MILES OF SMILES HORSES

MILES OF SMILES Therapeutic Riding Program
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Sara Brown, Director of Programs Email MOS: miles_of_smiles@sbcglobal.net
Requirements for Therapy Horses Being a therapy horse is a big job! The horse must be well-broke and have a good disposition. While many therapy horses are older and "retired" from previous use, they must still be sound & in relatively good health. To become a therapy horse, a prospect goes through many hours of workouts and practice with our certified instructors and able-bodied volunteers to ensure that the horse will be suitable for the program. Unfortunately, some of the horses we try out just don't make the cut. Therapy horses in general run the gamut of size & breed, and our herd is no exception: from miniature horse "Magic" to our draft horse "Tiny", we've got quite an assortment. The one unifying characteristic, and one of the most heart-touching aspects of our program, is that they all just seem to know that they have been chosen for a very special purpose! Meet our horses...		Shop and Change a Life
"Magic - A "special" Little Girl"	Magic's trip to the Library!
Magic is a miniature horse who was donated to MOS in November of 2008. Her size is very beneficial to our short clients, as well as our clients in wheel chairs. They are able to learn grooming skills and feel more comfortable with her less intimidating size. Magic has become a great ambassador to the community for Miles of Smiles. She lost a hind foot in a freak accident a few years ago and is proof that even with a disability, one can have a purpose in life!
"April - A Spring Flower"
"Paint - Our Own Comedian" Well, what can you say about a paint horse named Paint?! As you can see from the photo at left, Paint is definitely the "class clown" of the group! If there is anything around to get into, Paint will be there...If there is a gate to be opened, Paint will be there...If there is a picture that "needs" to be torn off a pole (during lessons!) or a bucket to check out, or even a ball to chew on, Paint is there! Paint is fairly tall, and he moves right out when he walks, so he keeps our side-walkers hopping! Who needs an exercise program when they have Paint! Although ornery, Paint is so loveable that everyone knows it's all in good fun, and we would sure be lost without this sweetheart!
"Tiny - He's anything but small!" Part Percheron and part Quarter Horse, Tiny is the largest member of our herd. Owned by instructor, Tiffany Schmidt, he is used for our vaulting team! Believe it or not, Tiny was once used as a feed lot horse and has proven that the versatility of the therapy horse is very important and beneficial.
"Money - A True Gentleman" They say "Money is Power", and in this case HE really is! His strength and size make him a very special part of our therapeutic riding program. Retired from an extensive AQHA show career, Money came to us in the Summer of 2008. We feel very fortunate to have this gentle giant working with us!
"Twister - On the Move!" Twister came to us in the fall of 2008. Retired from barrel racing, Twister has proven to be a wonderful addition to our program. His patience and willingness to accept lesson activities he has never done before prove to us that he will be a valuable member of the Miles of Smiles herd for a long time!
"Satch - The Ladies Man" Satch is a former team roping horse. Due to an injury, he can no longer perform the hard work of roping, but he is still young enough and sound enough to provide his services for our riders. He loves to be scratched and rubbed, and of course loves the attention that everyone gives him here. His “Western” horse buddies wouldn’t believe it if they saw him in our Tuesday night class of “English” horses! He even has trotted over a small jump for us!
"Ginger - the Spice of our Group" Ginger was donated to MOS in the Spring of 2005. She is in her mid-teens, and has a lot of life left in her! She is a Welch pony cross, so her size is really nice to work with when it comes to riders who may need a little more “hands on” support from our volunteers. Ginger is very sweet, but sometimes tends to have a stubborn streak, but what horse doesn’t? Our riders and volunteers have all become very attached to this little lady, we feel very privileged to work with her.
"Sugar - A True Sweetheart" Sugar started working in our program in the Spring of 2006. She had been owned by a volunteer and when she came up for sale, we couldn’t let her go. Sugar tends to get a little nervous at times, but as soon as our riders get on her back, she calms right down. Our riders really benefit from her gentleness and they love her “Paint” color pattern.
"Skip - The Grumpy Old Man" Skip is owned by board member and instructor, Jennifer Standley. In his past life, Skip was a very accomplished show horse, with hours of experience with kids. Most of the time, he tries to conserve as much energy as he possibly can, but we wouldn’t want him any other way. He is very laid back and easy going, which is just what most of our riders need.
Retired But Not Forgotten The following are our horses that have been retired from service. "Tango" "Buddy" "Granny" "Sugar (Bay)" "Annie" "Nick" "Sally" "Token" "Mac" "Hattie" "Sam" "Sydney" "Chief" "Star" "Scissors" "Dusty" "Taffy" "Charlie" "Foxy - In Loving Memory"
Some Horses Go To Heaven I think some horses go to heaven, and I can prove it too. The Bible even talks about it, so for me it must be true. Last night I had a funny dream, I passed through the Pearly Gates and standin' on the other side was one of Jesus' precious saints. He said "I want to show you something," and he took me to a place where the grass was green and luscious and a herd of horses grazed. He said, "These are the special ones, part of the grand design. Some helped the lame or crippled, some helped the deaf or blind. They don't talk but they communicate, from the One who rules above of gentle strength and patience, of unconditional love." He said, "I myself experienced what it's like to live each day as a prisoner of my body, to hear the things that people say. "And when it was the loneliest, I needed something I could touch, these horses always helped me, and now you know how much." Then, when he finished talkin', he turned to walk away. Then he stopped and turned around, with one more thing to say. "All His children will be perfect, when they reach the promised land. For now His gift of animals will be His helping hand." by Mike Lee, cowboy poet

Sara Brown, Director of Programs Miles of Smiles PO Box 426 901 West Maple Garden City, KS 67846