Sponsor a Therapeutic Riding Horse
Equine Assisted Therapy serves individuals ranging in ages 5 - 21 years old
with various physical and cognitive disabilities. Our students benefit from the physical,
cognitive, emotional and social aspects of riding a horse.
Equine Assisted Therapy houses 6 horses/ponies that range in age
from six years old to early twenties. Most of our equine
partners
come to us after many successful years as show horses, and are either donated
to us, leased by us, or purchased by us with donated funds.
It costs an average of $260 per month (or $3,120 per
year) to care for a single horse. Consider giving a gift in the
honor of or memory of a friend, family member, or beloved pet. Every donation
makes a difference! Our donors are people just like you who want to help dreams come true!
Thunder
An 18 year old Quarter Pony mare, Thunder has been with us for the past 11 years. She loves grooming, trail riding and jumping, and does an excellent job taking care of her young riders.
Valentine
A 21 year old Arabian/Quarter Horse mare who spent many years showing hunters prior to joining our program 9 years ago. A sweet and sensitive mare who is a favorite with many of our independent riders.
Rain
Rain is our youngest therapy pony, and is Valentine’s son. Born and raised on Willow Farm, Rain just started his career as a therapy horse in 2007. He is a 13.2 hand Welsh cross gelding and is 6 years old. Not only is he a beautiful mover, he is gentle and very easy-going.
Lightning Bolt
Although he is cute as a button, Lightning prefers to be called handsome. He is an 18 year old P.O.A. gelding who is the “Jack Russell” of our herd (small but mighty!). He has been with us for the past 10 years and enjoys teaching the tiniest of our riders. Steadfast and obedient, Lightning has been known to refuse to move his feet or halt on his own just prior to his rider having a seizure.
Mr. Ed
A tall, stocky 14 year old grade gelding, Mr. Ed is slow and steady. If he could talk he would say, “Got carrots?” He came to us from the aunt of one of our riders 5 years ago, moving here from Chicago. Mr. Ed has a very playful personality. One of his favorite things to do is show his riders how he can push a large exercise ball around the arena with his nose or his front feet!
Mighty Markus
A 11 year old Haflinger gelding, Markus has been with us for 6 years. He is co-owned by one of our long time volunteers. His short but very stocky build makes him a perfect mount for many of our riders who need extra assistance riding. Markus has a fun-loving personality and is always eager to please. Markus is the only horse in our herd that loves to eat bananas!