Meet our Healing Herd
Take a minute to meet each of our horses below.
Learn more about how to donate in-kind horse services and supplies, or how to become a 2023-2024 horse sponsor:
Contact Riley Sheets via email or call her directly at 541-382-9410.
Ace
About Ace
Breed: Gypsy Vanner
Color: Black tobiano
Born: 2017
At Healing Reins Since: 2022
Owned by: Ashley Newton
Sponsored By: Deschutes Dental Center
With his curious and goofy personality, Ace is truly one of a kind. He has a youthful energy that makes everyone smile, and still shows a maturity beyond his years with his easy going demeanor. Ace is both a patient partner for participants who are new to horses, as well as an engaging partner for those who have prior experience with horses.
Augie
About Augie
Breed: Morgan
Color: Chocolate Palomino
Born: 2004
At Healing Reins Since: June 2021
Owned By: Karen Pate
Sponsored By: Friends of Healing Reins
Augie’s personality is just as lovely as his coloring- hanging out with humans is his favorite and he loves love and cuddles. With his gentle and kind nature and an incredibly smooth movement, Augie excels in both therapeutic and recreational horsemanship. He is a wonderful partner, a patient teacher, and a loving friend.
Cappy
About Cappy
Breed: Warmblood
Color: Bay
Born: 2004
At Healing Reins Since: 2022
Owned by: Darren and Lisa Pleasance
Sponsored By: Friends of Healing Reins
Cappy loves all of his people, and looks to them for reassurance and what to do next. He is silly, sweet, friendly, and loves being part of our Mental Health Herd. When not in “work mode,” Cappy pushes boundaries in a playful and attention seeking way.
Cece
About Cece
Breed: Rocky Mountain Horse
Color: Chocolate Palomino
Born: 2001
At Healing Reins Since: 2021
Owned By: Healing Reins
Sponsored By: Thrive Mental Health
Echo
About Echo
Breed: Haflinger
Color: Chestnut
Born: 1998
At Healing Reins Since: 2018
Owned by: Leah Bishop
Sponsored By: Friends of Healing Reins
Echo is a sensitive mare with high emotionality and a big heart. She is a fast mover with quick gaits and is very responsive to her riders’ cues and feelings. Echo likes to work hard, loves a challenge, and enjoys learning new things. Echo’s small, sturdy stature makes her a nice choice for many of our independent young adults.
Elvis
About Elvis
Breed: Hackney Welsh Cross
Color: Smokey Buckskin
Born: 1999
At Healing Reins Since: 2018
Owned by: Healing Reins
Sponsored by: Brad & Lisa Bailey
Elvis is aptly named – he is the king! He’s a cautious little guy, and sometimes his shyness can be mistaken for rudeness. Actually, because of his retiring personality, he is a wonderful horse for EAMH clients who might also struggle with confidence or courage. We can learn so much from horses and Elvis is a small but mighty teacher!
Faith
About Faith
Breed: Norwegian Fjord
Color: Dun
Born: 1995
At Healing Reins Since: 2011
Owned by: Healing Reins
Sponsored By: Fortress of Central Oregon
Faith is a kind little mare who shows endless patience and kindness while working with participants. After a long career working in adapted horsemanship classes, Faith retired from riding to join our Equine Assisted Mental Health herd where she continues to share her loving and attentive personality. She is versatile gal who does great with both groups and one-on-one sessions.
Hobo
About Hobo
Breed: Arabian
Color: Bay
Born: 2001
At Healing Reins Since: 2023
Owned by: Healing Reins
Hobo is currently in need of an annual sponsor!
Hobo is a petite gentleman who loves people! He brings a quiet and calming presence to everyone who works with him. His small size makes Hobo a perfect partner for young participants or participants who may be nervous around horses. Hobo is engaging, kind and patient, making him a great option for Equine Assisted Mental Health and Learning.
Ike
About Ike
Breed: Paint
Color: Bay Tobiano
Born: 2003
At Healing Reins Since: 2019
Owned by: David and Shery Mays
Sponsored By: Dawn Cofer
Ike is a big guy who looks to his participant for leadership, making him a great horse to learn from. He is steady and quiet and truly wants a partnership with his human team, making him invaluable as a teacher. Before coming to Healing Reins, Ike was a trail horse and, with his big trot and equally big heart, we love having him!
Laci
About Laci
Breed: Clydesdale
Color: Black
Born: 2004
At Healing Reins Since: 2020
Owned by: Connie Hegele of Lone Pine Clydesdales
Sponsored by: Starfire Body Piercing Studio & Body Jewelry Company
Laci is a sweet, gentle, curious mare who enjoys spending time with people. Her big, floaty gaits make her a wonderfully smooth ride. Before coming here Laci was both an exceptional carriage horse and a loving broodmare. It’s thanks to these experiences that Laci is able to use her quiet confidence to partner with our participants.
