Ridin’ High activities and therapies are centered around interaction with our therapy horses. Therapy horses have to be sound, tolerant, people-oriented, healthy, and quiet. They also have to be able to carry ‘unbalanced’ riders and tolerate having sidewalkers and leaders in addition to the rider. The requirements are stringent and very, very few horses can quality for this important job!
All of the horses at Ridin’ High have been through extensive testing and training to ensure that they will be a great fit for our riders. Upon retirement, they are either returned to their owners or placed in carefully selected and screened lifetime homes.
In return for their contribution to the lives of our riders, our horses are extremely well-loved and taken care of at a high level. They receive individualized nutrition plans, healthcare/dental, regular vet/farrier work, MagnaWave Therapy and even massage therapy! When not in use, they spend their days in pastures with their horse friends. As a PATH-recommended ‘best practice,’ we bring variety and interest in the horses’ lives by occasionally taking them on low-key outings, such as trail rides, walking cattle sorting, obstacle courses, or other activities that will provide a mental break for them. Best of all, they are loved and appreciated by the riders, staff, and volunteers. To sponsor or donate a horse, please contact us.
Meet the Herd
Willow
I’m a Fjord/Quarter Horse, with great coloration and beauty. However, what I’m loved the most for is that fact that I am a perfect therapy horse. I can be ridden by a huge variety of riders – so my beauty runs deep! When I’m not working, you can usually find me hanging around with Dream, my best friend.
Owner: Ridin’ High
Donor: Ellie Morris
Journey
I’m the sweetest and cutest Morgan you may have ever met. I excel at groundwork and helping little people get their start in riding. I’ve got a great temperament and am working hard at becoming a great therapy horse.
Owners: Laurie and Rick Thompson
Jackson
I’m a well-loved therapy horse (and pretty much an icon) at Ridin’ High and am happy to help my ‘little people’ riders gain riding and life skills. I’m also the ‘centerpiece’ for the First Responders and Veterans’ Program. I’ve got a great life here! My owner, Pat, pays for many ‘extras’ for me, including acupuncture, chiropractic work, customized shoeing, all of which keep me happy and comfortable. Thanks to Pat, my sponsor (Stan Coffelt), and the Ridin’ High staff, I’m ‘living the dream.’
Owners: Pat and Cathy Dooley
For 2026 I’ve been sponsored by Stan Coffelt–THANKS!
Fancy
Believe it or not, I’m a Tennessee Walking Horse who doesn’t gait–I trot. Before coming here, I was used for lessons for children, trail riding, and have even been in a parade or two. I’m on ‘free lease’ from a very generous family, who felt that my skill set and temperament would be great for Ridin’ High riders…and they were right! I’ve been at Ridin’ High for several years now and am a very reliable lesson horse.
Owner: Kassandra Sellers
For 2026, I’ve been sponsored by Cindy D. – THANKS!
Star
I’m the perfect size (14:3 hh), breed (Morgan) and build (stocky) to be a therapy horse. I also have quite a bit of advanced training, so am a great fit for more independent riders. I have a forward walk, steady trot, and can also canter and do a little lateral work. My skills give riders a fun riding experience and a chance to advance their skills–which leads to confidence. Of course, I’m a pretty attractive mare, too, if I do say so myself!
Owner: Sarah Brynjulson
For 2026 I’ve been sponsored by Linda Bird – THANKS!
Nellie
Like Star, I’m the perfect size (14:3 hh) and build (stocky) to be a therapy horse. I also have quite a bit of advanced training: I have a forward walk, steady trot, and can also canter and do a little lateral work. I’ve had a lot of natural horsemanship training, so am great for any groundwork activities as well. I’ve become an icon of the program because I can be used for riders who need a leader as well as independent riders who want to advance their riding skills.
Owner: Denise Nedelco Galligar
For 2026 I’ve been sponsored by the Jett Family – THANKS!
Aztec
Everyone says I have a kind temperament and truly want to interact with people – and they are right! I’ve been making progress in my training (by the staff and Toni Corn); I’m also a great size (13:3 hands) and build for many riders.
Owner: Ridin’ High
For 2026 I’ve been sponsored by Toni Corn – THANKS!
