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Lightning, a beloved miniature horse who lived at Chaparral Ranch in Woodside’s Wunderlich Park, died on March 7, 2024. He became a community favorite when they started the Meet a Mini program to introduce horses to children.
From 90-year-olds to toddlers, Lightning’s unique love for playing with children and people made him memorable across a community of different generations.
With short legs, he wasn’t able to run too fast but yet his owner Shawn Mott said he galloped like he was as fast as lightning, hence his name.
Although Lightning’s exact age is unknown, Mott said that he was in his late 20s or early 30s. Lightning was in his care for almost 15 years. His first impression of Lightning was that he looked like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh — in Mott’s words “he didn’t look too good.”
Lightning interacting with members of Sunny View Retirement Community in Cupertino. Courtesy Kym Teppo. 
Lightning with Redwood City’s Hoover Community School, teacher Mary Kahn’s special education class. Courtesy Kym Teppo. 
Siena Youth Center, summer Hike, History and Horse program participants. Courtesy Kym Teppo. 
Lightning munches on grass. Courtesy Kym Teppo.
Despite his appearance, Lightning showed a lot of energy when hopping into Mott’s small trailer, on his way to start his new life. When he got out, “he ran out of the trailer and never stopped playing with the kids. He would play with them all day long,” said Mott.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mott worried he wouldn’t be able to afford to keep him at Chaparral Ranch. To help with the cost of his care, a partnership was born with Wunderlich Park and they started the Meet a Mini program at Folger Stables. Lightning’s new role as the ambassador made him a magnet for the park and helped comfort community members during a time marked by loneliness, isolation and fear.
Wunderlich Park Executive Director Kym Teppo said Lightning’s personality was unlike that of any horse she had ever encountered.
“He was sweet and gentle and unphased by any encounter he had,” recalls Teppo. “He didn’t even mind when 10 kids were draped over him.”
Lightning’s personality made him a perfect ambassador for the park. He was a great fit for not only children but also elders, people in wheelchairs and large groups.
“When he moved to Woodside, it was heaven for him because there were so many kids,” said Mott.
As a mini horse, Lightning was able to teach children about how to groom horses, walk them and be introduced to horses in an approachable manner. Large horses can be intimidating for younger kids so Lightning, as a small and gentle horse, served as a great way to learn about horsemanship.
“He was always game to go on a hike on the trails,” said Teppo. “He was just always so interested in meeting new people and interacting with them.”
Many people were involved in caring for Lightning through the partnership of Chaparral Ranch, Wunderlich Park and the work of the park’s volunteers.
“He spent his last hours munching on fresh grass and horse cookies before moving on to greener pastures,” said Teppo. “We are so grateful to the community for supporting the care for Lightning and we are so glad we were able to give him a great life as an elderly horse.”
‘He spent his last hours munching on fresh grass and horse cookies before moving on to greener pastures.’
Kym Teppo, Wunderlich Park executive director
Teppo said that park officials are hoping to partner with Chaparral Ranch again to find another mini horse with the right disposition for the program. Find out more about the program, and to see more photos of Lightning, go to huddartwunderlichfriends.org/meet-a-mini-horse.
A tribute to Lightning can be found on the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Park’s Facebook page.