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Unbridled Joy

Therapeutic Riding, Inc. provides equestrian opportunities to children and adults with special needs. Here, we get to know some of the horses helping transform lives.

Article by Heather Leszczynski, Therapeutic Riding, Inc. Executive Director

Originally published in Ann Arbor City Lifestyle

Serena

Serena is our most versatile horse, carrying everyone from first-time riders in adaptive lessons (which combine mounted and ground activities, with volunteer facilitators providing extra balance and support) to our most advanced para-dressage athletes. Patient and intuitive, she forgives mixed signals while helping riders learn and grow.

 

Rosie

Rosie absolutely loves children and shines in the adaptive horsemanship lessons, patiently caring for the riders on her back. She also enjoys our ConnEQtions program where special groups can interact with her through groundwork.

 

Hey Dobbs!

As a nonprofit, TRI relies on donor support to provide children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities the opportunity to ride, learn, and connect with horses like Hey Dobbs!. He’s one of TRI’s longest-resident horses. Though one of our oldest, he’s still energetic, spunky, and loves his job. 

 

Major

Major is kind, safe, and dependable, carrying our newly independent riders. He helps participants develop skills in para-dressage, a sport for equestrians with permanent physical or visual impairments. Thanks to donors, participants only pay a fraction of the costs to ride great horses like Major.

 

Spin Doctor

Spin Doctor focuses on our most independent riders doing para-dressage. Along with talented horses like Spin, TRI’s certified instructors use adaptive equipment tailored to each rider’s needs. Before joining TRI, he excelled as a racehorse and dressage horse, and he’s a 2026 Equus Foundation Horse Hall of Fame inductee.

 

Learn more, donate, or volunteer at therapeuticridinginc.org.