You might want to get your tissues ready for this one. You see, sometimes life can be pretty challenging for some of our riders. Home, or school, or both may be more stressful than safe. Life may be pretty uncertain from one day to the next. The challenges and the hurts of daily life show up at the barn and often presents itself in fear and timidity. But then they find a safe place in a horse… and that’s when they find their courage.

You know the term ‘Fun-Sized?’ That’s our little Welsh pony, River! At 12.2 hands tall, he is our smallest riding horse, but there is a whole lot of personality in that tiny palomino body. Just ask anyone that partners with him during group lessons at Agape South. Our lead group programming instructor, Linda Hazzard, loves including River in lessons. She says, “You know how much I love that little pony! He is a great teacher, and when you do it right, he joins right up and is your best bud.”

Our horses change lives every day. Sometimes, the changes are big–like Moe and Francisco–but sometimes they are smaller, more subtle. No matter how big or small though, our horses are helping people live happier, fuller lives. One such story is how Patch is helping Joseph Swim.