Our Herd
Our equine partners are the foundation of our services. At CTRC, children and adults continually reach beyond the constraints of their special needs because of the intervention of our remarkable horses. Not only do they provide the therapeutic movement that is critical to our riders’ clinical progress, they provide the unconditional acceptance and bond with our riders that often becomes the motivating catalyst for every area of our riders’ lives.
Prior to joining CTRC’s team our horses have often had careers in all types of disciplines including jumping, showing, dressage, ranch work, reining, and even police work to name a few! Only the most levelheaded horses are suitable for the special demands of working at a therapeutic riding center and CTRC’s equines are carefully selected, evaluated, and trained to become members of a therapeutic team. We have horses of varying sizes, gaits, and temperaments in order to accommodate a wide spectrum of needs.
CTRC maintains a herd of 25+ magnificent therapeutic riding horses. Each member of our herd is a treasure in a way that is unique to them, each with their own tale to tell. Because of our strong commitment to the welfare of our equine partners, CTRC operates a retired horse sanctuary on our property where all of the horses who come through our doors have a safe and loving retirement until their end of days. This sanctuary is accredited through the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, who have recognized our exemplary facility and care for the animals.
We believe that if you were to meet our horses and learn their stories, they will capture your heart as well. Sponsoring a therapy horse is a wonderful way to show them they’ve done exactly that.
Undeniably, our horses take very good care of our riders. We in turn, take very good care of our horses. Each horse is treated like family because they are part of the CTRC family.
Our horse management program emphasizes optimal nutrition, exercise, preventative care, and natural handling methods to maximize their health and well-being. Horses are kept on a regular vaccination, de-worming and farrier schedule and we individually evaluate and address nutritional needs. Year-round our horses get six to seven days a week of turnout on 30 irrigated acres of pasture, and each also has their own individual sheltered run with an automatic waterer. Weekly a “Barn Buddy” volunteer gives their assigned horse special care and extra TLC, which we affectionately call their “spa-day”. Additionally our horses receive weekly equine massage, chiropractic, acupuncture and laser therapy.
MEET THE EXCEPTIONAL HORSES PROVIDING PREMIER EQUINE ASSISTED SERVICES AND THERAPIES AT CTRC
BO
| Breed: | Quarter Horse |
| Color: | Buckskin |
| DOB: | 5/13/2007 |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | 16 hands |
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Bo (Jos Lucky Bonanza) has demonstrated great eagerness to please while learning his new job and adapting to new equipment and tack . In his early years, he was a working ranch horse. His former owner, who donated him to us, was an avid high altitude trail rider. Bo was his steady mount. He regularly whinnies to anyone passing by in an attempt to get your attention.
CREAM
| Breed: | Quarter Horse |
| Color: | Palamino Paint |
| DOB: | 1/1/2001 |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | 15.2 hands |
| b |
Cream comes to us from Sombrero Ranches in Estes Park! He worked as a trail and pack horse for all of his life up in the mountains, spending most of his time in Glacier National Park. Because of his background as a trail horse, Cream is calm and steady, and used to teaching beginner riders! Cream loves attention and being talked to.
FIRECRACKER
| Breed: | Appendix |
| Color: | Paint |
| DOB: | 7/7/1995 |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | 15.2 |
| b |
Firecracker, or “Fire”, has come to CTRC after a long and happy career as a horse of many talents. His previous owner had him for nearly his whole life, and he was her show pony and best friend. Fire is liberty trained, has been a jumper, and even competed in the Special Olympics! We are smitten with him, as are many of our riders and volunteers.
HANDSOME
| Breed: | Hanoverian |
| Color: | Chestnut |
| DOB: | 1/1/2007 |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | 17h |
| b |
Handsome, “Handsome Treasures,” is a sturdy Hanoverian gelding who came to us after a lifetime as an eventing and hunter/jumper horse. Despite his size, Handsome is a gentle giant and still loves being ridden and groomed. He does particularly well with our beginner riders to help them build confidence.
HONKY TONK
| Breed: | Missouri Foxtrotter |
| Color: | Liver Chestnut |
| DOB: | 1/1/99 |
| Sex: | Mare |
| Size: | 15.1h |
| b |
Tonks, “Honky Tonks,” came to us with her best friend, Beauty, after competing in the gaited horse show circuit and then moving on to mountain trail riding. Tonks is a gaited horse with a gait referred to as an “amble.” Because of this, she covers a lot of ground with her naturally brisk pace. Along with her spectacular training, Tonks loves attention and pampering.
JOURNEY
| Breed: | Mustang |
| Color: | Black |
| DOB: | |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | |
| b |
Journey is a 14-year-old Mustang who was rounded up at 7 months old and had the same owner from the time he was a baby. He has packed around mountains and done a tremendous amount of natural horsemanship. Journey is personable, friendly, and loves attention.
MAGIC
| Breed: | Quarter Horse |
| Color: | Red Dun |
| DOB: | 5/12/96 |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | 14.3 hands |
| b |
Magic is a very sweet and patient boy. He takes everything in stride and absolutely loves people! Magic competed as a reiner for 15 years! He has taught many kids how to ride both western and English. Before Magic arrived at CTRC he completed a 100-mile trail ride, just for fun. We are very excited to have him!!!
OTAYAH
| Breed: | Paint Horse |
| Color: | Black & White |
| DOB: | |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | |
| b |
Otayah (pronounced O-TAAY-yuh) is an 18-year-old Paint Horse who comes from therapeutic riding from before his arrival here, much like Trigger. His previous home of 16 years had him working in a therapeutic setting, as well as rehabilitating his previous owner from a heart attack. He was steadfast and took care of her throughout her recovery, whether it was keeping her from falling or giving emotional support. He is a very loved member of the CTRC herd.
PATRON
| Breed: | Quarter Horse |
| Color: | White |
| DOB: | |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | |
| b |
Patron is a 18-year-old Quarter Horse who belonged to our now departed volunteer Betsy Byrne. He has participated in both Western and English, doing things ranging from show jumping to packing out on the trails. We are overjoyed to have him with us.
ROARKE
| Breed: | Norwegian Fjord |
| Color: | Brown Dun |
| DOB: | 8/15/08 |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | 13.2 hands |
| b |
Roarke, aka “Pony-Up Roarke”, was born in Berthoud, Colorado. He is very brave and takes on challenges head on. His love of people makes him a great therapy horse. Roarke is always game for playing with the other horses.
SAUNDER
| Breed: | Norweigan Fjord |
| Color: | Buckskin Dun |
| DOB: | 5/3/1999 |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | 14.2 hands |
| b |
“River Oak Sander,” aka Saunder, came to CTRC from Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship in Texas, after being imported from Canada. Saunder is an in-your-pocket type guy, who loves his meals, and hanging out in the pasture with his friends.
SOC
| Breed: | American Paint |
| Color: | Bay |
| DOB: | 3/3/06 |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | 15 hands |
| b |
Soc comes to CTRC from Ft. Collins. He has a primary background in ranch work and roping. However, he’s also been used for pleasure and trail riding. He is so friendly, we like to think of him as having the personality of a lap dog. He just wants to be everywhere you are. Soc is one of our youngest horses on the property and we are excited to watch him learn and grow as a therapy horse!
TRIGGER
| Breed: | Pony of America |
| Color: | Leopard Spotted |
| DOB: | 1/1/2004 |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | 13 hands |
| b |
WEEZER
| Breed: | Pony of America |
| Color: | |
| DOB: | |
| Sex: | Gelding |
| Size: | |
| b |