance of our trainer, Kristi Reavis, he has become an amazing therapy horse and is usually selected when we need a horse for a demonstration or to be a representative of our therapeutic riding center. Hans has been at RED Arena for 4 years and is our go-to horse.”

This sensitive boy loves Alfalfa

I just am in awe about one of Hans’ rider’s stories. Jenny is a Mom of 3 of suffered a stroke around 10 years ago that paralyzed most of her body. She shares her experience with Hans.

This is Jenny’s story in her own words “This is my 2nd year of Equine (“horse”) therapy, which is kind of like physical therapy. However, I took Physical Therapy for about 2 years, & the progress I had seems to pale in comparison! For 10 years, I’ve been like a ragdoll, & lacked core strength. Nothing seemed to help me…but after just a few months of riding Hans, the strength in my core was remarkable! I can now lean forward, push myself back up, sit in a chair without arms – unassisted, etc..

Equine (“horse”) therapy isn’t just limited to building core strength, building endurance, or helping a person to work on their balance, but it has also strengthened my upper body, replaced many of my anxieties with confidence, & helped me to strengthen my breath support, so after 10 years, I am finally able to speak again!”

-Jennifer Lynn, April 2015

When I read this story it brought a tear to my eye, knowing how much a horse can change someones life. Without the support of RED Arena’s generous supporters they would not be able to provide these experiences for so many people. You can head over to their website and sponsor a horse and help them keep growing this amazing program.

Don’t forget to check out two of RED Arena’s smallest horses, Brodie & Scout and learn more about the big difference these little guys make every day.

Karinda K Equine Photography is a San Antonio equine photography specialist located in Montgomery, TX. Karinda creates timeless portraits of you with your beloved horses, and other farm animals. Serving locally Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, Texas communities. KEP also serves Wellington and Ocala, Florida, Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, Aiken, South Carolina, Tryon, North Carolina, and Norco and Woodside, California and their surrounding communities.