Celebrating Biscuit and her buddies
Biscuit engaging with a young girl—her specialty! Biscuit’s Buddies is a Douglas County nonprofit that uses miniature horses and other animals to enhance the physical, social and emotional well-being of children and adults who need extra support.
Biscuit, a miniature horse, was just four months old when Kristi Hoben brought her home in 2018. The amount of joy Biscuit would end up bringing to others was not yet known. But boy, did she shine.
In 2019, the principal of Palmer Ridge High School in Monument reached out to Kristi’s husband and asked if Biscuit could visit students after a tragic student incident. That visit prompted a long-standing relationship and, each year since, Biscuit has returned ahead of finals week to help offer calm before the storm of exams. It was also a pivotal reason that Biscuit’s Buddies (BB) was created.
BB is a Douglas County nonprofit that uses miniature horses and other animals to enhance the physical, social and emotional well-being of children and adults who need extra support.
“BB has grown to include other mini horses, a mini donkey and two goats that continue to bring healing and happiness to the community through the help of our volunteers,” said Kristi. BB welcomes groups at their Castle Rock property but also ventures out into the community.
The animals and owners visit nursing homes, senior living communities and children and adult special needs programs (like Wellspring Community); take part in many community events (such as 4-H); and engage with groups like the Girl Scouts. Kristi shared that the director of one senior living facility said the visit was “the best day ever” when a newer resident came out of her room for the very first time since she arrived to see the animals.
In 2024, BB took part in nearly 40 events across the county.
The current BB miniature crew consists of horses Pickles, Ivy, Daisy and Lion; plus Bentley, a donkey; and goats, Poppy and Luna.
Sadly, Biscuit recently passed away from an unexpected medical condition that was causing her quality of life to deteriorate. She was just 7 years old. These animals usually live much longer, some up to 30 years. But Biscuit’s light shines on brightly in all who she has touched and the legacy she leaves behind.
“The world is a better place because Biscuit was in it, and the domino effect of how one little pony has exponentially afforded children, elderly, special needs, veterans and many others to be forever affected by her presence is incredible,” shared Kristi.
Biscuit was bred locally, and Kristi is hopeful a sibling of Biscuit’s will be born soon. She would love to have the opportunity to raise another miniature horse, especially one that is related to Biscuit.
Community and volunteer support is needed to spearhead additional efforts to bring BB into the community. For more information on volunteering and to learn about BB and all the good they do, visit biscuitsbuddies.com.
Biscuit’s Buddies visits Valley House Assisted Living in Castle Rock. Included in the photo are Lyn Heathershaw, Kay Green, Kristi Hoben, Kristi’s husband, Mick, and young volunteers. Lyn, Kay and Kristi spearheaded the beginning of Biscuit’s Buddies.
