Sugar (1996-2025)
The horse who started it all and the heart behind True Colours.
Sugar is the horse who started it all. Many people recognize her from our logo. She was a Standardbred racehorse from Ontario who earned $27,135 during her career before eventually finding her way west. She was rescued from a potential meat buyer at an auction in Langley by a friend of Tina’s. At the time, she was severely underweight, but with care and time she recovered beautifully.
When Tina began exercising Sugar to help her friend, it was instant love. Sugar became Tina’s first horse and the inspiration behind what would eventually grow into True Colours.
Sugar had a remarkable ability to connect with people in quiet, meaningful ways. One of Tina’s favourite moments in the early days of the program was watching students become calm and present beside her. When a learner entered what we call the “heart space,” a moment of true presence, Sugar would sometimes step forward and gently offer her face for connection. Because this was a space she usually protected, those moments were incredibly special.
Sugar spent 18 beautiful years as Tina’s partner and closest friend. In her later years, she shared that same quiet wisdom with countless students at True Colours.
Our beloved Sugar crossed the Rainbow Bridge in June 2025. She is deeply missed and will always remain the inspiration behind True Colours Consulting..
the real teachers at tcc
Apollo
Apollo is another Standardbred and former racehorse who earned $26,760 during his time on the track. He came to the farm because of his playful, puppy-dog personality and unmistakable spunk.
Over time, Apollo has matured into a gentle and thoughtful teacher. He has shown incredible patience with the learners at True Colours and has helped many students build confidence, communication, and connection with horses.
Apollo has also been one of Tina’s greatest teachers, continually encouraging her to dig deeper, reflect, and grow alongside him.
Due to the progression of arthritis, Apollo is now retired from riding. These days he enjoys a slower pace of life and especially loves being groomed and pampered by students while continuing his role as a teacher from the ground.
Apollo helps learners practice patience, observation, and the quiet confidence that comes from working with a thoughtful horse.
Gracie
Miss Gracie came to True Colours as a boarded horse in 2015. She was born into a breeding program but, due to a complication before birth, did not meet the program’s requirements.
After spending a year at another therapeutic riding facility, Gracie eventually found her way to True Colours, where she quickly became a beloved member of the herd.
With her gentle nature, steady walk, and deep love of children, Gracie has been a superstar in our programs. She has a remarkable ability to help learners feel safe and confident as they build their skills with horses.
Gracie’s gentle nature helps learners feel comfortable and supported as they begin their journey with horses.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is our tiny but mighty groundwork pony. He and his buddy Pepper came to us from a woman on Chilliwack Lake Road who had rescued them years earlier. The two were well known in the area for their many adventures and occasional escapes down Chilliwack Lake Road before eventually finding their forever home at True Colours.
Though small in size, Pumpkin has a big personality. He is curious, clever, and full of character. Pumpkin quickly wins people over with his charm, but he also teaches an important lesson: to work with Pumpkin, you need to show up as a calm and confident leader.
Through groundwork activities, Pumpkin helps learners practice clear communication, leadership, and emotional regulation. When students find that balance, Pumpkin becomes an enthusiastic partner who loves attention, scratches, and spending time with his people.
Pumpkin teaches learners that even the smallest horse appreciates a calm, confident leader.
Hanley
Tina found Handsome Hanley at a rescue centre in Aldergrove after he had been saved from an auction in Alberta. Very little is known about his early life, but it was clear that Hanley carried signs of past trauma.
When he first arrived at True Colours, Hanley was cautious and unsure. Simple tasks such as haltering, cleaning his feet, or even brushing required patience and time as we worked to earn his trust.
Over the years, Hanley has transformed into a confident and willing partner. Today he is one of our camp superstars, happily soaking up attention and interaction from children.
Hanley is named after behaviour analyst Dr. Greg Hanley, whose work on assent-based practice and compassionate, trauma-informed care has deeply influenced Tina’s approach as a BCBA. Just as Dr. Hanley’s research has shaped the philosophy of True Colours, Hanley the horse continues to inspire that same commitment to building relationships based on trust, respect, and genuine assent.
Hanley supports learners in developing calm focus and thoughtful horsemanship through groundwork.
Legacy
Legacy is a 14-year-old Standardbred mare who won Tina over the very first moment they met. With her kind eye and gentle presence, the connection was immediate.
Like several members of our herd, Legacy began her life as a racehorse, though she only raced briefly before transitioning into a second career as a broodmare, raising five foals over the years. After later leaving a dressage home due to asthma concerns, Legacy eventually found her way to True Colours.
