Why horses?

Horses can be an emotional mirror for humans. They respond to the feelings we show. They are gentle and trustworthy and respond in kindness when treated the same. Horses enhance our riders’ lives through their movement.

For children with physical challenges, horses provide a movement experience that is unparalleled in other therapies. A child who utilizes a wheelchair for mobility experiences newly found freedom of movement on a walking horse. This increased self-confidence, balance and posture often translates to activities at school, in the home or on the playground.

TROT’s horse partners are selected for their exceptional temperament, good health, soundness and smooth gaits and are carefully matched to the needs of the rider, helping propel with a variety of psychological issues as well as physical injuries and disabilities. The horse provides ample opportunities for the client to experience movement and sensory input, and that combination can produce powerful results in improved physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

The horse moves in a rhythmic, symmetrical, and organized way. Each step the horse takes provides strong sensory and physical input in many dimensions including up and down, side to side, and back and forth. By asking for variations in these movements the therapist or instructor gains results that cannot be achieved by a machine or duplicated in a clinic setting.

Carmela

Carmela is a Halflinger mare who is a staple in our therapeutic programming. She is a versatile pony who is best known for her luscious mane, vibrant personality, and smooth gait. Carmela is very talented under-saddle and assists our participants in enhancing their riding skills and reaching new levels of independence. In her free time, she enjoys snacking on grass and hanging out with her pasture mates.

Charlie

Charlie won the hearts of everyone at TROT the moment she stepped off the trailer. She is a registered Pony of Americas mare who spent her last career as a show pony for two little girls, making her an exceptional therapeutic riding partner. Charlie is sensible, fun, and very well-educated. She is confident, easy-going, and made friends with the TROT herd immediately. We are so excited to have such a special pony in our herd!

Dixie

True beauty is a warm heart, a kind soul, and an attentive ear. TROT has one of those, her name is Dixie! Dixie is a very loving and kind Quarter Horse mare. She takes special care of some of our youngest and most delicate riders. Dixie always seems to know what her riders need as she moves, nice and steady, around the arena focusing on each and every step she takes. She is truly a splendid example of "horses know best"!

Fiesta

Fiesta is a handsome, athletic Paint/Quarter Horse gelding who loves being a part of our therapeutic riding program. Fiesta is a very versatile gelding with smooth gaits, making him a perfect equine partner for our riders that need that added stability. In his spare time, Fiesta loves to spend time on the green pastures with his friends.

Koda

Koda is a head turner with a playful personality. He is just so curious about the world around him and seeks the attention of anyone passing by. Being a Frisian-Quarter horse cross, he has the strength in a compact package that is the perfect fit for our program needs. He gets along with all the other horses in the herd and is excited to have green pastures. Koda is currently in training, and we look forward to his journey to become a vital part of our programs.

Pearl

Pearl joined the TROT herd on May 7, 2025. She is a Gypsy Vanner black and white mare with beautiful blue eyes. She is 6 years old and stands 14.2 hands tall. She shows off her breed characteristics by her stocky build, heavy bone structure and her beautiful forelock, braided mane, tail and feathering. She was welcomed by her barn friends Koda and Ringo and grass pasture buddy Dixie. She is happy meeting her TROT humans, volunteers and guests and asking for all the attention she can get. She welcomes everyone by coming over to the fence, often putting her head on your shoulder and lets
you know just where she wants to be scratched. Pearl is a smart, well-rounded horse that is off to a great start! We can’t wait to have her go through our training so she can be integrated into our programs. Welcome Pearl!

Pecos

Pecos is a Quarter Horse and has an amazing story as he was rescued from an auction and required rehabilitation. We realized quickly how sweet and personable he is. Pecos has great education under saddle, he is sensitive and always tries his best for his riders. Pecos is a great independent lesson horse, has a soft trot, and is a willing equine partner. He loves his time in the pasture.

