What makes a good therapy horse?
Calmly accepts new people and stressful environments
First of all, therapy horses must enjoy being around people, and having people around them — all the way around! Since many riders require a leader, 2 sidewalkers and an assistant or instructor very close by, these horses must quietly accept being a bit crowded.
Reacts well to sudden/unusual movements by the rider due to lack of strength/balance or disability
Exercises and games used with riders produce some unusual movements a horse must become accustomed to, and some riders’ disabilities produce sudden movements of arms or legs and/or trunk movement due to lack of strength and/or balance. Our horses must learn to tolerate these movements and to trust the people around them so they will stay calm when something unexpected happens. They also must stand quietly for mounting and dismounting our riders, which can take much longer than most horses are accustomed to. It takes 6 – 9 months for a horse to become comfortable with all the non-traditional things that are expected of them in a therapeutic riding program.
Quality of movement – Must be able to move freely in a balanced, rhythmic manner in all three gaits (Walking, trot, and canter)
Equally important to a therapeutic riding program is the quality of the horse’s movement. Therapy horses must be able to move freely and in a balanced, rhythmic manner in all three gaits — walk, trot and canter/lope. An even, smooth movement builds strength much more efficiently than movement that is uneven or unbalanced. Poor movement quality may also indicate an injury or weakness that might be made worse by the work expected in a therapeutic riding program. Our horses are exercised regularly to keep them moving freely and responsive to traditional aids — weight, legs, hands/reins and voice. As the pictures here illustrate, we expect them to move well, and they do!
The regular exercise the horses get also provides a good change of pace for them, which is as valuable for horses as it is for people. Turning them out together in a large paddock allows them to socialize and bond in a herd structure that is normal for horses and important for their psychological well-being.
Many of the program horses come to us from loving owners who can no longer ride or compete with the horse, but want to make sure they remain in a healthy, secure environment. Some remain owners or donate them to us.
Horses
Lyle
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Lyle is a 15.3 hand Grey Thoroughbred Gelding foaled on April 30, 2002 out of Cordeeva and Northern Gemini. After a long 1 start-racing career, he happily settled into an English riding life consisting of Hunter Jumper, Eventing and Dressage where he could show off his strength and beautiful form. Lyle qualified at the Beginner Novice Level in the American Eventing Championships and has shown through 2nd level Dressage. He was also a USDF Regional Qualifier at Training Level. As you can see Lyle loves to ride in any arena or landscape. He is magical in his desire to be with people, whether he is enjoying a long groom or going for a long walk, he is happy to be with his human. This boy offers unbelievable emotional support without ever saying a word. Because of his wonderful temperament and disposition, Lyle will be used in the Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Program
Jack
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Jack is a Dun Quarter Horse, born 2005 and he lived with his current owner since he was two. He received extensive training in Natural Horsemanship and he was ridden either bareback or with a pad and bit-less over the 12 years she owned him. He is super calm and gently. His disposition and willingness is amazing and he loves attention and interaction with people. He is great for beginner riders as well as those starting to learn how to sit and balance at the trot. He will be a great asset to our stable and most certainly will develop a fan club very quickly.
Magoo
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Magoo will be joining us after Thanksgiving!
Her registered AQHA name is Twin Magoos, but everyone calls her Magoo.
She is 14.3 hands and 19 years of age. She was born and raised at Northington Ranch in Boerne, TX. Magoo has sorted cows at local sortings such as Stonewall Sorting Club, Tejas Rodeo and Northington Ranch. She also has had experience in team penning and roping. Her owner, Beckie, rides Magoo almost daily on trails at home and around Boerne and has now decided that Magoo can come to the Saddle Light Center to help heal others like she has done for her owner.
Magoo is a very kind and gentle horse and she moves very smoothly. We are very thankful that Beckie has decided to share Magoo with us and think she will be a great addition to the team!
Star
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A special welcome to our newest horse partner Star - or My Shooting Star! Star is a Pony of the Americas, with Appaloosa coloring and markings, in his twenties who joined us in February 2022. Previously used for English riding and jumping, Star came to us from 3 barns down on recommendation from his owner, Danielle, after he had been outgrown by his previous rider after several years. We believe his calm personality and disposition will be a great addition to our program and he will be job sharing with Bunny and Sonny D to help our younger and smaller riders.
