Regardless of age or gender, extreme joy is apparent on our students’ faces when they’re riding one of HTR’s gentle and patient horses and building a life-changing relationship with these compassionate creatures.  Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Inc. is a 501c3 organization. Donations are tax-exempt. Please consider helping Heartland through your Donor Choice option with the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign. 19655 Antioch   P.O. Box 391 Stilwell, KS 66085 913.897.3939 913.685.7433 Fax htr@swbell.net  I previously belonged to a 10 year old girl.  She was learning to ride and rode trails a lot.  I really enjoyed it, but she had to move to Texas and I couldn't go with her.  The trainer called Heartland and I was the perfect height and I wasn't bothered by toys, ramps, walkers or wheelchairs.  I couldn't figure out why I had to have a leader and two people "side walkers" walking beside me.  My "aha" moment came when I realized my job was to take care of very special children and adults.  One of the young boys that rides me, has really bonded with me.  He hugs me and if he gets wild with the reins, the side walkers remind him that it hurts me and he stops immediately!  I must be very special, because he did not bond with the other horses!  My adult rider works a lot on her trunk strengthening, because my walk challenges her muscles!  She has Multiple Sclerosis and she says, "after riding, my pain subsides for two to three days!"  How AWESOME is that!! Ali      14 yrs    Appaloosa Cross Brav0      15 yrs    Welsh Pony Well, so much for my cushy life!  I thought I had it made, but my owner decided I needed to have something to do!  These humans get the craziest ideas!  Sooooo, I arrived at Heartland. Being a pony, it was hard for me to admit they were right.  I had to lose a few pounds and get used to listening to the leader!  I have to continue walking, even if my rider is off balance!  The Hippotherapy riders, are extremely fun.  They get to sit sideways and backwards on me.  Now you know why I was worried about them falling off!  The volunteer side walkers, really help me here!  I am still learning the ropes, but I can charm the bark, right off the tree! Bruno      32 yrs    Quarter Horse To keep us spoiled and happy for a year is $1200.00 and we’d really appreciate your generosity. CLICK HERE TO DONATE My former career consists mainly of trail riding. It's still my favorite thing to do and I like to keep all the other horses in line. Some people think I act like a "bully" with other horses, but somebody has to be in charge! It might as well be me!! My real sweet and patient personality makes me a perfect fit for my special riders at Heartland and I LOVE my job! I don't like to brag, but I am also quite the "Mares Man"! The mares all seem quite attracted to me and it "MAKES MY DAY!!" I think the other guys are jealous! Everyone adores me at Heartland! My humans love my dynamic walk. I call it my confident swagger! Even therapists from other states want to take me to their therapeutic centers! They say I have the perfect walk and disposition. I've been here a long time. Some of my riders are in college, have families of their own, and are able to walk with their own kids! Here is an example... A doctor told one of our Mothers that her son would never walk, she heard about Heartland and put him in Hippotherapy….He is walking, running and is now into sports riding! Centavo      16 yrs    Quarter Horse In my former life, I was a Western Pleasure and Showmanship Horse.  I was taught to walk really…really…slowly, so my challenge at Heartland, was to learn to walk with a longer stride and little swing….WOW the geldings really look at me now!  I also have a great jog that my riders all love and can sit to all day! In the summer, my coat is like a shiny copper penny!  With my blaze, I look really gorgeous! After my show career, I was turned out to pasture, so it was hard to get back in shape for Heartland.  My riders are awesome and I love seeing the joy in their faces…the hugs, kisses and treats don't hurt either. Dudley      9 yrs    Quarter Horse Heartland is a great place! I am here because my owner wanted a more "energetic" horse. You see I'm kind of lazy ..or "very energy efficient!!" My job here is to build my riders confidence, at their own comfort level and without pressure. This will help prepare them for many challenges as they head toward adulthood.  I am GOOD at my job!! Fancy     25 yrs    Paso Fino Whoa… look at me...don't I look "fancy!!" I used to be a show horse and traveled all over!  You should have seen my quick step (paso step), I could really flex my knees & hocks!  Those were the days.... I am a little slower due to age and overeating, but my legs still look good!! After showing, I did trail rides, and now I am taking my new riders on the Heartland trails!  In Hippotherapy I get to walk around the arena. You may think that walking is no big deal, but I have kids on my back that can't sit up.  After several rides with me, they are able to sit up, and give me a HUGE SMILE :) The paso gate comes in handy also, because it is smooth and riders can go fast....which we all love! Gizmo     10 yrs    Paint/Appy Cross Hi, I am Gizmo and everyone loves my markings!  They say I can be a little ornery, but I think I am pretty cute!!  If I get bored, I experiment with how far I can push my leaders….however I always take care of my riders! I have a great walk, so I am used in Hippotherapy a lot.  My size is great for small riders who can grow up with me! I can also handle the more physically involved riders like a pro! My previous owner did a lot of trail riding and a little jumping.  The best thing about being at Heartland is that all the riders get a better JUMP on life both physically and cognitively.  Missy     21 yrs         Quarter Horse Before coming to Heartland, my owner and I belonged to a Horse and Hound Pony Club! We had a blast in the club, where she learned how to take care of me, and I learned how to jump!  