The horse is one of the most important ingredients for all therapeutic riding programs. These most noble steeds must possess the kindest of hearts and be sound in both mind and body. There is no one breed that excels in this industry since every horse has its own unique qualities. Different movements of different horses all hold a therapeutic value for individuals requiring assorted input. A person with low muscle tone would require a horse with a more prominent and bouncy stride where a person with tight muscle tone may require a smoother and narrower type of mount. Whether the horse is large or small, wide or narrow, smooth or springy it is in the heart of the horse where the miracles are born.
Our horses come from a variety of backgrounds; however, all of them experience starting a new career when they start their work at SMILES. Horses of all types and riding disciplines have been offered to SMILES on a donation or lease basis. We school the horses for sixty days and only those which display the required patience and tolerance for the work are accepted into the program. Any breed can find a spot in our barn and in the hearts of our riders. Some horses come from the show ring, some from the race track, and others from lesson situations. Collectively, they have done it all, from ranch work to jumping. They are all well cared for here at SMILES, and are loved by clients and staff alike. We're very pleased to offer these horses a second career.
Many of the SMILES horses are donated and their owners are eligible for a tax deduction. If you're interested in offering your horse call Laurie at 262-882-3470 or email her at classes@smiles.nu.
The original owners of the SMILES horses are always welcome to come and visit the barn. We will always keep them up to date on how their horse is doing. When a SMILES horse becomes ready for retirement, it is with the owner's blessing. We have been fortunate that all the horses we have retired have gone to good, loving homes and continue their lives as a companion animal or a pet for the "grand kids" to ride. If the horse is not healthy and there is no other recourse to keep the horse comfortable, the horse may have to be humanly put to sleep.
The SMILES facility has enough stalls for 20 horses. Although each horse has its own stall, the horses are kept outside as much as possible (we feel that they are better off left in as much of a natural environment as possible). The horses have shelter outside, automatic waterers, and plenty of good hay to keep them busy. SMILES has 3 pastures and 2 hay fields on its 35 acre facility.
Every year NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped, Assoc.) holds a National Conference. All NARHA programs have the opportunity to portray their special horses to the rest of the programs throughout the United States and Canada. SMILES is proud to say that we have been blessed with six horses which have won the prestigious title of Region Horse of the Year and one of these went on to win National Honors becoming the best therapy horse in North America. One special SMILES horse also won Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame as he was nominated by the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Assoc.
If you would like to support one of our great horses, you may do so through the Sponsorship Program. You can support your favorite horse and have your name (and picture if you would like!) put upon your horse's stall. The cost for sponsoring a four-footed therapist for a year is $1500.00 or $125.00 per month. Your support of a SMILES horse not only gives you huge bragging rights about "your" horse but you would have the satisfaction of knowing how much you are supporting people with disabilities.