Bunny
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A special welcome to one of our newest horses, Bunny! She is a beauty on loan to us from Carrie Lamoreaux, along with her best buddy, Beau. Bunny is a black 13 hand Welsh pony mare that was born in 1998. She has done everything: 4H, Dressage, Jumping, trails, parades and birthday parties. Her talents also include raising a 3-year-old girl who now is in college.
Beau
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A special welcome to one of our newest horses, Beau. He is on loan to us from Carrie Lamoreaux. Beau was born in 2004 and is a 16.2 hands OTTB (off the track thoroughbred). He had a rough start with his racing career. He was abused, injured while racing, abandoned at the track barn and was headed to slaughter when he was rescued. Carrie worked with him for over a year, re-establishing trust and putting some weight on him. She took him to a couple of schooling dressage shows and he began a different career. Welcome Beau! You are wanted and needed in this program.
Max
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Our new pony arrived on Monday, March 13th Max is a Welsh-type pony who is in his early twenties and retired from giving pony rides. He will be job sharing with Sonny D for our younger and smaller riders.
Nike
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Nike is a top Western Pleasure stallion born in Hastings, Minnesota. He was a Youth horse who helped win many state titles in APHO and Pinto registry. He is a very friendly horse and has a very calm temperament. Nike is the type of horse that you can show one day and go trail riding on the next. The owner did not want him to go to just any owner, and asked the Saddle Light Center if he might be a good fit for the program. She hopes he provides many years of joy to the riders, just as he did for her.
Tanzi
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The Arthur family purchased Tanzi, a registered Tenneessee Walker, seven years ago when she was only a year and a half old. Given to Katrina Arthur as a Christmas present, Tanzi was loved on until she was ready to ride. She was trained by Stephanie Mcglothlin and Katrina with the fundamentals of natural horsemanship. "I was taught to listen to the horse and learned how to communicate with her through body language," said Katrina. Tanzi was never trained with a bit and saddle; she was raised with just a halter and a bareback pad. By riding bareback, Tanzi was taught cues with seat and legs to transition gaits and many other maneuvers. Tanzi is a very loving and calm horse and has handled riders as young as 3 years of age. Katrina worked with her and after a year and a half the duo rode at state and national drill competitions with the Unbridled Spirit Drill Team. Katrina now rides Tanzi for the simple enjoyment and pleasure of riding a horse. When Katrina left for college, she wanted Tanzi to be somewhere where she would be loved. "Tanzi is the most special thing in my life. By bringing here to the Saddle Light Center, I hope that she will be as special to her riders and make a connection with them, just like she did with me," said Katrina.
Sydni
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Sydni is a 16 year old grade paint mare who joined our herd in September 2014. She came to us from Marcos Stables in San Antonio, where she had been recently outgrown by her young owner after several years of English riding and jumping.
Kai
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Kai Otoes Yella Kai (Kai) is a Registered Palomino Quarter Horse from a long line of winning Palomino and Roan Performance Quarter Horses. Kai was born in Missouri 05/28/2003, and came to San Antonio in 2005 after being purchased as a barrel racing prospect and trail horse. After five years as a Western Pleasure and Trail Horse, Kai joined The Saddle Light Center in August 2011. His smooth gait, calm personality, and love of people make him an excellent match for his future as a therapy horse.
Sonny D
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Sonny D, a Welsh pony born in 2001 on loan to us from our former barn manager, Lori Hutchinson. Everyone probably has seen Sunny D’s bright face peeking out as they walk by his stall. The Center needs a pony of Sunny’s size specifically to help those children just beginning ride on their own and those requiring a little more help from the side walkers. We are happy to have Sunny D join our horsey team.
Mr. Cool
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Mr. Cool is a very unusual sorrel born in 1997 Thoroughbred who joined the Saddle Light Center in August 2002. Originally destined for the racetrack, Mr. Cool had other ideas about a fast-track career path. After an alternate stint as a jumper, Mr. Cool landed with us and has finally found his calling. Mr. Cool loves being around people and being the center of attention. He’s very gentle and patient with his riders and their equipment, which is very unusual for such a young horse. We know he’s happy and relaxed when he walks around with his ears out sideways, bouncing just a little when he walks. Now that’s a happy horse! We’re very glad he didn’t get all excited about racing or jumping – he knew there was a better career out there for a good-looking’ guy with natural talent.
Are you interested in sponsoring one of our amazing therapeutic riding horses for one year?