Prince Julian

Prince Julian is a very intelligent and expressive Morgan gelding. Julian has excelled in our Equine Assisted Counseling and Equine Assisted Learning programs as he is intuitive to his human partners. He works with our clients to build confidence, self-efficiency, communication, trust, perspective, social skills, impulse control, and to learn boundaries. Julian is the leader in his herd and like his other herd mates, pasture time is his favorite time of the day.

Julian joins Raven as a member of 'Cynthia's Herd' which was created by a memorial gift for the purchase of TROT horses in memory of Cynthia Stanford, a long-time friend of TROT.

Raven

Raven is a well rounded BLM branded Idaho stock Mustang, and he is extremely smart! Raven is such a multitalented gelding with a keen awareness of his environment and one of our best all-around herd members. Raven is versatile under saddle, great in ground lessons, and enjoys equine facilitated sessions. We are so grateful to have Raven as part of the TROT herd.

Ringo

Ringo is a long-time resident here at TROT and a well-seasoned therapeutic riding horse. He is a grey Quarter Horse gelding with an amazing trot for all our riders seeking more input. Ringo has transformed some of the most-wiggly participants into riders with a quiet seat and proper posture. Ringo is patient with our young participants as they learn new skills and he's a favorite of many.

Rune

Rune is a Fjord gelding who has been there-done-that as a therapeutic riding horse. He has a playful and youthful personality as he wants to engage in all class activities. Rune takes good care of his riders and is the top choice for our participants that require a mechanical lift to mount. He is a fantastic independent-riding horse and excels at teaching people to be confident, determined, and clear in the use of their aids.

Shadow

Shadow is a beautiful and sensitive Quarter horse palomino gelding and has become a valuable equine partner in multiple programs here at TROT. He excels in the adaptive riding program as a mount for both children and adults. Shadow is a great teacher for participants as he is a quiet but effective communicator with his body language. His beautiful coloring and his ability to intuitively connect with participants makes him a favorite of many in the Equine Assisted Learning and Equine Assisted Counseling programs as well.

Skittles

Skittles is simply the best! There isn't a thing that this Paint/Draft gelding can't do. From independent riding lessons, to working with all age riders, to ground lessons he is always in high demand and a very valuable herd member year after year. Skittles is very trustworthy, easy-going, with a playful personality and if you look closely, you can even see his handlebar mustache.

Sparky

Sparky is a Shetland pony who is true TROT veteran! Sparky is the oldest member of our herd and a perfect gentleman; he even knows how to open the gates for his friends. Sparky is retired from under-saddle sessions but has shown great talent in our Equine Assisted Counseling and Equine Assisted Learning programs. He can ease others around him as he shows them the ropes while being patient and understanding.

Wrangler

Wrangler is a beautiful chestnut Quarter Horse gelding who has a heart of GOLD! This sensitive soul cares about everyone around him. Wrangler is incredibly smart and tries his best to do the right thing. His playful and curious personality makes him easy to connect with. Wrangler is currently part of our Equine-Assisted Counseling and Learning programs.

Horse Headshots captured by Anouschka Rokebrand www.anouschkarokebrand.com

BEST BUDDY PROGRAM

TROT's Best Buddy program gives you the opportunity to support TROT in a very special way. When you sponsor one of our horses, your generosity will directly and positively contribute to the care of TROT's most precious inhabitants. 

Sponsor the horse of your choice! There are 17 loveable, unique horses that would love to have you as a sponsor!

Become the Best Buddy of one of our horses with a 100% tax deductible donation of $1,000

Your name will be displayed on a stall plaque on your Best Buddy's stall

You will receive notes from your Best Buddy, gifts and updates from the barn throughout the year

Know that you have helped provide the best care for one of TROT's equine partners...priceless!

Please consider being a best buddy and help change lives, one stride at a time!

Could your horse be a TROT horse?

It takes a very special horse to make it into our programs. Our horses are hard-working with personality traits that make them great at what they do! Having a talented and well-rounded herd is the backbone of our programs. Our horses come in all shapes and sizes in order to accommodate our riders…who also come in all shapes and sizes.

If you think your horse could be a fit for our programs, complete and submit the Horse Questionnaire Form down below!

Thank you to our Herd Heroes!