Fund-A-Horse & Fund-A-Home
Therapy horse and stall sponsorships help keep our therapy horses healthy and happy by offsetting necessary costs, ensuring the best possible care for our horses who work so hard for our kiddos.
Meet our trusty steeds below and find out how you can play a part in their care!
Hippotherapy is nothing without our trusty therapy horses! We are lucky to have fifteen incredible horses, many of which are on their second or third career and provide our kiddos gentle, consistent treatment in hippotherapy.
We strive to ensure our horses are given the best possible care in order to effectively treat our kiddos.
Just as important as our horses is the physical space they call home: their stall.
We are so grateful for the renovated stalls our horses received in the Meyers Family Stable in May 2017. With a new space comes up-keep, and we rely on the generosity of our donors to help fund the stalls of our trusty therapy horses so they can feel comfortable in and out of the arena.
Thank you for your consideration of funding one of our beloved horses and/or their stall! There are a couple ways to sponsor:
For more information on either of these opportunities, please contact Katie Stratman.
Gideon and his stall are both generously funded by Teri Kraft.
27-year-old Haflinger
Joined Children's TherAplay: April 2002
Get To Know Gideon: He has been here at Children’s TherAplay longer than any other therapy horse, almost since the beginning of the program! As a versatile and sturdy mount, Gideon is a huge asset to our team.
Gideon's Impact: Therapists lovingly refer to Gideon as the "walking mat table" because he provides a wide, stable base of support for our kiddos needing help sitting upright.
Padre is generously funded by Barb Bixler.
Padre's stall is currently unfunded.
24-year-old Mustang / Quarter Horse cross
Joined Children’s TherAplay: May 2012
Get to know Padre: Padre has a sweet and conscientious personality, and loves to roll around in the dirt!
Padre's Impact: Padre is highly requested by both therapists and kiddos because of his higher movement. He's very adjustable and dependable, which benefits our kiddos who have high muscle tone.
Fairy Tale and her stall are both funded by The Alexander James Liles Fund in honor of "Wildman" Alex
24-year-old Welsh Pony
Joined Children’s TherAplay: November 2007
Get to know Fairy Tale: Our "barn princess" knows how to get what she wants using her good looks and charm. Don’t let her fool you though. She is a sassy girl at heart and loves being the boss.
Fairy Tale's Impact: Our therapists love Fairy Tale for her patience with our kiddos! She will stand still as long as needed, speed up if needed, and is so kind and loving to every child she meets.
Willow is funded by Jana, Tim and Dillon Wiley, and Kathy Wiley Smith
Willow's stall is currently unfunded.
27-year-old Hackney / Welsh Pony cross
Joined Children’s TherAplay: September 2017
Get to know Willow: This pony has a great deal of experience working with kiddos! Willow was a champion hunter show pony at Lucky Farms for many, many years. More recently, as a lesson pony, she’s helped young children learn how to ride.
Willow's Impact: Willow has a very adjustable gait, allowing her to serve many types of kiddos. She also has a bouncy trot, which is great for high sensory seeking kiddos who are best served with many movements.
Zippy and his stall both are generously funded by Teri Kraft.
26-year-old grade Pony
Joined Children’s TherAplay: May 2011
Get to know Zippy: Before coming to Children's TherAplay, Zippy was a lesson pony next door at Lucky Farms and taught many children to ride. Though he’s small in stature, Zippy has a big personality.
Zippy's Impact: Contrary to his name, Zippy is known for his slow-moving nature and easy strides, which is important for our littlest kiddos who are still getting familiar with the horse.
Hank and his stall are both generously funded by The Phil and Sharen Meyers Living Trust in Honor of Ally, Livy, and Luke
21-year-old Quarter Horse
Joined Children’s TherAplay: August 2017
Get to know Hank: Hank came to TherAplay with experience in 4H, English shows, and trail-riding.
Hank's Impact: Hank has a special low movement, which is perfect for our kiddos who need a more calm, even ride.
Moe and his stall are both generously funded by Hank and Jayma Meyers
23-year-old Haflinger
Joined Children’s TherAplay: July 2011
Get to know Moe: He is one of two Haflingers in the barn. Moe is curious about everything and has fun playing in the pasture with his “Mini Moe,” Gideon.
Moe's Impact: Moe is a great next-level horse for our kiddos who are ready to add a bit more challenge to their treatment.
Red and his stall are both generously funded by Leslie Ackerman.
19-year-old grade pony
Joined Children’s TherAplay: February 2014
Get to know Red: Red stole everyone’s heart when he arrived as he is nothing short of adorable! He’s the perfect size for our smallest patients and is curious and gentle with the kiddos.
Fun Fact: Our horse handlers call Red their "little Red sports car" because of the ease with which he moves. Red provides a lot of stimulating movement for our littlest clients!
Lacey and her stall are both generously funded by The Shines and Kleins
11-year-old Palomino
Joined Children’s TherAplay: March 2019
Get to know Lacey: Before coming to TherAplay, Lacey was used as a western pleasure trail horse.
Fun Fact: Lacey has a wonderfully long, fast-paced stride that therapists enjoy. While walking with Lacey, you're sure to get your heart rate up!
Tonka is generously funded by Ray & Mary Kennedy, Steve & Heather Douglas, Kevin & Bridget Kennedy
Tonka's stall is generously funded by Next Gear Capital.
18-year-old Haflinger
Joined Children’s TherAplay: December 2019
Get to know Tonka: Tonka is our most laid-back pasture mate!
Tonka's Impact: Our therapists love Tonka's high input he gives kiddos through his swaying movements.
Roddy and his stall are both generously funded by Leslie Ackerman.
16-year-old Quarter Horse
Joined Children’s TherAplay: December 2019
Get to know Roddy: Roddy has spent most of his life showing in everything from barrel racing to jumping events!
Roddy's Impact: Roddy's laid back temperament is soothing to be around. His movement is very symmetrical, and while sitting on Roddy you feel like you're sitting on a couch!
Kipper and his stall are both generously funded by Mike and Lindsay Martin, in honor of Larry, Marsha, Kathy Martin and Robert Simcoe
16-year-old Welsh Pony
Joined Children’s TherAplay: December 2019
Get to know Kipper: Kipper was well-loved by his owner and her grandchildren before becoming a part of the TherAplay family.
Kipper's Impact: Kipper is appreciated for his forward, high moving gait. He is perfect for kiddos who need a small pony with lots of input.
Tash and her stall are both generously funded by Hank and Jayma Meyers
24-year-old Paint Horse
Joined Children’s TherAplay: May 2020
Get to know Tash: Tash is our only mare in the barn who has been a mama!
Tash's Impact: The therapists' favorite things about Tash are her cuddly personality and "boat-like" movement she offers during sessions.
MusicMusic is generously funded by Mudsock Fest and Jody & Daniel Petts
Music's stall is generously funded by BKD CPAs and Advisors
16-year-old Thoroughbred
Joined Children’s TherAplay: December 2020
Get to know Music: Being a therapy horse is Music's fourth career! He started as a race horse, then moved to the hunter/jumper discipline. Finally, he served at an Equestrian Camp!
Music's Impact: Music is a gentle giant! The therapists describe Music's movement as a "march", rhythmic and purposeful.
Giuseppe and his stall are both currently funded by The Layton Family.
18-year-old Paint Horse
Joined Children’s TherAplay: August 2021
Get to know Giuseppe: Giuseppe is a former eventer and hunter/jumper. He is the newest addition to our horse herd, and loves working with our sweet kiddos!