Legacy came to the farm shortly after Sugar retired, and over time Tina realized how fitting her name truly is. Legacy represents the next chapter in Tina’s partnership with horses and the continuation of the connection-based work that began with Sugar.
She is a deeply relationship-oriented horse who values trust and genuine connection. While she is still settling into her new role and rebuilding her strength through rehabilitation and training, Legacy is gradually preparing to partner with some of our more experienced learners.
Once you earn her trust, Legacy reveals herself to be an incredibly kind and thoughtful mare. We look forward to many beautiful years with her as she grows into her role at True Colours.
Legacy teaches learners the importance of patience, connection, and earning trust through thoughtful partnership.
Bailey
Bailey came to True Colours as a rescue when staff member Cassidy found her as a malnourished and rather grumpy little mare. With patience, training, and plenty of the True Colours care and attention that every horse here receives, Bailey slowly transformed into the incredible partner she is today.
Originally purchased as a Christmas surprise for Tina’s children, Bailey has happily become part of the program and now shares her talents with many of our learners.
Under saddle, Bailey is a fantastic teacher for beginner riders, helping students build confidence as they learn new skills. On the ground, she is still developing her manners and benefits from working with knowledgeable handlers who can read her body language and communicate clearly with her.
Bailey also has her own lessons to learn. She sometimes struggles with friendships in the herd and is continuing to develop her social skills right alongside the students she works with. Through Bailey, learners get a chance to practice calm communication, patience, and understanding.
Whether she is vaulting, jumping, roping, or trying something new, Bailey approaches her work with enthusiasm and personality, making her a favourite among many of our learners.
Bailey helps learners practice reading body language, communicating clearly, and building positive relationships with both horses and people.
Boaz
Boaz is our resident “elephant,” standing an impressive 17 hands tall. Despite his size, he is one of the gentlest and most dependable horses in the herd.
True Colours was fortunate to borrow Boaz for a year before officially welcoming him to the herd in December 2025. It didn’t take long for him to win everyone over with his calm presence and kind nature.
Boaz has a special gift for helping nervous riders feel safe and supported. His steady temperament makes him an excellent partner for beginners, and he has become a favourite among many of our teen learners. When someone is feeling unsure, Boaz often lowers his head to quietly connect with them, a simple gesture that helps learners slow down, breathe, and build confidence.
Outside of program sessions, Boaz is also Tina’s “mane man” and her drill team mount, bringing a little extra excitement to his off days.
And of course, Boaz is well known around the farm for his very boopable snoot.
Boaz helps learners experience what it feels like to work with a calm, steady partner and discover their own confidence along the way.
Ruby
Ruby is one of our half-lease horses, meaning we share her with her owner, Rachel. She arrived at the farm shortly after True Colours moved to our new facility and quickly became a wonderful addition to the herd, along with Rachel, who has become part of the True Colours community.
When Rachel realized she didn’t have quite enough time to spend with Ruby, we created a shared arrangement so Ruby could enjoy plenty of attention and meaningful work with our learners.
Ruby is one of the kindest and most patient horses in the program. She is wonderfully gentle with beginners, helping riders feel safe and supported as they develop their skills. At the same time, Ruby loves helping students progress, especially when it comes to learning to trot and canter.
Ruby helps learners build confidence as they discover new skills and realize just how capable they really are.
Maximus (Max)
Max joined the True Colours herd in August 2025 and has been winning hearts with every hoofbeat ever since. He is a Belgian–Tennessee Walker cross, a unique combination that gives him both impressive size and a wonderfully kind unflappable temperament.
Because of his breed, Max often looks a little concerned, but in reality he is one of the sweetest and most gentle horses in the herd. His big stride can make his trot a little bouncy, but his steady, stoic nature helps learners feel safe and supported as they work with him.
Before coming to True Colours, Max spent much of his life as a trail horse and is now continuing to develop his arena skills. On his off days, he is Jake’s favourite riding partner and even occasionally steps in as a substitute on the drill team.
Max also lives with PPID, and his care helps demonstrate the thoughtful management and support we provide to every horse in the herd.
Max helps learners experience the calm confidence that comes from working with a steady, patient partner.
Golden Pepsum (Pepsi)
Pepsi is the oldest member of the herd at True Colours. At 31 years young, she still greets us at the gate each day, eager to take part in the gentle work of teaching the next generation.
Pepsi is on loan to us from our friend Kara, and we are incredibly grateful to give her a retirement role filled with love, attention, and plenty of cookies during her well-earned golden years.
Though her work is lighter these days, Pepsi still enjoys spending time with learners and sharing her quiet wisdom with the herd.
Pepsi reminds learners that patience, kindness, and connection are some of the most important lessons horses can teach.