My owner had volunteered at Heartland, and when she started college, she thought that Heartland might be a good place for me!  I miss her, but at Heartland, I have all kinds of students riding me!  One little boy, after his first ride with me, went home and walked 10 steps...without a walker!!  His mom called and said that he had never tried that and they were ecstatic!! Another of my adult riders says she lives to "come out and ride!!"  She always has a big smile!  She has cerebral palsy, and riding helps stretch the muscles and increase circulation! MoMo     6 yrs         Anglo/Arab My previous owner led her grandchildren around the farm on my back so I am very calm around wiggly and noisy kids.  Because of my great walk and size she thought Heartland would be a perfect place for me. I LOVE kids and they love me!  I am considered a large pony size so I can carry large riders too.  I love all the attention and being groomed is just HEAVEN!  "rubbin' and lovin"….does it get much better??? Odessy     23 yrs   Thoroughbred My former life was one of Hunter shows and Eventing, then I became a school horse, finally I was turned out to pasture. ARE YOU KIDDING ME…just look at me!!!  My previous owner was a volunteer at Heartland so she knew I would be "just perfect" for the program. I still need exercise and I love teaching kids to ride!  I love all the attention I get with grooming and hugs and treats….one of my kids even drew a picture of me!!! Rock     22 yrs          Appaloosa My name is Rocky, but everyone calls me "ROCK!" In my former life, I was an Amish show horse and kids trail riding horse!  Sometimes I like to be a little ornery while I am being groomed! I look out of the corner of my eye and try to slide my left front hoof out to the side and see if I can step on your foot! It's my favorite game!  I also love to rub my head all over you even though hardly anyone lets me!  The special people here at Heartland spoil me, love me and take REALLY good care of me every day! Simon     14 yrs    Shetland Mix Don't underestimate my size….I control anyone that shares a pasture with me ! I look so handsome when I prance and I flip my mane with my head held high! All the volunteers and riders fall in love with me right away and I completely use this to my advantage. You might say I have them wrapped around my little hoof!  My size comes in handy for Hippotherapy (easy on the sidewalker's arms) and I can be gentle with really physically involved riders.  I love all the attention and hugs from the riders and the grooming from the volunteers….I get so relaxed that I always lay right down for a nap! Smokey     26 yrs    Foxtrotter I am gentle on the "tush" because of my smooth foxtrot! The riders like it, because they can go fast, but still have enough cushion in the spine, to strengthen bones and muscles!  When being led in class, I like to rest my nose on my leader's hand. I am a "hands on" kind of horse! Attention and grooming are favorites of mine too!  Speaking of "attention", one of my riders has to lean on me to support herself after dismounting, so I lean a little into her and stand like a statue, until they get her cane! The rider has MS and riding me helps her to be free of pain for several days! Snow     27 yrs         POA Pony When I came to Heartland, my name was Misty and I was a local children's hunter show pony! They already had a horse at Heartland named Misty and because I am all white (due to age), one of the Heartland riders named me "SNOW!"  Because of my size, I am great for Hippotherapy, where a PT or OT works with the riders! I have to keep a very steady rhythm in my walk! The clients will sit backwards, lay on their tummy across my back, balance on their hands and knees and some have stood upright on my back while I am walking!! I pretend I am a circus horse!!  It has been great when some of my riders go to Sports Riding and they can ride me independently! It builds their self-esteem!  I do miss the jumping, which I shouldn't do because it makes my front feet sore, due to eating TOOO much grass! Occasionally I jump one of the pasture fences, just to prove I can still do it!  It is STILL FUN!! Taz       6 yrs         Percheron/Thoroughbred I am here at Heartland because they needed a quiet, strong, heavier weight carrier. This I can do with no problem! I needed some acclamation to the loading ramp and that was a challenge because of my big feet! It taught me to listen closely to my handler.  My students love to ride me because I tower over all the other horses and I am a real "looker!"  I grew up with Gizmo believe it or not I used to think he was big…now he comes up to my mid-belly. It was fun coming to Heartland with a buddy….we both love it here! Toby       31 yrs  Arabian In my former life, I was a trail riding horse and babysitter for a grandchild.  Boy, did I hit the "jackpot" when I came to Heartland. Now I give rides to dozens of kids!  I am very sweet and gentle with my special riders and they think I'm the "BEST."  On days off I just like to be lazy and "hang out"…maybe that is a part of getting old!!  There's only one thing I don't like and its having my ears and nose cleaned…YUCK!! I am glad it is not every day!  Other than that, I love my job and I think my riders are TERRIFIC!! Tuf       29 yrs       Quarter Horse In my younger days I was a Western ranch horse as well as an English show horse! How about that for versatility!  I'm sweet, loving and "energy efficient" and I am very proud of that.  I was actually surprised to overhear someone call me " spoiled " just because I don't like to hold my foot up when I'm having my feet picked. It's not that I'm lazy…hooves are heavy!  I also prefer that a "soft" brush is used when I'm groomed…is that too much to ask? sThe special riders at Heartland are wonderful and I love working with them.