The THWM Therapy Horse Herd
New Horses | Regular Working Horses | On-Farm Adoption or Scholarships | Adopt or Foster Retired Therapy Horses | Stallion Service Donation | Memorials | Awards
Vote now for the 2008 Therapy Horse of the Year! We are presently "voting" to choose the Therapy Horse of the Year, using quarters as our votes (but I wouldn't be offended if dollars or checks got given, either). "Votes" will be accepted at the barn or by mail through Aug. 2. The two nominees are "Serena" and "Murray" (Morabba).
Morabba (aka Murray)
liver chestnut Morab gelding 27 years old.
Donated by Joan Walsh-Behm of Spring Lake in 1999
Rides English and Western, and Drives
Has shown in both special-needs and regular classes at local horse shows
Works with rehabilitating physically and mentally-impaired riders--children and adults
Official "El Presidente's Horse" --used for Alan Conklin's rehab therapy and general riding since his accident two years ago.Serena
bay aged (mid-20s) Arabian-cross mare
Donated by John Deskovitz of Zeeland, MI in 2001
Rides English and Western and Jumps
Shown at local horse shows with special-needs and regular riders, is a designated Once Upon a Horse 4-H Club project horse, and participated in our annual training/teaching clinics
Works with small children and pre-teens building their confidence to become independent riders through games, exercises, and skill-buildingSeveral new horses have arrived during fall session: Coming Soon!
Electra (3 year old Welsh/Quarter filly) Click Here To Enlarge
"Missy" SG's Risky Mistress (10 yr, old Hanoverian/Arabian mare) Click Here To Enlarge
Caramel (10 year old Draft cross mare) Click Here To Enlarge
Daredevil (5 year old Welsh/Quarter gelding) Click Here To Enlarge
"Tony" Lumbertown's Little Antonio Banderas(10 year old Miniature gelding) Click Here To Enlarge
"Susie" Susannah Star (22 year old Arabian mare) Click Here To Enlarge
"Refiner" Refiner's Gold (8 year old Thoroughbred gelding) Click Here To Enlarge
Jackson (23 year old Quarter Horse gelding) Click Here To Enlarge
Crackers (10 year old Draft cross mare) Click Here To Enlarge
Angie (21 year old Hanoverian mare) Click Here To Enlarge
Lucky (18 year old Draft cross gelding) Click Here To Enlarge
"Murray" Moraba (27 year old Morab gelding) Click Here To Enlarge
Rio (aged Buckskin mare) Click Here To Enlarge
"Leia" Running Princess Leia (11 year old Paint Breeding Stock mare) Click Here To Enlarge
"Bob" Bobbin for Apples (aged Morgan gelding) Click Here To Enlarge
On-Farm Adoption or Scholarships
"Ponies with a Mission"
Assist our Special Needs Equestrians and Rough Riders At-Risk Teen participants by sponsoring their therapy horses and ponies.
These tax-deductible donations go directly for the care of the therapy horse you choose.
Amount Period of Sponsorship
$500 Full Year
$250 Six Months
$ 50 One Month
$ 25 Holidays
You receive:
- Personalized Sponsorship Certificate
- Photo of Sponsored Animal
- Invitation to All Program Functions where your adoptee will be active
- Periodic Visitation Days at the farm
Due to our horses' workload and insurance restrictions, rides are not permitted.
Photo sessions of you with your adoptee are encouraged, with THWM staff
*** Gifts of feed, treats or equipment are appreciated***
A call for approval in advance is requested.
Items on our Ponies' Wish List:
Fly sprays, Spot-on fly repellants
Vetrap or Coflex bandages
Wormers (ivermectin)
Feed supplements-glucosamine, biotin, vitamins
50# trace mineral blocks
Web halters
Rubber feed buckets
To sponsor one of our "Ponies with a Mission", please provide Sponsor's Name, Mailing Adddress, City, State, Zip, Telephone Number, Email Address, Sponsorship Period (1 yr., 6 mos., 1 month, holiday), Therapy Horse's Name, if making your own choice, and Payment(check or money order) or Billing Information if different from Sponsor. Email to: equinetherapies@yahoo.com or Direct Mail to: THWM, P.O. Box 248, Nunica, MI 49448
ADOPTION/FOSTER/HOSPICE HOMES NEEDED
for retired therapy horses. Placements require shelter, pasture, and financial commitment for health, maintenance and final disposal. Expenses tax-deductible. Companion animals only-not rideable; prefer to foster out in pairs. Help these animals live out their final days with dignity. Contact Therapeutic Horsemanship of West Michigan at (616)837-6112 to request application.Recent successful off-site adoptions include:
Liddy
Snickers
Carrots
Cook
Chet
WinDee
BJ
Blaze (on-farm adoption)
Others available at the end of this riding season are:
Serena
GT
Murray
Gypsie
Willow
All require a commitment to provide senior feeds, supplements, some medications, and lots of TLC, to make their retirement a success.
Winter Riding
Winter riding can be very invigorating and just plain fun. Nothing is prettier than a peaceful night with the arena lights glittering off the snowy ground or great big feathery flakes drifting down on you as you burrow down into your horse s furry coat. THWM encourages our able riders and the GVSU club to continue to practice your equestrian skills throughout the winter RESPONSIBLY. Especially in cold or inclement weather, horses need extra warmup and cooldown time; never leave a horse wet or insufficiently cooled out; ask for assistance in blanketing, stalling, etc. Deep snow, even when the footing underneath is good, puts a strain on the horse s muscles and respiratory system. It s exciting to canter endlessly through the big drifts but this can damage legs, feet, and lungs irreparably; limit such exertion. Slippery footing calls for slow speeds and deliberate activities; these are the times to
work on headsets, body position (yours and the horse s), and following the horse s motion. Those really nasty days, our horses still appreciate a thorough grooming and a little extra TLC; just make sure that you aren t brushing the moisture from rain, sleet, or snow through the hair coat down to the skin. We invite you to enjoy our animals throughout the winter season, while respecting the vagaries of the weather and the health concerns that come with horse care.
Coming Soon!
- Mary Baldus Memorial
- Gerald Barringer Memorial
- Beverly Willard Memorial Student Sponsorships
- Mary Boynton Lending Library Fund
- Rachael J. Sugarbaker Memorial Rider of the Year Award Fund
- Jessica Stalzer-Tripp Memorial Therapy Horse Service Award Fund
- Virginia L. Moore Memorial
- Fred E. Wilks Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award Fund
- Joan C. Clark Therapy Horse of the Year Award Fund
Memorials
Jessica Stalzer-Tripp Memorial Fund
Joan Clark Memorial THWM Horse of the Year Award
