Silver

Breed: Arabian      

Age: 30

         Silver has been at TherAplay for more than five years and is the oldest of the TherAplay horses. She made an easy transition into her therapy role and has captured the affection of many of the staff and patients.

         Silver is somewhat timid but very easy going. She is very sensitive to her rider’s needs but cannot carry heavy loads. She loves to be brushed, talked to and enjoys spending time with the kids. Silver also loves food but has very few teeth, which doesn’t allow her to eat several of her favorite treats!

    Silver has formed a tight bond with Kelly, but she is still close to her smaller friend, Molly. She loves to be outside, and some days she runs excitedly out to her pasture.

Molly

Breed: Welsh Pony       

Age: 23

     Molly came to us from a hunter/jumper barn in Zionsville when her owners decided she needed a new career.  She was formerly a successful show pony for quite some time before becoming a therapy pony.

     Often referred to as our “baby horse,” Molly is our smallest therapy pony (something about which she is not always so happy).  She enjoys her work and loves the children. Since her stride is very short and choppy, she is not suitable for large riders or riders that cannot tolerate a considerable amount of movement.  However, her size makes her very suitable for therapeutic riding. 

    Molly loves to go outside with Silver and Kelly, especially when they let her be the boss. She goes crazy for all types of treats, but deserves them for being the “TR Pony Extraordinaire.”

Rocky

Breed: Quarter Horse      

Age: 15

         Rocky has been with us for more than two years now. Before becoming a therapy horse, he was a barrel racer and was shown by a teenager. He was not fond of his former job, though, so his owners decided a new career would be best for him.

         Rocky is still settling into life at TherAplay but overall has made a fairly smooth transition.  He is one of our tallest horses, and his size and strength make him an asset to the program. He can still be a bit challenging at times, especially because he has attention deficit! Rocky loves people, especially children, and thrives on any attention given to him.  He has a lot of personality, and is already one of our most social horses.

Nikleen

Breed: Arabian      

Age: 19

     Niki came to us from a family in Westfield after spending time at a therapeutic riding facility. She has been at TherAplay for over three years and has captured us all with her sweet temperament and unique personality. 

     Niki has settled into her role at our facility quite well.  Although she can be slightly hard headed at times, she is very willing to learn and loves to please. Niki’s size and temperament make her suitable for small children as well as many of our independent riders. She especially does a great job with many of our therapeutic riding students!

    Niki enjoys her pasture time with her boys, Dreamer and Rocky.  She likes to be groomed and talked to, but would prefer not to be sprayed with anything.  Like most of our horses, Niki loves to get treats. 

Gideon

Breed: Haflinger      

Age: 12

     Gideon was a backyard pet before coming to TherAplay. He is one of the youngest members of the therapy team and was formerly the most challenging as well. He has really come to understand his job and has even overcome those “Gideon-eating monsters” in the corner.

     Gideon loves the children and is always interested in what they are doing. He really seems to enjoy his work and is always happy when someone comes to get him from his stall to work. He is able to carry heavy riders, making him an asset to the program.

    Gideon loves to pal around with Colonel in the field and usually runs joyously when first turned out.  He loves to be groomed, loved on and treats, but prefers not to be sprayed with water or fly spray.

Colonel

Breed: Tennessee Walker     

Age: 16

       Colonel is our only gaited horse. Before coming to TherAplay, he was a backyard pet. It took a considerable amount of time for Colonel to settle into therapy work, mainly because he’d never had a “real” job before. He is extremely laid back but can be fairly obnoxious as well. 

       Due to a tendon injury, Colonel cannot carry any of our heavier riders for now but enjoys his time with the lighter children and is very kind to all of our patients.  He likes his job. 

    Colonel isn’t crazy about loud noises or construction workers and their equipment. He especially enjoys his time outside with his two best friends, Gideon and Ernie, but also likes to be social with the other horses. He is affectionate toward the kids and loves any attention given to him (except when it involves his ear and a thorn!).

Persuasion 

Breed: Arabian/Paint Cross  

Age: 11

        “Persy” has been in the program for a little over a year, making her one of our newest horses.  She cam to use from Noblesville, where she lived in a pasture with her two goat friends.  In her past, Persy was successfully shown English in 4H by her owner, who has had her since she was born.  She is a beautiful horse with a gorgeous shiny black coat.

        Persy is pretty laid back most of the time.  She clearly wants things her way when she feels like it, but is very sweet to the children and staff at TherAplay.  She has very good movement and is tolerant of things the children do on her back and around her.  She continues to be a little confused by her reflection in the mirrors in our arena.

        Persy is not, however, very popular with the other horses, especially Niki.  Persy likes to be the boss and will challenge any horse that stands in her way.  She does enjoy her outside time with Silver and Molly, who have learned to tolerate her.  Overall, she loves attention, as long as the giver only has two legs!

Blue  

Breed: Unknown Mix

Age: 15

        Blue is the newest addition to the TherAplay team and has been here for one year.  He came from a very big farm in Kentucky where he had been turned out for over a year with just a few other horses.  He does, however, have a fairly extensive English showing career, including 4H, pony club, A-circuit hunter/jumpers, cross country and stadium jumping.

        Blue has a very nice temperament and is extremely willing and clearly loves to please.  He loves people, especially the children, and is very gentle-natured.  His size, conformation, and low movement make him a great asset to the program.  He truly captured the hearts of most of the staff members upon arrival.

        Blue enjoys his job and gets along well with the horses.  He likes to go outside with his pals, Wando and Niki, and loves attention from anyone.  He has settled into his new job nicely and will hopefully have a home here for many years!

Bud

Breed:  Appaloosa

Age:  28

     Bud has been at Lucky Farms for over seven years.  He has been a great source of joy to his owner and owner’s daughter, who rides him frequently. 

     Despite his blindness, Bud has “seen” many improvements and changes at Lucky Farms.  His gentle nature and relaxed attitude have helped him adapt to both the improvements and losing his sight.  Relying on his other senses and the patience of everyone at Lucky Farms has enabled him to lead a very good life.  EVERYONE at the barn knows Bud and makes sure to give him a pat or a treat several times a day!!!  He is one spoiled horse!

     Bud has recently passed the “test” to become a therapy horse.  His love of children and patient nature make him a great candidate for this role.  He LOVES to have a job!

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