Saddle Buddies Therapy

07/31/2024

The Breakfast Club (1985)

07/30/2024

Grooming the horse does more than just make us and them happy, it helps develop upper extremity coordination, visual motor skills, and intrinsic strength!

07/03/2024

04/08/2024

Our herd is all set for the solar spectacle with their trendy and functional shades!

04/02/2024

We have a ‼️ NEW FRIEND ALERT ‼️

Everyone, help us give a warm welcome to Seven!!! Seven is an 18 year old, 14 hand, Tennessee Walking Horse cross. She came to join us all the way from Tallahassee, FL.

Seven has been a lesson horse and trail riding extraordinaire. She came here on a trial to see if she would like to add equine assisted therapies to her resume, and we are so thrilled to say she loves it! Seven has settled well into our program, and has already made many new friends! Her shorter size is beneficial for clients who need physical assistance, and her breed gives her a big, lateral walk that provides fantastic sensory input. She has a calm demeanor, and absolutely loves being with people.

Welcome to the team, Seven!

04/02/2024

Help us all wish a HAPPY RETIREMENT to Amigo!!! Amigo, thank you for spending the last two years with us, and improving the lives of many, many people. Amigo is happily retired with Occupational Therapist Kellsey.

Who do we have to fill in Amigo's hoofprints? Stay tuned for a NEW FRIEND ALERT!

04/01/2024

We have decided to transition out of equine assisted therapy, and instead move to chicken assisted therapy.

You will now find one chicken in each stall, instead of horses. We determined the therapeutic benefits of chickens outweigh the therapeutic benefits of horses. Now, clients will be able to catch a chicken, put a leash on it, and take it for a walk around our arena. This will help promote an increase in frustration tolerance, as well as address many fine and gross motor goals.

Barn manager Rachael will be working on training the chickens to do tricks, and will be training all therapists how to effectively catch the chickens while we prepare to move to this new and expiramental therapy.

03/31/2024

Happy Easter!

03/21/2024

We had so much fun with our friends at HCSD Virtual Program of Choice! Their student council leaders came out with their teacher to volunteer and learn all about hippotherapy. They learned horse care and grooming, how to sidewalk, and how to lead. They all got to sit on Toby, and learn a little about horses gait patterns with barn manager / Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor / Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, Rachael!

02/22/2024

Our new friend Charlie (Dusty) has settled in well with us! Rio, Toby, and Amigo gave him a warm welcome into our herd. His stocky build and smooth gaits have made him a lovely hippotherapy mount, and he has been enjoying the job! His patient and calm demeanor has lead to an easy transition to his latest job title. Way to go, Charlie!!!

01/31/2024

We have a ‼️NEW FRIEND ALERT‼️

Everybody say hello and welcome to Dusty (aka Apricot)!!!! He is joining us on loan from our friends at Bearfoot Ranch!

Apricot is a palomino quarter horse in his teens. He is no stranger to equine assisted therapies, as he has been in therapeutic riding lessons and even competed at Special Olympics! He is now going to add hippotherapy to his resume.