Maleah
About Maleah
Breed: Quarter Horse
Color: Buckskin
Born: 2001
At Healing Reins Since: 2012
Owned by: Dorothy Forsyth
Sponsored By: Katrina Hayes and Steve McBurnett
Maleah’s favorite thing about life is her work: she does it with all of her heart. She can be choosy with her affection but she loves to please and partner with people. Maleah has smooth, steady transitions and long consistent movement, which make her a natural choice for riders who are learning to move from one gait to the next.
QD
About QD
Breed: Paint
Color: Chestnut
Born: 2000
At Healing Reins Since: 2018
Owned by: Jeff and Dawn Curl
QD is currently in need of an annual sponsor!
QD has tons of experience as an OHSET horse, and she brings her intelligence and self-assurance to her work at Healing Reins. Because of her mellow, unflappable nature and propulsive movement, she’s popular in hippotherapy sessions as well as with anyone who is in need of a supportive and affirming equine partner.
Sam
About Sam
Breed: Clydesdale
Color: Bay
Born: 2011
At Healing Reins Since: 2021
Owned By: Healing Reins
Sponsored by: Starfire Body Piercing Studio & Body Jewelry Company
Sam is a wonderful representation of a draft horse- he is gentle, kind and calm. He loves people and loves to please those working with him. As a former carriage horse, Sam approaches new situations with a thoughtful consideration that makes him a great fit for therapeutic horsemanship.
Swamper
About Swamper
Breed: Quarter Horse
Color: Bay Roan
Born: 2002
At Healing Reins Since: 2021
Owned By: Healing Reins
Sponsored By: Stefan and Kari D’Angona
Swamper is confident, curious, and loves people. His been-there-done-that attitude comes from years as a ranch horse and makes him a reliable mount in any situation. The combination of his large build and goofy, mischievous personality makes him popular in mental health and horsemanship services.
Tino
About Tino
Breed: Morgan
Color: Bay
Born: 2003
At Healing Reins Since: 2019
Owned by: Brittney Snyder
Sponsored By: Jon and Erin Luoma
Tino is a firecracker of a horse who is an indispensable member of the herd. With his powerful movement and small stature, he’s a natural fit for hippotherapy clients, while his vivacity makes him popular with teenage participants, who sense in him a kindred spirit. He enjoys teaching his participants, and does so with enthusiasm.
Tuffy
About Tuffy
Breed: Quarter Horse
Color: Bay
Born: 1999
At Healing Reins Since: 2021
Owned By: Christine Baker
Sponsored By: The Capozzi Family
Tuffy is loved by all for his sweet personality- he never misses an opportunity to show his humans how much he loves them! His friendly personality paired with a quiet and stoic demeanor makes him a perfect match for those who may be nervous around horses, or just want a friend to decompress with.
Wasco
About Wasco
Breed: Quarter Horse
Color: Chestnut
Born: 2001
At Healing Reins Since: 2023
Owned By: Dottie & Eli Ashley
Sponsored By: Wasco is currently in need of an annual sponsor!
Wasco is an old soul. Calm, brave and curious, his experience as a mounted shooting and trail horse has made him a wonderful addition to our herd. Wasco loves to be with people and takes great care of the humans who work with him. He is an excellent partner for people who are new to horsemanship.
Do you have a horse that you think would make a good addition to the Healing Reins Herd?
We’re always on the lookout for the ideal therapy horse here at Healing Reins. The equine members of our team are hugely important to us and are chosen very carefully. The ideal therapy horse is sound and unflappable, with a been-there-done-that attitude. Our herd members have had careers in dressage, high school equestrian teams, trail riding, ranch work, and more. Miles and experience add up to the quiet, assured horses our participants need.
We do not typically buy horses or accept donated horses – when they retire, we want to be able to send horses back to their owners for a nice life of leisure in their golden years.
Each equine considered for our herd must:
- Be sound at the walk, trot, and canter
- Be well trained both under saddle and in hand
- Be comfortable with sudden noises, unbalanced riders, and positional changes
- Be able to live outside with other horses
- Be free of vices such as biting, kicking, bucking, or rearing
- Be up to date on vaccinations, dentals, and farrier work
If you think your horse would enjoy being part of the Healing Herd, fill out the form below.
Volunteer at
Healing Reins
It is thanks to our dedicated and hard-working team of volunteers that we are able to provide our participants with the hope and healing they deserve. From preparing for and working in lessons to caring for our beautiful facility, to working behind the scenes doing administrative work, our talented volunteers make our world go round!