Dream
I’m a 5 year old Haflinger and beautiful (at least that’s what everyone says)! At 14:2 hands, I’m the perfect size and build (chunky) to be a therapy horse. Although I’m young, the professional horse people all agree that I have a good mind for being a therapy horse. Besides looking gorgeous, I’m being used in relationship building/natural horsemanship lessons, some limited riding lessons, and am actively in training by the staff. I’m the youngest horse here, but the training I’m getting – along with my great temperament – is equipping me to be a great member of the herd for many years.
For 2026, I’ve been sponsored by Linda Bird — THANKS!
Woodchuck
I’m a rangy ranch horse who came out of Texas, with a big, goofy personality the size of Texas as well! Frankly, my fun and entertaining approach to life makes me extremely popular with everyone. I’m used for the Veterans program and riding lessons. When I’m not ‘working,’ you can usually find me sparring with my best friend, Jackson. We provide great entertainment and make everyone laugh (my horse superpower). I’d also like to point out that a recent survey of Ridin’ High volunteers and riders indicated that I am the smartest horse in the barn, too.
Owners: Pat and Cathy Dooley
For 2026 I’ve been sponsored by Crossroads Dressage & Combined Training Society – THANKS!
Retired Horses
Barney
I served as a beloved therapy horse at Ridin’ High for almost 10 years! I also have a well-earned reputation of being ‘one of the kindest horses ever.’ I’ve now been retired to Long Away Acres Sanctuary, where I’m ‘living the dream’ on 16 acres of pasture, a great barn/run-in shed setup, and lots of individualized care. It’s great to hang out with my old friends, Ginger, Zorro, and Charm.
Zorro
I was used in the program for ‘led’ and independent lesson. Everyone liked my calm manner, training level, and good looks. Unfortunately, I developed some spinal and arthritic issues (suspected kissing spine) that made it hard for me to be happy in lessons–but I am super content and comfortable being a beautiful pasture pet! I’ve been retired to Long Away Acres Sanctuary, which has been set up as a non-profit, peaceful retirement home for therapy horses.
Ginger
So I just might be one of the most famous therapy horses at Ridin’ High ever! Even though I have a bit of a sassy personality (I prefer to say, “spicy”) when not being ridden, I’m always a true “professional therapy pony” in the arena. I’ve helped literally hundreds of riders through the many years I’ve been at Ridin’ High! Due to problems with my vision, I’ve been retired to Long Away Acres Sanctuary.
Charm
I served as a stellar therapy horse at Ridin’ High for more than two years. I was especially good at being in ‘led’ lessons with riders who needed a lot of physical support. I’ve since been retired to Long Away Acres Sanctuary
In Memorandum: Nutmeg
Nutmeg was the best therapy horse ever and could absolutely be trusted with any rider. She passed peacefully at Ridin’ High in November 2025. We will miss her forever, but also remember her with great fondness for her HUGE contributions to the lives of so many.
Help Our Horses
To sponsor (or partially sponsor) one of our horses, contact our office by email (ridinhighinc@yahoo.com) or phone (423-585-0331). Horse sponsorships are $1200/year, which includes hay, grain, hoof trimming, routine vet work, and care. Partial sponsorships (for $400, $600, or $800) are also available. We also accept donations of hay, grain, and horse care items. We are looking for horse sponsors! Horses can be sponsored by individuals, businesses, clubs, or organizations. They can also be sponsored anonymously in ‘honor’ or memory of a loved one.
We have also established a ‘veterinarian / medication / supplemental feed’ fund to pay for non-routine costs, such as special medications and treatments to help maintain our horses’ soundness and comfort. For example, some of our horses required special medications, feed, shoeing, and supplements. If you’re interested in donating to this fund, indicate it on your check…for online donations, indicate this fund in your comments. Thanks!
Our horses are extremely important to us and we follow horse industry (and PATH) standards in providing their care. We have earned the “Guardian” status by Equus Foundation for several years in a row, which indicates we follow best practices in caring for our horses. Only a few centers in the southeast have achieved this distinction. Consider joining us to help us continue to provide excellent care for our horses!
